Jonesboro, Arkansas, combines outdoor recreation, university attractions, local arts, downtown dining, and family-friendly activities in one easy-to-explore Northeast Arkansas destination. You can hike or bike at Craighead Forest Park, learn about Crowley’s Ridge, visit free museums at Arkansas State University, catch live entertainment, fish at Lake Frierson, or spend a relaxed afternoon exploring downtown.
Quick Answer
Some of the best things to do in Jonesboro include exploring Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, hiking or biking at Craighead Forest Park, fishing at Lake Frierson State Park, visiting A-State Museum and Bradbury Art Museum, exploring downtown, attending live performances, and checking the city’s current festivals and events.
Key Takeaways
- Craighead Forest Park and Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center are two of the strongest choices for outdoor recreation close to the city.
- A-State Museum and Bradbury Art Museum offer free admission, although operating days and exhibition closures should be checked before visiting.
- Lake Frierson State Park is a good choice for fishing, boating, picnics, and a quieter outdoor day.
- Downtown Jonesboro offers local shops, restaurants, arts venues, and frequently changing community events.
- Check official calendars before traveling because concerts, festivals, museum exhibitions, and seasonal events change throughout the year.
Explore Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center
The Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center is one of the best starting points for understanding the unusual landscape surrounding Jonesboro. Operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the center combines indoor exhibits, films, native wildlife displays, gardens, educational programs, and outdoor trails.
The center has more than 3 miles of trails, including connections toward Craighead Forest Park. Inside, exhibits explain how Crowley’s Ridge formed and introduce the plants and animals associated with the region. Admission is free, making it especially useful for families or travelers looking for a low-cost indoor and outdoor activity.
The building is normally open Tuesday through Saturday, while outdoor trail access has different hours. Check the official page before your visit for holiday closures, programs, or temporary changes.
Pro Tip: Combine the Nature Center with Craighead Forest Park. The two areas connect by trail, so you can turn a short educational stop into a longer outdoor outing.
Hike or Bike at Craighead Forest Park
Craighead Forest Park is a large city-owned recreation area on Crowley’s Ridge. It offers trails, fishing, camping, disc golf, playgrounds, picnic facilities, birdwatching, and several other outdoor activities.
Walking, Hiking, and Biking Trails
The park has a much broader trail system than a simple three-route network. According to the City of Jonesboro, visitors can use approximately 13 miles of updated mountain-bike trails, a 2.4-mile chat trail near the lake, a 3.2-mile paved road around the park, and additional wooded routes. You can review the current Craighead Forest Park trail information before choosing your route.
- Choose the lake-area routes for an easier walk.
- Use the mountain-bike trail network if you want a longer or more technical ride.
- Bring water and appropriate footwear for wooded sections.
- Check the current trail map if you plan to connect with the Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center.
Wildlife and Birdwatching
The park’s mix of water, forest, and open recreation areas makes it a useful place to slow down and watch for birds and other wildlife. Early morning can be especially pleasant for a quieter walk. Keep wildlife at a distance, stay on designated routes, and avoid feeding animals.
Enjoy Fishing at Lake Frierson State Park
Lake Frierson State Park, north of Jonesboro, is built around a 335-acre lake and is known for year-round fishing. Arkansas State Parks lists bream, catfish, crappie, and bass among the fish anglers may pursue.
The park also has picnic areas, a playground, hiking opportunities, a fishing pier, a boat launch, a small campground, and a Visitor Center with fishing-related supplies. That makes it easy to combine fishing with a picnic or relaxed family outing.
Warning: Check Arkansas fishing regulations before casting. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission generally requires anglers age 16 or older to carry an appropriate fishing license unless an exception applies. Review current AGFC licensing information before your trip.
Visit the A-State Museum
The A-State Museum at Arkansas State University explores the natural history and cultural heritage of Northeast Arkansas and the northern Mississippi River Delta.
Exhibits and Collections
Two floors of exhibition space cover regional landscapes, wildlife, history, and cultural traditions. Visitors may encounter everything from historical objects to natural-history specimens and hands-on learning areas such as the Tinkering Studio.
Admission is free. Normal visiting hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., although university holidays and special circumstances can affect access.
Educational Programs
The museum supports tours, hands-on activities, outreach, educational events, and family learning. If you are traveling with children or want an indoor activity during poor weather, it is one of the most useful stops on the A-State campus.
Attend a Performance at Fowler Center
Fowler Center is a major arts venue on the Arkansas State University campus. Its spaces host theatre, concerts, guest artists, university performances, lectures, conferences, and community events.
The building includes Riceland Hall, Drama Theatre, Simpson Theatre, and the Bradbury Art Museum. Programming changes throughout the academic year, so check the current Fowler Center calendar rather than relying on an old event list.
If your Jonesboro visit falls during an A-State theatre, music, or touring-artist performance, Fowler Center can add an evening cultural activity to a day spent exploring the city.
Discover Contemporary Art at Bradbury Art Museum
The Bradbury Art Museum, inside Fowler Center, focuses on changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Exhibitions may feature regional, national, international, and student artists across different media.
Admission and parking are free. Normal gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., but the museum closes between some exhibitions and when Arkansas State University is closed.
Note: Bradbury Art Museum is not continuously open between exhibitions. Check its official website shortly before visiting so you do not arrive during installation or deinstallation.
Catch an A-State Game at First National Bank Arena
Sports fans can check the Arkansas State Red Wolves schedule for games at First National Bank Arena. The A-State facility has a basketball seating capacity of 10,563 and serves as a major indoor athletics and events venue.
College Sports
Basketball and volleyball are among the sports associated with the arena. Instead of assuming a game will be taking place during your trip, review the current Arkansas State Athletics schedule and ticket information before traveling to campus.
For popular games, arrive early enough to handle parking, security screening, and ticketing without rushing.
More Than Sports
The arena also accommodates concerts and other large events. Event configurations, ticket prices, and schedules vary, so a live calendar is far more reliable than a static list of dates.
Experience the Foundation of Arts
For community theatre and arts education, visit The Foundation of Arts in downtown Jonesboro. The organization presents theatrical productions and other live entertainment while also offering classes and outreach programs.
- Check the current theatre season for plays and musicals.
- Look for dance and arts programming if you are traveling with children.
- Use the official box-office information for current tickets and performance times.
- Combine a Forum Theatre performance with dinner or a downtown walk.
The Foundation of Arts gives visitors a more local alternative to the larger university venues.
Stroll Through Downtown Jonesboro
Historic Downtown Jonesboro is a good area for a relaxed walk between local restaurants, shops, arts venues, and public gathering spaces. The experience changes depending on the time of day and whether a community event is underway.
Use the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance website to see current businesses and events before your visit. Instead of treating downtown as one attraction, give yourself time to browse and stop wherever catches your attention.
If you are attending a performance at the Forum Theatre, downtown is especially easy to incorporate into the same outing.
Shop at Gearhead Outfitters
Gearhead Outfitters is an outdoor and active-lifestyle retailer, not a restaurant. It is a useful stop if your Jonesboro plans include hiking, running, cycling, or other outdoor activities and you need footwear, apparel, or gear.
The Jonesboro-based company has long-standing ties to the local outdoor community. Browsing a locally rooted retailer also fits naturally with a downtown shopping trip.
If you are preparing for Craighead Forest Park or another outdoor excursion, this is the place to think about gear. For lunch or dinner, choose one of Jonesboro’s actual restaurants instead.
Eat and Play at The Porch at Huntington Square
The venue previously known in many listings as Porch:30 is now presented as The Porch at Huntington Square. It is a local bar and grill with indoor and outdoor games and a casual social atmosphere.
Games and Casual Fun
The venue lists activities such as baggo, pickleball, pool, darts, and board games. This makes it different from a conventional sit-down restaurant and useful when your group wants food plus something to do.
Huntington Square describes The Porch as kid- and dog-friendly, but families should still check current hours, policies, and scheduled events before arriving.
Food, Drinks, and Events
The Porch also hosts local entertainment and gatherings. Because programming changes, use its current calendar or social channels instead of planning around an old event listing.
Try the Jonesboro Jamboree Jaunt Scavenger Hunt
If you like solving clues while sightseeing, the Jonesboro Jamboree Jaunt is an app-guided scavenger hunt through downtown Jonesboro.
The provider currently describes it as a roughly 1.7-mile activity taking about 1.5 to 2 hours, with participants solving puzzles and completing challenges at downtown stops. Unlike the old listing that gave a specific “tomorrow” start time, the current activity is designed to be started when your group is ready.
- Charge your phone before starting.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Allow extra time if you want to stop for food or shopping.
- Check the current price directly with the provider because ticket prices and promotions can change.
Take a Self-Guided Downtown Walk
You do not need a formal audio tour to explore downtown Jonesboro at your own pace. Build a simple walking route around Main Street, local civic landmarks, the Forum Theatre area, shops, restaurants, and public spaces.
This is a better fit for Jonesboro than relying on an old tour listing that begins in another Arkansas city. Use current downtown information, opening hours, and maps to decide which stops deserve more time.
A self-guided walk is especially useful for photographers, architecture fans, couples, or anyone who prefers an unstructured afternoon.
Check the Current Jonesboro Events Calendar
Date-specific events should never be treated as permanent attractions. A previous version of this guide highlighted a Halloween event using “tomorrow” language, but individual Halloween parties, concerts, student events, markets, and community celebrations change every year.
Before your trip, browse the official Jonesboro visitor event calendar. It is a much more reliable way to find what is actually happening during your stay.
Confirm Details Before You Go
Check the date, venue, age requirements, ticket policy, parking information, and start time directly with the organizer. For university events, also check the appropriate Arkansas State University calendar.
Look for Seasonal Events
Depending on when you visit, you may find live music, downtown gatherings, university activities, arts programs, markets, holiday celebrations, sports, or special events at local venues.
Buy Tickets From the Current Organizer
Do not rely on ticket prices copied from an old travel article. Event pricing and availability can change quickly, so use the venue, organizer, or authorized ticket seller shown on the current event listing.
Attend Downtown Festivals and Community Events
Jonesboro’s calendar includes festivals and community gatherings throughout the year, but names and dates can change from one season to the next. The Downtown Jonesboro Alliance maintains information about upcoming downtown events.
Festivals can be a good time to encounter local food, music, businesses, artists, and community organizations in one place. They can also mean busier streets and different parking arrangements, so checking the event page before arriving is worthwhile.
Jonesboro is easiest to enjoy when you mix one or two major attractions with whatever local event, performance, game, or festival is actually happening during your visit.
Explore Local History and Culture
Jonesboro’s cultural attractions make more sense when visited together rather than as isolated stops. Downtown, Arkansas State University, the A-State Museum, Fowler Center, Bradbury Art Museum, and Foundation of Arts each show a different side of the city.
Historic Downtown
Walk downtown slowly enough to notice older commercial architecture and locally operated businesses rather than treating Main Street only as a route between restaurants. Community events can make the district much livelier on certain days.
Museums and Performance Venues
For history and regional culture, prioritize A-State Museum. For contemporary visual art, check Bradbury Art Museum. For university music and theatre, look at Fowler Center. For community theatre, review the Foundation of Arts season.
Those four institutions provide a stronger cultural overview than relying on a single museum or performance.
Plan Family-Friendly Outdoor Time
Families can build an inexpensive day around Jonesboro’s outdoor attractions. Start with Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center for exhibits and short trails, then continue to Craighead Forest Park for playgrounds, picnic areas, walking, or other recreation.
- Pack water and snacks for outdoor stops.
- Bring sunscreen and insect repellent when appropriate.
- Choose shorter routes for younger children.
- Keep a weather backup such as A-State Museum in mind.
Lake Frierson State Park is another option for families that want a slower day near the water.
Rent a Fishing Boat at Lake Frierson State Park
Lake Frierson is worth considering even if fishing from shore is not your plan. Arkansas State Parks says fishing boats are available for rent from the Visitor Center during operating hours, and current park information also lists kayak rentals.
Rental availability can depend on park operations, weather, season, and equipment availability, so confirm before making a special trip solely for a boat.
After time on the lake, use the picnic areas, playground, pier, or trails to extend your visit.
Take an Optional Day Trip to Memphis
Memphis is not a Jonesboro attraction, but it can work as a separate day trip if you have extra time and transportation. Treat it as an addition to your Northeast Arkansas trip rather than part of a Jonesboro sightseeing list.
A Memphis day can focus on live music, museums, food, historic sites, or major attractions. Because events and operating hours change, plan the Memphis portion separately instead of relying on temporary listings from Jonesboro.
If your stay is short, you will usually get more value from concentrating first on Jonesboro, Crowley’s Ridge, and nearby Northeast Arkansas.
Enjoy Outdoor Dining in Jonesboro
When the weather suits outdoor seating, look for restaurants with patios or open-air areas in and around downtown. Outdoor dining pairs especially well with a downtown walk, local shopping, a festival, or an evening performance.
Patio availability, seating policies, menus, and hours can change, so check the restaurant directly rather than assuming every downtown restaurant offers outdoor tables.
The Porch at Huntington Square is one option when you want a meal combined with games and a social setting.
Browse Local Retail Shops
Set aside time for locally operated shops while exploring Jonesboro. Downtown is a natural place to browse clothing, gifts, specialty items, and other independent businesses between meals or attractions.
Gearhead Outfitters is particularly relevant if you enjoy outdoor recreation, while other downtown shops can offer gifts or locally connected products. The current Downtown Jonesboro Alliance directory is more useful than a static store list because businesses and opening hours can change.
Shopping locally also breaks up a sightseeing-heavy itinerary and gives you an easy indoor option during hot, cold, or rainy periods.
See a Concert or Special Event at First National Bank Arena
First National Bank Arena is useful even if you are not visiting for basketball. The multipurpose A-State venue also hosts concerts and other large gatherings.
Do not plan around the old 2024 event dates that appeared in earlier versions of this guide. Instead, check current A-State and venue listings shortly before your trip. Ticket requirements, seating configurations, entrances, parking, and security policies can differ by event.
If a major concert happens to line up with your visit, it can become the centerpiece of an evening in Jonesboro.
Discover Seasonal Activities
Your best Jonesboro itinerary changes with the season. Outdoor activities at Craighead Forest Park and Lake Frierson may take priority during comfortable weather, while museums, performances, and indoor attractions are useful when conditions are less cooperative.
- Spring: Mix trails, parks, fishing, and community events.
- Summer: Start outdoor activities earlier in the day and keep indoor museums as a midday option.
- Fall: Check festival, arts, athletics, and university calendars.
- Winter: Focus more heavily on museums, performances, shopping, dining, and scheduled holiday events.
Always check the local forecast and official attraction pages close to your travel date.
Build a One-Day or Weekend Jonesboro Itinerary
Instead of trying to visit every attraction, group activities by location and interest.
One-Day Outdoor and Culture Plan
- Morning: Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center.
- Late morning: Craighead Forest Park trails or a picnic.
- Afternoon: A-State Museum or Bradbury Art Museum when open.
- Evening: Downtown dinner, Foundation of Arts, Fowler Center, an A-State game, or another current event.
Weekend Plan
Use one day for Jonesboro’s outdoor and university attractions. On the second day, visit Lake Frierson, spend more time downtown, or add a nearby Northeast Arkansas excursion. Check event calendars before assigning your evenings because live entertainment can be one of the most date-dependent parts of the trip.
Note: Jonesboro’s public transit system is now called GOJO. The city provides fixed routes, A-State connections, paratransit, and real-time trip-planning tools, but visitors should check routes against their specific attractions before relying on transit for an entire itinerary.
Explore Nearby Northeast Arkansas Attractions
If you have more time, expand your trip beyond Jonesboro. Crowley’s Ridge State Park near Paragould is a useful regional option, with hiking, camping, cabins, fishing, picnic facilities, historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures, and seasonal recreation.
Lake Frierson also works as a half-day excursion from central Jonesboro, while Memphis can become a separate full-day trip when your schedule allows.
For a short weekend, however, do not underestimate how much there is to do within Jonesboro itself. Combining the Nature Center, Craighead Forest Park, A-State attractions, downtown, and one current event can easily fill a full day.
Sources
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission — Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center — official hours, admission, trails, exhibits, and programs.
- City of Jonesboro — Craighead Forest Park — official park facilities and recreation information.
- Arkansas State Parks — Lake Frierson State Park — fishing, rentals, camping, lake, and visitor information.
- Arkansas State University — A-State Museum — admission, hours, exhibits, and educational programs.
- Arkansas State University — Fowler Center — performance spaces, arts programming, and Bradbury Art Museum information.
- City of Jonesboro — GOJO — current public transportation, fares, routes, and trip-planning information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Jonesboro, Arkansas?
Spring and fall are good choices if outdoor walking, parks, and trails are priorities. Summer can still work well if you schedule outdoor activities earlier and use museums or other indoor attractions during the hotter part of the day. Check the forecast and current event calendar before choosing your dates.
Are there guided tours available in Jonesboro?
Tour availability varies. A current option is the app-guided Jonesboro Jamboree Jaunt scavenger hunt downtown. Museums, nature programs, and special events may also offer guided or educational programming, so check the individual attraction calendar for your travel dates.
How can I find local events happening during my visit?
Use the Jonesboro visitor event calendar, Downtown Jonesboro Alliance calendar, Arkansas State University calendars, and individual venue websites. Checking shortly before your trip is important because concerts, festivals, performances, and seasonal activities change frequently.
Is public transportation available in Jonesboro?
Yes. Jonesboro’s city transit system is called GOJO, formerly JET. It provides fixed-route service, paratransit, connections involving Arkansas State University, and real-time trip-planning tools. Check the current route map to confirm whether it serves the attractions on your itinerary.
What are the best family-friendly activities in Jonesboro?
Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, Craighead Forest Park, A-State Museum, Lake Frierson State Park, and family-appropriate local events are strong choices. The Nature Center and A-State Museum are especially useful because they combine education with activities that can hold children’s attention.
Do I need a fishing license at Lake Frierson?
Arkansas generally requires people age 16 or older to carry an appropriate fishing license when taking or attempting to take aquatic wildlife, although exceptions can apply. Check the current Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rules before fishing.
What can you do for free in Jonesboro?
Free options include admission to Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center and A-State Museum. Bradbury Art Museum also offers free admission when exhibitions are open. Walking downtown and using many public park areas can also be inexpensive or free, although special activities, rentals, parking, or events may have separate charges.
Conclusion
Jonesboro offers more variety than a quick stop might suggest. You can learn about the landscape at Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, hike and bike at Craighead Forest Park, fish at Lake Frierson, explore free A-State museums, shop and eat downtown, or plan an evening around a performance, game, concert, or community event. Build your visit around a few dependable attractions, then use current local calendars to add whatever is happening while you are in town.
