TOUR THREE DAY 2 The Little Rock campaign of 1863 began with the Union advance from Helena, culminating 40 days later in the seizure of the state capital from Confederate forces after numerous actions and skirmishes. Start your tour in the city with a pair of cemeteries. Several Confederate veterans are buried at Mount Holly Cemetery, including generals James Fleming Fagan and Thomas Churchill. The grounds of Little Rock National Cemetery were used as a Union campground. When the troops left, the Confederates buried their dead on the west side. Enjoy lunch in downtown Little Rock at one of many great restaurants in this foodie city. Next see MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, located in the historic Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal. Many of the exhibits relate to the arsenal’s contribution to the Civil War during both the Confederate and Union occupations of Little Rock. Constructed from 1833 to 1842, the Old State House Museum was the state’s original capitol and where Arkansas delegates voted to secede from the Union. Learn about “Lady Baxter,” the 64-pound cannon on the front lawn. If you want a taste of world-championship barbecue, just look for the nearest Whole Hog Café. This Arkansas-based restaurant started out as, according to the founders, “a hobby that got out of hand.” That hobby led to no less than 13 locations across four states. Delta Cultural Center TOUR THREE DAY 3 Historic Washington State Park Superior Bathhouse Brewery Garvan Woodland Gardens Depart for Historic Washington State Park to follow the path of Civil War history. After the capture of Little Rock by Union troops in September of 1863, the Confederate government of Arkansas fled and headquartered in Hot Springs for a short time before eventually settling at Washington, which served as the Confederate capital of Arkansas from 1863 to 1865. An important stop on the Southwest Trail, the area was visited by James Bowie, Sam Houston and Davy Crockett. James Black, a local blacksmith, forged the legendary Bowie knife in the area. The 1874 Courthouse serves as the park’s visitor center. Start a tour there and continue to the Blacksmith Shop, Weapons Museum, Print Museum and other historic locations that make up the largest collection of 19th century buildings in the state. Grab a lunch of homestyle cooking at the park’s Williams Tavern Restaurant. Continue your Arkansas Civil War Tour in nearby Hot Springs, and enjoy a walk down Bathhouse Row, visit the Gangster Museum of America and enjoy Garvan Woodland Gardens. Eat dinner at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery located in a national park, where they brew their craft beer using the local thermal spring water.
Arkansas Group Travel Arkansas Tours: Page 9
