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Fort Smith is a national historic site located in Arkansas. It was established on Christmas Day in 1817 and has a long and fascinating history. In this area, you can explore the Fort Smith Museum of History or the trolley museum to learn more about how it came to be and what purpose it served, or you can walk around the grounds on your own. National Historic Site At the Fort Smith National Historic Site, you can learn quite a bit about the purpose of the fort and how it came to be. If you don't have a lot of time to spend at the site, make sure to take a walk through the building, which houses Judge Parker's famous courtroom and two jails. It's also worth walking along the Trail of Tears and viewing the exhibits on the U.S. Deputy Marshals within the museum. Fort Smith also had its own gallows, which are still there. If you have a few hours to explore, go on a tour led by park rangers, who know a lot about the history and can give insights that you wouldn't otherwise get on a personal tour. For those visiting with kids, stop by the ranger station to get a fun and educational workbook. By completing activities within the workbook, children can earn their Junior Ranger badges. Other things to see include the Commissary Storehouse, which is the oldest building in Fort Smith, the Trail of Tears overlook, and the first Fort Smith site at Belle Point. Fort Smith Museum of History At the Fort Smith Museum of History, visitors will learn more about the culture and history of the surrounding region. It opened its doors more than a century ago in 1910, showcasing exhibits contributed by local residents that offer a glimpse into the economic, political, and cultural development of Fort Smith. The museum sits in the old Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, a building dating back to 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Be sure to enjoy an old-fashioned treat at the soda fountain within the museum or pick up some locally produced baskets, pottery, and art pieces at the museum gift shop. Trolley Museum The Fort Smith Streetcar Restoration Association operates the Fort Smith Trolley Museum as a way to preserve the electric-powered streetcars and other transportation technology that existed during this period of history. When you visit this spot, you can learn about the early history of trolleys and their impact on transportation in Fort Smith and across the nation. Exhibits include historic streetcars, trolleys, and other types of transportation equipment, giving you a glimpse into how far we've come in the ways we get around. The collection includes four of the original 58 Fort Smith streetcars: numbers 10, 205, 221, and 224. Whether you're a local or planning a visit to the area, make sure to carve out some time to enjoy everything Fort Smith has to offer. It's a historic and fascinating place, making it a must-see for many history buffs. Photo by Brook-Ward | Licensed under cc by 2.0

Foodies from around the world are finally beginning to take notice of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and for good reason. The city has several award-winning restaurants, where great food is served by great people. It doesn't matter what your culinary preference is, there's bound to be something you'll love. From Thai, to Italian, Vietnamese, or barbecue, there is a ton of delicious menu options just waiting to be discovered. Rath Auto Resources is proud of our city and its incredible restaurants. These are the four best restaurants in Fort Smith. Emmy's German Restaurant If the thought of soft pretzel chunks dipped generously in a creamy cheese fondue makes you go weak in the knees, you're going to adore Emmy's German Restaurant. Emmy's has been delighting customers with extraordinary German food for over 50 years. Al Thome and Emmy Werner got married in Germany while he was serving in the American army. Eventually, they returned to Arkansas and opened their own restaurant. Now a local icon, Emmy's serves good home style sausages, mouth-watering schnitzel, and decadent desserts, like their famous apple strudel and German chocolate cake. Ralph's Pink Flamingo BBQ Ralph's Pink Flamingo offers the best in gooey, tasty, tangy barbecue. Fans of the restaurant know to keep their good clothes at home, because the food is not only delicious but messy, just like you would expect from a good old fashioned barbecue. The place looks a bit like a Wild West saloon, which is part of its charm. From tender ribs to juicy chicken and spicy pulled pork, there are plenty of dishes to choose from. Eat in, or do take out, either way, you'll want more. The staff at Ralph's is well known for participating in food festivals and cooking competitions, so you know they're barbecue masters. Green Papaya Green Papaya is a small Vietnamese restaurant in Fort Smith. It's a small place, so be prepared for a short wait, but rest assured that it's worth it. Stir-fried dishes are perfectly cooked up with authentic Vietnamese spices, like ginger, cumin, and hot chilies. Their portions are generous and the servers are attentive. Try their curry, drenched in sweet coconut milk and served over steamed rice. It's truly amazing! Taliano's Italian Restaurant Two childhood friends, Tom Caldarera Jr. and Jim Cadelli, opened Taliano's in 1970. It's a traditional Italian restaurant with a thoughtful staff and a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere. You'll feel like your dining with friends somewhere in the hills of Tuscany. With secret family recipes handed down from one generation to the next, Taliano's never disappoints. Expect generous portions of perfectly prepared comfort food, such as deep-fried ravioli and fettuccine alfredo. Make sure you save room for a slice of their melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu. Dining in a fine restaurant is a great way to relax and enjoy time with family or friends. Try a dish you normally don't eat. Get creative and tantalize your taste buds with some delicious food from one of these four wonderful restaurants in Fort Smith, and soon you'll know what all the fuss is about. Photo by piviso_com | Licensed under CC0 1.0

It's an awful statistic, and one we don't like to think about. Unfortunately, every year thousands of children are killed, or injured by automobiles in America. In fact, preventable death and injuries on the road are the number one killer of children in the United States. Cars and children can be a deadly combination, and it's our responsibility as adults to keep them as safe as possible. We at Rath Auto Resources want to see all of our customers, and their beloved family members, safe and healthy. These are some important safety tips for kids and cars. Use Car Seats Fortunately, industry experts agree, a properly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death or injury by as much as 70 percent. Unfortunately, three out of every four car seats are not properly installed. Babies need to ride in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two. When the child outgrows that seat, it's time to switch to a forward-facing car seat. You'll need to use either the seat belt or lower anchors, to secure it. Also, make sure it fits correctly. Read the manufacturers instructions about the height, weight, and age limits for that particular seat, and always follow them. Minimize Distractions Driving while distracted is extremely hazardous. Most states now have laws against talking on the phone while you drive, but there are plenty of other distractions to watch out for. You usually can't do anything about the outside distractions, such as bad weather, dogs running across the road, or getting lost. You can usually help minimize the distractions inside of your vehicle though. Avoid eating while driving. If the kids might get hungry, always have a stash of easy to eat, non-messy food available. Things like nuts and dry fruit don't leave stains and are relatively easy to clean up. Kids arguing in the back can also cause you to get distracted. Have a good talk with your children about the importance of behaving well while inside the car. Also, if you can, leave the family pet at home. Pets also cause distractions by moving around in the vehicle while you're driving. Don't Leave Your Kids Alone in the Car Every year we hear horror stories about kids getting left in the car to fend for themselves. Hot weather can be deadly. The greenhouse effect inside your car can make the temperature 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature, putting your kids at risk for heat stroke. If your children escape from their car seat, they can also release the parking brake, or accidentally lock themselves inside. Also, what if your car was stolen with your child still inside? It's never wise to leave a child unattended inside a vehicle. Practicing car safety is vital to your health and happiness, but especially when it comes to children. They depend on us to keep them safe. Be a responsible driver and follow these three important car safety tips with your kids. It will prevent the worst possible scenarios. Photo by MIKI Yoshihito. | Licensed under cc by 2.0