Take a vacation to the city of Jonesboro and get ready for the best moments of your life, as there are just countless things to do in Jonesboro (AR).
Jonesboro is located in the northeast corner of Arkansas, close to neighboring states like Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Like many cities in Arkansas, Jonesboro is known for its vast natural landscape full of mountains, rivers, and pristine forests.
It is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts like bird watchers, hunters, and fishermen.
In addition to natural attractions, things to do in Jonesboro (AR) also cuts across cultural and historical attractions such as museums and landmarks, all of which are worth a visit.
Thinking of a trip to Jonesboro? Check out some of the best things to do in Jonesboro (AR).
Fun Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR)
1. Check Out Twilight Skating Rink
The Twilight Skating Rink is a traditional ice rink that stays open late into the night.
You’ll get a nostalgic rush from things like roller skate rentals, arcades, and greasy cuisine.
The Twilight Rink is open to the public on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with opening hours that vary depending on the day.
No matter which day you visit, skating to the music is guaranteed to be an enjoyable experience.
2. Don’t Miss a Game at Centennial Bank Stadium
Although formerly called Liberty Bank Stadium, Centennial Bank Stadium is currently the home of the Arkansas State University Red Wolves football team.
Although the stadium can get crazy on match days, tickets are not hard to come by. It is still a sight to behold, even when there are no matches taking place.
The Centennial Bank Stadium is not the biggest in the state, but it’s a great place to see a game and get in the mood.
The seating capacity is just over 30,000. The stadium can be found on the ASU campus on Aggie Road.
3. Go Shopping at the Mall at Turtle Creek
If you’re looking to buy something while in Jonesboro, whether its clothes, shoes, bags, home accessories, or any other item, the best place to go is the Mall at Turtle Creek.
The Mall at Turtle Creek is located on East Highland Drive.
There are quite a few stores in this mall, including major retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Target, and Dillard’s.
At the Mall at Turtle Creek, you will also find a food court that offers a lot of food and a cafe in the bookstore.
Check out the bookstore for a new book, and grab a cappuccino or espresso.
Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR) at Night
1. Grab a Beer at Native Brew Works
Native Brew Works is the brainchild of four friends who wanted to offer something new and beneficial to their surroundings.
Everyday Association, known as Native Brew Works, hopes to open at 515 S. Gee St., a former auto repair shop, paint shop, and boutique that dates back to the 1930s.
He has a private microbrewery club license in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Once you enter its premises and order an alcoholic beverage, you become a member.
A brewer is a place where people can come and socialize, relax, and brainstorm.
You can have a look at their Instagram page to see what they have to offer.
2. Get a Rush of Adrenaline at Locked Away Escapes
It’s a 60-minute interactive escape room where players have to solve puzzles, allowing them to find their way out of the room.
If you and your team can work together and crack the code before the time runs out, then you’ll be able to escape from one of six different escape rooms of the Locked Away Escapes.
It offers a variety of challenging tasks, from escaping The Psych Ward to escaping Lost in the Ozar.
3. Grab a Meal at Lazzari Italian Oven
Lazzari Italian Oven is a family restaurant that is well established and serves its customers delicious handmade Italian food such as homemade pasta and sauces, fresh salads, wood-fired pizza, and desserts.
All this is served in an environment that is informal and relaxing.
Lazzari Italian Oven was opened in 1995.
Other dishes they serve in addition to those listed above include specialties such as crab stuffed mushrooms, polio Con Rosamarino Alla Griglia, toasted ravioli, eggplant parmigiana, and many more.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.
Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR) For Couples
1. Shop at the Truck Patch
You will have access to a source of food ingredients during your stay in Jonesboro.
A natural food store called “The Truck Patch” in the Twin Lake region sells only organic or naturally grown foods.
It stands along Highway 62 East in Mountain Home, AR.
People in the Twin Lakes region now have a healthier option to shop for food thanks to Michael and Sarah Adler’s new business, The Truck Patch, which opened earlier this year.
The emphasis here is on providing high-quality food to customers, and there is a wide variety of food and organic food to choose from, making this a worthwhile stop.
2. Check Out the Sage Meadows Golf Course
Arkansas Golf Trail presents Sage Meadows as the premier semi-private golf course in Arkansas.
The course has 18 holes, each of which presents a unique challenge.
The course will be challenging for players of different skill levels.
There is also a clubhouse, pro shop, bar, and restaurant at Sage Meadows Golf Game to ensure all guests play the course.
3. Go Shopping at the Fancy Attic Antique
Featuring over 80 booths, shelves, and walls, Fancy Attic is a 9,000-square-foot building with an unusual mix of exhibitors selling vintage and custom goods.
It’s an excellent destination for unique vintage, antique and vintage trinkets, homewares, and arts and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else in the area.
To really enjoy your shopping experience, be prepared to spend at least an hour or two browsing the vast selection of goods on Alexander Drive.
Fancy Attic is also a great place to get unusual Arkansas and Jonesboro trinkets that make great gifts and souvenirs.
In addition to new goods, the store has a wide variety of antiques.
Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR) For Kids
1. Take Them to Craighead Forest Park
One of the city’s most popular attractions, Craighead Forest Park is a sprawling green city park with a tranquil lake, hiking trails, disc golf, sports facilities, and a children’s playground.
Many recreational activities are available to the public at this 692-acre park, including basketball, disc golf, bird watching, fishing, camping, horseshoes, softball/volleyball courts, and playgrounds for the little ones.
You can find 15 miles of bike trails crisscrossing the woods, a 2.5-mile lakeside cabin trail that goes around Craighead Lake, and another 2.9-mile paved trail that runs next to the lake.
Campsite facilities include 26 RV sites with water and electricity hookups (50 amps) and a modern bathroom with flush toilets, bathrooms, and washing machines.
In the lake, you can catch bream, perch, sparrows, and tilapia.
2. Give Them the Time of Their Lives at Hijinx Family Entertainment Center
Hijinx Game Night Reinvented is Northeast Arkansas’ premier family entertainment destination.
All activities are available in different packages to tailor the experience to your preferences.
An arcade with more than 50 games, a foam factory, a rope course, and a soft play are just some of the bowling alley’s features, including 32 bowling lanes.
The best choice for family entertainment is Hijinx.
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s even an indoor grill that offers a variety of fresh favorites to keep you going.
3. Try a Visit to the Ultimate Air Trampoline Park
Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something interesting.
The only trampoline park in Northeast Arkansas is Ultimate Air Jonesboro.
Located in downtown Jonesboro, Ultimate Air is a trampoline park open to the public of all ages.
There are no set hours for you to come and play; however, private room reservations are available.
The park has a foam pit, a dodgeball, a trampoline for powerful dunks, and many other fun features.
Open jump zones, foam pits, dodgeball courts, basketball hoops, and more are just some of the activities at the park.
Indoor Activities to Do in Jonesboro (AR) For Adults
1. Appreciate Art at the Sara Howell Studio and Gallery
Since 1995, Sara Howell Studio and Gallery has featured the work of renowned artist Sara Howell.
The gallery was established to showcase Sara Howell’s work and other local artists’ work.
The gallery’s debut show, held in February 2013, features more than a dozen artists from various disciplines.
The gallery is open to the public just on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
In this gallery, you will have the opportunity to see and learn about local artists.
2. Flex Your Muscles at Civil Axe Throwing
When Civil Ax Throwing opened its doors to the public in downtown Jonesboro, ax throwing was a relatively new phenomenon.
In addition to opening hours during the week, you can reserve an exclusive throwing facility for a group of friends or co-workers.
Civil Ax always has experts to help you improve your throws, regardless of your motivation for visiting.
Ease off some steam and unleash your inner warrior at Civil Ax Throwing.
3. Go Rock Climbing at Earl Bell Community Center
Earl Bell, an Olympic pole vaulter, and native of Jonesboro was the inspiration for the name Earl Bell Community Center.
In addition to the gymnasium and huge gymnasium, the community center features a climbing wall, the only one of its kind available to the public in Jonesboro.
Crowley’s Ridge does not provide climbers with the same opportunities as the central and northwestern parts of the state, which are more popular for this activity.
The Earl Bell Community Center has a safe place to practice and explore rock climbing for anyone who wants to.
Romantic Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR)
1. Explore Art at Bradbury Art Museum
Bradbury Art Museum is located at Arkansas State University and features contemporary art, photography, and unique installations.
The Charlotte Bradbury Art Museum was founded by Curt Bradbury and was renamed the Bradbury Art Organization in 2015 to better represent the breadth and mission of the museum.
In addition to rotating contemporary art exhibitions, the Bradbury Art Museum also offers arts-focused programming that promotes an appreciation of art and its role in society.
The museum hosts the Delta National Small Print Exhibition annually, featuring works by famous regional, national, and world artists.
2. Try a Picnic at Lake Frierson State Park
Lake Frierson State Park is accessed by a two-lane route known as Highway 141 and is located about ten miles north of Jonesboro,
Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, picnicking, and hiking can be enjoyed year-round on the lake’s 335 acres.
Guests can learn about the park’s fauna and flora at the visitor center through hands-on demonstrations and other interactive features.
Despite its small size, Lake Frierson is a great place to spend time with the family and get some fresh air.
The campsite has 20 places for motorhomes with complete water and electricity connections.
Although Jonesboro is somewhat of a metropolitan region, there are still plenty of alternatives for those who want a more natural environment.
Many local anglers visit Lake Frierson State Park to catch bass and catfish, often stocked in the reservoir.
3. Have a Meal Together at Skinny J’s
Skinny J’s is an award-winning restaurant where you’ll find a list of delicious dishes, all prepared fresh using great ingredients.
The restaurant’s uniqueness is that these professionally prepared dishes are sold at a reasonable price.
Some of the dishes that Skinny J’s is known for include delicious homemade pasta, ahi tuna, and steaks.
There are about three locations of Skinny J’s in Jonesboro, all serving the same dishes with the same uniqueness – delicious taste.
Visit the restaurant while visiting Jonesboro. She makes birthday cakes and cupcakes for customers who want to celebrate there.
Free Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR)
1. Explore the Skirmish at Jonesboro
The American Battlefield Trust’s “Skirmish at Jonesboro” commemorates the Civil War battle on the grounds of Craighead Courthouse as a historic site.
Craighead County was a Confederate stronghold in the Civil War, and many soldiers from both sides passed through Jonesboro.
After a surprise attack on a Confederate camp south of Jonesboro in 1862, the Federals captured 24 Confederates and imprisoned them in the new Jonesboro Courthouse.
Union forces at Craighead Courthouse, attacked by the Confederates in retaliation, were freed from imprisoned Confederates.
2. Visit Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is located in the northeast region of Arkansas near Jonesboro.
If you’re in the area during the Christmas and New Year’s period, you must add a visit to Winter Wonderland to your list of fun things to do in Jonesboro.
This winter wonderland is the stuff of local legend and has fascinated visitors for generations.
This place is, without a doubt, the most decorated Christmas display in the area during the season.
There are a lot of things to see here, including the decorations. Make a plan to spend an hour or two walking among these amazing decorations.
This place is free to visit, but you can donate to support the decorations by dropping your donation in the box at the door.
3. Go Window Shopping at the Truck Patch
A place to get food ingredients is sorted for you during your stay in Jonesboro.
In the Twin Lakes area, Truck Patch is a health food store specializing in local, organic, and natural foods.
You can find them on Highway 62 East in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Opened by Michael and Sarah Adler, The Truck Patch brings healthy shopping opportunities to the people of the Twin Lakes area and gives everyone a much better alternative to conventional mass-produced foods.
They focus on providing quality food for shoppers, and with a large variety of food and organic food products, it really is a place to visit.
Cheap Things to Do in Jonesboro (AR)
1. Check Out Arkansas State University Museum
Some art-focused programs and exhibitions are offered by the Arkansas State Museum, also known as the ASU Museum, at Arkansas State University and serve as a teaching museum.
Located in Jonesboro on the A-State campus, the Arkansas State University Museum is dedicated to the natural history and cultural heritage of the Mississippi River Delta and Northeast Arkansas region.
Exhibits in the ASU Museum linked to the state-mandated curriculum are accompanied by hands-on activities, tours, and audio podcasts.
Tinkering Studios and Gift Shops provide visitors with various art-related items, publications, and souvenirs.
2. Know More About Jonesboro at Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge
This is a community and academic center on the city’s southern border.
Visitors can learn about the distinctive ridge above the Mississippi Delta through indoor and outdoor exhibits and videos.
The 17,033-square-foot facility is located near the southern edge of Craighead Forest Park.
It offers a variety of self-guided trails across more than five acres of grassland, 100 acres of woodland, lakes, and wetlands.
It has a gift shop and several other facilities, including an auditorium and conference facilities.
There’s even an observation tower!
3. Watch a Game at Tomlinson Stadium
This stadium is used for practices and home games of the university’s baseball team.
Since its launch in 1993, Tomlinson Stadium has been renovated and re-equipped. Today, the stadium is a comfortable and exciting place to enjoy the game.
The capacity of Tomlinson Stadium is more than 1000 spectators. During matches with the Red Wolves, the stadium experiences overflow.
Around the stadium, you will find stands serving snacks such as hotdogs, pretzels, and sodas.
You can make a family trip out of watching the game here. Unlike major league games, tickets for these games do not cost much.
Cool Places to Visit in Jonesboro (AR)
1. Omar’s Uptown
A family-owned restaurant in Jonesboro, Omar’s Uptown serves new and modern American cuisine.
The restaurant is a work of art, with high ceilings and walls decorated with colorful art, an elegant space, and a beautifully designed bar.
Among the dishes on their menu are smoked salmon, crab cakes, Caesar salad, and seared ahi tuna.
You’ll also find appetizers like crabmeat-wrapped salmon, shrimp and grits, lemongrass steak, gnocchi picatta, and more.
2. Lakes Charles State Park
Lakes Charles State Park is a park near Jonesboro located on the shores of Lake Charles.
This park is where you can go for fresh air and have fun.
Amenities you’ll find at this park include shaded pavilions, a boat ramp, designated campsites, hiking and biking trails, a playground, and a swimmable beach.
If you want to buy something in the park, you can do so at the on-site store, which sells drinks, snacks, camping supplies, and much more.
Note that not every part of the park is open year-round.
Check their website for specific information such as schedule, prices, and hours before visiting the park.
3. Pinot’s Palette
This national paint and sip franchise Pinot’s Palette, was founded on May 8, 2009, and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Pinot’s Palette is a household name in the US, with more than 140 stores spread across 31 states.
Craig Ceccanti, Beth Willis, and Charles Willis were the business partners who founded this business.
The first Pinot’s Palette studio was named “Pinot and Picasso” in 2010; it was changed to “Pinot’s Palette.”
A visit to Pinot’s Palette should be on your list of things to do in Jonesboro (AR), as they also offer group procedural art classes.
You can also enjoy wine and cocktails with the art classes.
Surprisingly, the majority of customers who visit Pinot’s Palette are women. If you are an art lover, check out the museum.
Conclusion
Jonesboro is a remarkable city full of fascinating places to visit during your stay and fun activities to keep you engaged.
Start planning your vacation to Jonesboro now using this list of things to do in Jonesboro (AR) as a guide.
