Fort Smith, Arkansas is an exciting travel destination that uniquely combines the history of the wild and wooly "Old West" with the gentle charm of the antebellum "Old South". Fort Smith offers travelers of all ages glimpses into its distinctive past through restorations, attractions, museums, and festivals that make its history fun and exciting. Now an energetic city of 80,000 people, Fort Smith is known for accommodating visitors with a blend of "southern hospitality" and "western openness" -- anxious to share its past while yet busily planning for the future. In working hard to preserve and promote its diverse history, the city of Fort Smith has become a significant site for gatherings today - vacationing single families, tour groups, reunions, business meetings, and conventions. The Fort Smith National Historic Site, the unusual Visitor Center offers information about local museums, antique shops, architectural restorations, outdoor attractions, riverboat or train excursions and other varied activities all combine to give Fort Smith visitors a chance to experience the excitement of our diverse past.