The small town of Helena lies among the famous Arkansas Delta and its bayous that form the southern part of the state. Only about 7,000 people live here, but Helena has a huge reputation as the home of the delta blues, one of America’s finest musical genres. Situated along a broad flat section of the Mississippi River, Helena is a popular destination for music lovers, culture buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Helena has a wonderful historic district along Perry, College and Holly streets. Here, you can wander past houses that haven’t changed in over 100 years, exemplified in the stunning Pillow-Thompson House which is open to tours. Helena Murals is another important historic section of town where the roots of the delta blues are visually depicted through a number of wall murals.
The best place to start your visit to Helena is at the impressive Delta Cultural Center, where the long and colorful history of the Delta is explained in wonderful detail. Since the town is located along one of the prettiest sections of the Mississippi River, you’ll want to spend some of your time wandering its banks or simply sitting and watching river life float by. Despite its humble size, there’s plenty to do in Helena, something which always pleasantly surprises visitors.
Highlights
Delta Cultural Center: the highlight of Helena is this wonderfully engaging center which details the history of the town, the surrounding Delta region and the heritage of the delta blues and all its legendary singers.
Helena Murals: more of the delta blues are explored and celebrated in various visual forms at this interesting site.
Philips County Museum: historical Civil War memorabilia and other local artifacts trace the importance of Arkansas’ most valuable Mississippi River port.
Confederate Cemetery: Civil War and history buffs will find this old, scenic cemetery on the top of Crowley’s Ridge offers hours of exploration.
Old Almer Store: dating from 1872, this well-maintained plantation store with a wonderful ambiance sells an excellent array of Delta folk arts and crafts.