By Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

No plans for Spring Break yet? No sweat. Many Natural State destinations offer entertainment especially for children and teenagers in addition to tempting diversions for grown-ups. Listed below are a few ideas to help you plan a perfect Spring Break vacation.

White River and Bull Shoals Lake - Another favorite family destination, Bull Shoals has almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline. People come to fish, scuba dive, houseboat, water ski, camp, hike and relax. Nineteen parks, including Bull Shoals-White River State Park, with camping and picnic facilities can be found around the lake. Fishing on Bull Shoals is excellent all year with peak action in March, April and May. Internationally famous for its beauty and great fishing, the White River flows through the Ozark Mountains and across the Delta (over 700 miles) before joining the Mississippi River. Trout fishing below the dam, which is the fifth largest concrete dam in the U.S., is a major draw. Resorts and full-service marinas are available as are many accommodations and guide services. Corps of Engineers: (870) 425-2700. State Park: (870) 431-5521; www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Buffalo National River - Spring and early summer are the prime times to float the Buffalo National River, although the lower section can be floated year-round. The first stream to receive the designation (1972), the Buffalo flows roughly 150 miles and includes nearly 95,000 acres of public land along its corridor. The river descends nearly 2,000 feet through layers of sandstone, limestone and chert. One immediately obvious result is bluffs and more bluffs - the highest in all the Ozark Mountains. Hidden away, ready for discovery, are other geologic marvels - springs, caves, waterfalls, natural bridges and box-like canyons, where trails are abundant. Numerous outfitters (for canoeing, rafting, horseback riding and fishing) service the river, and there are several campgrounds, cabins, motels and other lodging options nearby. (870) 741-5443; www.arkansas.com/outdoors_sports/float/.

Eureka Springs - Haunted hotels, great food, shops full of toys and funky clothing, natural springs and homes built on the sides of rock cliffs make up this interesting town, nicknamed "America's Victorian Village." Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs' entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's packed with attractions such as gardens, caves, an exotic wildlife ranch, a doll museum, live music and magic shows, and train excursion rides. Unique boutiques offer everything under the sun - antiques, fine art, contemporary and vintage clothing, bells, handmade crafts and more. One store dedicates itself to everything frogs. A portion of history is uniquely preserved through ghost tours at the Crescent Hotel, one of several historic hotels. Eureka Springs was named one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kids can also enjoy nearby Dinosaur World that has more than 90 life-sized dinosaur and prehistoric animal replicas spread across the 65-acre park. 1-800-6EUREKA; www.eurekasprings.org.

Blanchard Springs Caverns - Ranked among the most beautiful underground discoveries of the 20th Century, Blanchard Springs Caverns is located deep in the Ozark National Forest, 15 miles north of Mountain View. It is the only developed cave system operated by the U.S. Forest Service and is open throughout the year. Lighted walkways lead to stunning limestone formations and massive rooms, one as long as six football fields. For the more adventurous, Blanchard Springs also offers guided hikes into undeveloped reaches of the federally protected underground system. Helmets, lights, gloves and kneepads are provided for the four-hour tour, which is limited to eight persons. The Wild Cave Adventure is open every day and reservations are required. (Reservations are recommended, but not required, for normal cave tours.) For more information or to make reservations, phone 1-888-757-2246. Blanchard Springs Recreational Use Area provides scenic campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, a massive natural spring and a trout-stocked lake. Off Ark. 14 near the town of Fifty-Six. 1-888-757-2246; www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/caverns.

Little Rock - The bright lights and big city of Little Rock host numerous attractions, including the Historic Arkansas Museum, the Arkansas Arts Center, the Old State House Museum, the Aerospace Education Center and IMAX Theater, and the Museum of Discovery. The downtown riverfront area offers fine accommodations, dining and shopping. More than 600 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are on display at the Little Rock Zoo. Across the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, the ALLTEL Arena is home to major sporting events, headliner concerts and other happenings. Little Rock: 800-844-4781; www.littlerock.com. Little Rock Zoo: (501) 666-2406; www.littlerockzoo.com.

To find all the entertainment and vacation options available in these locations and other parts of the state, call (501) 682-7777 for a free vacation kit or pick one up at a tourist information center. Thirteen centers are operated at points of entry into the state. Trained travel consultants from the state tourism division provide suggested tour routes, an Arkansas Tour guide, and other literature on places of interest.