NW Arkansas & Branson – April 21-26, 2025
Join Heaven Bound Tours as we travel to Northwest Arkansas and Branson for this short 6- Day, 5 Night tour. One of the highlights of the tour will be the 134-mile roundtrip train ride on the Arkansas Missouri Railroad from Springdale to Van Buren, AR. Another highlight will be attending the brand-new production of DAVID at the amazing Sight and Sound Theater in Branson.
Monday, April 21 – Heading to Fort Smith, AR
Today is a travel day as we head to Fort Smith, AR where we will spend the night. We will pickup for this tour in two different southeast Texas towns – Liberty and Silsbee.
Tuesday, April 22
After enjoying a good breakfast we head northward to Bentonville/Rogers, AR. As we head to downtown Bentonville you will find a wonderfully quaint town square that is home to numerous shops as well as the Walmart Welcome Center and Museum. It is a museum focused on the origin of the largest retailer in the world. Once you step through the doors of the old 5 and Dime you will be back in the 1950’s. It’s a fun experience. This is where Walmart began and at the back of the store you enter the Walmart Museum.
We then head for a tour at the Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens. Built in 1875 by Colonel Samuel West Peel, this amazing Italiante Mansion features amazing woodwork, particularly the walnut stairway in the front hall. There are numerous other styles found in the home as well, including a rare Anglo-Japanese mantle in the library and Greek Revival molded trim in the parlor, and the museum has collected period appropriate pieces to furnish the house in grand Victorian style in which it was designed. This attention to detail extends to the gardens, where paintings, photographs and even interviews with those descended from the early settlers were interviewed for what the gardens would have been like in the late 1800’s.
Also, today we will visit the beautiful Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel which towers 50 feet into the tree line. This profound structure consists of 15 repetitive Gothic arches made from 31 tons of steel. It is encased by field stone walls and 4,400 square feet of cut sheet glass. As natural light enters the Chapel, it dances in leaf shaped patterns across a stone floor comprised of native limestone and flagstone, just as intended by architect E. Fay Jones.
Wednesday, April 23 All Aboard!
Today is a day trip through the Arkansas mountain countryside. It will be a scenic roundtrip adventure that will take you through the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Operated by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, this historic train journey offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of northwest Arkansas from a vintage passenger car.
Departing from Springdale, the train winds its way through lush forests, rolling hills, and alongside rivers, offering stunning views of the region’s natural landscapes. The train crosses several historic trestles and even travels through a long tunnel, adding a sense of adventure to the trip.
Upon arrival in Van Buren, you will have time to explore the charming town, known for its historic downtown district filled with shops, restaurants, and museums. The stop in Van Buren will be a three-hour layover where you can enjoy lunch on your own and browse the shops along Main Street.
As we pull out from the Springdale train station a special catered breakfast will be served just for Heaven Bound Tours. Our return trip back to Springdale from Van Buren snacks and drinks will be served while the friendly staff shares interesting facts about the train and the area.
Thursday, April 24 – Moving On to Branson
Today we move on to Branson, MO where it’s not all about the shows. Let’s experience something new and different.
We will visit Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre paradise owned by Johnny Morris, the founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops. Today we escape to the natural beauty and rugged scenery of this Ozark Mountain location.
To explore this Park, we will take a tram tour which is a fantastic way to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. This guided tour will take us on a two-hour adventure through the park’s stunning landscapes, which include waterfalls, streams, towering limestone bluffs, and lush forests.
The tram ride offers a comfortable way to experience the park’s diverse scenery, providing both an educational and scenic journey. One of the highlights of the tour is the chance to see native wildlife up close, including American bison, elk, and white-tailed deer, which roam freely in the park’s open fields.
This evening we will take on one of Branson’s many shows available as we visit the award winning Duttons Show.
The Duttons were finalists on NBC’s hit TV show, America’s Got Talent in 2007. Their show features a variety of instruments, including violin, guitar, bass, viola, banjo, mandolin, keyboard, harmonica, and drums, among others. In addition to their instrumental virtuosity, the Duttons are quite accomplished singers and dancers and have been recognized as superb vocal talents.
With thirty-one years of experience, and just about as many kids between them, they rock the stage with a variety of genres. From Bluegrass to Contemporary Rock to Country, comedy and dance it will be quite the show.
Friday, April 25
Today we head to Top of the Rock Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail and Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. This is a part of Johnny Morris’ 10,000-acre paradise and what great fun this will be.
Tucked away in a serene, natural setting, the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail will offer a unique blend of adventure and relaxation. This experience will allow us to explore the breathtaking beauty of Lost Canyon’s diverse landscape, from hidden caves to lush forests, all from the comfort of a golf cart. The highlight of the tour is the visit to a series of caves within the canyon. These ancient formations, rich with geological history, showcase stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and other mesmerizing rock formations. In addition to the caves, the nature trail portion of the tour takes you through winding paths surrounded by native flora and fauna. The trail offers opportunities to spot wildlife like birds, deer, and even rare species of plants. The golf cart provides an easy way to cover more ground without missing the intricate details of the surrounding nature.
This evening, we will attend the new musical production presentation at Sight and Sound Theater – DAVID.
From still waters to shadowed valleys, David’s ascent to the throne is filled with towering giants, wild animals, and Philistine soldiers. After unprecedented victories lead to devastating failures, this passionate warrior will face the biggest battle of all: the one within himself.
With original music inspired by the Psalms, DAVID is a state-of-the-art theatrical experience. Witness one of the most legendary Bible stories as it comes to life with spectacular special effects, massive sets, and live animals in this original stage production.
Saturday, April 26
Today is a travel day back to where we started from Silsbee and Liberty, TX
DEPOSIT INFORMATION: $200 Per Person Non-Refundable Deposit Due When Registering for Tour
FINAL PAYMENT DUE – March 15, 2025
HOTELS DURING THE TOUR:
Fort Smith, AR – Hampton Inn
Bentonville/Rogers, AR – Hyatt Place
Branson, MO – Spark by Hilton
COST INCLUDES:
Motorcoach Transportation from Liberty and Silsbee, TX
5 Night Lodging
Train Ticket for Train Ride Springdale to Van Buren
14 Meals – 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners (There are 2 lunches that you will be responsible for during the tour.)
Admission to all attractions and events
Gratuities to all Guides, Waiters & Waitresses and Bus Driver
Travel Insurance is NOT included. If you would like to add travel insurance the cost is:
$220 for Double & Triple ; $181 for Quad; $263 for Single
Tour Cost:
-
$2167 Double
(2 people sharing room. Price is per person)
-
$2055 Triple
(3 people sharing room. Price is per person)
-
$1998 Quad
(4 people sharing room. Price is per person)
-
$2506 Single
