The city of Mena, Arkansas, located just two hours outside of Little Rock, is one of the most charming getaways in the south. If you're looking for a relaxing spot surrounded by the tranquility of nature, look no further than this Polk County town in the Ouachita Mountains.
New antique shops have been popping up in town over the years. Mena has even been working on a $1 million project to upgrade the streets downtown to better draw in visitors. From shopping to outdoor fun, we've rounded up all the fun things this small town has to offer.
Downtown Antique Shops
With its collection of cute antique shops downtown, Mena is becoming one of the best antiquing destinations in the United States. One of the cool things is that all of the stores are walking distance from each other, and the owners are all close. None of them are in competition with each other because they each have their own treasures to offer.
Below are all of the shops in town you need to be sure to visit!
Cowboy & Indian Trading Post- 515 Sherwood Avenue
Depot Antiques- 519 Sherwood Avenue
Mena Antique Mall- 617 Mena Street
Mena Flea Market- 909 Mena Street
The Mercantile- 622 Mena Street
The Old Bank Antiques- 812 Mena Street
What-Knots- 1604 Hwy 71S
The Market - 1509 Hwy 71 S
The Castle in the Sky
13 miles outside of downtown you'll find Queen Wilhelmina State Park, or "The Castle in the Sky," named after Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria. Take the Talimena National Scenic Byway to see the rich mountain views.
Cossatot River State Park
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The newest state park in Arkansas, located just 45 minutes outside of Mena, is full of activities. Go whitewater rafting on the river, enjoy one of the many hiking trails and stop by the Cossatot Visitor Information / Education Center to visit the gift shop and learn more about the area.
The Mena Art Gallery
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Found downtown at 607 Mena Street, the Mena Art Gallery supports the local arts and hosts various workshops, art shows and exhibits.
Wolf Pen Gap Trail
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If you love offroading, Mena is the place for you. ATV riders have 41 miles of trails across Gap Creek and Board Camp Creek.
Chopping Block Steakhouse & Seafood
While you're in town you'll need a good meal. At Chopping Block Steak House — family owned for nearly 50 years — you'll get a hand-cut, hand-seasoned steak with the option to choose your own from the freshly cut meat on display. The casual atmosphere makes this place extra special.
Janssen Park
This beautiful 10 acre community park is not to be missed. Onsite there's a log cabin dating back to the 1850s that was rumored to be a hideout for Jesse James. The area is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so it's no wonder that it's a hot spot for visitors.
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