Arkansas!...looking for family vacation spot!

[rpinkstn]

Hello Arkansas ColoradoK5 members - I'm looking for a good family vacation spot within about 5-6 hours of Dallas, Texas. My wife and I have been searching the net for over a week now and we've come up with several possibilities, but we don't really now where to go. I'm hoping to get some input from those of you who know your way around Arkansas. Our vacation criteria is:

- less than 6 hours from Dallas
- "budget friendly"
- good for 3-4 days
- place to stay for 2 adults and 2 kids (8 and 6 yrs old) and a 50 lb. mutt
- activities we're interested in (any combination would work): waterpark, fishing, horseback riding (would need guide/teacher for kids), diamond digging, historic sites, woods, nature, hiking, etc. place to ride bicycles? - open to other ideas.
- prefer airconditioned cabin or hotel/motel but the wife is not interested in camping for this trip.

So how about it guys? Any suggestions? My wife really wanted me to book this today (Sunday 6/26) but I haven't been able to pick a spot so far. Any input is appreciated!

Thanks,
Rob

 

[coloradoblazers]

Crater of Diamonds State Park (http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com/) in Murfreesboro has diamond digging and a water park. I have only tent camped so I can't recommend a good cabin idea. I have heard that there are some cabins at DeGray lake which is not too far from there, so you could get a cabin at the lake and dig at the park....

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Lots to do in Hot Springs, and the surrounding areas. Lake Ouachita and Ouachita National Forrest and Crystal Springs is nearby. More than enough to do for a few days, hell you could spend one day along in downtown Hot Springs, and it's only a couple blocks long, with all the bath houses, Promenade, and other historical stuff. Magic Springs is close by as well. (amusement park). And don't forget to hit up the English Muffin! (GF's aunts resturant)

 

[dieselndixie]

check the distance, but we had a great time at battys resort in mountain home, arkansas.

in the mountains, on a HUGE lake, 15 mins from awesome trout fishing river.

 

[big dan]

without checking the distance I would guess that mountain home is farther than 6 hours from dallas, its in the northern most part of arkansas, but a great vacation spot none the less.

I've heard good things about the crater of diamonds but not my cup of tea so Ive never been.

Hot Springs has a lot of cool attractions. Been along time since Ive been there but its a fun place. As a bonus if you've got a wheelin rig you can bring there is a superlift offroad park there

All of my favorite spots are in the northern part of Arkansas, like Mountain Home though, so I wont be of much help

 

[dieselndixie]

yeah, your right. but its only 10 hours from Austin, and Dallas is 3 .5 from austin....so its close.

i will be honest, my uncle owns the place...thats the only way i would have found it. its very secluded, super easy, and away from the hussle bussle.. setup for families....families that love to fish

but for real, its very relaxed, and i wouldnt speak up unless it was true. they stay busy and are prolly already booked. there are like 14-17 cabins, so they fill up fast. I got twice a year to fish the white river. I swear its out of a movie or something.

plug cuz he's family
http://www.battysresort.com/

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

As a bonus if you've got a wheelin rig you can bring there is a superlift offroad park there

Ya like 6" lift and 35's required minimum, never been, one day, though when I move back we'll be headed to Fayetteville area for college, but we'll visit, all her family is there.