The 20 Best Things To Do in Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy, Arkansas is the county seat in White county. It has a rich history that is worth noting. The city was originally named Sulphur Springs, but in the 1830s, the name was changed to the name of the County, which was Searcy at the time. After renaming the town, the County’s name also changed. Searcy is in a remote location surrounded by beautiful mountains, trees, rivers, and streams. It’s a haven for outdoorsy visitors who enjoy hunting and fishing. There are also plenty of trails for hiking and nature walks. The city is home to several historic and other attractions. If you’re planning a trip to Searcy, here are twenty of the best things to do while you’re there.
20. Catch a show at the Rialto Theater
The Rialto Theater offers a beautiful building with architecture that is nice to have in a souvenir photograph. It’s in the classic Art-Deco styling. It’s more than just a beautiful building. The Rialto Theater also sponsors various plays and shows throughout the season. It’s best to check the website in advance of your trip to find out what exciting events are scheduled for the time of your visit. You can learn more at its official website.
19. Take in a play at the Harding University Theatre
The Harding University Theater is a popular venue for entertainment. The Theater is at the Harding University campus and there is usually something interesting going on there. They sponsor everything from special topic lectures to plays and musical concerts. It’s best to check on the website ahead of your planned stay in Searcy to find out what’s going on to secure your seat. You can learn more by visiting the official website. Don’t forget to check the dates for the dinner theater if your visit is in the summertime.
18. Book a guided fishing tour on the Little Red River
The Little Red River is a premier fishing destination for trout enthusiasts. The Tailwater Fishing Company is the most highly recommended place to book your guided fishing excursion on the river. All you need to do is reserve the date of your fishing trip and they’ll supply all of the equipment and other necessities. Don’t forget to pick up a fishing license before the day of your trip. If you’re not a resident of Arkansas, you can get a temporary fishing license for one to three days.
17. Tour Pioneer Village
Pioneer Village is a popular attraction in Searcy. The Village is part museum and part homestead. It gives you a real-life picture of what it was like to live in Searcy during the days about a century ago when settlers were trying to establish a town. See the humble beginnings of the families who braved the wilderness to carve out a life in Searcy. It’s a historical site with a museum that offers period displays, artifacts, and exhibits from yesteryear. There is also a shop that sells honey, arts and crafts, blankets, and other items from local growers and artisans. There is no charge for touring Pioneer Village.
16. Spend a few hours at the Searcy Art Gallery
The Searcy Art Gallery is open to the public for tours of the local art and more. The gallery proudly displays the work of professional and aspiring artists at its historic location on East Race Avenue. The exhibits change frequently, so nearly every time you come back to town there will be something new to see. It’s best to check the website in advance of your visit for the days and hours of operation.
15. Have some fun with friends and family at Hourglass Escape Rooms
Hourglass Escape Rooms is a business that offers challenging fun and games for people in groups who love a mental challenge. The company offers a few different themes to choose from that pit one group of sleuths against another. It’s up to you and your team to find the clues hidden in each room, figure out what they mean, and find the way out of the Escape rooms. The first group to get out is the winner. It’s a real mental challenge that requires teamwork and using your brainpower.
14. Check out the Old Hippy antique shop
Old Hippy Antiques is a shop that offers a variety of pre-owned items from yesteryears. If you’re an antique buff it’s a shop that you won’t want to miss out on. The staff is friendly and helpful. They’re there to answer all your questions and help you find the items you’re searching for to complete your antique collections. You never know what you’ll find, but they’re standing by to make you a good deal.
13. See the Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery
The Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers. They were casualties of the Civil War between the North and the South. The Cemetery is located not far from Searcy in nearby Cabot and is a must-see for Civil War and history buffs. It’s also the site of many battles that occurred during that explosive era in our nation’s past. You’re welcome to visit the cemetery and walk through the gravestones. Some of them are still legible but many have succumbed to the ravages of time.
12. Tour the Jacksonville Museum Of Military History
The Jacksonville Museum of Military History is another popular venue for history and War buffs. It’s located in nearby Jacksonville, not far from Searcy. The museum houses a fascinating and rare collection of relics and artifacts from the various conflicts and wars that the US engaged in. You’ll find examples of old helicopters from the Vietnam war, along with exhibits, equipment, and displays that chronicle the various wars. You’ll even see an F-105 Thunderchief.
11. Take the kids to the Splash Zone Water Park
If you’re visiting Searcy during the summertime when the weather is hot, you’ll appreciate the cool water of the Splash Zone Water Park. It’s ideal for visitors with children who need a break from the searing heat of summer days in central Arkansas. It’s a great place to escape from the heat in a park that features slides, sprinklers, dump buckets, and more. Adults can participate in the water fun or enjoy a comfortable reclining chair with an umbrella to watch the kids play in the water. It’s best to plan your trip to the water park during the week because it fills up fast on hot summer weekends.
10. Have a picnic at Cabot City Park
Cabot City Park is located on Richie Road in Cabot, just a few miles away from Searcy. The park is remarkably beautiful and it offers a variety of visitor amenities to have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather. There’s a community center that offers a walking track, a tennis court, and swimming pools to cool off on hot summer days. You can also find educational and instructional classes offered to the community for kids and adults. It’s best to check the website in advance of your visit to find out what’s going on on the dates of your visit. It’s one of the best ways to have fun on your vacation and learn something new.
9. Spend the day at Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is not far from Searcy. It’s a short drive to Heber Springs where Sandy Beach extends for miles of lakefront sandy beaches. It’s one of the most popular places to hang out when the weather is hot and you want to have some outdoor recreation. It’s more crowded on the weekends, so it’s a good idea to visit on weekdays to avoid the big crowds. At the park, you’ll find forested areas and tons of hiking trails. There are also restaurants and shops nearby to grab a bite to eat and pick up a few souvenirs of your visit.
8. Take the kids skating at Joyland
The Joyland Skating Center will take you back years. It becomes one of the most popular venues during the late fall and winter months. Joyland is the only skating rink in its location in Cabot, for miles. It’s a few miles down the road from Searcy and offers a large roller skating rink, rental skates, and plenty of concessions to grab a bite to eat and a beverage. It’s great fun for the entire family. It also gives kids a good way to burn off the excess energy they get from the excitement of traveling on vacation.
7. Visit Greers Ferry Lake
Greers Ferry Lake is a majestic place to see with almost 40 thousand acres of lake water. It’s one of the best places to bird-watch, enjoy beautiful scenery, and also see wildlife in its natural habitat. The lake offers some of the most beautiful images of bluffs and rock formations. It’s also an area that offers multiple hiking trails and places for rock climbing. If this is the kind of outdoor recreation you enjoy, Greers Ferry Lake has a lot to offer visitors. You’ll find people there for camping boating, fishing, and swimming. Resting in the foothills of Arkansas’ majestic Ozark Mountains, Greers Ferry Lake is comprised of nearly 40,000 acres of water that’s home to an abundance of wildlife and some of the region’s most picturesque scenery.
6. Play a round of golf at the River Oaks Golf Club
If you’re a golfer visiting Searcy, you’re in luck. The River Oaks Golf Club is open to the public. It offers an 18-hole golf course with a driving range. You can also visit the pro shop to rent equipment for an enjoyable afternoon on the greens in a beautifully landscaped course that welcomes visitors.
5. Visit Tillett’s Stroke of Art
If you’re an art lover, then we recommend taking the time to visit the Tillett’s Stroke of Art art gallery on East Race Avenue. It’s the place to be for artists interested in finding new and old art supplies. They maintain an inventory of paints and projectors, and they even build custom canvases. if you’re an artist or you’re looking for a gift for the artist in your life, Tillett’s Stroke of Art is worth checking out.
4. Tour the Ellen Hobgood Gallery
The Ellen Hobgood Gallery is just a couple of miles down the road on S. Third Street in Heber Springs, close to Searcy. It’s an art gallery that features a range of different art in various mediums. It also displays the work of various artists. Many of the featured works are framed and available for sale. You can frequently watch the artists busy at work painting their masterpieces in the retail section of the gallery.
3. Book a guided hunting trip in Searcy
If you enjoy hunting, there are few better places than Searcy, Arkansas. The Baker’s Hunting Camp and Lodge put you up and guide you on various types of hunting excursions. It’s one of the most popular hunting clubs in White County. They offer turkey, quail, dove, and deer hunts.
2. Visit Reed’s Bridge Battlefield
Take the time to drive a few miles up the road from Searcy to Jacksonville. Reed’s Bridge Battlefield is one of the most popular attractions in the state as on the official Trail of Tears site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here you’ll find a replica of an 1860 homestead with historical markers that provide information and educational insights into the 1863 Little Rock Campaign Civil War Battle. If you’re a hiker, there are plenty of trails to explore in the area.
1. Visit the Bees Knees
The Bees Knees is one of the most fascinating flea markets in all of Arkansas. It’s the best place to shop for unusual or novelty items as mementos of your visit. The flea market brings out tons of vendors with unique products to sell. You never know what you find when you’re there. An example of a typical vendor is WildFlour which offers macaroons, cupcakes, cakes, and more.
