Down by the River

Recreation opportunities along the Arkansas River Trail, include hiking, strolling and biking.

“Dogtown” might be fighting words in North Little Rock. Some residents embrace the nickname — as does the city, which is home to an array of dog-friendly establishments, parks, trails and the “Dogtown Proud” mural.

Others, not so much.

It’s a nickname with various origins. One theory is that, years ago, folks in the capital city across the river rounded up their stray dogs, crossed the Main Street Bridge from Little Rock and let the pooches loose on the other side. Naturally, the folks in North Little Rock were not pleased.

“The citizens of North Little Rock fed [the dogs that were dumped] and adopted them, and the name ‘Dogtown’ was bestowed on North Little Rock,” wrote John Cook in the 1985 winter edition of the Pulaski County Historical Quarterly.

Visitors won’t find dogs running wild through town, but plenty of other wonderful reasons for a weekend getaway.

Peregrine Pale Ale from Flyway Brewery is a hop-forward pale ale with bright notes of citrus zest.

Day One

Morning – It’s not the Evil Empire from “Star Wars” so go on and head to the dark side for breakfast, the Dark Side Coffee Co., that is. Located in the Park Hill Historic District, folks here serve up craft coffee made from roasted small-batch, sustainably harvested beans.

In the center of town lies the Argenta Arts District, one of North Little Rock’s oldest  neighborhoods filled with arts venues, restaurants, theaters and outdoor space. Here visitors will find festivals, live music, the Third Friday Art Walk and an array of public art. Visit its boutique shops and take in the eclectic ambience.

Afternoon – Quench your thirst at Flyway Brewery, Arkansas’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. The taproom not only serves up a wide variety of cold brews, but a heightened menu which drew the attention of Guy Fieri and his Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The brewery gets its name from the Mississippi Flyway, a migratory bird trail that flows through Arkansas, which is why the mural by artist Robin Tucker features a variety of birds including bluewings since the nearby town Stuttgart is known as the Rice and Duck Capital of the World.

A former rock quarry in use from the late 1800s to the early 20th century has been transformed into a new city park between the existing Emerald Park and the Arkansas River. Phase one of the Big Rock Quarry Climbing Area has just opened, offering numerous rock climbs with more to come. Visitors may also enjoy the park’s bike paths with a variety of skill elements.

Evening – Enjoy an Italian dinner at Rivera, a local favorite, then catch a show at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre on Main Street, which performs everything from musicals to new and classic theatrical works.

Blackberry Market’s peach butter toast (peach butter, goat cheese, topped with granola), avocado toast (avocado spread, arugula, topped with carrots or tomatoes) and fresno toast (fresno cheese spread, arugula, pickles).

Day Two

Morning – Enjoy coffee, handcrafted baked goods and more at Blackberry Market, a community gathering space in the heart of the Argenta Arts District.

Then work off that breakfast either hiking or biking on the multiuse trails skirting the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River Trail travels 88 miles through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Conway with an additional loop from the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge in North Little Rock to the Big Dam Bridge and back. Families may want to visit Funland Amusement Park with its splash pad and train.

Afternoon – There’s literally something for everyone when it comes to dining fare. Tortas Mexico serves up Latin dishes, the folks at Brood and Barley have opened the new Pizza Pub and Caverns and Forests Board Game Café not only serves lunch but host game competitions as well.

There’s so much to enjoy at St. Joseph Center of Arkansas. The 1910 orphanage on the National Register of Historic Places that serves as creative haven for the community had a devastating fire this year but it’s rebounding and we couldn’t be more pleased. Folks can still tour the 63-acre sustainable farmstead, buy produce at the farm stand or practice yoga with the goats of St. Joseph.

Evening – Grab a bite and brew at Brood and Barley, then head to Dickey-Stephens Park for a late-season baseball game with the Arkansas Travelers, a Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The name, one of the longest running nicknames in baseball, comes from the 1800s folk song, “The Arkansas Traveler.”

Argenta Contemporary Theatre’s performance of “My Fair Lady.”

Don’t Forget

Back to those dogs. The annual Dogtown Throwdown, which features live music, plenty of food venues and other festival fun, will be Oct. 10-11 in the Argenta Arts District.