Local Attractions

During your stay at The Little Shamrock Motel, be sure to explore the many fascinating events and stunning sights in the town.

 

Annual HAUNTED HOUSE   Oct 20 & 21  27 & 28 final Spooking on Oct 31st

6pm to 10pm  $10 & $3  admission  The first hour will be tamer…? for the younger or faint of heart… BOO

Annual FALL FESTIVAL  in Murfreesboro held on the last Saturday of October 28 2023

Wagon full of fun starts at 11am in the Town Square with games, vendors, weenie dog race, live music, the list goes on; with a Parade at 5:30 pm winding down the event.  Costume contest is free and starts at 2pm on center stage.  

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT   Oct 28 2023    10am – 3pm down the road from the Fall Festival is the Cornhole Tournament hosted by scoreholio.com 

 

 

Gemboree at the Crater of Diamonds June Event

Annual Prospectors’ Gemboree in June at The Crater of Diamonds State Park here in Murfreesboro, AR.

The event includes the popular Famous Crater Diamonds exhibition from 10 am to 3 pm. It’s the park’s main annual event honoring diamond miners in Arkansas and will offer enjoyable activities for all ages, including a treasure hunt and relays.

All activities are complimentary with the purchase of mine admission. Prices are $13 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12, and free for children under six.   

For a complete schedule of activities, visitors can pick up details on the day of the event. To obtain additional information, contact the park at (870) 285-3113 https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park

Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village 

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Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village is a must-visit destination digging, metal detecting, museum and gift shop.

The daily Treasure Hunt is also an Annual event called Treasure Fest in October is always well attended. 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed01pIDJOWs

Open daily, offering a museum, arrowhead hunting, and an array of artifacts, stones, and burial mounds, the village also features a new daily event, “Treasure Hunt” and is located just two miles from our Motel. 

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Diamond Park Speedway

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Yes, you can go to the races!

Visit the races just a few minutes from Murfreesboro every Saturday night! Gates open at 5:00pm and offer a fun experience for the whole family. Check out their website for information on special races.

DiamondParkSpeedway.com
Facebook Page

Please note that we are located in a dry county, and alcohol cannot be purchased or consumed publicly. The nearby town of Nashville, 15 minutes down the highway near Walmart, is also a dry county. Alcohol can only be consumed indoors in these areas.

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Historic Washington State Park

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Experience a trip back in time by visiting Historic Washington, the former capital of Arkansas before the Civil War. The original buildings are filled with rich historical significance, and the staff even dresses in period costumes. Enjoy traditional Southern cuisine at the restaurant.

Their events calendar is always bustling with Civil War re-enactments, festivals, and fairs. I enjoy visiting frequently. For more information, check out their website: 

Historic Washington State Park

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience history just a short drive from Murfreesboro.

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Narrows Dam – Stocking the river with trout

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Narrows Dam has been functioning as intended for over 60 years and is built to handle much more water than the average flow.

The Little Missouri River originates southeast of Mena in western Arkansas and runs through the beautiful Ouachita Mountains and Ouachita National Forest, including Little Missouri Falls and Albert Pike recreation areas. At six miles north of Murfreesboro, Narrows Dam creates Lake Greeson. From there, the river flows past Murfreesboro and southeast to its mouth at the Ouachita River. Just three miles south of Murfreesboro is Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only place in the world where the public can search for naturally occurring diamonds and keep their finds.

 

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Annual Hope Watermelon Festival

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The Hope Watermelon Festival, an annual event, is a must-see. Find the dates here 
 
 
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Hawkins General Store – Historic Sight

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The historic Owens-Stelle Building was constructed in 1909, during the “Murfreesboro Diamond Rush”. Originally serving as a medical clinic and pharmacy, it has been the home of Hawkins General Store since 1943, when Millard and Florence Hawkins opened it. The store is situated in the Town Square, opposite The Ireland hotel. Today, it is owned by Dewayne and Francy.

Phone Number: (870) 285-3587

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Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park

 
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Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas is a unique park that allows visitors to search for diamonds and other precious stones on a 37.5-acre diamond-bearing placer deposit.

This is the only diamond-producing site in the world that is open to the public. The park features a museum, visitor center, picnic area, and camping facilities.

Visitors can search for diamonds using various tools and techniques and can keep any they find. Crater of Diamonds State Park offers a fun and educational experience for anyone interested in geology and diamond hunting.

For more information, visit the official site: Crater of Diamonds or Facts About Diamonds.

They also have a Facebook group which can be found here. 

The Little Shamrock, located just a 5-minute drive from the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, is the closest hotel to the Crater in the area.

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Want more digging?

A one-hour drive from Murfreesboro takes you to the mountainous region of Mena, which is renowned for its abundant crystal deposits. Two popular locations for crystal hunting in Mena are:

Sweet Surrender Crystal Mines

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Sweet Surrender Crystals is a must-visit destination for crystal enthusiasts, especially families with children. This crystal digging site, located near Mena, offers a fun and educational experience for all ages. To learn more about this gem of a place, be sure to check out their website for additional information.

 

Wegner’s Crystal Mines & Museum

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Wegner Crystal Mines is a great family-friendly destination for crystal digging, where visitors can keep all they find. For more information, visit their website.

Wegner Crystal Mines

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Coleman Mines

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Coleman Crystal Mines is a hidden gem that was brought to my attention by geology students who stayed at the motel. Located in Jessieville, Arkansas, about an hour and a half drive from Murfreesboro, this mine is a must-visit for any crystal enthusiast. If you’re visiting Hot Springs, it is just a 30-minute drive North. To learn more about this unique destination, head over to their website for more information.

Coleman Crystal Mines

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Lake Greeson

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Lake Greeson, known for its excellent fishing opportunities, is situated just 6 miles away from the Little Shamrock Motel. It was created in 1950, following the construction of Narrows Dam on the Little Missouri River.

The lake offers a diverse range of fish species, including striped bass, black bass, crappie, bream, catfish, white bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike and walleye, which are regularly stocked. Additionally, rainbow trout can be found in the Little Missouri River both upstream and downstream from Lake Greeson.

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Hot Springs

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Many guests who visit us opt for a day trip to Hot Springs to experience its unique attractions. Despite the busy city, they prefer to stay in our quaint, peaceful town. The Hot Springs park is truly a breathtaking sight, with steaming water cascading over the rocks.

For those who enjoy collecting water, there are several locations where hot or cooled water can be obtained. My personal favorite tour is the Belle River Paddle Boat tour on Lake Hamilton. This informative tour provides a rich history of the area, including its ties to notorious gangsters and its famous bathhouses.

If you’re looking for a unique bath experience, this tour is definitely worth checking out!

Hot Springs Official Site

BuckstaffBaths.com

BelleRiverBoat.com

National Park Service

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While in Murfreesboro, you may come across the iconic “Penny Truck” or the vintage Firetruck as they make their rounds in the town.