Entries for December 2008

The Fort Smith Museum of History, located at 320 Rogers Avenue, is a wonderful place to spend the day. Be sure to plan to be there several hours so you can go slow and allow your kids to take in and live the history.  Read about the exhibits with your kids before you go to build interest in them for the trip. The telephone exhibit is fun. Most kids have never used rotary phones.  The museum has the phones hooked up so that you can dial, answer, and talk on the phones. My kids had a big time calling each other. Consider combining your trip to the museum with a ride on the trolley and lunch downtown. This will make for a fun day.  When I was in upper-elementary school my mom took me and a group of friends to the museum for my birthday. We ended our visit with treats in the soda fountain.  It was a unique way to celebrate my day. The Museum also offers lots of special activities. I recently took my kids there for woodworking and weaving demonstrations. We all loved it. FortSmithMoms.com will keep watch for museum events and keep them posted under Local 411, with all of the other community events. We add fun calendar items every day, so check in often.

This trail, that circles around the Arkansas Best building (next to Southside High School/off of Old Greenwood Road), is about 8/10 mile. There are several things to see on this hike including wood-carved tree trunks, a duck pond, a bridge, flowers, and lots of beautiful trees.  At one point in the trail you’ll come to a “Y”.  To see a nice view over to Van Buren, choose the path that leads to the top of the hill. The trail may be a bit bumpy for a stroller, but if your child is tough, give it a try.