Summer Day Trips in the Kia Soul

Tuesday, 26 June, 2018

Arkansas is a beautiful state with quaint, charming towns and stunning scenic views. Being right in the middle of it all, Central Arkansas is a great base for summer day trips around the state. Some of the country’s best natural sights and most historic towns are just a few hours drive from the state capital. Most places in the state don’t require an extremely adventurous car either. A capable car like the Kia Soul can make almost any journey around the state. At Landers Kia, we are well-acquainted with taking day trips around the natural state in our Kia Souls. Here are some of our favorites:

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1. Hot Springs

Hot Springs is one of the most historic cities in America, and it’s less than an hour-long drive from the metro area. Nestled in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs had its heyday in the 1920’s, when prohibition was in effect and notorious gangsters rolled through the town, running speakeasies and casinos while enjoying the spring-fed baths which first made the city famous. Even before the 1920’s, MLB teams held spring training in Hot Springs, away from big cities so players could relax and focus on baseball.

Today, the town boasts plenty to do and makes a great day trip from Little Rock. Go for lunch at McClards, known as one of the country’s best barbecue joints. Take a stroll around downtown, stopping at the historic Arlington Hotel. You can even go for a spa day at one of the historic bathhouses as three are still in business today. If you’re feeling lucky, go to Oaklawn to bet on the horses or enjoy the casino. Finish the day off with dinner at sunset on the shores of Lake Hamilton. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that you won’t be bored with a day trip to Hot Springs.

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2. Buffalo National River

The Buffalo River was the nation’s first national river, established as such in 1972. It features areas of immense natural beauty as it flows through the Ozarks and is perfect for a leisurely summer float. Canoes are readily available for rent in the area, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own. If you get tired of paddling along your trip, get out of the boat and fish for a bit or take a picnic along the banks, basking in the beauty of the area. The Buffalo River is a great day trip from Little Rock, about two and a half hours away.

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3. Rush

Near the scenic Buffalo River is the haunting ghost town of Rush. Rush was a thriving city at its peak, boasting over 22,000 residents after Zinc was found close by in 1882. However, with economic depression in the early 1920’s causing a drop in zinc prices, residents packed up and moved out. Today, many of the town’s buildings remain just as they were left almost 100 years ago. It’s a chilling experience to go to the town and experience what was left behind so long ago. The Rush Historic District is located near the present-day town of Yellville, about two-and-a-half hours from Little Rock.

4. Little Missouri Falls

Little Missouri Falls State Park is located near Glenwood, a little less than two hours from Little Rock. The state park is focused around a set of waterfalls on the Little Missouri River. The state park has numerous trails which make for beautiful hikes, with spots along the river to step under cascades and cool down. Little Missouri Falls makes for a beautiful day trip into nature.

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5. Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs is a small Victorian village located in the heart of the Ozarks of Northern Arkansas. The town is so historic that it is considered in its entirety to be on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown Eureka Springs is bustling, with many quirky stores to check out. Nearby in the hills sits the beautiful Thorncrown Chapel with some of the most outstanding architecture in the state. Eureka Springs also features the “most haunted hotel in America,” the Crescent Hotel, in which you can stay if you wish to turn your day trip into a spooky weekend. Eureka Springs is about three-and-a-half hours from Little Rock on a beautiful drive through the Ozarks.

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6. Spring River

The Spring River is one of the lesser-known canoe trips in the state but is one of the best for the summertime. The Spring River flows from Mammoth Spring on the Missouri-Arkansas border, meaning that the river has a temperature of 58 degrees year-round. This means that even on the hottest days of summer, it feels great to plunge into the chilly water to cool off. The river isn’t a slow, meandering river either. There are a few class II rapids along its highest-trafficked stretch, giving you a thrill as you float. If you drive to Hardy, you can find multiple canoeing companies that will drop you off in the river with canoes and pick you up at the end to return you to your car. The river is about two-and-a-half hours from Central Arkansas, meaning this is definitely a full-day canoe trip.

There you have it: six summer day trips from Little Rock you can make in a Kia Soul . The first step to making any of these trips, however, is having a capable car. Fortunately, Landers Kia has a large selection of vehicles, including the Kia Soul, in which you can make the journey. This summer, make a visit to Landers Kia , then get out and explore the Natural State in your new car.

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Tags : Kia Soul , Travel , Central Arkansas , Spring River , Eureka Springs , Little Missouri Falls , Rush , Buffalo National River , Hot Springs , Arkansas , Soul