Things to see and do in the Searcy Area
Red River RV Park is near many historic local attractions, outdoor fun and group activities. No matter your interests, you’ll find them in the Seacy Arkansas area.
Searcy Arkansas is a college town. Harding University draws students from around the country and offers arts and athletic events for the community. A major attraction is the White County Fair, which began in 1930. The historic 1874 Black House, a restored 1870s Italianate home on the National Register of Historic Places, now houses the Searcy Art Gallery. The White County Courthouse, the oldest functioning courthouse in the state, is also listed on the National Register. The 1923 Rialto Theatre is a landmark with its splashy neon lighting and is one of only a few historic theaters which still shows daily movies.
The Little Red River and White Sulphur Springs are both a part of Searcy’s founding. The springs were developed and attracted visitors with their healing properties. The Little Red River is a 102-mile-long river in White, Van Buren, Searcy, Stone and Cleburne counties of north-central Arkansas.
Attractions in the area include the William Carl Garner/Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, hiking trails overlooking the river, trout hatchery; plus boating, fishing, and resort villages around the lake.
Harding began as a senior college in 1924, when two junior colleges, Arkansas Christian College and Harper College, merged their facilities and assets, adopted the new name of Harding College, and located on the campus of Arkansas Christian in Morrilton, Ark. In 1934 Harding was moved to its present site in Searcy, Ark. The board of trustees approved the study’s recommended change of Harding to university status, and on Aug. 27, 1979, the name of the institution officially became Harding University.
Harding is a Christian Liberal Arts university with one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Harding’s Searcy campus has 47 buildings on 350 acres. Harding sports is a member of the Great American Conference, NCAA Division II.
Harding University | 915 E. Market Ave. Searcy, AR 72149 | 501-279-4000
Harding University Theatre provides a wide selection of performances for all ages. See the Homecoming musical every Fall & the Spring Sing variety show every Easter weekend, both performed in the Benson Auditorium. Pied Pipers troupe entertains children in many different locations, and a variety of shows are performed in the Ulrey Theatre, including an annual Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre!
Harding University Theatre | 409 Jimmy Carr Dr. Searcy, AR 72149 | (501) 279-4276
Pioneer Village, a collection of late 19th century buildings, farm equipment and other items of historic interest saved from throughout White county by the White County Historical Society. Buildings on the grounds include a log house, Little Red School, an old post office, a smokehouse, a barn, blacksmith shop.
Pioneer Village is open daily for self guided tours as a public park. Picnic Tables are available.
On Saturdays in June, July and August, from 10-2, there are guided tours through the buildings. No admission; donations accepted.
Also, there are three Open Houses (Festival Type Events) per year. Spring Open House is the first weekend in May and Fall Festival is the first weekend in November.
1880s buildings, beautiful grounds, a project of the White County Historical Society and Friends of Pioneer Village.
Pioneer Village | 1200 Higginson St. Searcy, Arkansas 72143 | (501) 580-6633
Art Alley, the venue for the First Friday Art Walk, an event with live music and painting, has become a creative outlet for many artists in the Searcy and White County community, but this is only one of the successes of the Think Art Project. The Think Art Project began when Mat Faulkner, owner of Think Idea Studio, visited Philadelphia, a city with mandated funding for art installations.
Art Alley is located in the Alley Way behind Daisy’s Lunchbox and Leslie’s Jewelers.
Art Alley | 210 W Arch Ave. Searcy, AR 72143
A premier trout fishing guide service that operates on the Little Red River in Arkansas providing everything you will need (except fishing your fishing license) to have a successful and fun filled day on the water. Hosting children of all ages and no group is too large. Give them a call for an adventure of a lifetime!
Tailwater Fishing Company | 1304 W Center Ave. Searcy, AR 72143 | (501) 207-1770
Escape rooms are a new form of live action entertainment that have become a world wide phenomenon. For one hour you and your team will race against the clock, solving puzzles and cracking codes in hopes to escape in time. Each room is themed and your objective can vary from finding the antidote, to searching for stolen art, or solving a murder. Do you have what it takes to escape in time?
(501) 729-0937
35.2672, -91.6715
