Summary

Turn one open weekend into a fun getaway in Texarkana, Arkansas. Start with the iconic State Line photo, then explore walkable dinner spots, local bars, live music, and easy brunch options on the Arkansas side. Perfect for anyone who loves quirky roadside stops and small downtown charm without going far.

There are not many places in America where your weekend starts with one foot in Arkansas and one in Texas.

In Texarkana, it does.

Before dinner reservations, before drinks, before you even check into your hotel, you’re standing on a painted line in front of a historic federal courthouse that quite literally splits two states. It’s quick. It’s iconic. And it’s a surprisingly fun way to begin a getaway.

Whether you’re coming from Dallas, Little Rock, Shreveport, or anywhere within a 2 to 4 hour drive, Texarkana makes an easy weekend escape with a walkable downtown, great local restaurants, and Arkansas outdoor adventure just minutes away.

 

First Stop: The State Line

When you pull off the interstate and head to Downtown Texarkana, make the State Line Landmark your first stop. It’s free and easy. Just park near the U.S. Post Office & Federal Courthouse, find the line, and step into two states at once. It’s quick, iconic, and a one-of-a-kind photo op. Learn more about the state line, the iconic post office/courthouse, and parking and accessibility.

Pro tip: Visit in the early evening for softer light and fewer crowds, or come back after dinner to see the building illuminated at night. 

When you snap your photo, you’re standing in front of one of the only federal buildings in the country located in two states at once.

Fun fact: the federal courthouse contains both Texas and Arkansas courts, with a publicly accessible historic post office downstairs. If you make it downtown while the post office is open, step inside and take a look!

Downtown Texarkana is surprisingly compact. Many of the restaurants below are within a 3 to 5 minute walk of the State Line landmark, so you can park once and wander.

 

Dinner Time

Once you’ve got photographic proof that you stood in two states at once, it’s time for dinner. There are several great spots within a few minutes walk of the photo op, making them easily walkable or a quick drive.

 

A short walk:

Joe’s Italian Bistro

This cozy, romantic bistro is right across from the post office. This local favorite recently relocated to the Arkansas side, where they serve up New York-style pizza and traditional Italian dishes. Everything there is good, from the complementary garlic rolls to the veal parmigiana, but we especially love the lasagna pizza and the tortellini alla rosa. On weekends, catch live music on the patio.

Los Tacos

Right next door but with a totally different vibe, Los Tacos is one of downtown’s newest spots. This colorfully decorated, locally-owned restaurant offers traditional Mexican fare including tacos and street tacos, huaraches, tamales, elotes, and more. Grab a booth by the window. If you sit by the large windows facing the state line, it’s an excellent place to people watch.

 

A longer walk or short drive:

Hopkins Icehouse

Grab dinner, drinks, or both in an iconic building from Texarkana’s history. Built in 1936, this space was once Hopkins Feed & Seed, a local family-owned feed store that closed for business in 2007, reopening in 2009 as Hopkins Icehouse. Today, Hopkins serves burgers, pizzas, steaks, hot dogs, sandwiches, Cajun dishes, and more, along with a full bar, great happy hour specials, and live music on weekends. You’ll love the vintage vibes with Texarkana artifacts on display. Bonus: the patio is spacious and dog-friendly.

Verona Restaurant

Take date night up a notch at Verona. The first thing you’ll see when you walk up is a cozy patio that offers a great view of downtown, which is especially pretty lit up at night. Whether you sit inside or out, the atmosphere is upscale and cozy, with refined Italian dishes and the best wine selection in town. If you don’t make it there for dinner, check out their Sunday brunch.

After a full evening of food, drinks, and live music, you’ll be glad you booked a nearby hotel. Several well-known hotels are just minutes away. Staying the night turns a fun stop into a true weekend escape.

 

After Dinner

Ready for a daiquiri? Check out El Frio Express, a quirky little daiquiri shop inside of a former bank branch. Yes, they do take orders at the bank drive through lanes, but you have to walk in to pick up your drinks. You won’t mind, though, because there’s a cute photo op inside where you can snap selfies while you wait. Take your daiquiris to go or perch on the high tables outside. When it’s nice out, you’ll find yard games and other fun extras in the seating area. Make sure to get a good look at the colorful Day of the Dead mural outside.

It’s not a weekend in Texarkana without a trip to the 1923 Banana Club, a 1920s speakeasy literally hidden beneath the street. You’ll even need a code to enter. Plan ahead by joining their private Facebook group to get the code. Depending on when you visit, you may find live music, waitstaff wearing flapper attire, dinner theatre, comedy, or other unexpected delights.

If you didn’t get your fill at the Banana Club, head over to The Wild Hare. Affectionally dubbed the “best dive bar in town” according to the neon sign on their wall, this lively spot has funky art on the walls, pool tables and darts, classic arcade games, cold beers, and fun cocktails. Check their Facebook page for a schedule of live performances and events.

Saturday Morning: Take it Easy and Explore

Some mornings call for espresso in a train car. Others call for pancakes at a feed store. In Texarkana, you can decide when you wake up.

Take your pick between city and country.

 

If you picked city:

Alley Cats Coffee has craft coffee and some delicious breakfast bites, all served in a refurbished train car. Yes, the bathroom IS the original train bathroom. Not only is the coffee delicious, but the inside is decorated with checkerboard floors, bright colors, and local art, and there’s also seating outside on the deck.

The Gallery at 1894, located in the former Ritchie Grocery Building, is right across the parking lot and opens at 11. Inside, you’ll find more than 12,000 square feet of works by artists from across the region, including paintings, ceramics, glass, and photography. Make sure to explore the upstairs area as well.

 

If you picked country:

Start your day at Three Chicks Feed and Seed. It’s off the beaten path, but a must-see for anyone who likes a little slice of the country life. What started as a feed store has grown into a destination with a homey cafe that serves up a hearty breakfast on Saturdays, with a seasonally decorated back yard that you can explore after you fill up on pancakes. If you’re lucky, you may also run across some critters—chickens, dogs, and the occasional turkey. Take a stroll around the feed store before you leave; you might run across some unexpected treasures. 

 

Get Outside

Arkansas isn’t called the Natural State for nothing. Texarkana, AR, is the basecamp for outdoor fun in Southern Arkansas.

Within an hour’s drive, you’ll find lakes, trails, and wildlife areas that feel worlds away from the interstate. Texarkana makes the perfect home base. Comfortable hotels, great restaurants, and then wide-open Arkansas adventure by day.

If you’re a couple who golfs together, check out New Haven Golf Club, a 18-hole course located on 153 acres featuring varied landscaping, new fairways and tee boxes, and a beautiful garden.

If bass fishing, gator-spotting, birding, or wildlife photography is your thing, take a short drive to Millwood State Park. And heads up to bird nerds: Millwood is an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area with sightings of over 300 of the state’s 400 species on record.

And if you want to stay in town, you can’t go wrong with a downtown stroll, where you’ll see murals and public art, historic buildings, and local shops worth checking out.

 

Lunch Time

Cap off your Texarkana getaway with lunch at the kind of place you see on TV.

If you’re looking for a juicy cheeseburger, check out TLC Burgers and Fries on Broad Street. Though the original building was badly damaged in a fire a few years ago, the renovated TLC kept the same hole in the wall vibe. The menu is simple, but the burgers are voted the best in town year after year, and the Red River Sand seasoning makes their fries next-level.

And you can’t come this close to Texas without indulging in some barbecue. Featured in Texas Monthly, The Texas Bucket List, and the Arkansas Times, Naaman’s Championship BBQ is a local spot that offers a barbecue experience that’s somehow both down-home and upscale at the same time. One of their most popular dishes is the Red Headed Stepchild, a buttered bun with torn up brisket, pulled pork, house-made sausage, coleslaw, and two kinds of barbecue sauce. Before you leave, wander around the building and check out the quirky art and artifacts the owner has acquired over the years, including a real stuffed bear.

Before You Head Home

Before you hit the interstate, make sure you’ve got that State Line photo saved. Tag your weekend adventure and show everyone you crossed the line. Make sure you tag your State Line shot with #experiencetexarkana. 

And depending on when you visit, there may be even more happening. From downtown concerts and seasonal markets to regional festivals and special events in nearby communities, there’s often something extra that can turn your road trip into a full experience. Check the events calendar before you visit. You might time your weekend perfectly.