Date: October 1, 2024 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Linds and Lace Photography |
From musical attractions to notable eateries and historical sites, Dr. Adam Long shares his take on this hospitable, culture-rich region
As the executive director of Arkansas Heritage Sites at Arkansas State University, Dr. Adam Long can point you in the direction of a museum, a festival, or even a can’t-miss restaurant on-demand. As a part of his job, he oversees the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott, the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza, and Lakeport Plantation outside of Lake Village. The Jonesboro native is well-schooled in all things Arkansas Delta, and, here, he shares a few of his favorite places around the eastern part of the state.
Q: The Delta is an area that seems to mystically lure people into its way of life. What do you think is the draw?
A: The Delta is an authentic connection to our heritage. It has roots in music, roots in cooking, and history. It ties us to the things in our culture that we’re fondest of—music, food, and land.
Q: Do you have any favorite day or weekend destinations you like to recommend to visitors?
A: Some of our most-popular destinations revolve around music. Of course, there’s the Historic Dyess Colony: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home. I think one of things that surprises people about this site is that you not only get to learn about him but also about the New Deal colony that drew his family to the area. Then, of course, you can head to Marvel, Arkansas, to learn about Levon Helm. I would say there are no two bigger figures than them [in Arkansas-born musicians] but there’s also the blues heritage. In Helena, the Delta Cultural Center is home to the studio that broadcasts the King Biscuit Time blues radio show [the longest-running daily blues radio show in the United States] every weekday. You can also tour exhibits about the genre there.
Q: What about natural attractions? Where do you recommend people go to enjoy the great outdoors in this area of Arkansas?
A: We have a number of great state parks! Crowley’s Ridge is unique to our area in terms of geography, and in addition to the park it also has the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center that offers exhibits about its history as well as native plants and animals. Village Creek State Park in Wynne has an amazing golf course, and you can even walk or hike on a portion of the Trail of Tears there. We also have the largest oxbow lake in North America, Lake Chicot in Lake Village. There are National Scenic Byways that connect these so you can experience it all as you go and also the Great River Road All-American Road, which has interpretive centers to offer guidance.
Q: We can’t talk about this region of the state without mentioning food. What’s on your list to try?
A: Food is one of our biggest treasures! Jones Bar-B-Q in Marianna stands out. It’s a James Beard Award winner and a great place to go, but know that it does tend to sell out. I also enjoy the Dixie Pig in Blytheville and Hoots in McGehee for barbeque. Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena offers amazing cocktails with spirits that are produced on-site, and Native Brew Works in Jonesboro is a fun stop to have a beer and delicious food.
Q: What’s on the horizon for the Delta?
A: Two new museums are set to open over the next few years. First, the Sultana Museum in Marion is moving to a larger facility that will offer more space for it to tell the story of the largest maritime disaster in U.S. history, which occurred on the banks of the Mississippi River. Second, Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville will be the site of The National Cold War Center. It will not only educate people in Arkansas about the rivalry of the superpowers but also draw in out-of-state visitors.
Read on for more of our favorite ways to discover Jonesboro and the Delta.
Sugartown Mercantile
Honey and Hope Boutique
Verb Bookstore
Sugartown Mercantile
Pagan’s Jewelry
SHOP
For home decor, vintage finds, and a huge selection of gifts, head to Sugartown Mercantile (sugartownmercantile.com) on Main Street in Stuttgart. The collection of candles, tabletop pieces, art, books, and more is carefully curated by four sisters who own and operate the charming store. Looking for exquisite jewelry? Head to one of Jonesboro’s longest-standing institutions, Pagan’s Jewelry (pagansjewelry.com). Offering everyday pieces, bridal sets, and custom design, the experienced staff can also repair gemstones, settings, and watches—returning your pieces by mail if you don’t live nearby. Grab a book and a coffee at Jonesboro’s Verb Bookstore (verbbookstore.com), and you’ll be set for a perfect fall afternoon. The cozy shop on South Gee Street offers the latest bestsellers alongside local titles and popular children’s books. Shop Honey and Hope Boutique (shophoneyandhope.com), also in Jonesboro, to add a bit of color or a new trend to your fall wardrobe. If you’re ready to add color or update your home, find contemporary art, accessories, and homewares at Jonesboro designer Kim Biggs’s storefront, The Vibe Interiors (thevibeinteriors.net).
DINE
For breakfast, lunch, or a sweet treat, head to Stuttgart’s Etcetera (facebook.com/etceterastuttgart). Paninis, wraps, and specials are served daily along with a weekly offering of take-and-bake casseroles and delightful desserts. Tacos, hot dogs, Trash Can Fries, and seemingly endless flavors of lemonade are a few of the hits you’ll find when you pop into the whimsical downtown Jonesboro location of Lemonade House Grille (lemonadehousegrille.com). If you’re hunting for the best steak in Arkansas, Taylor’s Steakhouse (taylorssteakhouse-dumas.com) in Dumas has to be on your list to try. Open for dinner, Thursday through Saturday, make a reservation to indulge in one of their hand-cut options for yourself. Farther north in Wilson, check out Wilson Cafe (eatatwilson.com), the charming town’s diner that offers a thoughtful menu that features local ingredients for breakfast, lunch, or dinner dishes.
VISIT
Sip and learn when you book a tour of Helena’s Delta Dirt Distillery (deltadirtdistillery.com), Arkansas’ first Black-owned distillery. The hour-long experience includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the Williams family transforms locally grown sweet potatoes into vodka. During the week of Thanksgiving, Stuttgart’s Wings Over the Prairie Festival (stuttgartduckfest.com) is the place to be in Arkansas. Featuring a midway of carnival rides, the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest, and the Duck Gumbo Cook-Off, there’s plenty of fun to be had by festivalgoers of all ages. Did you know Ernest Hemingway has an Arkansas connection? In Piggott, you can visit the family home of his second wife, Pauline, which is now known as the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center (hemingway.astate.edu) and includes the studio where he wrote a portion of his famous novel, A Farewell to Arms. Further your exploration of the arts with a trip to Bradbury Art Museum (bradburyartmuseum.org) on the campus of Arkansas State University. Featuring an ever-rotating collection of contemporary art, the museum frequently hosts artist talks and workshops as well. While you’re in Jonesboro, check out Huntington Square (huntingtonsquare.net) where you’ll find everything from a boutique hotel and speakeasy lounge to a food truck park, pickleball courts, Baggo play area, and more. The formerly desolate area has been reimagined as five acres of fun for the entire family, furry friends included!
Lemonade House Grille has a full-service bar.
Art and accessories abound at The Vibe Interiors.
Etcetera in Stuttgart offers gifts and accessories along with meals.
Huntington Square has plenty of room to eat and play.
The Arkansas State University Campus is a beacon in the area.
