'''Altus''' [http://www.arkansas.com/city-listings/city_detail.aspx?city=Altus] is located in the River Valley region of Arkansas. It is known for its wines and having been the location of the first season of the reality TV show ''The Simple Life'' starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
Get in
By air
'''Fort Smith''' is the nearest city with an airport ({{IATA|FSM}}) [http://www.fortsmithairport.com/]. The next closest airport is the '''Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport''' ({{IATA|XNA}}) [http://www.nwara.com/] about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
By car
Altus is located on U.S. Route 64, about 45 miles east of Fort Smith.
From Little Rock, travel west on Interstate 40.
From Fayetteville or the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, travel south on Interstate 540 until it intersects Interstate 40 in Alma, then go east on I-40.
Get around
Altus is a small town, so getting around isn't really a problem. The whole town can be toured by car, bicycle, or walking.
See
Wineries
The main tourist attractions in Altus are the wineries.
'''Chateau aux Arc''' [http://www.chateauauxarc.com/]
'''Mount Bethel''' [http://www.mountbethel.com/]
'''Post Familie''' [http://www.postfamilie.com]
'''Wiederkehr''' [http://wiederkehrwines.com]
Other places
For fans of ''The Simple Life'', you will easily recognize the setting. Note however, that the Sonic Drive-In and the Wal-Mart are not located in Altus, but in the neighboring town of Ozark which is the next town west on U.S. Route 64.
Do
If you are a Catholic, a ''Simple Life'' fan, or both, you might want to attend Mass at '''Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church''', also called '''St. Mary's Church'''. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was attended by Hilton and Richie on the show.
Buy
Most wineries sell bottles of wine in their gift shops.
Eat
The Wiederkehr winery hosts the '''Weinkeller Restaurant''' [http://www.wiederkehrwines.com/kellermain.html]. It is a gourmet restaurant, with prices ranging from moderate to expensive. But the food is very well worth the price.
Visited by Hilton and Richie:
'''Alligator Ray's Pizza''' 107 East Main Street, (479) 468-2237
'''Kelt's''' 119 West Main Street (479) 468-2413
Drink
While taking a tour of a winery, you might be given a chance at free wine tasting. Altus' wines are among the most exquisite in the world, so don't miss out on it.
Sleep
Altus has very little accommodations, most of which are bed-and-breakfast inns.
Most visitors to Altus travel there on side trips from Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Eureka Springs. All three cities have abundant hotel accommodations.
Get out