Welcome to Fort Smith!

"Where the New South Meets the Old West," is much more than a slogan.  We're passionate about where we're going, where we've been and how this frontier border town shaped westward expansion.

The pioneer spirit that transformed Fort Smith into one of the largest cities in Arkansas is still alive in our citizens. We embrace our colorful heritage and showcase its influence in our architecture, our art, and our special brand of hospitality that we can't wait to share with you and your family.

In Fort Smith, our future is in our past, and we're anxious to share the many stories that have helped shape our world. Key events in the history of the United States judicial system were at the forefront of the original Fort, with Judge Isaac C. Parker holding court for the Federal Government in the Western District of Arkansas, just before the turn of the century.  Visitors can experience that history firsthand at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. 

The contributions of the United States Marshals Service will be brought to the forefront of our exciting tourism experience in the next few years when the National U.S. Marshals Museum opens in Fort Smith. The facility will educate and entertain visitors while highlighting the entire 220-year history of The Nation's oldest law enforcement agency – on the very spot where much of the most dangerous Marshals Service history took place.

We look forward to sharing other windows into our past with historic attractions, like: the Fort Smith Museum of History, a ride on our 1930s electric trolley through downtown Fort Smith, a train excursion on a vintage Pullman Railcar through the Ozark foothills, and much more.

We feature historic attractions for all ages from antique downtown amusement park rides to our Belle Grove Historic District. Elvis fans can visit Fort Chaffee's Barbershop and see where he received his famous Army buzz cut, "the haircut heard 'round the world."

Miss Laura's Visitors Center – once a famous Western bordello and now on the National Register of Historic Places – is the perfect place to begin your visit. Our knowledgeable and friendly volunteers will give you a tour, answer questions about the area, offer brochures and personal recommendations about things to do, and make you feel completely welcome to our city.

We invite you to experience our rich heritage, diverse culture, and the warmth that makes Fort Smith an unforgettable experience.