Arkansas can conjure different ideas for different visitors. The state is thought by some as distant, far from busier tourist destinations like New York City or San Francisco. That feeling of distance may worry seniors looking for a few options as places to retire. Yet as these towns show, Arkansas’ diverse points of interest for retirees should only serve to reinforce the best notions about the state. Known as “The Natural State” for its stunning scenery, not least the Ozark mountains, the state may just be the destination a senior and his or her family have been seeking all along.
Greenwood
Greenwood, population 9,600, is a northwestern locale known as a “small town with big ideas.” Founded in 1851, the rapidly-growing location offers a performing arts center, the centrally-located Bell Park, and the Vache Grasse (“Fat Cow”) Golf Course, a local favorite for one’s senior days. Local residents enjoy high-quality schools and low levels of crime. Downtown, the Veterans’ Memorial Square features an interactive Patriot’s Walk, where senior residents and their visitors can appreciate the US armed forces’ work and sacrifices.
The town’s two retirement centers offer a range of care types and services. Many more options exist at nearby Fort Smith, too, according to the online database Senior Housing Net.
Paragould
Paragould, with 30,200 inhabitants today, sits in northeast Arkansas. Its downtown features on the National Register of Historic Places for cultural landmarks like the Collins Theatre, which has been in operation for nearly 100 years, as well as the Beisel-Mitchell House, an example of 1930s Spanish Revival and another vibrant component of Paragould’s diverse building styles.
The Greene County Courthouse, built in 1888, makes for a fine example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style, and serves as the current base of the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce. Seniors can choose from a half-dozen living options, some of them priced for low incomes, such as the Ridge Homes facility downtown.
Batesville
North-central Batesville sustains a populace of 11,200. The town is a key Arkansas transportation node, partly due to its historic role in commercial traffic on the White River. Its tourist draws include the Garrott House, an 1840s stately home that is likewise included on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cook-Morrow House, built in the early 20th century, is another historic home included on the national register.
The town’s more modern culture plays out through its Ozark Foothills Film Festival, which started in 2002 and supports local filmmaking. The town’s status as the home of Lyon College, a Presbyterian school, gives the place a quaint feel. The town also holds its Arkansas Scottish Festival each autumn. Batesville is home to a half-dozen retirement and senior centers, three of them for low-income budgets.
Ozark
Ozark, a town in Arkansas’ northwest corner with 3,600 residents, takes its name from the expression “Aux Arcs,” which the region’s French traders and fur trappers gave to the area’s geography. That term later became “Ozarks,” a territory covering parts Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. On a somber note, Ozark lies along the historic Trail of Tears, the path of forced resettlement for Native Americans in the late 19th century.
For things to seniors to see and do here, take a look at the historic Franklin County Courthouse, with a pleasant park just opposite. A restored 1911 train depot now serves as Ozark’s history museum. More active seniors can kayak or canoe the Mulberry River nearby, or at Ozark Lake and Aux Arc Park. The Ozark Nursing Home serves seniors from its location in the northern end of town.
Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia, population 10,300, sits along the Ouachita River in Arkansas’ southwest, not far from the border with Texas. Settled in 1842, once called Blakelytown, and nicknamed “The Delph” by locals, Arkadelphia has maintained the historic character of its downtown corridor, with a diverse set of notable buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries along Caddo Street, its beloved main drag.
For fresh air, Feaster Park includes a swimming and splash zone that visiting grandchildren will love. DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers fishing, camping, and lake views. Arkadelphia’s old commercial district, despite the damage wrought by a 2009 tornado, offers stately homes to visit, like the Captain Henderson House, as well as the James E. M. Barkman House, an early settler who erected the house around 1860. The town has four senior living centers, including Ouachita Village Apartments, a low-income location.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs, a historic Ozarks destination, only has 2,200 inhabitants but a reputation of legend.The northwestern town’s natural springs helped a spa economy develop from the early 20th century. The town’s historic downtown is yet another Arkansas listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Active seniors will like Eureka Springs for its range of options. Black Bass Lake offers the fishing suggested in its name, while the Lake Lucerne Resort and Ranch offers a place to escape with beautiful natural surroundings. Lake Leatherwood City Park is another must-see. Two senior centers operate in Eureka Springs, in particular Prestige Assisted Living, which offers a broad range of senior support.
Bentonville
Bentonville, famous as the hometown of the Wal-Mart retail corporation, stands among Arkansas’ best-loved cities. The town has 37,000 residents today. Art lovers will enjoy the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Scott Family Amazeum, one of the finest children’s museums in the United States. The Momentary, a trendy new space, brings together art, performances, and their fans in a former Kraft Foods plant, and is located next to Crystal Bridges.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Bentonville offers no fewer than 22 parks, which are made for running, walking, and hiking. The two springs at Park Springs Park are said to have healing properties. More than 20 senior centers operate in Bentonville or in the nearby town of Rogers.
Mountain View
Though it shares the same name as the California headquarters of tech company Facebook, the north-central town of Mountain View, incorporated in 1890, has just 2,900 inhabitants. The White River flows through the area, creating scenic opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and taking it all in.
Mountain View is perhaps best-known for its Mountainview Bluegrass Music Festival. Visitors can hear string bands play the “picking” style associated with bluegrass, country, and other folk music genres. The nearby Ozark Folk Center offers education and local history for visitors of all kinds. Mountain View sustains a pair of senior centers, both affordable at low-income budgets, per Senior Housing Net.
Arkansas Towns Make for Ideal Retirement Destinations
Given Arkansas’ many charms, it is no wonder the state has been attracting current and future retirees. Its retirement and healthcare centers cater to a broad set of needs and desires. Arkansas’ natural places, from the Ozarks to the White and Ouachita rivers, make the notion of more time in outside leisure all the more appealing. Culture-minded seniors will find much to ponder in towns like Paragould and Arkadelphia. No matter what the needs and curiosities of a senior and his or her family, Arkansas can provide support and stimulation in abundance.
