[title subtitle=”words: Paul and Sarah Heer, Arkie Travels
images: Paul and Sarah Heer, Arkie Travels and the venues”][/title]
It’s almost time for back-to-school and I don’t know about you, but I need one more staycation before we head into the busy fall season. This route through the hills just west of Little Rock gives you a fun little day-trip adventure with good eats, hiking and antiquing!
We’ll start our day off at The Bramble Market on Highway 10 in West Little Rock. I fell in love as soon as I walked in the door! They don’t open until 9:00am (1:00pm on Sundays), but if you’re getting a late start this is the perfect place to stop for home grown snacks and goodies. They usually have a local food truck out front and they carry locally grown and sourced produce, eggs, meats and a variety of faire. Make sure you check out Poppy J’s popcorn while you’re there – it’s melt in your mouth good!
When you continue down Highway 10 towards Perryville, you’ll happen upon a little restaurant off to your right. There’s a sign that says Jones Family Restaurant, but if you blink you might miss it and you don’t want to miss this one – best breakfast in the state! Not even gonna lie, there’s a reason the parking lot is always full of cars. Like Mr. Arkie says, “It tastes like Mawmaw made it.”
We are huge fans of Petit Jean State Park and come up at least three to four times a year. Hiking at Petit Jean is most known for the Cedar Falls Trail – gorgeous, but sometimes a little crowded on the weekends. If you’re looking for something quieter, check out the Seven Hollows Trail. It’s marked by a tiny little sign, but don’t let that fool you! It stretches 4.5 miles and includes a large natural bridge, turtle rocks and a hidden grotto with a waterfall. It’s a very pretty hike no matter which way you turn – you’ll feel like you stepped back in time to the Jurassic period!
Petit Jean State Park is a beautiful place to camp, but they also have cabins and a lodge if you’re more into glamping than pitching a tent. If you do decide to make it an overnight trip, make sure you get up at sunrise and head over to the Petit Jean gravesite. The overlook offers a dramatic view of the valley and Arkansas River and is a picturesque place for peace and quiet.
You may need a sweet treat after a day of hiking and The Outpost is the place to get it. Hand-dipped ice cream, fudge and all sorts of other goodies await less than three minutes from the state park entrance. They also carry camping gear and those little grocery items campers sometimes forget.
If you’re wanting something a little more filling, check out Mustang Sally’s sitting in the cute little courthouse square in Perryville. Pull up a seat and order the BBQ nachos and a peanut butter fried pie – I promise, you won’t be disappointed! Afterwards, take a few minutes and walk off your meal in the downtown area. There are some fun little boutiques and if you feel like doing a little “junk-tiquing,” check out The Hitchin’ Post! It’s a hodgepodge of memorabilia, collectables and miscellaneous junk, but you never know where you might spot that diamond in the rough.
On your way back to Little Rock, make time to stop by the Heifer Ranch. A project of Heifer International, the animals in their pastures and the produce from their gardens support farmer-owned cooperatives. The Bramble Market carries their stunning bouquets of flowers and herbs. Kiddos and adults alike will love the sheep, pigs and goats and can participate in activities in the show barn. Be sure you visit the International gift shop to support the livelihoods of artisans from all over the world.
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.
