Arkie Travels: Fall in The Natural State

Oct 1, 2019 | Travel

[title subtitle=”WORDS Paul and Sarah Heer, Arkie Travels
IMAGES courtesy Paul and Sarah Heer, Arkie Travels and the venues”][/title]

Fall is one of the best times to explore The Natural State. That brilliant burst of color is a sight to behold and our beautiful Arkansas will never let you down on the fall foliage. So, hop in the car and let’s go for a ride!

Mr. Arkie likes to wake me up at 4:00am to catch a sunrise and the Atkins Bottoms Tree is one of our favorite spots. It’s located at the corner of Atkins Bottom Road and McLaren Loop and is easily accessible from the Blackwell exit of Interstate 40 between Conway and Russellville. This stunner has been standing for many years watching over the farmers in the Petit Jean Valley and it’s a photo favorite. Catch its silhouette at sunrise or sunset. It’s also the perfect place for a spooky mood on a foggy morning.

After you welcome the day, head up Highway 64 to Russellville and stop at Old South Restaurant. We’re all about a down-home country breakfast and this place does not disappoint. It was built in 1947 with a gorgeous art deco lobby and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a minute for an Instagram-worthy photoshoot in one of the lobby booths! And, oh my, breakfast is incredible too!

With a good meal settling in your stomach, you’ll be ready for a scenic ride with a view. Continue down Highway 64 North through Clarksville and take a left on Highway 109. Our favorite part of the day is when you top the hill and see the river spread out in the valley below. You’ll drive over one of the longest bridges in Arkansas and kind of feel like you’re in Florida. Enjoy the view!

Our next stop on the tour is the Subiaco Monastery. Yes, real monks walk the grounds and live in the more than two-hundred-year-old Abbey. The Monastery is also home to an all-boys Academy, an Angus beef farm, and, our favorite, the Country Monks Taproom. Enjoy a tasty brew made with hops grown by the monks right on the grounds of Subiaco, one of only four monasteries that brew their own lager. Or better yet, get a flight and make sure you try the Nut Brown Ale, it’s new for fall and is a perfect blend. Not a beer drinker? The Taproom is still worth a visit, they also have hot sauces you can try that are made from habañero seeds brought back from Belize. We picked some up to give as Christmas gifts!

Continue your journey with a trip to Paris! Not Paris, France, Paris, Arkansas!! You won’t be disappointed however as they have a replica fountain of the Eiffel Tower in the historic Courthouse Square. Make sure you bring along a keyed padlock for the Love Lock Fence. Originally built in 2017, the first lock was placed by Miss Arkansas, Savannah Skidmore. Also, don’t miss JA Outfitters while you’re on the square and pick up some Christmas gifts from Fayettechill, Chaco’s and the JA Outfitters brand. And if you’re needing a snack, swing by The Grapevine Restaurant and make sure you get a bowl of their homemade bread pudding!

Take Highway 109 South out of town and enjoy the view as you slowly climb up the highest peak between the Canadian-Minnesota border and the Gulf of Mexico, Mount Magazine. Take the Signal Hill Trail up to the highest point in the state or pull up a chair on the back deck of the lodge and take in the spacious view of blue mountains as far as the eye can see. Extend your stay with a night (or weekend) in the spacious rooms at the Lodge.

After you come down from the mountain, take Highway 10 back to Morrilton and “wine down” at the Movie House Winery. Sample the wines or enjoy a flight – our favorite was the Yankee Doodle Dandy Watermelon Wine.

No matter where you go, Arkansas puts on a show of fall colors and you will love finding several hidden gems along the way. Happy fall, y’all!

We love exploring The Natural State and want to encourage you to too! We eat local, shop local and stay local and we’re proud to support Arkansas businesses. For more information on our travels and routes we’ve designed all over our home state, follow us on socials @ArkieTravels or visit our website at www.arkietravels.com.

 

Do South Magazine

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