5 Spots in Scott to Visit With the Family
As the weather warms up and spring rain clouds clear away, Scott is the perfect place to head for family fun. The town is packed with outdoor destinations that offer adventure, education and even a step back in time.
In the fifth and final story of our Short Drives Series, families can find out where to go camping just 30 minutes from Little Rock, enjoy delicious barbecue at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, visit a state park and more.
Now what are you waiting for? Pile in the minivan and head to one of these fun destinations just a short drive away.
1. Toltec Mounds State Park
A National Historic Landmark, Arkansas's tallest American Indian mounds are located at Toltec Mounds State Park. Three of the original 18 mounds remain and the park visitor center features exhibits including artifacts from the site, an A/V theater and archeological research laboratory. Visitors can take a self-guided tour a little less than a mile long or make a reservation for a guided tour on the 1.6-mile trail.
Taking a self-guided tour and visiting the park is free while the guided walking tour is $4 for adults and $3 for children or $12 for a family. There is also a tram tour available for $6 per adult and $5 per child or $22 for a family. The park is located at 490 Toltec Mounds Road. Visit ArkansasStateParks.com for more information.
2. Willow Beach Recreation Area & Campground
Ready to rough it in the great outdoors for a night or two? Willow Beach is the perfect place to start camping with your family as it’s not too far from home.
Located near the David D.Terry Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River, it’s a great place to bike, walk trails, boat, fish and picnic.
Willow Beach Campground offers 23 campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as two reservable group picnic shelters for day use. Additional amenities include a dump station, hot showers, a boat ramp and playground. The campground’s address is 11692 Willow Beach Park; call (870) 534-0451 or go to Recreation.gov for more information.
3. Seaton’s Scott Place BBQ Restaurant
There’s nothing more southern than a hole-in-the-wall, local barbecue joint. And this restaurant goes above and beyond barbecue — the menu features burgers, catfish, shrimp, chicken tenders, salads, ribs and more. Some of the barbecue staples include beef brisket, barbecue sandwiches and of course all of the classic sides.
The restaurant is located at 15235 Highway 165 and is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Head to Seaton's Facebook page to see the full menu and for more information.
4. Scott Plantation Settlement
Take a step back in time and explore more than two dozen buildings and other structures that take visitors back to 1836 through the World War II era. Some of the buildings include a one-room schoolhouse, a general store and a log house with a spinning wheel and loom. There’s even an outhouse, ice house and smokehouse, showing all the intricacies of living more than 100 years ago.
The settlement is located the corner of Alexander Road & Walkers Corner Road. Tours are $3 per person and individuals and families can drop by any time during open hours (10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), but groups must call and make advance reservations. For more information, including downloadable guides for your tour, visit ScottConnections.org.
5. Plantation Agriculture Museum
This museum was originally constructed in 1912 and was renovated in 1989. According to the museum brochure, the exhibits and programs cover Arkansas history from 1836 through World War II, “when agricultural practices rapidly became mechanized and tractors, mechanized cotton pickers, and modern chemicals forever replaced the old system of plantation agriculture and small farms.”
Gallery passes and self-guided tours of the museum are free. The historic guided tours are $4 per adult and $3 per child or $12 for a family. The museum is located at 4815 US-165 and more information is available at ArkansasStateParks.com.
For more family fun just a short drive from the city, make sure to check out the rest of the Short Drives Series — we’ve highlighted Conway, Sherwood, Jacksonville and Benton/Bryant.