Russellville Advertising and Promotions Website

Potts Inn

The Potts Inn Museum is one of the best preserved stagecoach stations on the Butterfield Overland mail route between Memphis and Fort Smith. The restored antebellum home (circa 1950) houses a doll museum, house and clothing collections, antique farm equipment and historic photos. Potts Inn Museum, 25 East Ash St., Pottsville, AR. (479) 968-8369.

River Valley Arts Center

The gallery displays 40 exhibitions annually of local, regional, national and international artists. A non-profit community organization serving the River Valley area offering annual summer musical theater, Summer Arts camp; and art, drama and music classes for all age groups and abilities. On-site gift shop. 1001 East B St., Russellville; www.arvartscenter.org ; (479) 968-2452.

Arkansas River Visitor Center

The Visitor Center offers wildlife exhibits and an interpretive presentation chronicling the development of the Arkansas River. The center overlook is the perfect location to watch barges pass through the Lock and Dam below.  Off of AR Hwy. 7, 1598 Lock & Dam Road, Russellville; managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (479) 968-5008.

Arkansas Tech Museum

“The Changing Face of Campus” has more than 60,000 items in its history-related collections celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the university. Most of those items are photographs, negatives and documents. Open Tuesday through Thursday, 9-4 and by appointment.  1502 N. El Paso Ave., ATU, Russellville; www.museum.atu.edu. (479) 964-0826.

Historic Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot

The Russellville Depot was built in 1916 and rededicated in 2004 following completion of a 2 year rehabilitation project. The depot houses a visitor center, railroad museum, community room and the office of Main Street Russellville. The location, and the adjacent Depot Park, serves as home-base for festivals and special events. (479) 967-1437.

Museum of Automobiles

Atop Petit Jean Mountain, Winthrop Rockefeller constructed a building to the exhibition of quality antique and vintage automobiles cars on October 18, 1964, originally with thirty-three cars on display. Exhibits include an antique gun collection, a display of Arkansas license plates, and a player piano. (501) 727-5427; www.museumofautos.com.

Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center

A must-see spot, this unique center overlooking the lake has engaging interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art touch screen kiosks that share information on the park, the area’s water sources and rich history. An aquatic exhibit features four aquariums containing fish found area waterways. (479) 967-5516.

Petit Jean State Park

Waterfalls, lakes, mountainsides, meadows and 21 miles of hiking trails can be found at Arkansas’s first and flagship state park. Located 45 minutes southeast of Russellville. (501) 727-5441; www.petitjeanstatepark.com.

Subiaco Abbey

Established in 1878 as a Benedictine Monastery, the abbey serves as a college preparatory school for boys. Pick up a brochure on-site for a self-guided tour to view the dramatic stone architecture and manicured grounds on Scenic AR Hwy 22 southwest of Russellville. (479) 934-1000.

River Valley Welcome Center

For local information, be sure to make the River Valley Welcome Center one of your first stops. The center is located inside the Antique Gallery on Harrell Drive, Russellville; next to Cracker Barrel just off Arkansas Avenue/Hwy. 7 North. (479) 857-9721.

Historical and Heritage Sites

History buffs will enjoy visiting local heritage-rich sites of historical significance. More than 33 locations are noted on the National Register of Historic Places in Pope County alone! For a list, visit the Russellville Chamber of Commerce, 708 W. Main, Russellville; (479) 968-2530.