Three Rivers area summer favorites

Options range wide for fun in the sun

Kayla Hughes, center, gets in position to hit the ball that Mac Harris, right, was unable to connect with during a beach volleyball game at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs. At the left is Ashley Bremer.
Kayla Hughes, center, gets in position to hit the ball that Mac Harris, right, was unable to connect with during a beach volleyball game at Sandy Beach in Heber Springs. At the left is Ashley Bremer.

With Memorial Day comes the unofficial start of summer and a chance to indulge in seasonal activities. Not sure where to turn in your town? Check out these suggestions from residents in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area on their favorite places to cool off and hang out in the warmer months.

“The Miller’s Bluffs are located west of the … Dam Site swimming area on Greers Ferry Lake in Heber Springs. Miller’s is usually frequented by more of the town’s locals than anyone else. The best thing about Miller’s is the fact that it is far less crowded during the summertime than [the] dam site and is accessible by both land and boat. There are a lot of great bluffs to jump off of, and all are, in my opinion, quite a bit safer than the bluffs at Dam Site. The bluffs at Miller’s are also great for kids, as the jump sizes range from the more modest 10 feet to 50 feet — the best, in my opinion. This Memorial Day weekend should be a great time to be on Greers Ferry Lake in Heber Springs, as the water is beautiful and the weather is looking great.”

— Brandon Davis, Heber Springs High School senior

Tastee Freeze in Cabot is one of my favorite places to go. We do the Amazing Race with our youth at church all summer long. The kids have a blast scavenging all over the city as they share the love of Jesus. Tastee Freeze is one of the favorite stops. I enjoy meeting there to grab a milkshake and catch up with a friend. You can never go wrong with yummy treats and good conversation.”

— Trish Calhoun, Cabot

“One is at Lyon College, hanging out on the trail or playing disc golf. The other is to go to the White River and just cool off.”

— Scott Dirksen, Batesville

“The best ice cream in the world is in Mammoth Spring. The place is called the Spring Dipper — all homemade ice cream. My menu favorite is a Turtle Sunday. Our favorite weekend swimming spot is on Norfork Lake near Henderson.”

— Leslie Scribner, Ash Flat

“For a treat, our grandchildren, Riley and Lena Beth, love to go to Fuji’s for dinner and then to Froyo’s for yogurt. It’s really a treat for us. We love spending time with them on our patio making Play-Doh animals, taking them to the park or to the SouthWind pool. Bruce and I enjoy sitting out on our patio in the evening listening to the sounds of nature.”

— Susan and Bruce Smith, Searcy

“My favorite place would be the Three Flamingos in Cabot. Love the different flavors and toppings.”

— Susan Hedin, Cabot

“I love to eat outside when the weather is nice. The Whistle Stop Cafe has a great patio to have a yummy meal and visit with friends. Also, Searcy has great parks for family activities! Berryhill Park has a wonderful walking track and a covered pavilion for picnicking. Frozen Delight has wonderful shakes and ice cream treats to cool you off on a hot summer day.”

— Alana Pinchback, Searcy

“The No. 1 draw in the area is the [Little Red River]. There are people that come from all over, and guides that live all in this area who set up guide trips. The Dripping Springs access is real close by, and lots of people like to camp up in the area before going fishing.”

— Pangburn Mayor Todd Slayton

“Of course I like to go fishing. I have a farm pond down the road from me. Most people in Searcy are fishing and hunting fans. A lot of people head up to Heber Springs to Greers Ferry Lake to camp, fish and vacation.”

— David Owens, Higginson

“Of course [Greers Ferry Lake] and our golf course are incredibly popular over the summer. You can get involved in some kind of scramble nearly every weekend. We also host “Dive In” movies at the Bay View Club’s pool with family animated movies on Mondays and sports movies on Wednesdays at dusk. We’ll start Memorial Day and go until school starts back up.”

— Sheryl Paxton, Fairfield Bay

Friendly Acres Pond for fishing. Shorty’s for good homemade cooking. The old bridge in Judsonia [Judsonia Bridge] for pictures and Hays to shop in Judsonia. Gillam Farms for fresh produce and jams”

— Sandra Hurst, Judsonia

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