Day 1 Overland Park, KS

Don’t want to say goodbye the beautiful fall foliage yet? Not to worry! Northwest Arkansas’s fall foliage peaks in late October so we’ll arrive just in time! We travel through Iowa into Missouri then Kansas. Our accommodations are in Overland Park, KS this evening.

Day 2 Springdale, AR

We cross into Missouri make our way into the Ozarks and Arkansas. Our first stop is at Crystal Bridges which features stunning architecture, art, exhibitions and 120 acres of Ozark nature. After an included lunch, we visit the Walmart Museum Heritage Lab. Learn about Sam Walton and his family, the Walmart culture and see historical artifacts. We check-in to our hotel, where we will spend the next four nights. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Springdale, AR

Our morning begins at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks. Located on 8 acres there are 12 theme gardens including the Four Seasons Garden, Rose & Perennial Garden, Vegetable & Herb Garden, Japanese Garden and many more! We will head over to the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. The museum is home to six historic buildings depicting life of the people who first settled here. Lunch is included then some wine tasting and tour at a local Winery. Before returning to our hotel for the day we’ll spend some time in Rogers, the home of Daisy Airguns. Explore brick-paved streets which lead to old-fashioned store fronts filled with unique furniture, antiques, gifts and more. The Daisy Airgun Museum and Rogers Historical Museum are here also. The rest of the evening is on your own. (B, L)

Day 4 Springdale, AR

This morning depart on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad and ride it to Van Buren in a 1940’s style car with a dome top view. Once we arrive in Van Buren, you’ll have time to enjoy some lunch at one of the local cafes, shop along Main Street and enjoy the rich architecture of the historic downtown buildings. This afternoon tour Fort Smith National Historic Site. Our guide will show us the Judge Parker’s court and a replica of the Fort Smith gallows, see the remains of the first fort, and learn about the Five Civilized Tribes as we walk along a paved portion of the Trail of Tears. One last stop will be made at the US Marshals Museum to end our day. Hear the stories of justice and learn about the integrity, and service of the Marshals who have bravely served our nation. We’ll enjoy another included dinner this evening. (B, D)

Day 5 Springdale, AR

The day begins at the Arkansas Air & Military Museum, an unusual one in that many of the historic aircrafts on display can still take flight. Residing in an all-wood hangar listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places, this largest aviation museum is a fascinating glimpse into the colorful history of aviation in the state, bursting with original artifacts and aviation memorabilia. A city tour of Fayetteville will conclude our morning, then an included lunch. A half and hour drive will take us to Lincoln, home to the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum. The building served as the home of three doctors and as a primary clinic for the small town. The museum presents the life of a small town doctor and history of medicine as it was practiced in the early 20th century. As we make our way back to Springdale, a stop will be made at the Renalli Farms Produce to shop for locally grown and baked goods. (B, L)

Day 6 Overland Park, KS

Today we depart northwest Arkansas but not before we take in the beautiful fall colors that serve as the back drop to the beautiful architecture of the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel. Then we will tour the Peel Mansion & Gardens, a historic Italiante family home that dates back to the 1800s. Learn what life was like for the Peel family as well as other families living in Bentonville during this time. Our travels will take us to Overland Park, KS this evening. (B)

Day 7 Home

We’ll spend our day driving back to Minnesota today as the fall colors fade a way the farther north we get. (B)