Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Melbourne, AR

  • Published 2022/09/02

Melbourne, Arkansas, is a special place with a lot to offer.

Its residents enjoy a blend of suburban and rural living, with most owning their homes.

Likewise, it is famous for its unique history and culture, becoming a popular tourist destination.

Since 1875, Melbourne has served as the seat of Izard County, Arkansas.

Moreover, Melbourne is the second-largest city in the county.

It is a commercial and governmental hub situated close to the county’s center.

This city is also a regional educational hub, where you can find Ozarka College.

Here are the best things to do in Melbourne, Arkansas:

Bring Your Kids to the Rainbow Roller Rink

The Rainbow Roller Rink is a great place to practice skating skills or have fun with friends or family.

It is offers various activities to the public, including roller skating, pool tables, and video games.

Since 2006, Rainbow Roller Rink has drawn crowds of locals and visitors.

As a family-run company, Rainbow Roller Rink works hard to keep the skating area safe, enjoyable, and clean.

You can also celebrate your kids’ birthdays here or join one of its many skate nights.

Discover Local History at the City of Melbourne History Museum

The City of Melbourne History Museum is a great place to learn about the city’s heritage and culture.

The museum has various exhibits showcasing the city’s history, including its founding, early settlers, and development over the years.

You can find an actual moonshine still, a large brown crock moonshine jug, and a beaver trap at the museum.

Likewise, the City of Melbourne History Museum has a unique collection of hand-painted rocks.

Notably, Betty Mankin Wiles painted the rocks from memory.

These stones are models of ancient residences and commercial buildings in Lunenburg, Arkansas.

Workers gathered some of the rocks from the Lunenburg region.

Several of them have the structure’s name and its owners written on the bottom.

Otherwise, explore the Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls collection, some of which date back to 1978.

The City of Melbourne History Museum also displays old military uniforms, 1920s fashion, yearbooks, and other memorabilia.

Shop for Vintage Items at the Cooper Antique and Collectibles

You can shop for vintage items and learn about the city’s history at Cooper Antique and Collectibles.

The store offers a wide variety of items, such as antiques, collectibles, and vintage items, including furniture, glassware, china, jewelry, and more.

You can also enjoy performances from local singers when you visit Cooper Antique and Collectibles.

Those who love Fenton will fall in love with the collection of Fenton glassware on display.

Moreover, collectors also love the display of old coins in the shop.

Cooper Antique and Collectibles is a great place to find unique gifts or items for your home.

Explore the Melbourne Public Library with Your Kids

The Melbourne Public Library is a great place to take your kids to explore.

Established in 2001, the Melbourne Public Library is a small library working to meet the expanding demands of rural areas.

The library offers various services, including story time and a large selection of books.

Likewise, the library conducts events for children, like an Easter Egg Hunt and Summer Book Reading.

Moreover, the Melbourne Public Library also hosts a Family Interactive Program called Tales and Tails.

Test Your Accuracy at the Coopers Hawk Golf Course

Cooper’s Hawk Golf Club has received top honors among public golf courses in Arkansas.

The course challenges even the most experienced golfers while also showing beginners a good time.

Golfers of any skill level will enjoy playing on the Cooper’s Hawk Golf Course.

The course will test you while offering a tranquil, beautiful setting.

Its bunkers, water hazards, and dirt mounds will put your accuracy to the test.

They offer everything you need to make your game more challenging.

Cooper’s Hawk Golf Course wants to ensure that you have a splendid time at the Melbourne golf course.

They also feature a full-service bar and a restaurant with excellent food, serving burgers, prime ribs, and more.

Shop for Fresh Produce at the Miller’s Hometown Market

Miller’s Hometown Market is a family-owned grocery store in Melbourne.

The market sells various groceries, meats, produce, and more.

Visit the bakery for the bread, rolls, muffins, and other treats that make you feel like you’ve stepped back into Grandma’s kitchen.

Likewise, you can pick up fruits, vegetables, and other items in season.

The Miller’s Hometown Market also offers a wide range of meats, including chicken, beef, pork, and more.

Discover Your Groove at AccessDance

AccessDance is a great place to learn ballroom dancing.

The studio offers various classes, from beginner to advanced levels.

If you’re new to ballroom dancing, take beginner classes and learn the basic steps and moves.

Otherwise, challenge yourself with their intermediate or advanced classes.

AccessDance also offers private lessons, perfect for those who want to learn at their own pace or work on specific skills.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this dance studio is the perfect place to learn and improve your skills.

Explore the Melbourne Multipurpose Recreational Facility

The Melbourne Multipurpose Recreational Facility is a multipurpose facility that has everything you need to have fun.

Indoor grass covers the floor of the heated, 4,320-square-foot facility.

To fund construction, Trey Lamb and Wayne Harris contacted Tommy Wren, a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

He helped them secure funding for the Melbourne Multipurpose Recreational Facility.

Eighty percent of the money required to create this building came from this grant and some individual donations.

The Fudge Family donated a plot of land for the facility’s construction, while the City of Melbourne contributed the remaining 80%.

The Melbourne Multipurpose Recreational Facility is open to the public.

You can rent the center for various events.

Melbourne Multipurpose Recreational Facility is the perfect place to stay active and fit.

Book a Room at the Ashley House Bed and Breakfast

If you want the best inn-style lodging in a hotel or suite in Melbourne, look no further than Ashley House Bed and Breakfast.

They work hard to ensure you have the best possible experience.

Ashley House Bed and Breakfast is a small, family-run B&B that provides a home-like environment for overnight or extended stays.

Its porch is welcoming, with comfortable wooden chairs and a strategically placed table where you and your family can relax.

The comfortable rooms inside have beds of different sizes, depending on your needs.

Likewise, the Ashley House Bed and Breakfast offers Wi-Fi, an ironing board, a hair dryer, and a hot breakfast each morning.

If you want a place to stay in Melbourne that feels like home, look no further than Ashley House Bed and Breakfast.

Shop Till You Drop at the D&L Discount LLC

D&L Discount LLC is the perfect place to shop for outdoor and garden requirements, household items, and more.

The store offers various products, ranging from seasonal decor to straw bales and blue barrels.

You can find everything here, without needing to hop from store to store.

The friendly staff will always try to help you find what you’re looking for.

D&L Discount LLC also offers gardening equipment and supplies, making it the perfect place to shop for all your needs.

Likewise, the shop offers wreath classes and other events throughout the year.

Explore the Classes at Ozarka College

Ozarka College has transformed countless lives and communities since 1975.

The community college offers associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency.

These credentials help students transfer to four-year schools and universities, enter the workforce, or grow in their careers.

The College also provides adult primary education, ongoing education, and specialized training for regional businesses and industries.

In 2004, Ozarka College’s Library changed its name to Paul Weaver Library to recognize Senator Paul Weaver’s contributions.

Other Things to Do Nearby

When you’ve explored all the things to do in Melbourne, consider making the short drive to some of the area’s other attractions.

Stroll through Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center

You’ll find the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center in Calico Rock, Arkansas, 26 minutes from Melbourne.

This museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the Ozarks.

They work with the City of Calico Rock to offer visitor center services while safeguarding and showcasing Calico Rock’s history.

Likewise, they feature many exhibits on the area’s history, including the civil war, pioneer life, and the folk art of the Ozarks.

The Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center also own the 1906 Calico Rock Progress Building, which includes a café and ice cream parlor.

One of the exhibits features the Native Americans who originally lived in the Ozark Mountains before the Europeans arrived.

Moreover, the museum also displays the steamer Ozark Queen, the White River, the Calico Rock Depot, and a one-room school.

Visiting the gift shop at the Calico Rock Museum & Visitor Center may give you a sense of how people lived at the time.

Feel the Adrenaline Rush at Syllamo Mountain Bike Trails

You’ll find the stunning Syllamo Mountain Bike Trails in Mountain View, Arkansas, 38 minutes from Melbourne.

The longest singletrack trail is over 50 miles long, which you can find in the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest.

The trail is a recognized IMBA Epic Ride with five interlinking trail loops available from the trek.

You’ll start on Ark. 5 with three trailheads on Green Mountain Road.

Bring your hiking boots to the Ozarks, with hundreds of miles of singletrack.

Take a family trek around Mirror Lake to see the Old Mill and Mirror Lake Waterfall.

Otherwise, get your heart pumping on the epic-rated Syllamo Mountain Bike Trails.

Whether you want to go on a family-friendly short trek or a challenging all-day trail run, pick a trailhead to start your adventure!

Enjoy the Facilities at Jack’s Fishing Resort

In 1961, Jack and Mary Hale Hinkle founded Jack’s Fishing Resort, which their daughters and son-in-law now run.

Jack’s Fishing Resort lets you take advantage of the many facilities offered at the property.

You can try trout fishing, river rafting, or taking in the local attractions.

Likewise, the resort always works to uphold tradition and maintain high-quality service.

After enjoying supper at JoJo’s Catfish Wharf, wind down in their roomy accommodations.

Many rooms have screened porches with views of the white river.

Jack’s Fishing Resort also provides a full-hookup RV park with a bathroom for campers.

On the other hand, JoJo’s Catfish Wharf offers a private dining room and a barbecue pavilion for large gatherings and business outings.

Additionally, visitors delight in the natural beauty of the cliffs, the clean water, and the hiking and horseback riding trails.

They also love swimming in Sylamore Creek nearby.

Enjoy the Serenity of Box Hound Marina, Resort, and RV Park

It’s rare to find the perfect vacation site in one place, which is precisely the Box Hound Marina, Resort, and RV Park.

The entire family can find excellent recreational possibilities with complete boat accessories, pool, and beach equipment.

You can find the Box Hound Marina, Resort, and RV Park on the magnificent Crown Lake in North-Central Arkansas.

This place is in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, 25 minutes from Melbourne.

Unwind in one of Box Hound Marina, Resort, and RV Park’s genuine log cabins.

Likewise, take a lake cruise in one of their many rental boats or laze on the lovely beach.

If you want to stay off the water, Horseshoe Bend has alternative activities available.

For example, check out the Turkey Mountain Golf Course and Cedar Glade Golf Course, both stunning 18-hole golf courses.

Alternately, go to Hardy, Arkansas, with shops for crafters and antique collectors.

Go Camping at Crown Lake RV Resort

Located on the beaches of gorgeous Crown Lake, Crown Lake RV Resort is a perfect place to escape daily life’s hustle and bustle.

Crown Lake RV Resort offers full hookup sites that accommodate RVs, a fitness center, a spa, and a sauna.

You can also find the resort in Horseshoe Bend, 24 minutes from Melbourne.

The resort has a swimming pool, hot tub, playground, and lake access for swimming, boating, and pontoon rental.

Crown Lake RV Resort also has a dog park, so you can bring your furry friend on vacation.

Likewise, enjoy many activities, such as golfing, playing badminton, and exploring the Ozarks.

Enjoy the picnic tables and barbecue grills on-site, or visit one of the many restaurants in Horseshoe Bend.

Final Thoughts

These are only a few reasons Melbourne is an excellent vacation destination for everyone.

There are plenty of activities and attractions to keep you busy, whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Melbourne, Arkansas!

Discover More of Izard County, AR

Best Things to Do in Calico Rock, AR

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