Austin to Dallas for a night (Dodie's stop) then to Eureka Springs region for 3 nights. Then to Hot springs for 2 Nights. Planned stops below and open to feedback. Lifelong Texan that has never been to Arky.

-Crystal Bridges and north forest lights plus museum.
-botanical gardens in hot springs.
-petit jean
-mt nebo

Biscuits and chocolate gravy.

War Eagle Mill south of Eurika Springs.
Lodge at Mt Magazine/restaurant
Lodge at Queen Wilhelmina/restaurant
Lodge Lake DeGray/restaurant
Cliff House south Jasperover looks Grand Canyon Ozarks/
restaurant
Ft Smith, Fort, Courthouse(hanging Judge), End of Trail of
Tears
Pea Ridge National Battlefield

If youre into hiking, Alberts Pike has a nice loop thats short and intermediate (if i remember correctly). There are some nice waterfalls in that area as well. Thats not too far from Hot Springs.

If you are hitting crystal springs as a day trip from Eureka Springs the Wal Mart museum in downtown Bentonville is pretty cool and there is an old fashions soda shop at the end.

Is you are on a bike or sporty car you can take the pig trail down towards Hot Spring on your way south. There is still some fall colors in central Arkansas, but might be gone up north already. This ride can get some people car sick if that bothers anyone with you.

At petite jean, bring walking shoes and take the waterfall trail down and back out. I am fat slow and out of shape and I can make it easily. If it is raining or has rained be careful it can be slick. Not many good eating options around the park in Morrilton.

Hot springs, you can actually go into one of the old steam caves the Indians used at one of the bath houses downtown. I think it is The Quapa bath house, but you need to double check and make reservations. Really good breakfast at The Pancake House downtown. 501 Prime is a newer higher end steak house and priced accordingly, but a decent bourbon selection for the area. There is a brewery now in one of the old bath house downtown as well, and a new distillery. I have not been to either yet, but I have heard they are good. Steinhaus Keller is a good German food place downtown. Not sure when you are heading up, but Garvin gardens does a Christmas light drive through, and the lines can be long, so get tickets early or go just before it is getting dark. There is also a scenic drive between hwy 9 and hwy 7 near Jessieville that has some great views. It is about 15 miles or so of good dirt road and has a few spots to stop and have a picnic along the way.

If you are a bourbon guy, you can swing into Little Rock and go to Rock Town distillery. They are putting out decent booze and Phill the owner is an Aggie.

I am guessing you may be heading back on I-30, and the historic town of Washington is not a bad stop. It is a state park and a little community that has been pretty well preserved. There is a small diner in an old house that usually has good lunch specials, but their menu has been limited due to the 'Rona. Take the Hope exit and head north past the airport.

The only other thing I will add it look at the google or waze drive times. Some of the roads here are curvy and slow going. Not at all like Texas where 60 miles is under an hour. State trooper here will usually not give 10 over so I keep it at 5-7 over except through the smaller towns.

Love Mt. Nebo. Great state park.

Hawksbill Crag for a nice Hike in between Hot Springs and the Fayetteville/Benteonville/ Eureka Springs area

Eureka Springs usually puts on a nice Xmas show and town one of the better small town Xmas in the nation

Crystal Bridges is very good and free so well worth it. Buffalo River is fun as well for outdoor stuff

As for Hot Springs during this time period I think you can do most in one day honestly. Galvan Gardens is a good thing to do as well as the bathhouse row with some turned into breweries, but the rest of area is underwhelming and the lakes in the area are as popular in the late fall early winter If a golfer then yes stay the night and hit up one of the courses in the Village

501 Prime
Ohio Club are the places you might to try and get a meal

I really appreciate all the feedback. I'm unpacking a lot of this. 6 and 5 year olds in tow. Pretty good hikers.

The Arkansas state park system is actually a pretty good one. The one major National park is IMO the worst I have been to. When in Hot Sorings take the kids to Kilwins Ice Cream shop on Central Ave
And the mid American science museum is great for kids that age. If you go get the annual pass. It gives reciprocal agreements with many fun places in all the states but has like a lot your kids would probably like in the state of Texas. Just a tip because the family pass isn't that expensive and if you go to the other places like Perot museum in Dallas etc well worth the extra money.

Ohio Club doesn't allow kids as it is a bar that serves a pretty decent burger.
Galvan gardens is not doing their light special for Xmas this year but it is a great botantical garden area
I don't think Oaklawn racing will have live racing at this time but our kids liked it some.

If you have kids, there is an AWESOME children's museum right by Crystal Bridges. The best one I've been to! It's sponsored by Walmart so they put a lot of money into.

Near Eureka Springs is the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. They rescue big tigers, mountain lions, bears, etc. from bankrupt zoos and idiots who try to raise them as exotic pets. They had 2 ligers when we were there plus 2 jags I believe. Unbelievable how close you can get to them. Be sure to be there for evening feeding time (5ish, but call to verify). Crazy how worked up they get when it's chow time. My kids loved it.

This is me, in a cage with a tiger at Turpentine Creek around 94 or so. Broadcasting live on the radio after losing a bet doing a fundraiser for them. Would not do again.

This outdoor nature center will be opening in a few weeks.

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