Fort Smith is located in northwest Arkansas and borders Oklahoma and is the county seat for Sebastian County. The city has a population of 80,286 which makes it the second largest city in Arkansas behind Little Rock. It is located in the River Valley of Arkansas between the Ouachita mountains in the south and the Boston and Ozark mountains of the north and a gateway city to the Ozarks.

In 1817 Fort Smith was established as a military fort next to Indian territory in Oklahoma. It is located at the junction of the Arkansas river and the Poteau river at a place that early French explorers called Belle Point. This location was a good place to build a fort guarding the wilderness to the west and the Indian territory of Oklahoma.

Get around

The best way to get around and see Fort Smith is by car. Also Fort Smith Transit is available.

Attractions

 • Miss Laura's Social Club and Visitor Center, 2 N "B" St., (479) 783-8888, A house of ill-repute from Fort Smith's past, now a visitor center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a good starting point for any visit to Fort Smith.
 • Fort Smith National Historic Site, South of Garrison Ave., near the Arkansas river. Parking and Park entrance near 3rd St. and Garland Ave. This site includes both the original Fort sites and the reconstructed gallows of Hanging Judge Issac Parker.
 • Trolley Museum, 100 S. 4th, (479) 783-0205 Take a ride on the trolley past the Judge Parker court and the National Historic Site.

Dining

You will find the standard chain restaurants spread out for 2 miles on Rogers Ave. to the east of Interstate 540. They include Friday's, Applebees, Chili's, Outback Steak House, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Arby's, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Wendy's, Schlotzsky's Deli, IHOP and Village Inn.
 • Bella Italia Restaurant, 407. N. 8th St., Phone: (479) 785-1550
 • Calico Country, 2401 South 56th, Phone: (479) 452-3299, Family style restaurant with great cinnamon rolls.
 • Catfish Cove Restaurant, 1615 S. Phoenix Av., (479) 646-8835, Catfish, Seafood and frog legs on a all you can buffet.
 • Doe's Steak House, 422 N. 3rd Street, Phone (479) 784-9111, Great steaks and tamales.
 • Emmy's German Restaurant, 602 N. 16th St., (479) 783-0012, Yes, this is a great German food restaurant.
 • Hamburger Barn, 317 Garrison Av., (479) 782-0233, Design your own hamburger.
 • Jerry Neel's BBQ, 1823 S Phoenix Av., (479) 646-8085, Very good BBQ.
 • Ole Feed House, 3801 Planters Rd., (479) 649-9525, Seafood and BBQ Buffet, don't miss out on the homemade cinnamon rolls.
 • Taliano's, 201 North 14th Street, Phone: 479-785-2292, Very good Italian food.
 • Varsity Sports Grill, 318 Garrison Ave., Phone: (479) 494-7173, TV's with all the games, pool and great homemade potato chips.