'''Fort Smith''' is located in northwest Arkansas and borders Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Sebastian County. The city has a population of 80,286 which makes it the second largest city in Arkansas behind Little Rock. It is located in the River Valley of Arkansas between the Ouachita mountains in the south and the Boston and Ozark mountains of the north and a gateway city to the Ozarks.

Understand

In 1817 Fort Smith was established as a military fort next to Indian territory in Oklahoma. It is located at the junction of the Arkansas river and the Poteau river at a place that early French explorers called Belle Point. This location was a good place to build a fort guarding the wilderness to the west and the Indian territory of Oklahoma.

Get in

By plane

  • '''Fort Smith Regional Airport''' [http://www.fortsmithairport.com] ({{IATA|FSM}}) has service by American Eagle, Delta Connection, and Northwest Airlink to Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Memphis respectively.
  • '''Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport''' ({{IATA|XNA}}) [http://www.nwara.com] located near Bentonville, is about an hour and a half from Fort Smith.
  • '''Tulsa International Airport''' ({{IATA|TUL}}) [http://www.tulsaairports.com/] (in Oklahoma) and '''Little Rock International Airport''' ({{IATA|LIT}}) [http://www.lrn-airport.com/] are both about a two-hour drive away.
  • By train

    Fort Smith itself does not have passenger rail service. The nearest cities with Amtrak stations are Oklahoma City, which is the northern terminus of the ''Heartland Flyer'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321396&ssid=137] to Fort Worth; and Little Rock, which is served by the ''Texas Eagle'' [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081442673815&ssid=133] San Antonio - Chicago route.

    By car

    Fort Smith is located at the intersection of Interstate 40, Interstate 540, and US Route 71.

    By bus

    The [http://www.jeffersonlines.com/schedule.asp Jefferson Lines] services the city with bus service to the east, west and north.

    Get around

    The best way to get around and see Fort Smith is by car. Also, public transport is provided by [http://www.fsark.com/services/transit/process.php?id=95 Fort Smith Transit]. Although Fort Smith is Arkansas' second largest city, it is relatively compact and getting around shouldn't be much of a problem.

    See

  • '''Miss Laura's Social Club and Visitor Center''', 2 N "B" St., ''+1 479'' 783-8888, A house of ill-repute from Fort Smith's past, now a visitor center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a good starting point for any visit to Fort Smith.
  • '''Fort Smith National Historic Site''', South of Garrison Ave., near the Arkansas river. Parking and Park entrance near 3rd St. and Garland Ave. [http://www.nps.gov/fosm/home/] This site includes both the original Fort sites and the reconstructed gallows of Hanging Judge Issac Parker.
  • '''Trolley Museum''', 100 S. 4th, ''+1 479'' 783-0205 [http://www.fstm.org] Take a ride on the trolley past the Judge Parker court and the National Historic Site.
  • '''Belle Grove Historic District''', 22 square block area north of downtown, On the National Register of Historic Places and has 25 restored historical homes.
  • '''Fort Chaffee''' and '''Chaffee Crossing''', Hwy 22 ''(east of Fort Smith)'' Former military fort with a rich history. Was built in 1941 and includes 22,000 acres. Elvis Presley was inducted into the military and started basic training there. The movies ''"Biloxi Blues,"'' and ''"A Soldier's Story"'' were filmed there.
  • Do

    Festivals

  • '''The Fort Smith Jazz Festival''' [http://www.fortsmithjazz.com] - The Jazz Fest started in 2005 and is held in October.
  • '''Riverfront Blues Festival''' [http://www.riverfrontbluesfest.org] - Annual in August each year. Free.
  • '''Old Fort Days Rodeo''' [http://www.kayrodgerspark.com/ofdr_home.html] - Annual event in late May/Early June.
  • Learn

  • '''UA Fort Smith''', 5210 Grand Ave., ''+1 479'' 788-7000 [http://www.uafortsmith.edu] The only college in Fort Smith.
  • Work

    There are several major employers in Fort Smith, including Baldor Electric, Whirlpool Corporation, Rheem, Golden Ventures and Arkansas Best Corporation (ABF).

    Buy

  • '''Central Mall''', 5111 Rogers Ave. ''(Exit 8, I-540)'' [http://www.centralmallfortsmith.com] This mall is the primary shopping mall in Fort Smith with shops, restaurants and movies.
  • '''Solemates On The Avenue''', 505 Garrison Ave., ''+1 479'' 782-2313, Fax ''+1 479'' 782-2313. Womens clothing.
  • '''T's Boutique''', 507 N. Greenwood Ave., ''+1 479'' 484-5608. Ladies Boutique.
  • '''Stringtown Yarn & Fiber'''[http://www.stringtownyarn.com], 11 North 3rd Street, ''+1 479'' 434-2617, Supplies for knitting, crochet, and handspinning.
  • Eat

    You will find the standard chain restaurants spread out for 2 miles on Rogers Ave. to the east of Interstate 540. They include Friday's, Applebees, Chili's, Outback Steak House, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Arby's, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Wendy's, Schlotzsky's Deli, IHOP and Village Inn.

  • '''Bella Italia Restaurant''', 407. N. 8th St., ''+1 479'' 785-1550
  • '''Calico Country''', 2401 South 56th, ''+1 479'' 452-3299, [http://www.calicocounty.net] Family style restaurant with great cinnamon rolls.
  • '''Catfish Cove Restaurant''', 1615 S. Phoenix Av., ''+1 479'' 646-8835, Catfish, Seafood and frog legs on a all you can buffet.
  • '''Doe's Steak House''', 422 N. 3rd Street, ''+1 479'' 784-9111, [http://www.doeseatplace.com] Great steaks and tamales.
  • '''Diamond Head Restaurant''', 4600 Towson Ave. Suite 59., ''+1 479'' 646-2762 A Great Chinese Dine in Restaurant.
  • '''Hamburger Barn''', 317 Garrison Av., ''+1 479'' 782-0233, Design your own hamburger.
  • '''Jerry Neel's BBQ''', 1823 S Phoenix Av., ''+1 479'' 646-8085, Very good BBQ.
  • '''Art's BBQ''', ''+1 479'' 452-2502, Even better BBQ.
  • '''Leoncia's''', 1000 Garrison Ave. ''(Downtown)'', ''+1 479'' 783-6500. 11AM-8PM M-Sa. New Orleans sandwiches.
  • '''Lin's Garden Chinese Restaurant''', 7308 Rogers Ave., ''+1 479'' 484-5090. Good Chinese buffet.
  • '''Ole Feed House''', 3801 Planters Rd., ''+1 479'' 649-9525, Seafood and BBQ Buffet, don't miss out on the homemade cinnamon rolls.
  • '''Rolando's Restaurante''', 223 Garrison Avenue, ''+1 479'' 573-0404, [http://rolandosrestaurante.com/] Nuevo Latino food in a Southern hospitality setting.
  • '''Taliano's''', 201 North 14th Street, ''+1 479'' 785-2292, Very good Italian food.
  • '''Varsity Sports Grill''', 318 Garrison Ave., ''+1 479'' 494-7173, [http://varsityfortsmith.com] TV's with all the games, pool and great homemade potato chips.
  • Drink

  • '''Rooster's Blues Bar''', 801 Garrison Ave., ''+1 479'' 783-2625.
  • '''Kinkead's''', 1004-1/2 Garrison Ave. ''(Downtown)'', ''+1 479'' 783-9988. [http://www.kirbykinkeads.com] 6PM-1AM M-F, 6PM-Midnight Sa. Alternative dance and show bar.
  • '''Sweet Bay Coffee Co.''', 3400 Rogers Ave., ''+1 479'' 452-6050, Fax ''+1 479'' 424-1711.
  • Sleep

  • '''Aspen Hotel & Suites''', [http://www.aspenhotelandsuites.net] 2900 S. 68th St., ''+1 479'' 452-9000, Fax: ''+1 479'' 484-0551, mailto:erosenfield@thesummitgroupinc.com
  • '''Holiday Inn''', 700 Rogers Ave., ''+1 479'' 783-1000, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/fsmdt].
  • '''Holiday Inn Express''', 6813 Phoenix Ave, ''+1 479'' 452-7500, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fsmar].
  • '''Residence Inn Fort Smith''', 3005 South 74th Street, ''+1 479'' 478-8300, Fax: ''+1 479'' 478-8302, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FSMRI].
  • '''Motel 6''', 6001 Rogers Ave., ''+1 479'' 484-0576, Fax: ''+1 479'' 484-9054.
  • '''Hampton Inn''', 6201-C Rogers Ave., ''+1 479'' 452-2000, Fax: ''+1 479'' 452-6668, mailto:fsmar_hampton@hilton.com
  • '''Baymont Inn & Suites''', [http://www.baymontinns.com/lq/destSearchResults.do?propId=1009] 2123 Burnham Rd., ''+1 479'' 484-5770, Fax: ''+1 479'' 484-0579.
  • Contact

    The area code for Fort Smith is 479.

  • '''Panera Bread''', 2917 S 74th St. Free Internet.
  • '''Creative Kitchen''', 3111 Old Greenwood Rd, [http://www.creativekitchenstore.com] Free Internet.
  • '''Fort Smith Library''', [http://www.fortsmithlibrary.org] The Main Library at 3201 Rogers Avenue and three branches have computer terminals with internet access; free Wi-Fi is also available at all library locations.
  • Stay safe

    Check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Fort Smith. A tornado ripped through downtown Fort Smith on April 21, 1996 killing two people.

    Get out

  • '''Talimena Drive''' [http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com] from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas 54 Mile scenic drive in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery.
  • '''Hot Springs''' Visit the national park and Oaklawn Park horse racing. Enjoy a thermal bath in the bath house of your choice.
  • '''Eureka Springs''' only 2-1/2 hours of Ozarks driving from Fort Smith. Take the guided tram tour of the historic area. Visit Christ of the Ozarks monument and Passion Play grounds. Enjoy the ''Little Switzerland'' of the Ozarks.
  • '''Branson''' is just a 3 hour drive and in the heart of the Ozarks. Visit some of the craft shops, see a show, shop the outlet malls and take a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway. Be sure and visit the Veteran Memorial Museum.
  • '''Altus''', a wine-producing town, is a short drive east from Fort Smith on Interstate 40 or US Route 64. It is known best as the setting of ''The Simple Life''. Don't forget to visit the wineries, though, and while you're at it, wine tasting is also a great idea. While in Altus, it worth stopping to see the interior of St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Church is decorated with elaborate frescos that were painted by a German artist who was stranded in the United States following the outbreak of World War I.
  • '''Buffalo National River''', about three hours from Fort Smith, is a popular place for boating and fishing.