The river was a useful natural tool as it helped steamboats provide year-round shipping and spur a strong economy. Although the steamboat industry was quelled by the building of a railroad, the city’s Riverside Park today is a great place to listen to the flowing water while enjoying a delightful picnic. The Batesville Riverwalk is a 1.2-mile walking/bike trail along the riverbank so you can walk off an extra sandwich or two and enjoy the spectacular views of the river from one of the two overlooks at the beginning and end of the trail.
Although the city is studded and surrounded with gorgeous natural features, such as the river, it’s most popular attraction is the Mark Martin NASCAR Museum. This museum was built in honor of its namesake racing star and Batesville native with exhibits featuring his trophies, race cars, uniforms and mementos. Continue your sightseeing by strolling through downtown, where you’ll find antique stores, music shops, art galleries and a number of historic buildings. Don’t let your eyes fool you though! For example, the Melba House is now a mercantile store turned cinemascope theatre but used to be an opera house!
Whether you’ve come to see Lyon College on the hills of east Batesville for a future student or for an Arkansas getaway, you’ll find plenty of things to do in this city. Attend the Ozark Foothills Film Festival or the Old Independence Regional Museum easily when you book with Choice Hotels in Batesville, AR. You’re sure to enjoy a pleasurable getaway!