Travel

 Hotels, transportation, dining, and entertainment in Jonesboro, Arkansas!

 Welcome to Jonesboro!

Set along the scenic Crowley’s Ridge, Jonesboro is the fifth largest city in the state and the cultural center of Northeast Arkansas. It is a vibrant city that offers visitors a unique mix of natural beauty, industry, and academic excellence. 

Jonesboro lies on Crowley’s Ridge, a rare geological formation that provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures. Explore forests, trails, and lakes at Craighead Forest Park or the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, where you can hike, fish, and discover the area’s diverse wildlife.

Jonesboro is also a powerhouse in two of Arkansas’s key industries—rice and steel production. Surrounded by vast rice fields, the city is part of one of the largest rice-producing regions in the country. Its steel mills also contribute to the region’s industrial growth as the nation's newest epicenter of American steelmaking.

At the heart of the city is Arkansas State University, a thriving educational institution that brings a lively cultural scene (and you!) to Jonesboro. From sporting events to art exhibitions to horn workshops, the university offers visitors plenty of activities to experience. 

With a growing food and shopping scene, Jonesboro is the perfect place to enjoy Southern hospitality while exploring the city’s natural and industrial wonders.

Hotels

Stay close to the Mid-South Horn Workshop with a selection of nearby hotels offering comfort and convenience. Choose from a variety of accommodations just minutes from Arkansas State University.

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Jonesboro Red Wolf Convention Center (on campus)

• The Hotel at Huntington Square (2.4 miles) 

• Hilton Garden Inn Jonesboro (2.9 miles)

• Hampton Inn Jonesboro (2.9 miles)

• Candlewood Suites Jonesboro (3.0 miles)

• Courtyard by Marriott Jonesboro (3.1 miles)

• Fairfield Inn and Suites (3.3 miles)

Travel

It is recommended to travel to Jonesboro by car or plane, however it is accessible by other modes of transportation, making it convenient for visitors from all directions.

• By Car: Jonesboro is located just off Interstate 555, making it an easy drive from cities such as Memphis (about 1 hour), Little Rock (2 hours), St. Louis (4 hours), Oklahoma City (6.5 hours), and Dallas (6.5 hours).

• By Air: The closest major airport is Memphis International Airport (MEM), offering numerous flights from domestic and international locations. From there, it’s a quick 60 minute drive or taxi ride to Jonesboro. The local Jonesboro Municipal Airport also offers limited daily round trip flights between St. Louis (STL), Missouri and Nashville (BNA), Tennessee. 

• By Bus: Greyhound (JET Transfer Station) and other regional bus services offer routes to Jonesboro, providing a comfortable and affordable option for travelers.

• By Train (Amtrak): Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and City of New Orleans lines both stop at Walnut Ridge, AR, just 30 minutes from Jonesboro. From Walnut Ridge, travelers should make arrangements to rent a car or take a shuttle to complete their trip.

Once in town, Jonesboro offers car rental services, limited ride-share options, and public transportation for navigation around the city.

Dining

While you're in town for the conference, take advantage of the dining scene near Arkansas State University. Just minutes from campus, you’ll find a wide variety of food options to suit any taste and schedule. 

Close to the Fine Arts Center:

• Reng Student Union: Chick-fil-A, Howl's Grill, Starbucks, Freshens, Acansa Dining Hall (on campus)

• The Yard: BA Burrito, Saigon, Larry's Pizza (0.5 miles)

• The Edge Southern Cafe (0.5 miles)

• Houlihan's (0.9 miles)

• JTown's Grill (1.4 miles)

Local Recommendations:

• The Parsonage

• Native Brew Works

• IV Kings Coffee

• Ichiya Ramen

• Mai Pai Thai Cuisine

Entertainment

Jonesboro offers a variety of entertainment options to make your stay memorable! 

If you’re interested in arts and culture, Arkansas State University is home to several campus museums worth exploring. The A-State Museum features a 10,000 year old mastodon named "Mona" and exhibits on natural history, archaeology, and local heritage, including artifacts from Native American and early Arkansas history. Art lovers should visit the Bradbury Art Museum, which showcases contemporary art exhibitions and hosts rotating displays from regional and national artists.

If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors, Craighead Forest Park is a beautiful spot for hiking, biking, disc golf, and picknicking, with scenic trails and a peaceful lake. Nearby, the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center offers an immersive experience into the unique environment of Crowley’s Ridge. With interactive exhibits, educational programs, and a network of trails, it’s a great place to learn about the region’s wildlife and natural history.

Finally, head to the newly designated entertainment district in Downtown Jonesboro for shopping, food, and special events throughout the year, while nearby venues and bars often feature local bands and open-mic nights.

Other nearby attractions: 

• Memphis, TN: Sun Studio, Beale Street, National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland

• Dyess, AR: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home at Historic Dyess Colony