Great Day Trips from Texarkana

These are some of my favorite day trips from Texarkana. They’re doable and let you get out of town and explore without being a huge drive. With our busy schedules, sometimes a little micro adventure is all we have time for. All of the places listed are places I regularly enjoy visiting with my family for a little getaway. Don’t forget to check out my other city guides and my new guide to weekend getaways as well. This post contains affiliate links.

Get the full guide: 10 weekend getaways in the ArkLaTex!

Easy day trips: within 1 hour of Texarkana.

One of the great things about this area, is how close adventures are. There are fun day trips from Texarkana that are only an hour drive away. These are easy to fit in on an afternoon off, or even on a Saturday. Two of our favorites are listed below.

Atlanta (TX).

Atlanta is around thirty minutes south of Texarkana. It has a charming downtown with boutiques and cafes, plus lots of local shops. The city park has a wonderful playground and there is also a state park nearby. Here are our favorite things in Atlanta:

• Atlanta State Park – has a few hiking trails, plus a beach and great views of Lake Wright Patman.
• Atlanta sports complex biking trails – 6 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails.
• Cafe Crema – a cute coffee shop in downtown Atlanta.
• O’Farrell County Vinyards – locally grown, muscadine and fruit wine, with a tasting room.

Shreveport (LA).

At just about one hour drive south, Shreveport, Louisiana is one of our most favorite day trips from Texarkana. It’s located in the northwest corner of Louisiana. Shreveport is a bigger city and because of that it has more for shopping, restaurants, and things to do. It’s a great day trip destination for families, couples, or even a girls’ day getaway. Here are a few of our favorite things:

• Sci-Port Science Museum – has a children’s museum inside and an IMAX theatre too.
• Shreveport Aquarium – is small but wonderful, and fun for adults too.
• Thrifty Peanut/Book Warehouse – one of the best used bookstores in the entire ArkLaTex.
• R.W. Norton Art Gallery – a free art museum that also has some historic artifacts and beautiful gardens.
• Whole Foods – because yes, we will take a trip to Shreveport to shop there.

For. even more things to do, check out my ultimate guide to family fun in Shreveport-Bossier.

Jefferson (TX).

This one is perfect if you love history, antique shops, and a quirky small town. Jefferson, Texas is a super fun day trip from Texarkana and it’s right at one hour away. There are too many things to list here to do, but here are some of our favorites:

• Jefferson General Store – an adorable, old fashioned general store that still serves candy and treats, along with an excellent gift shop.
• Made in the Shade – a self proclaimed “hippie store,” it’s a fun boutique to walk around and explore.
• Midnight House – escape and puzzle room that also has concessions.
• Lonesome Dove Safari Park – a drive through safari park and wildlife experience.

For a unique place to to stay, check out Nutty’s Camp Jefferson – an indoor glamping experience!

Great day trips: 1–2 hours from Texarkana.

If you’re willing to drive a little bit farther, you’ll discover some more great day trips from Texarkana. There are some wonderful places to explore within a two hour radius of Texarkana, for the day or for an over night getaway.

Mena (AR).

Mena, Arkansas has always been one of our favorite places to explore. The charming town sits at the edge of the Talimena Scenic Byway, has cute boutiques and restaurants, some history, and access to beautiful wild spaces. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Mena:

• Get coffee or eat at The Ouachitas.
• Drive the Talimena Scenic route to Queen Wilhelmina State Park.
• Explore and play at Cossatot River State Park – specifically the Falls area.

Plan your full trip to Mena with this guide to things to to in Mena, Arkansas.

Arkadelphia (AR).

This is one place we visit often, especially in the warmer months. Arkadelphia has a charming downtown and it’s also home to two colleges, Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University. Some of our favorite things to do here are:

• Play, swim, paddle, and explore at DeGray Lake State Park.
• Float the Caddo River with Caddo River Rats (kayak and tube rental).
• Stop by JavaPrimo for coffee, a meal, or some boutique shopping.

Broken Bow (OK).

While this city is no secret, it’s still one of our favorite places for a day trip from Texarkana. The Broken Bow area of southeast Oklahoma has so much to do, all year round. There is something for everyone and here are a few of our favorite things to do:

• Hike the Skyline trail, along with some of these best hiking trails in Broken Bow.
• Visit the Forest Heritage Center at Beaver’s Bend State Park.
• Stop by the HochaBow shopping center for Local Habit coffee and Loblolly chocolates.
• Visit Beaver’s Bend Safari Park.

For more things to do, check out this list of things to do in Broken Bow and Hochatown with kids.

Coming soon: two more cities to check out – Magnolia (AR) and El Dorado (AR).

Worth the drive: 2–3 hour day trips.

For me, three hours is my limit for a day trip. Technically, that puts Dallas in that radius, however I don’t often do that excursion as a day trip. Most of the places I consider a day trip from Texarkana are between two and two and a half hours away. That’s a feasible day trip without leaving you too exhausted on the end of the day. Here are some I recommend in that distance.

Hot Springs (AR).

Hot Springs is one of the most popular destinations in Arkansas, and it’s easy to see why. The city has a fascinating history, quirky charm, and plenty of fun things to do. Our family has loved many day trips to Hot Springs over the years and it’s a great place to explore, only two hours from Texarkana. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Hot Springs:

• Dig for crystals at Ron Coleman Crystal Mine. Did you know that some of the best quartz crystal in the world comes from the Ouachtia Mountains in central Arkansas?! This is so fun for all ages. Just remember to wear old clothes.
• Check out the Fordyce Bathhouse, Hot Springs National Park visitor center.
• Go mountain biking at the Northwoods Trails
• Get coffee at Kollective and also enjoy a meal at Superior Bathhouse Brewery
• For the kids (and kids at heart), check out the Mid America Science Museum and the children’s garden at Garvan Gardens.
• Don’t forget about Lake Catherine State Park and Lake Ouachita State Park.

If you’re looking for a couples get away, here’s a romantic getaway in Hot Springs.

Coming soon: a complete guide to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Natchitoches (LA).

Natchitoches, Louisiana is best known for their Christmas holiday lights and attractions, but it’s also a great place to visit year round and an excellent day trip from Texarkana. It’s a bit farther away, right at a two and half hour drive, but it’s worth the trip. It’s a city full of history, great food and unique things to explore. Some of my favorites are:

• The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame – the architecture of this building is enough to make it worth your time, it’s beautiful!
• Just down the street is StoryBrew Coffee, a literature themed coffee shop that has the coolest dragon statue.
• Also downtown, the Kaffie-Frederick General Store, the oldest business in Natchitoches and one of historical significance. It’s full of history and also a very cute boutique to shop around.
• If it’s in season, you have to stop at the Crawfish Hole for some delicious food.

Here’s more for you: things to do in Natchitoches.

Canton (TX).

Canton, Texas is just over two hours from Texarkana. It’s a full day trip experience, so be ready for a long but fun filled day! It’s best known for the massive flea market experience called First Monday Trade Days. Canton also has some cute restaurants and other places to explore, but be sure to put the trade days at the top of your list. Here are more things to do:

• First Monday Trade days – a massive flea market experience in Canton. It’s 450 acres!
• Yesterland Farms – a seasonal attraction offering fun experiences in spring, fall, and winter.
• Canton Grand Safari Adventure – drive through wildlife park and experience.
• Paradise Island – a splash kingdom seasonal water park.
• Firegrounds Coffee Shop – firehouse themed (Veteran owned) coffee shop in Canton.

Planning tips for day trips from Texarkana.

Luckily, day trips from Texarkana don’t require a lot of planning. Choose a destination, what you want to do, add some water and snacks to your car, fill up on gas and away you go! Keep reading for a few more details to help you plan your best microadventures across the ArkLaTex.

How to plan.

When it comes to taking day trips, generally I like to leave early in the morning so we can make the most of our day. I like to pick a cafe or coffee shop along the way to grab breakfast and coffee, then finish our drive. Some things to check when you’re planning:

• Hours of operation for the places you plan to visit.
• Ticket prices (if any) and availability.
• Check the weather the day before and the morning of your trip.
• Choose 2 to 3 main stops or activities, plus a place to eat lunch or a snack. Then you can have flexibility to fill your day with other fun things you stumble on.
• Be mindful of the time if you don’t like driving in the dark, especially since some of these destinations are on two lane highways.

What to pack.

When it comes to packing for day trips from Texarkana, I always bring along a few staples for every trip. These things stay in my car unless I need them, but they come in handy! I always bring:

• Extra water in insulated bottles to protect the water from the sun/heat/cold etc.
• Snacks for the way home that won’t melt, or put them in a small cooler.
• Comfy sandals for the ride home, because sometimes it’s nice to take off the shoes you walked in all day.
• A small, portable tripod and an spare battery pack. Plus a cord to charge your phone in the car.
• A hat and sunglasses, just in case, and a small umbrella that stays in my car unless I need it.
• Change for parking meters if needed, though, most places use an app or can take cards.
• Cash for shopping local, at vendor booths, or at farmer’s markets.

Items mentioned are linked on the images below.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to check out my guide for 10 weekend getaways in Texarkana! Please feel free to share this post on social media, or with your friends. If there’s something I missed, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a message on social media and I’ll get it fixed. Happy exploring!

Looking for things to do IN Texarkana? Take a minute to look this free things to do in Texarkana list, or 25 fun date ideas in Texarkana.

Want to turn these day trips into weekend getaways? II have a full Weekend Getaways in the ArkLaTex guide to help you plan stress free adventures. It includes 10 cities across the ArkLaTex, with tips about where to stay, things to do, where to eat, and some insider tips.

Get it here.