Upon arrival at Fort Smith, your first destination should be Ms. Laura’s Social Club – a restored Victorian mansion that used to be a Bordello. There is no other city that preserves a former brothel as a tourist destination and even designates it as its tourism welcome center. That fact alone speaks volumes of how interesting and unique the culture and the people of Fort Smith are.
The Fort Smith Museum of history brings to life the story of the city’s growth from a fort into a sprawling city through its numerous exhibits. The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a railroad museum which is an absolute hit for kids. Allow yourself to be transported to the past while riding a genuine electric trolley, the same ones people used about a hundred years ago.
The Fort Smith Air Museum has various aircrafts on exhibit for those who love aviation. Look forward to the completion of the National U.S. Marshals Museum, which will feature interactive and engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages.
Fort Smith is also has an abundance of historic sites. A trip here would not be complete without a visit to the Fort Smith National Historic Site where you can see the remnants of the original fort as well as visit the courtroom of the “hanging judge”.
Foodies will be glad to know that the biggest hamburger in Arkansas can be found right here at Fort Smith in Ed Walker’s diner. Imagine a burger the size of a pizza, with a five pound patty and a huge serving of fries. You can share it with your friends and family or you can be greedy and eat it by yourself.
As a city that takes great pride in its colourful past, a trip to Fort Smith is one that promises to enrich you with a better understanding of its history and how it has shaped the city’s old west culture.