The Ozark Mountains sweep throughout northern Arkansas, elements of neighboring Missouri and Oklahoma, a smidgen of Kansas, and, relying on who you ask, a sliver of Illinois. The area is tough across the edges in all one of the best methods, with rolling hills, thick oak-hickory woods, limestone bluffs, and winding rivers stretching throughout the agricultural countryside. Other cities might have already laid declare to the title of “Gateway to the Ozarks,” however Gentry, up within the northwest nook of Arkansas, additionally sits proper on the cusp of all of the wilds, with a lake and a state park inside straightforward attain.
At the time of writing, this little Benton County group is dwelling to solely about 4,000 residents. That charming, small-town character is a part of its enchantment. One native described it as “a very small town [that has] a very country yet family-friendly atmosphere, especially down Main Street.” Yet Gentry is not significantly remoted: it straddles the junction of State Highways 59 and 12, placing it only a quick drive from many bigger cities and standard Ozark locations. The city lies midway between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Branson, Missouri, every about 100 miles away. If you’d quite fly in, the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is just about quarter-hour away.
Gentry is nice for a fast day journey. But if you wish to keep a number of nights, there’s a charming mattress and breakfast referred to as Apple Crest Inn proper on the sting of city. The Victorian-style abode options six uniquely adorned rooms and serves up home made breakfast staples every morning. On Tripadvisor, one visitor stated the manor was “like a gorgeous dollhouse,” including that it made for a “very romantic” keep. From perusing the native outlets and boutiques to having fun with outside adventures, there’s a lot to do on this scenic nook of Arkansas.
Explore Gentry’s charming downtown, native outlets, and attractive eats
A slew of quaint old school crimson brick buildings stand all through Gentry’s charming and historic downtown space, much like a number of the prettiest small cities within the Ozarks. Some of the buildings date again to the city’s early days, amongst them the Bank of Gentry constructing, in-built 1904, and the Carpenter Building, round for the reason that late Nineteen Twenties. Admire a number of the outdated structure as you stroll down Main Street, which is lined with a wide selection of bespoke retailers.
The Cornerstone Boutique Market has a group of native distributors to buy, which promote all the things from attire and home vegetation to cooking merchandise and greeting playing cards. The Chicken Coop is steps away and has nice Google evaluations, with one shopper writing that it is one in every of their “absolute favorite places to look for gifts and home decor.” Head throughout the road to snag some delicious treats on the Little Debbie Bakery Store, one in every of Gentry’s hottest points of interest and one in every of solely 5 of the corporate’s bakeshops in America.
If you are craving one thing somewhat extra filling, enterprise past downtown to The Wooden Spoon for savory, made-from-scratch nation fare. If the evaluations are something to go by, this place may give a number of the greatest native eats in Arkansas’ trendiest neighborhoods a run for his or her cash. The eatery is the top-rated restaurant on the town on Tripadvisor, the place prospects have raved in regards to the “charming setting,” “warm and friendly” service, and all-around “great home cooking.”
Enjoy outside adventures round Gentry, Arkansas
If you’d quite take pleasure in a meal within the nice outdoor, go to the Flint Creek Nature Area on the south finish of city. The inexperienced house has numerous scenic spots to plop down for a picnic, together with loads of room to stretch your legs. “There are long and short paths, depending on what you would like, and a ton of area to explore,” shared a earlier visitor. “The water is beautiful, and the nature is abundant.” Keep a watch out for native critters comparable to turtles and deer, together with birds like dark-eyed juncos, northern cardinals, and blue-winged teals.
Lake Flint Creek, additionally referred to as SWEPCO Lake, sits proper on the outskirts of Gentry. The reservoir was constructed again within the 1970s as a cooling basin for the Flint Creek Power Plant located proper alongside its banks. You can discover a public boat ramp on the southwest shore off Cripps Road. Take your vessel out for a spin or do a little bit of paddling alongside the waters. Just you’ll want to examine for any present advisories earlier than you head over, because the lake has beforehand skilled dangerous algae blooms.
More water enjoyable awaits at Oklahoma’s underrated Natural Falls State Park, which is just a couple of 20-minute drive away, close to Colcord, Oklahoma. The place could also be often known as a filming location for the 1974 movie adaptation of “Where the Red Fern Grows,” however its actual delight and pleasure is its plunging waterfall, which cascades down 77 ft by means of dramatic rock formations. Get a terrific view of the falls from above or beneath by way of the statement platforms. The state park can also be standard for its glamping yurt leases, which you’ll be able to e book on-line.