Van Buren and Fort Smith
Western Portal to Arkansas

   Interstate 40 follows the Arkansas River as far as Little Rock. With the Boston Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south, one would be hard pressed to find more beautiful scenery — especially in the autumn when the leaves burst into a riot of color.
   If you aren't in a great hurry, there are many opportunities to get off the Interstate, slow down, and just enjoy sight-seeing. Arkansas towns seem to radiate with old-fashioned hospitality. And, if you want to take a day off to go hiking, here's your chance. One very good opportunity is the Fort Smith area at the Oklahoma border. The Arkansas River makes a big loop creating a peninsula-like land mass which became Fort Smith. There are a couple of RV parks and campgrounds handy to I-40 — at exits 3 and 5 — and you could easily enjoy a day or two relaxing in the Van Buren - Fort Smith area.

 Call of the Wild Goose
   To get to Ft. Smith from I-40 in Arkansas you have to go through Van Buren which is just across the Arkansas River from Ft Smith. You could use one of the bridges but you also could ride the Wild Goose. This 'wild goose' is a jet-powered, high speed airboat which will zip you across the Arkansas River. So we call this one the Call of the Wild Goose. Get tickets and board at the marina at the end of Main Street. For more information phone 479-474-9898.

All Aboard!
   Van Buren has taken over the old Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Depot. This isn't just another old building of historic value, it is a working train depot restored to its original condition. From April through September, for about $40, you can buy a ticket to ride the train, It is a very scenic route, a 134 mile round trip, to Springdale (just north of Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas). There are even a few tunnels. Tickets are a little more on weekends and during leaf-viewing season. Children (4 to 16) and senior citizens get 10% off. Get more information about the train at 800-687-8600 or visit their web site at www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com.

Home of Tiny Tim?
   Just a few yards from the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Depot, Main Street bends and continues another ten blocks to the bank of the Arkansas River. This ten blocks has been completely restored to the way it may have looked in the late 1800s. The street lights have been replaced by the old-timey style lamps (really cool after dark!). You would probably enjoy a brief walk up and down Main, peeking into the store fronts. It is like something right out of a Charles Dickens novel.

Fort Smith's Surprise Greeting
   Van Buren has its restored train depot housing the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau. Fort Smith, not to be out done by Van Buren, has housed its visitors' center an old building named Miss Laura's. Miss Laura's was originally a brothel. That's right. And as you might guess, the place has a lot of colorful history. It has been restored for the umpteenth time (last time because it was heavily damaged by the 1996 tornado) and is the only former house of prostitution on the National Register of Historic Places. The only genuine thing left from the brothel days, however, are the names of the girls who 'worked' there in the brothel days, each name boldly emblazoned on the transoms of the doors. Fond recognitions?

Clang, Clang, Clang of an Old Street Car
   The senior citizens among us certainly remember the old electric street cars that graced so many of American cities years ago. Fort Smith not only has a Trolley Museum, they operate a 1920s era streetcar. It's only a half-mile run but it's sure to bring back old memories.