Looking for something fun (and inexpensive) to do this weekend?
Luckily, there are places in and around central Arkansas that can make for a super-fun day (or half-day) trip this weekend or another this winter.
Here is a look at three trips that should guarantee one tank to get there and back from Little Rock:
- Mountain View (2 hours): This super-cool historic town in north central Arkansas is such a gorgeous place to explore on a Saturday or Sunday. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’re in luck– Mountain View was named “the country’s next best adventure towns” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Get up in the trees, fly down the zipline or go climbing at Loco Ropes, 1025A Park Ave, or take your mountain bike down the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail, a series of interconnecting loops offering the mountain bike enthusiast 50 miles of trail, much of it single-track. For the explorer at heart, take a tour of Blanchard Springs where you can check out an underground river and the world’s largest flowstone. Looking to learn something? The Ozark Folk Center, 1032 Park Ave., offers workshops in pioneer crafts, herb gardening and traditional American folk music, as well as special folk arts & crafts programs for children and seniors. Afterward, feast on a delicious country lunch at its in-house eatery, the Skillet Restaurant, or stop by JoJo’s Catfish at the Jack’s Fishing Resort, 212 Hayden Heights, on the White River for the best catfish around. While you’re in town, don’t forget to stop by the Historic Square of Mountain View and shop at one of the many unique shops and galleries. Exploring and shopping can make you a little tired– so get a sweet treat at the Stonebrook Fudge Factory for an afternoon snack. Find more things to do here.
- Hot Springs (1 hour): There are so many things to do and see in the “Spa City,” it definitely is worthy of a day-long excursion. Make a special trip down to the state’s only horse race track, Oaklawn, which just got its season started last week. Before the races, eat at one of many delicious eateries in town, including Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restaurante, JavaPrimo Coffee House, Cafe & More and Central Park Fusion Cuisine (both Little Rock Family Managing Editor Blair Tidwell’s favorite spots), and walk around downtown and take in the nature at Hot Springs National Park, the country’s first resort. Other things to do include perusing the various art galleries scattered around downtown, as well as the Gangster Museum of America, Hot Springs Mountain Tower and Bathhouse Row. Also, if you get a chance, a must-see attraction is the Garvan Woodland Gardens on the outskirts of the city. Check out the 2014 Hot Springs Guest Guide for more cool things to do!
- Altus/Paris (2 hours): If wine is your thing, Altus, noted as the “Wine Capitol of Arkansas,” is probably the best place to go– just make sure you have a designated driver for the trip home. Arkansas Wine Country boasts four wineries in Altus, including: Post Winery, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, Mount Bethel Winery and Chateau Aux Arc. Make a stop at one or a couple of the places to take a tour and get a taste of some of the wine selections. Afterward, be sure to stop at the historic square and try Kelts Restaurant for a yummy British lunch or Sunday brunch. While you’re at the square, also visit some of the shops nearby containing antiques, collectibles and crafts. In nearby Paris, Cowie Wine Cellars offers tours and tastings and is home to the Arkansas Historic Wine Museum, which preserves the viticultural past of Arkansas with winemaking artifacts and biographical histories of winemakers. Cool! See what other stuff you can get into here.
Here are a couple more day trip options to check out!