From hidden trails to hometown eats, see why Walnut Ridge is more than just a college town.
Walnut Ridge Eats
Busy Bean Coffee – 10% WBU discount
China Express – Free drink with purchase of dine-in buffet
GOTTA TRY: Coconut Shrimp
Christy’s Kitchen – 10% discount; free delivery to WBU with order of 4+ meals
GOTTA TRY: Cheeseburger
Don’s Steakhouse – 10% WBU discount
GOTTA TRY: Ribeye Steak, Catfish
KFC – 10% WBU discount on regularly priced menu items
La Casita Grill – 10% WBU discount
Main Street Pizza – 10% WBU discount
GOTTA TRY: Main St. Supreme
McDonald’s – Small fries with sandwich purchase for WBU students & staff
Pizza Hut – Medium 1 topping $6.99, or large 1 topping $8.99 for WBU students & staff
The Post – 10% WBU discount
GOTTA TRY: Hot Off the Press Sandwich, Cajun Pasta
SnowBrew Coffee – 10% WBU discount
Sonic – 10% WBU discount
Taco Bell – 10% WBU discount
TEA on Main Nutrition – 10% WBU discount
Waffle & Pancake House – 10% WBU discount
Cross Ties Diner
GOTTA TRY: Pulled Pork Barbeque
Dairy King
GOTTA TRY: Milkshakes & sundaes
Domino’s
Heard’s Country Market
GOTTA TRY: Cheeseburger w/Pepper Jack, Fried Bologna Sandwich
Hey Mel’s Chicken Shack
GOTTA TRY: Pork steak
Lalo’s Mexican Food
GOTTA TRY: Enchiladas Dinner
Midway Donut
Ole Hickory
Pizza Den
GOTTA TRY: Pepper Steak Poboy (½ sandwich is plenty!), Homemade Chips
Rineyville Smokers
Subway
TARO Hibachi
Pocahontas Eats
China Star Super Buffet – 10% WBU discount
Don’s Steakhouse – 10% WBU discount
GOTTA TRY: Ribeye Steak, Catfish
El Acapulco – Free drink with meal for WBU students & staff
McDonald’s – Small fries with sandwich purchase for WBU students & staff
Rancho Bravo – 10% WBU discount
Subway – 20% WBU discount
Wendy’s – 10% WBU discount
The 870 Snow – New Orleans-style snowballs in a variety of flavors
Brown’s Barbeque & Catfish
GOTTA TRY: Barbeque Burrito
Burger King
Busy Bean Coffee
Buttercream Bakery & Frozen Custard
GOTTA TRY: Cupcakes!
Copperhead Coffee House
Dora’s Sale Barn Cafe
Greene’s Barbeque
GOTTA TRY: Pulled pork sandwich with slaw
Hiromi 99
Junction 166 Café
Kings BNR
Lighthouse Coffee Co.
MacDaddy’s Pizza
Pocahontas Donuts
Senor Jose Grill
GOTTA TRY: Street tacos, Tacos carne asada
Taco Bell
Waffle & Pancake House
Where to Go
From history to the great outdoors, WBU’s surrounding area has a lot to offer. History ranging from the 1800s to World War II to the origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll is all on display here. Plus there’s a six-mile paved trail with a trailhead on the Williams campus, and five Arkansas State Parks are within a 30-minute drive of WBU!
108 Abbey Road, Downtown Walnut Ridge Beatles Park features a massive sculpture in the likeness of the Abbey Road album cover. Make sure you take time to find the lyrics and song titles hidden in the hand-etched background! The Beatles tribute recalls the 1964 visit to Walnut Ridge Airport by the famous rockers, and the park features photos and history from that day. Admission is free.
Front Street, Downtown Walnut Ridge Guitar Walk at Cavenaugh Park is a 115′ long walkway in the shape of an electric guitar, detailed right down to the metal strings. The walk features informative tributes to rockabilly legends like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and six others who performed in and around Walnut Ridge during the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. The Guitar Walk includes an audio tour narrated by Sun Studios recording artist Sonny Burgess. Admission is free.
Walnut Ridge Regional Airport
Located near the Williams campus at Walnut Ridge Regional Airport, Wings of Honor Museum preserves the history of the World War II-era Walnut Ridge Army Flying School and the entire war effort. A large and impressive collection of weapons, uniforms, vehicles, posters, and other war artifacts are set in fascinating displays, along with a detailed history of WWII. Admission is free.
Hwy. 25, Powhatan Powhatan sits on the banks of the Black River. A beautifully restored courthouse, built-in 1888, is the park’s centerpiece. Other historical structures include the old jail, circa 1873, the Powhatan Male & Female Academy, built in the 1890s, and other interesting 19th Century buildings. There’s a fascinating museum in the courthouse, and park tours are available. Documents dating back two centuries are also housed at Powhatan in the recently completed Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives. Within 20 minutes of WBU.
Hwy. 25, South of Powhatan
The 600-acre Lake Charles has great fishing, as well as modern campsites, picnic areas, hiking trails, a swimming area, and a pavilion for gatherings. There’s also a nature center and gift shop, and interpretative tours are available. Within 30 minutes of WBU.
302 N. Marr, Pocahontas The Downtown Playhouse stages several entertaining productions each year, and the theater itself is worth the visit. All the seats have a great view of the stage, and coffee & dessert are part of the cost of admission! Within 15 minutes of WBU.
1708 Archer, Pocahontas This site of the former St. Mary’s Church & Pocahontas Colored School is now a cultural center and museum to nearly two centuries of African American history in Randolph County. Special events are held throughout the year, and tours are available. Admission is free. Within 15 minutes of WBU.
Hwy. 166, Southwest of Pocahontas Davidsonville is the site of an early 1800s settlement on the Black River. The park features a fishing lake with pedal boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, campsites, and hiking trails. Tours are available. Within 30 minutes of WBU.
This 6-mile walking and bicycling trail extends from College City all the way to Hoxie. All but a small portion is paved, and the full trail is easily accessible. The trailhead near WBU is at Miller Road, near the Contech plant.
1010 NE 2nd St, Walnut Ridge
The Walnut Ridge city park has a pavilion, lake, and a large walking trail. Baseball and soccer fields are also at the park, and the swimming pool is open in the summer months.
WBU Fall Kickoff Ride – Bring Your Bike!
It’s time to roll into the semester together! Our first WBU group ride of the fall is the perfect chance to dust off your wheels, meet fellow riders, and enjoy the open road around campus.
Pre-Ride Tune-Up
Before we pedal out, two skilled mechanics will be on hand offering FREE mechanical checks—fixing flats, adjusting gears, tightening chains, and getting your bike road-ready.
The Ride
Once everyone’s set, we’ll head out for about an hour of smooth pavement riding. It’s not a race—just good people, fresh air, and the joy of moving together.
What to Bring
Any bike you’ve got will do: road, hybrid, gravel, mountain, BMX, Walmart special, Academy cruiser, $1,000 rocket, $20 yard-sale gem—it’s all welcome. If it’s got wheels, bring it.
Who Can Ride
Open exclusively to WBU students, faculty, and staff.
Come for the tune-up, stay for the ride, and kick off the semester in motion.
Route ideas
First Group Ride
1 hour // 8-10 miles around campus, the airport, and sections of the Lawrence County Rail-Trail // all pavement, and no drops (meaning we won’t leave people behind if someone is slower or has a bike issue).
Weekly Group Rides Fall Semester
Destination Rides:
Adventure Rides:
