Zoie Clift, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Travelers can now visit a new welcome center in Texarkana. Arkansas Welcome Center Red River recently underwent a $2.5 million upgrade. As part of this project, a completely new building was built north of the old center. The address is still the same at 12555 N State Line Avenue.

“We opened the new center on June 19 and the old center was torn down the next day,” said Sheila Nichols, manager of the Arkansas Welcome Center Red River.

“In my opinion the most important role that welcome centers play in the state is the first impression we make on our visitors,” she said. “We are the frontline greeters to many who are visiting our state for the first time.”

Welcome center staff assist visitors with attractions, lodging, and dining information in the area they are planning to stop in or…