Travel to Fort Smith Arkansas

Many people might not know it, but Fort Smith was named after General Thomas Smith and was originally built to be used as a military post in 1817. Located along the Arkansas River, it became known for its fur trading and its heritage in law enforcement.

Although it’s been abandoned several times throughout history, the Fort Smith Arkansas population stands at nearly 90,000 people strong. Each one as friendly as the next, you’re sure to find some loving and joyful personalities throughout Fort Smith. 

In fact, the Fort Smith Arkansas population is enough to name it the second-largest city in Arkansas - next to Little Rock, of course. Whether you feel like visiting Fort Smith or adding to the Fort Smith Arkansas population, we have some tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

Arriving at the Fort Smith Arkansas Airport

One of the beautiful things about Fort Smith is they have their own airport to fly in and out of. The Fort Smith Arkansas airport has changed its name several times since being built in 1936 but settled on the name Fort Smith Regional Airport in 1992.

The Fort Smith Arkansas airport is located just three miles from the central business district of Fort Smith. It’s a small airport, but they make up for it with great customer service, easy transportation options, and fast parking. You won’t get lost and won’t get stuck in long lines at the Fort Smith Arkansas airport, which is every traveler’s dream. 

Where to Stay and Eat in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to quench your palette and rest up when visiting Fort Smith, Arkansas. They have a wide range of nearby hotels including a Hampton Inn, the Homewood Suites by Hilton, the Home2 Suites by Hilton, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.

If you want a fun and interactive stay, you can always set up shop at the Cherokee Casino Hotel. It’s going to be a 30 minute trip outside of Fort Smith but will give you a full casino and some amazing places to eat at. Meanwhile, you can plan your day-long trips to Fort Smith to enjoy the history they have there. 

Speaking of food, there are plenty of delicious restaurants to try in Fort Smith, Arkansas. You’ll find a lot of great eateries when traveling along Roger’s Avenue, but some of the local favorites include the Bricktown Brewery, Crawpappy’s Cajun Cuisine, Uncork’d Fish City Grill, and 21 West End. 

Things to Do in Fort Smith Arkansas

When planning your day-time fun around Fort Smith, there are a couple of must-see destinations to add to your list. The Fort Smith Museum of History, the Trolley Museum, St. Scholastica Monastery, the Massard Prairie Battlefield Park, the Darby House, the Clayton House, and Miss Laura’s are some of the most historical places if you’re interested in learning more about the city.

There are also plenty of parks located throughout the city like Tilles Park and Creekmore Park, giving you fun things to do in Fort Smith Arkansas with the children. There’s even the Parrot Island Waterpark!

Adding to the fun things to do in Fort Smith Arkansas, there’s bowling, a trampoline park, axe throwing, skate parks, paintball, escape rooms, and a nature center for you to enjoy. 

Now that you know everything there is to know about Fort Smith, Arkansas, it’s time to start planning your trip to this wonderful city along the Arkansas River. Make sure you leave enough time for yourself to enjoy everything we discussed above -- and leave some time for the fun nightlife the city has to offer!