The holiday season is in full swing, and there simply isn’t a better way to spend it than exploring the main streets of Arkansas’s towns and cities. You can eat great food, give all that holiday money you’re spending to fantastic local businesses, find the exact unique something your loved one will adore, and enjoy pretty Christmas decorations while you’re at it. Below you’ll find nine Natural State Main Streets that will make your holiday experience as holly jolly as they come.
- Fort Smith
Facebook/Downtown Fort Smith
Facebook/Downtown Fort Smith If you’re looking for a downtown that offers history, Christmas lights, and fantastic holiday shopping, you can’t do much better than Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith. There are tons of shops with everything from antiques to handmade items by local craftspeople to boutique clothing. There’s also a fantastic little tea shop there called Savoy where you can warm yourself. For extra fun, you should check out the Park at West End.
- Jonesboro
Facebook/Downtown Jonesboro Association
Facebook/Downtown Jonesboro Association Downtown Jonesboro’s motto is “Eat. Shop. Live.” Well, that just about sums up what we all want from the holiday season, doesn’t it? You’ll find boutiques, a homey kitchen and bath shop, and some of the best restaurants in the Natural State in downtown Jonesboro.
- Batesville
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Flickr/Dave Thomas Main Street Batesville has been working hard on its revitalization efforts, and there’s no time like the present to go check out what’s happening there. You’ll want to be in town during the Christmas season anyway, because you really do have to go see White River Winter Wonderland. Downtown Batesville holds a number of cool little shops and restaurants, and you’ll definitely want to see the decorations at the Independence County Courthouse.
- Fayetteville
Flickr/MRHSFan
Facebook/Dickson Street Bookshop The Fayetteville Square is home to some truly awe-inspiring Christmas wonder called the Lights of the Ozarks, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the rest of downtown Fayetteville. Fayetteville’s downtown area offers totally adorable shops where you can find the perfect gifts, deliriously amazing bookstores (it’s okay if you call me a nerd for saying that), and unique eateries where you can get extra energy for even more shopping and exploring. Better yet, keep your eyes peeled for Fayetteville’s notoriously cool downtown events.
- El Dorado
Facebook/Main Street El Dorado
Facebook/Main Street El Dorado With an awesome municipal auditorium in their downtown area, downtown El Dorado offers more than just shopping and dining. If you hurry, you may be able to get tickets to the Wynona Judd Christmas show on December 15th. Actually, there’s a fantastic holiday day trip plan for you: shop, eat, see a spectacular show, and enjoy the gorgeous Christmas lights as you leave.
- Heber Springs
Facebook/Downtown Heber Springs
Facebook/Downtown Heber Springs Heber Springs is a delightful town near Greers Ferry that was initially founded as a health resort. It hasn’t strayed far from that designation, because Heber Springs maintains a resort town atmosphere. Their downtown area is a bustling city center where you can shop and dine to your heart’s delight, and also enjoy the stately old Cleburne County Courthouse and numerous art galleries.
- Rogers
Facebook/Main Street Rogers
Facebook/Main Street Rogers If you’re looking for amazing old architecture and a host of locally-owned businesses to enjoy, look no further than the brick streets of historic downtown Rogers. This holiday season the antique stores and boutiques are sure to have all the treasures you need to fill those stockings and gift bags, and the restaurants will delight you when you need a break.
- Eureka Springs
Flickr/The Blonde Mule
Facebook/Eureka Springs Historic District Eureka Springs is just about the quirkiest little town in Arkansas, and its downtown area is one you definitely don’t want to miss. First of all, it’s their off season, so you may be able to get a deal at one of their historic hotels. Secondly, the whole town is basically a Victorian village, and there’s nothing quite like seeing an old town dressed up in her Christmas lights. Thirdly, you’re not likely to find anywhere in the Natural State with quite so many unique shops where you can find amazing gifts for your loved ones.
- Siloam Springs
Facebook/Main Street Siloam Springs
Facebook/Main Street Siloam Springs If there’s anything downtown Siloam Springs wants to make you feel, it’s comfortable. With their friendly atmosphere and adorable shops, there’s a good chance you’ll feel right at home. You’ve got to go there and see their awesome Christmas displays, and you won’t want to miss out on all the shopping and fun in their extremely walkable downtown area.
For incredible Christmas towns you need to see, click here. To find incredible holiday lights, check this out.
Facebook/Downtown Fort Smith
If you’re looking for a downtown that offers history, Christmas lights, and fantastic holiday shopping, you can’t do much better than Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith. There are tons of shops with everything from antiques to handmade items by local craftspeople to boutique clothing. There’s also a fantastic little tea shop there called Savoy where you can warm yourself. For extra fun, you should check out the Park at West End.
Facebook/Downtown Jonesboro Association
Downtown Jonesboro’s motto is “Eat. Shop. Live.” Well, that just about sums up what we all want from the holiday season, doesn’t it? You’ll find boutiques, a homey kitchen and bath shop, and some of the best restaurants in the Natural State in downtown Jonesboro.
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Main Street Batesville has been working hard on its revitalization efforts, and there’s no time like the present to go check out what’s happening there. You’ll want to be in town during the Christmas season anyway, because you really do have to go see White River Winter Wonderland. Downtown Batesville holds a number of cool little shops and restaurants, and you’ll definitely want to see the decorations at the Independence County Courthouse.
Flickr/MRHSFan
Facebook/Dickson Street Bookshop
The Fayetteville Square is home to some truly awe-inspiring Christmas wonder called the Lights of the Ozarks, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore the rest of downtown Fayetteville. Fayetteville’s downtown area offers totally adorable shops where you can find the perfect gifts, deliriously amazing bookstores (it’s okay if you call me a nerd for saying that), and unique eateries where you can get extra energy for even more shopping and exploring. Better yet, keep your eyes peeled for Fayetteville’s notoriously cool downtown events.
Facebook/Main Street El Dorado
With an awesome municipal auditorium in their downtown area, downtown El Dorado offers more than just shopping and dining. If you hurry, you may be able to get tickets to the Wynona Judd Christmas show on December 15th. Actually, there’s a fantastic holiday day trip plan for you: shop, eat, see a spectacular show, and enjoy the gorgeous Christmas lights as you leave.
Facebook/Downtown Heber Springs
Heber Springs is a delightful town near Greers Ferry that was initially founded as a health resort. It hasn’t strayed far from that designation, because Heber Springs maintains a resort town atmosphere. Their downtown area is a bustling city center where you can shop and dine to your heart’s delight, and also enjoy the stately old Cleburne County Courthouse and numerous art galleries.
Facebook/Main Street Rogers
If you’re looking for amazing old architecture and a host of locally-owned businesses to enjoy, look no further than the brick streets of historic downtown Rogers. This holiday season the antique stores and boutiques are sure to have all the treasures you need to fill those stockings and gift bags, and the restaurants will delight you when you need a break.
Flickr/The Blonde Mule
Facebook/Eureka Springs Historic District
Eureka Springs is just about the quirkiest little town in Arkansas, and its downtown area is one you definitely don’t want to miss. First of all, it’s their off season, so you may be able to get a deal at one of their historic hotels. Secondly, the whole town is basically a Victorian village, and there’s nothing quite like seeing an old town dressed up in her Christmas lights. Thirdly, you’re not likely to find anywhere in the Natural State with quite so many unique shops where you can find amazing gifts for your loved ones.
Facebook/Main Street Siloam Springs
If there’s anything downtown Siloam Springs wants to make you feel, it’s comfortable. With their friendly atmosphere and adorable shops, there’s a good chance you’ll feel right at home. You’ve got to go there and see their awesome Christmas displays, and you won’t want to miss out on all the shopping and fun in their extremely walkable downtown area.
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