Fort Smith

Fort Smith is a city of approximately 80,000 people in northwest Arkansas, bordering Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Sebastian County and the third largest city in Arkansas behind Little Rock and Fayetteville. Located in the River Valley between the Ouachita Mountains to the south and the Ozark Mountains to the north, Fort Smith serves as a gateway city to the Ozarks.

In 1817 Fort Smith was established as a military fort next to Indian Territory in Oklahoma to keep peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes. The fort was named after General Thomas A. Smith, the district commander. The military later relocated to nearby Fort Chaffee, but civilian settlers remained, establishing a western frontier town. Today Fort Smith is a major economic hub with many corporations headquartered in the city.

Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often in the 90s°F. Spring and fall are pleasant. Winters are mild with occasional cold snaps.

By Plane

Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM IATA). Service by American Eagle from Dallas/Fort Worth, and Delta Connection from Atlanta. Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA IATA) near Bentonville is about 1.5 hours away. Tulsa International Airport (TUL IATA) and Little Rock International Airport (LIT IATA) are both about a 2-hour drive.

By Train

Fort Smith does not have passenger rail service. The nearest cities with Amtrak stations are Oklahoma City (Heartland Flyer to Fort Worth) and Little Rock (Texas Eagle San Antonio-Chicago route).

By Car / Road

Fort Smith is at the intersection of Interstate 40, Interstate 540, and US Route 71. Approximate driving times: 2 hours 30 minutes west of Little Rock, 1 hour south of Fayetteville, 3 hours east of Oklahoma City. Jefferson Lines provides bus service to the east, west, and north.

The best way to get around and see Fort Smith is by car. Public transport is provided by 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.

• Miss Laura's Social Club and Visitor Center, 2 N "B" St. ☏ +1 479 783-8888. A former house of ill-repute, now a visitor center listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A good starting point for any visit.

• Fort Smith National Historic Site, south of Garrison Ave near the Arkansas river. Includes the original Fort sites and the reconstructed gallows of Hanging Judge Isaac Parker, who sentenced 160 criminals to death over 21 years.

• Trolley Museum, 100 S. 4th. ☏ +1 479 783-0205. Take a ride on the trolley past the Judge Parker court and the National Historic Site.

• Belle Grove Historic District. A 22-square-block area north of downtown with 25 restored historical homes, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Fort Chaffee and Chaffee Crossing, Hwy 22 east of Fort Smith. Former military fort built in 1941 with 22,000 acres. Elvis Presley was inducted into the military and started basic training here.

• Explore the Fort Smith National Historic Site and learn about the "Hanging Judge" era.

• Ride the trolley through the historic district.

• Visit the Belle Grove Historic District.

• Explore Chaffee Crossing and Fort Chaffee.

• Attend events at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

Fort Smith offers a variety of dining options, from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods feature local restaurants and chain establishments.

• Budget: Budget motels along the I-40 corridor, with rates from $55-75 per night.
• Mid-range: Hotels near downtown and the interstate, with rates around $85-130 per night.
• Upscale / heritage: Limited upscale options in Fort Smith itself; Fayetteville and Bentonville offer more luxury accommodations about 1 hour north.

• Fayetteville (60 miles north). Home of the University of Arkansas with Dickson Street dining and nightlife.
• Hot Springs (120 miles southeast). Famous for its thermal baths and Hot Springs National Park.
• Ouachita National Forest (nearby). Hiking and camping in 1.8 million acres of forest.
• Oklahoma City (200 miles west). State capital with museums and dining.