Location: West Helena
Top Things to do in West Helena
Countries
What to do and see in West Helena, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Helena–West Helena is the county seat of and the largest city within Phillips County, Arkansas, United States. The current city was consolidated, effective January 1, 2006, from the two Arkansas cities of Helena and West Helena. Helena is sited on lowlands between the Mississippi River and the eastern side of Crowley's Ridge. West Helena is located on the western side of Crowley's Ridge, a geographic anomaly in the typically flat Arkansas Delta. The Helena Bridge, one of Arkansas' four Mississippi River bridges, carries U.S. Route 49 across to Mississippi. The combined population of the two cities was 15,012 at the 2000 census and at the 2010 census, the official population was 12,282.
Restaurants in West Helena
1. Delta Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
The Delta Cultural Center Visitors Center is comprised of three interconnected buildings within one block of The Delta Cultural Center Depot. Delta Sounds serves as a permanent, state-of-the-art exhibit area dedicated to the music of the Arkansas Delta: Blues, Gospel, Country, Rockabilly, and other regional musical styles. Exhibit highlights include an operating radio studio, listening stations, a variety of artifacts and information on legendary musicians. As you enter the Visitors Center you find our central gallery. This gallery provides a space for traveling and changing exhibits related to a variety of Delta topics which may include art, music and history. Also within the Visitors Center you find a large exhibit space which hosts extended exhibits. These exhibits are staff developed and run for a 3-4 year term. Currently the Center is featuring "Songs From the Field" exhibit. The Museum Store provides a variety of books, locally made products, music & gifts. Sales of all merchandise go directly to the Delta Cultural Center. Merchandise is available on-site, by phone, and soon on-line. Due to limited space, large groups may divide up to allow for shopping.
Reviewed By clogmar - United Kingdom
A great place to find out more about the music history of the area. It may not be very big, but offers a wealth of information.
2. Arkansas Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By C J - Princeton, Kentucky
This is truly a Welcome Center for the whole state of Arkansas. Center staff is amazingly familiar with all regions, not just the Delta. Every region has its own display area. Each is identified with hand carved wooden puzzles with the individual region lifted. It's very easy to find what you're looking for, and will undoubtedly find more than you could have imagined. Facility is beautiful, well-lit, good parking, clean, and modern, while keeping its rustic air.
We asked for a "where the locals go"restaurant recommendation for the route we were heading out on, and couldn't have been more satisfied!
3. Helena Confederate Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Thomas M - Newburgh, IN
While in Helena exploring the civil war history, I was very interested in finding Gen Patrick Cleburne's grave so made the trek out to the cemetery, It is at the top of the hill within the cemetery on the north side of the town. The cemetery could use a little groundskeeping. A must stop for all Cleburne devotees.
4. Pillow Thompson House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By mammiepoppy - Little Rock, Arkansas
This is the only historic home in Helena that is open for tourists on a regular basis and it is also free. The house is beautiful and many of the furnishings are original to the home and the five generations that owned and lived there. Our tour guide, Robert, shared a wealth of knowledge with us not only about this home, but the surrounding neighborhoods, the town of Helena and other towns in the area.
5. Freedom Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By airlink9972 - Memphis, Tennessee
Freedom Park is a newly opened park in Helena that tells about the Contraband camp that was located at the site. This is the first location in Arkansas designated as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. It's also part of Arkansas Civil War Discovery Trail.
The park is located about a mile from the visitor center and prior to downtown. Within the small park are information plaques telling about the history of the site, the slaves who escaped for freedom and the men who step up to join the Union forces. This site was also defended by these newly freed soldiers.
There are several areas to sit and rest. It will take around 30 minutes to enjoy the park. The site can be enjoyed by all ages. My 9 year nephew enjoyed the site and it also brought forth discussion on showing a view of the Civil War that is now start to receive the proper recognition.
6. Fort Curtis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By airlink9972 - Memphis, Tennessee
Fort Curtis is a reproduction of the original Fort that was built in summer of 1862 (the original Fort Curtis was a mile nearby with a plaque on the site). It was one of five earthwork fortifications built for the defense of the area by Union forces.
This rebuilt gives insight to what a fort was like during the Civil War. In the front of the port, several plaques that give info about this history of the fort, the contraband slaves who built the original fort in three months and the Battle of Helena on July 4, 1863.
At various spots inside the port additional plaques with great info (did you know that during the Fort birth until the end of the war the US flag changed three times?), reproductions of the cannons, the well and grounds.
The fort among several Civil War sites in Helena and close to one of the Battery.
There's a small parking lot across the street. The fort is in a neighborhood and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nice stop for history bluffs while in the area
7. Phillips County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By ManicUSAVisitor - London, England
Interesting local history museum with an informed docent to fill you in on the background of the exhibits, well worth a visit if passing through this area. The town itself is fairly decrepit as are many within the Mississippi Delta.
8. Helena Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By SandyPritz - Columbus, Ohio
This museum houses the collective historical artifacts of the spunky Arkansas Delta town on the Mississippi River from the 19th and early 20th century. Along with Civil War relics and period furniture, visitors can see an amazing array of other items. The local people who tend the museum are wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable. This town is a stop on the American Queen Steamboat route.
9. Downtown Helena
Overall Ratings
3 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Lou K - Conway, Arkansas
My family and I spent some time in Helena recently. We went to the River Park and saw the big Mississippi river. We also went to the Confederate Cemetery that was high on a hill above Helena. It was very interesting with old graves and quite a view. I also really liked just driving down Cherry Street and seeing the old downtown. My mom is from the area and used to go to Cherry Street for fun on weekends as a teenager.
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