Arkansas Off-Beat Roadside Attractions

The alligator farm not only has a petting zoo & alligators but it also has a room with interesting artifacts, including a merman. Open every day of the year from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Alligator food shows are from May 1 to October 15 on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 noon. Found on 847 Whittington in Hot Springs, AR: 501-623-6172.

Did you know Arkansas was the spinach capital of the world? I didn't. However, the folks in Alma do! They have an 8-foot, bronze Popeye tribute in their town square to announce it.

This is truly an amazing little town of miniatures. Most of the "tiny town" is handmade and intricately detailed. Tiny Town is touted as the world's largest animated miniature city and the world's largest indoor display. It's frequented by mini-celebrities like Mr. T. It can be found on Whittington Avenue in Hot Springs: 501-624-4742.

If you like cars, you'll like this museum. There are some "celebrity" cars but the coolest is the Climber. It's the only car ever built in Arkansas. The museum is near Petit Jean in Morrilton, Arkansas: 501-727-5427.

This chapel is famous because you have to enter it through the Bell Tower. It's a beautiful chapel and it's a neat little piece of history. It's adjacent to the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, 30 Crescent Drive: 479-253-9853.

What can you say about a seven story high Jesus? He is a part of the "Great Passion Play" and was built entirely by hand.

This museum has button mosaics and dolls that have been collected over many years. It's attached to Onyx Cave too which is another attraction in itself. Onyx Cave, 338 Onyx Cave Lane, U.S. 62 East Eureka Springs: (479) 253-9321.

The Norman Library is only about the size of a small bedroom: 177 square feet. It is/was a freestanding library and fully operational for a many years. The library was built in 1939 by the WPA. Aside from it's size, it's noted for it's rock work (as many WPA projects are) and Spanish tile roof.

This great little cafe in Redfield is still operational, and has been attracting roadside tourists since the 60s. Redfield is about an hour from Little Rock, towards Pine Bluff.  Get a milkshake.  They're delicious.

The Little Golden Gate Bridge in Beaver takes the name "Little" seriously. It's only 554 feet long and 11 feet wide. The Beaver bridge is the last remaining suspension bridge in Arkansas. Just be careful. It's a one lane bridge, so you have to be considerate to oncoming traffic.