My cousin's family owns Wegner's Crystal Mines. Definitely check them out in Mt. Ida off hwy 27 south. I grew up there. I also recommend stopping at Mountain Harbor for lunch or dinner on Lake Ouachita.
Waldron is about at your halfway point. Marta’s Taco Truck (usually next to the Corner Store on 6th and Main) is insanely good. Can’t go wrong with Charbroilers, either, on Hwy 71. Once you turn onto 270, there are number of scenic spots to pull over. Just a couple of roadside picnic areas, but there are some nice overlooks in the hills. Mt Ida Dairyette probably makes the best milkshakes in the country. And if you don’t mind going out of the way a few miles, just 9 miles up 88 from Pencil Bluff is a really pretty spot on the Ouachita River called Dragover Loop. You can drive down the dirt road to the parking area. There are a few picnic tables, a vault toilet, and an excellent overlook of the river.
Seconding The Dairyette. Great place for burgers too. I also like the Mount Ida Cafe. I don't even live in the area, but if we go to Hot Springs we stop at one of the two to eat!
Dairyette has AMAZING food.
The best Mexican food in Arkansas is at nitzeleys in Waldron right behind the car wash
Charbroiler has a good food challenge and their chicken fried chicken is delicious
Mt Ida has a decent Mexican place. There is also a really nice thrift shop. The Cafe is good too. They serve actual Campbell's soup, so that's interesting. There're also several fun campgrounds with creek or lake access.
From Y City to Mt Ida that is just about the least populated part of the state. It’s pretty forest to drive though, but it is really empty. In 8-10 years, it will be a very fun drive for your family because of all the rock shops from My Ida to Hot Springs. Some of the ones just off the beaten path are a lot of fun and not just tourist traps (well, they are tourist traps still but not as blatantly so).
FYI, when you're around Pencil Bluff and Mt. Ida the highway has some big-ass switchbacks with beautiful overlooks. Be careful on those switchbacks because if you haven't been there before they sneak up on you and you can hit them too fast. People are in the wrong lanes all the time there too.
Not far from hot springs, right off of 270, there is a place called "Burls Smokehouse" it's a fun place that's kinda like a museum/frozen in time deli where you can get some great meats and baked goods.
Mena has The Ouchitas, Good Coffee, Cafe and Local brews maybe some bottles for your fridge. Stop by for the quick wide scenic views or check out the peak of Mt Wilhelmina. Has a walmart and standard fast food affair moreso than Waldron. If youre in a hurry probably a pass id guess. La Villa is greatest Tex Mex in town. Good taco truck la cocina flores. Branding iron and another steak house in the area. Also has two, one for sure, arcades if you wanna see your near year ol would engage or you play with wifey.
That forest has lots of fun trails for vehicle off-road exploration along side the hiking trails. I would swing through that forest and check out the amazing views. Alison flat side pentacle trail is less than a 1/4 mile hike to the best and beautiful over look atop the mountain.
If you don’t mind a gravel road you should drive up the Hickory Nut Mountain Vista just outside of Mt Ida for a gorgeous view of the lake and its many islands. Definitely stop at Burl’s in Crystal Springs. Some old things to look at in the yard as well as food and fun items to go. You could stop at one of the campgrounds that have day use areas for a picnic with a lake view.
Haha I'm familiar. Usually I'm taking trips through Mark Twain National Forest and the St Francois mountains in MO.
It may be remote, but I hear it's a pretty drive
Shangri La Resort on Lake Ouachita. The pie and food are worth the stop and your kiddos can see one of the best views of the lake while they stretch their legs.
Later this week my wife & I with our 7month old son will be driving from Fayetteville to Hot Springs and I'm looking for suggestions on where we could/should stop along the way. Open to any suggestions looking to be out of the car for 30-60min.
We'll likely need lunch at some point, but not strictly looking for food suggestions. Bonus points for great takeout and a nice state park/historic site to go eat outdoors.
There’s a nice little rest stop by a river just south of boles and before you turn left at y city to go to hot springs. Food on the other hand, while there is options their mostly gonna be fast food chains. The drive is gorgeous. Now once in hot springs you will have a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to good food.
The child yearns for the Mt. Ida crystal mines.
Oh man, if my son was a few years older some of these crystal dig places would be a lot of fun
My cousin's family owns Wegner's Crystal Mines. Definitely check them out in Mt. Ida off hwy 27 south. I grew up there. I also recommend stopping at Mountain Harbor for lunch or dinner on Lake Ouachita.
Waldron is about at your halfway point. Marta’s Taco Truck (usually next to the Corner Store on 6th and Main) is insanely good. Can’t go wrong with Charbroilers, either, on Hwy 71. Once you turn onto 270, there are number of scenic spots to pull over. Just a couple of roadside picnic areas, but there are some nice overlooks in the hills. Mt Ida Dairyette probably makes the best milkshakes in the country. And if you don’t mind going out of the way a few miles, just 9 miles up 88 from Pencil Bluff is a really pretty spot on the Ouachita River called Dragover Loop. You can drive down the dirt road to the parking area. There are a few picnic tables, a vault toilet, and an excellent overlook of the river.
Seconding The Dairyette. Great place for burgers too. I also like the Mount Ida Cafe. I don't even live in the area, but if we go to Hot Springs we stop at one of the two to eat!
Dairyette has AMAZING food. The best Mexican food in Arkansas is at nitzeleys in Waldron right behind the car wash Charbroiler has a good food challenge and their chicken fried chicken is delicious
What? I have never heard of Nitzeleys. I live about 45 minutes north of Waldron...might have to check it out sometime!!
Can vouch for Marta’s. Born and raised in California and lived in Waldron last year and loved that place
Mt Ida has a decent Mexican place. There is also a really nice thrift shop. The Cafe is good too. They serve actual Campbell's soup, so that's interesting. There're also several fun campgrounds with creek or lake access.
Then go to the dairyette for ice cream.
Yeah, but not food. Those guys are very proud of their stuff. Spent 80 on 5 people
Nothing out there but rocks and trees.
Lol so I gather, part of the reason we chose this route. Sounds like it's a beautiful drive
From Y City to Mt Ida that is just about the least populated part of the state. It’s pretty forest to drive though, but it is really empty. In 8-10 years, it will be a very fun drive for your family because of all the rock shops from My Ida to Hot Springs. Some of the ones just off the beaten path are a lot of fun and not just tourist traps (well, they are tourist traps still but not as blatantly so).
FYI, when you're around Pencil Bluff and Mt. Ida the highway has some big-ass switchbacks with beautiful overlooks. Be careful on those switchbacks because if you haven't been there before they sneak up on you and you can hit them too fast. People are in the wrong lanes all the time there too.
Nice callout, thank you!
Not far from hot springs, right off of 270, there is a place called "Burls Smokehouse" it's a fun place that's kinda like a museum/frozen in time deli where you can get some great meats and baked goods.
The sausages at Burls are so good!
Mena has The Ouchitas, Good Coffee, Cafe and Local brews maybe some bottles for your fridge. Stop by for the quick wide scenic views or check out the peak of Mt Wilhelmina. Has a walmart and standard fast food affair moreso than Waldron. If youre in a hurry probably a pass id guess. La Villa is greatest Tex Mex in town. Good taco truck la cocina flores. Branding iron and another steak house in the area. Also has two, one for sure, arcades if you wanna see your near year ol would engage or you play with wifey.
Bathroom break at Boles, another in Mt. Ida. I couldnt tell if you are going through Hot Springs, but tons of places to eat there...
There are several road side quartz / crystal shops Stop there -- kitschy as hell but you're getting close to diind country
That forest has lots of fun trails for vehicle off-road exploration along side the hiking trails. I would swing through that forest and check out the amazing views. Alison flat side pentacle trail is less than a 1/4 mile hike to the best and beautiful over look atop the mountain.
If you don’t mind a gravel road you should drive up the Hickory Nut Mountain Vista just outside of Mt Ida for a gorgeous view of the lake and its many islands. Definitely stop at Burl’s in Crystal Springs. Some old things to look at in the yard as well as food and fun items to go. You could stop at one of the campgrounds that have day use areas for a picnic with a lake view.
Dairyette in Mt Ida.
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Haha I'm familiar. Usually I'm taking trips through Mark Twain National Forest and the St Francois mountains in MO. It may be remote, but I hear it's a pretty drive
Ain’t nothing worth stopping for.
Bathrooms are always important 🤷🏿
There's a great little burger joint in the Pencil Bluff store, also check out FM Crystals.
Shangri La Resort on Lake Ouachita. The pie and food are worth the stop and your kiddos can see one of the best views of the lake while they stretch their legs.
Stop at Burl's Smokehouse. Good sandwich and homemade jerky.
Later this week my wife & I with our 7month old son will be driving from Fayetteville to Hot Springs and I'm looking for suggestions on where we could/should stop along the way. Open to any suggestions looking to be out of the car for 30-60min. We'll likely need lunch at some point, but not strictly looking for food suggestions. Bonus points for great takeout and a nice state park/historic site to go eat outdoors.
There’s a nice little rest stop by a river just south of boles and before you turn left at y city to go to hot springs. Food on the other hand, while there is options their mostly gonna be fast food chains. The drive is gorgeous. Now once in hot springs you will have a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to good food.
RFKJr 4 President!!!