Arkansas is filled with many hidden treasures, and it is worth the occasional road trip to witness some of them. Road trips should be interesting and fun at the same time. So, how about taking a themed road trip through Arkansas visiting places that have the letter “q” in the names. “Q” is such an unusual letter, which makes it an interesting choice for this road trip. But enough said, let’s start the journey.
This 240-mile day trip will take under 5 hours, but do factor in time to enjoy each stop. Your quintessential road trip starts in the heart of the Ozark Mountains in the beautiful town of Eureka Springs.
Google If you would like to add or remove stops, click here.
- Quigley Castle - Eureka Springs
Quigley’s Castle / Facebook This castle, dubbed as the Ozarks’ strangest dwelling, was designed by Elise Quigley, and built in 1943. This quaint castle is filled with rock walls made from beautiful stones and quartz crystals, and the butterfly wall will leave you breathless. Quigley’s love for nature is evident by the stunning plants and trees as well as antique collectibles throughout the property. Quigley Castle Road, Quigley Castle Rd, Arkansas 72632, USA
- Square Gardens - Fayetteville
Brandonrush, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons For your next stop, take the scenic byway of Highway 23 to the charming city of Fayetteville to see the best Farmer’s Market this side of the Mississippi - Square Gardens. Grab something to eat or buy some fresh produce while you are there. Square Gardens, 1 W Center St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Margaret’s - Fayetteville
Margaret’s / Facebook Margaret’s is a great food truck serving up locally sourced food at the Farmer’s Market in Square Gardens. Saint Margarets Place, St Margarets Pl, Cape Fear, NC 28312, USA
Margaret’s / Facebook Try the savory braised pork tacos or one of the finger licking breakfast burritos - add queso to take them to the next level. This ain’t your mama’s food, but it is delicious, and you will want more.
- Popeye Gardens - Alma
NF2013_13/TripAdvisor Road trips are all about detours, so let’s take a quick detour from the letter “q” and stop in Alma to take a picture next to this Popeye the Sailor Man historical landmark. It will remind you to eat your spinach.
Now let’s get back on target and drive down to the heart of the Ouachita region.
- Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines - Mt. Ida
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines / Facebook What better way to spend a couple of hours than to mine your own quartz crystals at the Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines located in Mt. Ida. Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines, 82 Wegner Crystal Ranch Rd, Mt Ida, AR 71957, USA
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines / Facebook For a fee, you can enter the site and dig for these precious treasures, and you are guaranteed to find some. Wow, check out the size of that crystal.
- SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint - Hot Springs
SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint / Facebook For the last stop on this road trip, drive over to Hot Springs and grab some tap brewed beer and pizza from SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint. SQZBX Brewery & Pizza, 236 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA
SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint / Facebook This eatery has a cool vibe, and it is a crowd favorite in Hot Springs. Try one of the mouthwatering specialty pizzas or build your own Big Squeeze. And if beer is not your thing, have some vino instead.
Bonus Stop: Quapaw Bathhouse - Hot Springs
Stephanie R/TripAdvisor If you’re up for a bonus stop, take the half mile walk over to bathhouse row to see the Quapaw Bathhouse and the magnificent architecture of the Spanish Colonial style building. Quapaw Baths & Spa, 413 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, USA
So, how cool was it to take a themed road trip from the Ozark plateaus to the Ouachita region of Arkansas? Let us know in the comment which stop was your favorite.
If you would like to add or remove stops, click here.
Quigley’s Castle / Facebook
This castle, dubbed as the Ozarks’ strangest dwelling, was designed by Elise Quigley, and built in 1943. This quaint castle is filled with rock walls made from beautiful stones and quartz crystals, and the butterfly wall will leave you breathless. Quigley’s love for nature is evident by the stunning plants and trees as well as antique collectibles throughout the property.
Quigley Castle Road, Quigley Castle Rd, Arkansas 72632, USA
Brandonrush, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
For your next stop, take the scenic byway of Highway 23 to the charming city of Fayetteville to see the best Farmer’s Market this side of the Mississippi - Square Gardens. Grab something to eat or buy some fresh produce while you are there.
Square Gardens, 1 W Center St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Margaret’s / Facebook
Margaret’s is a great food truck serving up locally sourced food at the Farmer’s Market in Square Gardens.
Saint Margarets Place, St Margarets Pl, Cape Fear, NC 28312, USA
Try the savory braised pork tacos or one of the finger licking breakfast burritos - add queso to take them to the next level. This ain’t your mama’s food, but it is delicious, and you will want more.
NF2013_13/TripAdvisor
Road trips are all about detours, so let’s take a quick detour from the letter “q” and stop in Alma to take a picture next to this Popeye the Sailor Man historical landmark. It will remind you to eat your spinach.
Now let’s get back on target and drive down to the heart of the Ouachita region.
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines / Facebook
What better way to spend a couple of hours than to mine your own quartz crystals at the Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines located in Mt. Ida.
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines, 82 Wegner Crystal Ranch Rd, Mt Ida, AR 71957, USA
For a fee, you can enter the site and dig for these precious treasures, and you are guaranteed to find some. Wow, check out the size of that crystal.
SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint / Facebook
For the last stop on this road trip, drive over to Hot Springs and grab some tap brewed beer and pizza from SQZBX Brewery & Pizza Joint.
SQZBX Brewery & Pizza, 236 Ouachita Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA
This eatery has a cool vibe, and it is a crowd favorite in Hot Springs. Try one of the mouthwatering specialty pizzas or build your own Big Squeeze. And if beer is not your thing, have some vino instead.
Stephanie R/TripAdvisor
If you’re up for a bonus stop, take the half mile walk over to bathhouse row to see the Quapaw Bathhouse and the magnificent architecture of the Spanish Colonial style building.
Quapaw Baths & Spa, 413 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, USA
There is so much more to see in Arkansas, so plan a family road trip with these magical locations in mind.
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