Fun Things for Kids in Western Arkansas
- The Park at West End is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Park at West End is a "retro" theme park that celebrates various segments of Fort Smith's long history. The park is literally built around history. The entrance gate for example is over 114 years old. There is a vintage carousel and vintage arcade for the kids. There is a ferris wheel that was originally used in the 1930s at the World's Fair in California. You can eat at the Nickel and Dime Diner that is actually a converted railroad car from 1957.
- If you're in Fort Smith and feel like being indoors you can visit Bowling World. Bowling World holds the distinction of being Arkansas's largest bowling center. Regardless of what day you're visiting Bowling World you will be able to participate in one of their daily promotions. These include promotions like Pizza Pins and Pop. Pizza Pins and Pop is available from the hours of 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays only and it includes shoe rentals, two hours of bowling, a large one-topping pizza and a pitcher of soda. The entire package is $36.99. Bowling World also has its own restaurant called Big Daddy's Bar and Grill.
- Fayetteville, Arkansas is home to Lokomotion Family Fun Park. Lokomotion offers go karts, laser tag, bumper boats, mini-golf and it even has a mechanical bull all in one park. Admission into Lokomotion varies depending on how long you're looking to spend there. It's $15 for one person for an hour. There are group rates however and packages you can buy that include one round of every activity at the park. If you or the kids get hungry, the park also has the Café Loko, which serves pizza, hot dogs, nachos and more.
- If you or your children are the outdoors type, there is an adventure awaiting in Mena, Arkansas. The great outdoors and rich history of Mena offers visitors the opportunity hunt for arrowheads left behind by Indian tribes, such as the Washita, Caddo, Osage and more. Many of these tribes lived along the Ouachita River, which runs through Mena. Ouachita is derived from an Indian word that means "river of good hunting grounds...and sparkling silver water." You can either bring your own arrowhead hunting tools, like shovels and sifters, or you can contact Ouachita Renegade Ranch. They will supply you with the tools and some promising locations for your hunt.