Fort Smith Regional Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Fort Smith Regional Airport is small and just minutes from the whole city, so here the choice is more about the type of area than airport versus downtown. Travelers with an early flight or looking for a recently built chain hotel find several options along Phoenix Avenue, a stone's throw from the terminal. Those who'd rather sleep near the Arkansas River and the historic downtown, with its frontier museums and the Fort Smith Convention Center, choose the city center instead. There's also a cluster of hotels along Rogers Avenue, near the interchange with I-540, handy for anyone driving out to the surrounding area.

Airport area (Phoenix Avenue)

Airport area · 2-4 km from the terminal, a 5-10 minute drive; some hotels offer a shuttle on request

Best for: travelers with an early flight or looking for a recent hotel a few minutes from the terminal

Pros

Just a few minutes from the terminal
Chain hotels often newer than in the other areas

Cons

Office and retail area, little to do on foot in the evening
You need a car to reach the historic downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ft. Smith Airport by IHG: Built in 2021, 2 miles from the terminal, with a free shuttle on request within a 3-mile radius.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Smith: Suites with a kitchen and an outdoor firepit, convenient for multi-night stays near the terminal.
Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Smith: Apartments with a full kitchen, useful for longer stays near the airport.

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Historic downtown

City centre · about 9 km from the terminal, a 10-15 minute drive; there's no direct connection to the airport

Best for: travelers who want the Arkansas River, the frontier museums and the Convention Center within walking distance

Pros

Walking distance to the Convention Center and the frontier museums
Evening life concentrated along the same street

Cons

Only one reliable chain hotel in this area
A car or taxi is always needed for the airport

Recommended hotels in this area

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Smith Downtown: A few steps from the Convention Center and the historic museums, right in the heart of downtown.

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Rogers Avenue commercial strip

Neighbourhood · a 10-15 minute drive from the terminal, same as for the historic downtown

Best for: travelers driving who want to be close to the I-540 interchange and the shops

Pros

Close to the I-540 interchange, convenient for getting around by car
Chain shops and restaurants along the road

Cons

A drive-through area, nothing to visit on foot
A car is always needed for the airport and downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton Inn Fort Smith: At the junction of Rogers Avenue and I-540, with over a thousand reviews and breakfast included.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fort Smith: In the commercial area near the Arkansas River, with breakfast and parking included.

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