When are you coming? The fall color should be peaking the first week in November in the northwest and central west.

That's also the prettiest part of the state. Pretty much a line north the interstates between Texarkana and Memphis is the mountainous side of the state. South of that line is flat plains. Eureka Springs is a popular town to visit. Some like Hot Springs but it's never done much for me.

There are three nice state parks along the Arkansas River (and along I-40) NW of Little Rock. Each is perched on it's only little mountain. Mt Magazine, Mt Nebo and Petit Jean. If you are here in time for fall color, these are great places to visit.

We will be there in February.

My favorite site in Little Rock was the Clinton Library....

Petit Jean State Park, not far from LR, is a nice place. I think that they might be refurbishing the lodge there, so I am not sure if food would be available. But you could always take a picnic. Both Eureka Springs and Hot Springs don't do much for us. Nebo and Magazine are both very nice. Magazine has a lodge with food. With no leaves on the tree you get good views from either place. I like them in all seasons with green, fall foliage, or bare.

The best place in Arkansas(IMOP) is the Buffalo National River(upper portion is best). If you like to hike to waterfalls, I could suggest several in this area. Usually they are running good in Feb. If it happens to be snowing, I wouldn't consider this trip though.
Gloryhole Falls, Hemmed in Hollow, Lost Valley, and Triple Falls are just amazing. A hike to Hawksbill Crag is nice too. Hemmed in is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians. www.buffaloriver.com for great cabins. Clinton has stayed there a few times.

Oddly, I haven't been to the Diamond State Park. I have always wanted to go and it's only a couple of hours from me.

Here's a few places to stop and rest on your way to Memphis. Go to Pruett's in Lonoke, AR. Go to Nick's BBQ in Carlisle, AR. Get off I 40 at Exit 193 and go S to # 70. Turn left and go to Craig's in De Vall's Bluff, AR. Go to Gene's in Brinkley, AR. Go to The Ole Sawmill Cafe for outstanding breakfast, lunch or dinner in Forrest City, AR.
Pruett's Bar B Que @ 108 E. 8th St., Lonoke, AR. 501 - 676 - 2622.
Nick's Bar B Que @ Hwy. 13 N., Carlisle, AR. 870 - 552 - 3887.
http://www.nicksbq.com/
Craig's BBQ @ Rt. 70, Devalls Bluff, AR. 501 - 998 - 2616.
Gene's Barbecue and Family Restaurant @ 1107 N. Hwy. 17, Brinkley, AR. 870 - 734 - 9965.
The Ole Sawmill Cafe @ 2299 N. Washington St., Forrest City, AR 870 - 630 - 2299.
http://olesawmillcafe.com/
For outstanding BBQ stop at Roadside BBQ @ Exit 271 off I 40 In W Memphis, AR.
Roadside BBQ @ 196 Arkansas 147, West Memphis, AR 870 - 733 - 9208.
If you want to stop in Memphis, TN for BBQ I suggest you go to Cozy Corner BBQ due to it's location close to I 40. Right after your cross the Mississippi River get off I 40 at Exit 1B and go N on N Danny Thomas Blvd. Go about 2 blocks and you will pass St. Jude Children's Hospital then take a right on N. Parkway. Go 2 blocks to Cozy Corner for outstanding BBQ. When you leave CC head E to N Manasas and take your left. Go a block and take a right on Jackson Ave. then go about half a mile to I 240. Go under the IS and take a left going N and get on I 240 or I40 and go N. Go about 15 miles on I 240. You will turn E and then S before you reach Exit 12C then take I 40 E 200 miles to Nashville, TN.
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/

I know you are interested in trying good Memphis BBQ. Here are the top choices.

A & R Bar B Que @ 1802 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN. 901 - 774 - 7444.
http://www.aandrbbq.com/
BBQ Shop @ 1782 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1277.
http://www.dancingpigs.com/
Central BBQ @ 2249 Central Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 9377.
Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous @ 52 S. Second St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 523 - 2746.
http://www.hogsfly.com/
Cozy Corner @ 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN. 901 - 527 - 9158.
http://www.cozycornerbbq.com/
Interstate BBQ @ 2265 S. Third St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 775 - 2304.
http://www.interstatebarbecue.com/
Neely's BBQ @ 670 Jefferson St., Memphis, TN. 901 - 521 - 9798.
http://www.neelysbbq.com/
One and Only BBQ @ 1779 Kirby Pkwy., Memphis, TN 901 - 751 - 3615.
http://www.oneandonlybbq.com/
Paynes BBQ @ 1762 Lamar Ave., Memphis, TN. 901 - 272 - 1523.

The BBQ Shop and One and Only are my favorites but Payne's is famous for their pulled pork sandwich.

Blues City is my favorite place to eat in Memphis. Gus's Fried Chicken is another favorite in Memphis. Neely's Interstate BBQ is just so so, IMOP. My wife really like Rendevouz.

Thanks for all the details. So many places to choose to try BBQ.....

In Little Rock, will enthusiastically recommend Flying Fish.

Will definitely second spiro's suggestion of Gus's, and if you don't venture off Beale St., Blues City Cafe is a fine choice.

Littleman's BBQ list is a very good one. My favorites were BBQ Shop and Neely's. Also enjoyed A&R BBQ's downtown branch. Rendezvous and Payne's were closed when I was there, but reports on both I've seen have been favorable. Like spiro, am not a fan of Interstate BBQ (though to be fair, I tried their outpost at the airport).

See also this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/memphis-food-experience.cfm

Don't leave LR, AR without dining at Doe's Eat Place for great steaks and seafood. Good luck.

http://www.doeseatplace.net/

Littleman,
I have to disagree.
I hate Doe's. I'd take Outback before I would eat their steaks. No flavor, tough. I don't think they use any salt or garlic or anything on the steaks. They are swimming in butter and baked in the oven(what the heck is that). And then why on earth do they serve it family style. I don't even serve steaks at my own house "family style"

Just read the post on TA, to make sure I wasn't the only one(and to be fair I ate there twice, but it was sometime ago). I read 2 pages and confirmed my thought.

Old post but we are finally doing this trip after cancelling it the first time.

So, seems like Hot Springs is not worth the stop?

We are doing the Diamond Park and staying around the general area over night. Any suggestions on best town/city to stay in and for other things to do during that evening? We will be headed back towards Little Rock the next day, so we do not want to go much further South or West of the Park.

Here is our trip plan:

Little Rock area
Crater of Diamonds State Park area
Memphis area

Getting around to something more substantial than diners in Arknsas I would suggest the Clinton Library in LR for a possible visit. You might have a little trouble finding it but there is a nice civil rights museum across from Central High School.

Yes, Arkansas does have beautiful state parks a few of which we have camped and also stayed in cabins...Queen Wilhelmina, Petit Jean, Jack Creek...many associated with the scenic Ouchita Nat'l Forest.

But a favorite destination for us has been Mountain View and music around the square on a Saturday night. Still musicians come in from the hills to jam. Even remember a performance there (1992) of Battle of New Orleans by Jimmy Driftwood himself in his showbarn. Nearby is the Ozark Folk Center with lots of folk art and music and all to offer.

In the NW corner is of course Eureka Springs which is a unique village. Also Rogers, Bentonville, etc.

I agree with everything Ozarksbill says, with the exception of Eureka Springs. I don't like that place one bit. I'm in the minority as most people do enjoy it.