The Old Frisco Depot is the building the whole market revolves around. The city describes it as a Van Buren landmark for over a century and today it houses the Van Buren Visitors Center. It sits at 813 Main Street in the middle of the historic district. The city's event listings for past seasons show Van Buren to Winslow rides and holiday trains boarding here, and its Ride the Train page sends visitors to the railroad's site for current schedules, fares and tickets. The depot belongs to the Frisco era: the Frisco system's passenger depots survive in only three Arkansas cities, Van Buren, Fort Smith and Fayetteville, according to the railroad's history page. Stop in for maps, event calendars and local advice, and use the depot as your starting point for Main Street.
A depot is more than a platform; it is the reason the town's main street runs where it does. Van Buren's first train arrived in 1876, and the depot you see today is a surviving piece of the Frisco passenger network that tied the Arkansas River valley to the Ozarks and beyond. The railroad's own history places the Frisco connection in the 1880s and notes that surviving Frisco passenger depots are in Fayetteville, Van Buren and Fort Smith.
Today the building works as a welcome desk. The visitors center can hand you walking maps for Main Street, details of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site and the River Valley area, and the event calendar. Contact the city's tourism office on 1-800-332-5889 for current hours; they are not posted on the venue page.
If you are riding, plan your arrival with margin. The railroad asks passengers to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure and to verify the boarding point in your confirmation before heading to Main Street.
What to expect
The experience
A historic railroad depot at 813 Main Street housing the Van Buren Visitors Center, and the boarding point named in the city's listings for Van Buren train rides.
Best time
Any time the visitors center is open; train days give the most atmosphere.
How long
Half an hour to an hour.
Tips
Hours are not posted on the venue page; call 1-800-332-5889. Verify your boarding point in your ticket confirmation.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Maps, local advice and a look at the building that anchors Van Buren's rail history.
- Families
- Kids enjoy watching the train come and go.
- Couples
- A good first stop before Main Street.
- Pair with
- Historic Main Street and the Van Buren to Winslow ride.
- Time needed
- A short stop.
Good questions
Where is the depot?+
813 Main Street, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956.
Is it where I board the train?+
The city's listings have shown Van Buren to Winslow rides and holiday trains boarding here, but check your confirmation for your date.
What is inside?+
The Van Buren Visitors Center.
What are the hours?+
The venue page does not post them. Call the tourism office at 1-800-332-5889.
How old is the depot?+
The city calls it a landmark for over a century; we do not have a verified construction year.
