Pine Bluff offers a wide array of attractions and activities for the entire family throughout the year, ranging from the Delta Family Adventure Trail to the many cultural museums and seasonal events like Memorial Day’s Operation Skyhook.
There is so much to do and see in Pine Bluff this Spring for the entire family, ranging from activities for children, tweens, and adults. Many of these activities are either free of charge or cost very little.
Let’s start with the kid-friendly activities! The Delta Family Adventure Trail is a self-guided tour that offers a series of kid-friendly activities that blend education and entertainment so your children will have a blast as they learn. First on the Trail is the Delta Rivers Nature Center featuring exhibits that teach children about Delta wildlife and history, aquariums stocked with native fish, and a gift shop. Located in Regional Park, the Nature Center also includes access to 130 acres of nature trails, wildflower areas, and native wildlife that you and your children can explore at your own pace.
Next on the Trail is the ARTx3 Campus which is made up of the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, The ARTSpace, and ART WORKS on Main. All three facilities create a local art ecosystem with intriguing exhibits, retail gallery space, multiple performance stages, and artful public spaces. The Creative Construction Zone in the main campus is a space for kids in grades kindergarten through second where they are encouraged to explore, learn, and tinker.
At the Arkansas Railroad Museum, visitors have the chance to climb aboard various train cars allowing them to pretend to be an engineer traveling on the rails in a different era. In addition to learning about the history of the railroad, visitors can engage in hands-on activities that will fuel their creativity and inspire them to delve deeper into the fascinating world of the powerful railway system.
For older children interested in music, history, and African American heritage, the Delta Family Adventure Trail has attractions geared toward furthering these interests. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s University Museum and Cultural Center (UMCC) houses the Keepers of the Spirit: The L.A. Davis, Sr. Historical Collection which preserves the history of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This exhibit follows the legacy of the Persistence of the Spirit exhibit that chronicled the history of African Americans in Arkansas. Additionally, UMCC showcases the individuals who played a significant role in shaping the university and the surrounding delta region.
Another stop is the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame which is located inside the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Arkansas is rich in talented individuals in the world of entertainment, and a trip to the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame will impress visitors with the memorabilia on display associated with these entertainers and the tales they embody.
Fans of music and history, can also schedule a tour of the Delta Rhythm & Bayous: Freedom and Blues Exhibition, where they can experience the incredible narrative of African American musical ingenuity throughout the Delta and the social forces that shaped the Blues.
On their tour of Pine Bluff’s many wonders, families can enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the city’s many parks, or visit the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center, paddle a canoe on the world’s longest Bayou Bartholomew, or go for a family walk on the trail surrounding Lake Saracen.
Pine Bluff also hosts amazing events throughout the year, like Operation Skyhook, Southeast Arkansas District Fair & Rodeo, Wetlands and Wildlife, UAPB Homecoming Celebration, and Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends. So come out and enjoy Pine Bluff’s attractions with your family all year long. There’s so much to see and do!
For more information about the Delta Family Adventure Trail and all the other attractions mentioned, visit the Explore Pine Bluff website at:
We hope to see you soon!
Written by: Ninfa O. Barnard