Area Recommendations

Visiting Arkadelphia and not sure what there is to do? We have ideas for you! Whether it's spending time in the outdoors on a walking trail or grabbing a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop, there are a wide variety of options to keep you busy.

 

In Arkadelphia

Outdoors

• FOR THE HAMMOCKER, DeSoto Bluff Trail, named for Hernando DeSoto whose expedition, some believe, camped on this very spot, is an easy, paved, interpreted walk out to a beautiful pavilion and bluff overlooking the Ouachita River with lots of great trees to tie up on.
• FOR THE PADDLER, try Cove Paddle Trail, nestled along DeGray Lake's north shore, a three-mile loop that offers excellent wildlife viewing. DeGray Lake has several other beaches, pavilions, and trails to explore, as well!
• FOR THE FLOATER, catch the high water in a tube, kayak, or canoe on the Caddo River, which flows into the Ouachita River.
• FOR THE STROLLER, walk and relax alongside the Ouachita River on Ouachita Baptist University's own Speer Pavilion.

Food

• Allen’s BBQ Company, smoky meats and rich flavor
• El Parian, Mexican restaurant blocks from campus with quick service and a wonderful fresh, spicy green sauce
• Fat Boys’ Fine Food, spicy barbecue and one of the best burgers in town
• Flying Burger and Seafood, a unique name but the food is worth it
• Golden Wok, a variety of Asian/Chinese dishes served in large portions
• Java Primo, alumni-owned coffee shop, café, and gift shop
• Los Agaves, Mexican restaurant with unique fruit drinks and delicious Ranchero combinations
• Ludwig's Bakery
• Samantha’s Bakery & Café, Arkansas-sourced ingredients and coffee paired with small-batch, scratch sweets and sandwiches
• Slim & Shorty’s, variety of food with that “beachy” vibe
• Tasteful Hibachi
• Tasty Hibachi, delicious sushi and hibachi grill—try the Ouachita roll (or the Mamma Mia roll!)
• The Hamburger Barn, casual eatery with a mix of classic dishes
• Walk & Taco

Things To Do

• CHECK OUT a four-legged friend from the Clark County Humane Society (or bring your own) for a leisurely stroll on Arkadelphia's Feaster Trail, a paved, easy walking trail that's pet-friendly.
• COOL OFF at the Arkadelphia Aquatic Park, which offers a 25-meter pool, two water slides, fountains, and diverse play areas.
• EXPLORE HISTORY at the Clark County Historical Association Museum, located in a historic train depot. Admission is free!
• INDULGE at the famous Juanita's Candy Kitchen with their original peanut brittle, which is legendary, or their cashew and pecan brittle.
• SHOP AROUND in our walkable, historic downtown, featuring unique stores like The Farmhouse, Kel-Zek’s, Forever Young, Rebel Child, Sheffield’s Music…just start at the corner of 6^th and Main gazebo.
• PLAY A ROUND at the DeGray Lake Resort Golf Course, a scenic and challenging, 18-hole, championship, public golf course.

Lodging

• Audrey’s Bed and Breakfast: 870-246-7271
• Hampton Inn: 870-403-0800
• Comfort Inn: 870-246-3800
• Best Western: 870-246-5592
• Holiday Inn Express: 870-403-0880
• Fairfield Inn & Suites: 870-245-0003
• Captain Henderson House: 870-230-5544

 

Near Arkadelphia

Outdoors

• FOR THE CASUAL WALKER OR SERIOUS RUNNER, Ouachita Whitewater Park in Malvern is a venue, known as a runner's paradise, that offers walking paths, jogging and biking paths, and open recreation spaces. There is even a playground for the kids.
• FOR THE FISHER, catch your limit of Florida largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish off the fishing pier at Gurdon Lake.
• FOR THE EQUESTRIAN, visit Bar Fifty Guest Ranch in Bismarck for a unique experience on horseback while you take in the beauty of the Ouachita Mountains foothills.
• FOR THE HIKER OR BIKER, the Womble Trail, which stretches from Northfork Lake to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, is a 32.4 miles, IMBA-designated EPIC Ride and beloved for its rugged beauty.

Historical Landmarks

• Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs was created for traditional therapeutic bathing utilizing the natural hot springs water and became a favorite vacation spot for many notorious gangsters, like Al Capone.
• Mountain Valley Spring Water Headquarters in Hot Springs bottles water that has refreshed multiple U.S. Presidents and is still served in the U.S. Senate.
• The Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail features the original home of spring training, where baseball legends Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Satchel Paige, Dizzy Dean and Joe DiMaggio are but a few of the Hall of Famers who started here.
• The International Order of Hoo-Hoo Headquarters & Museum resides in all its snarky splendor in Gurdon and is one of the oldest service organizations still in existence in the world.
• The Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo is tourist tradition that goes back 117 years.

Food

• Ohio Club in Hot Springs, a historic hangout of Al Capone
• DeLuca's Pizzeria in Hot Springs, listed as one of the best pizza places in the United States so calling ahead is recommended
• Superior Bathhouse Brewery in Hot Springs, the only brewery in a national park with good food and a delicious root beer float made from the hot springs water
• Fisherman’s Wharf in Hot Springs, right on the lake (people actually boat in) and some of the best seafood around
• Tacos4Life in Benton, alumni-owned taqueria gives a meal when you get yours

Things To Do

• DISCOVER native people and archeology at Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village in Murfreesboro. Museum exhibits display artifacts from Native American culture including pottery jars, pipes, stone stools and projectile points.
• DO IT ALL! go-kart, get zapped in laser tag or play a round of mini golf at Funtrackers Family Fun Park.
• EXPLORE at the Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs.
• SEE FOR MILES in every direction from atop the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. An elevator goes to the observation deck 216 feet up.
• WONDER at a 12-foot waterfall, scramble over boulders, and climb a suspended treehouse at Evans Children's Adventure Garden in Hot Springs' Garvan Woodland Gardens.
• TRY YOUR luck digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. The 911-acre park features a 37.5-acre plowed field which is the world's only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public. You keep what you find!
• FLY through the treetops on one of Adventureworks' three ziplining courses. For something really different, consider an exciting, moonlit rides.