Malvern: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Brandonrush · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Arkansas · 33k people

Malvern

“Brick Capital of the World”

Where the streets are paved with brick and pride.

Brick Red

Welcome to Malvern, the Brick Capital of the World! Take a stroll down our historic brick streets, grab a bite at a local diner, and enjoy the friendly small-town vibe. Whether you're here for the outdoors or just passing through, you'll find a warm community ready to share its stories.

Clubs for Malvern

No clubs for Malvern yet.

The room

Malvern Quiet now Where the streets are paved with brick and pride.

One room for everyone around Malvern. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Malvern. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Historic downtown brick streets Original brick-paved streets and 19th-century storefronts.
Hot Spring County Courthouse Historic courthouse anchoring the town square.
Malvern City Park Community park with playgrounds, pavilions, and green space.
Hot Spring County Museum Local history exhibits, including brick-making artifacts.
Malvern Depot Historic railroad depot, now a local landmark.

Outdoors Hiking in the Ouachita Mountains
Outdoors Fishing on Lake Catherine
With kids Visit the Hot Spring County Museum
With kids Play at Malvern City Park
Evenings Local taverns and bars
Evenings High school football games
Locals love Small-town diners and cafes
Locals love Brick-themed attractions

Through the year

Malvern Brickfest spring Annual festival celebrating the town's brick-making heritage with food, music, and brick-themed activities.
Hot Spring County Fair fall County fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks and community gathering at Malvern City Park.
Malvern Farmers Market summer Local produce, crafts, and food vendors in the downtown area.

Malvern has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be outdoors.

Getaways

Hot Springs Historic bathhouses, Oaklawn racing, and Lake Hamilton.
Arkadelphia Home to Henderson State University and DeGray Lake.
Little Rock State capital with museums, River Market, and Clinton Library.
Pine Bluff Delta culture and the Arkansas Railroad Museum.

Local flavour

Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA), Arkansas Travelers (MiLB)

Eat and drink

Southern comfort food Fried catfish, barbecue, and biscuits and gravy are common local staples.
Fried catfish A Southern staple, often served with hushpuppies.
Barbecue Pulled pork, ribs, and brisket with regional sauces.
Pecan pie A classic Southern dessert, popular locally.

Where people go

Historic downtown with brick streets The town square and surrounding streets feature original brickwork.
Brick factories and kilns Reminders of the town's industrial past, some still active.
Ouachita Mountains Nearby hills and forests for outdoor recreation.
Small-town diners and cafes Local gathering spots for coffee and home-style meals.

Heritage and traditions

Malvern is proud of its brick-making heritage, which earned it the nickname 'Brick Capital of the World,' and its small-town Southern charm along the Ouachita River.

This time of year in Malvern

Old Soldiers Reunion Fall A fall tradition with parades and carnival.
Fall foliage in the Ouachitas Fall Scenic drives and hikes.
Old Soldiers Reunion Fall A historic multi-day event with parades, carnival rides, and live music.

Say it like a local: “I reckon” — I think

Festivals

Old Soldiers Reunion Fall A historic multi-day event with parades, carnival rides, and live music.
Christmas Parade December A festive parade through downtown with floats and lights.

Landmarks with a story

First United Methodist Church A historic congregation with a landmark building downtown.
Malvern Cemetery Final resting place of early settlers and Civil War veterans.

Food traditions

Church potluck dinners Sunday potlucks at local churches feature fried chicken, casseroles, and homemade pies.
Sorghum molasses Local farms produce sorghum, often served on biscuits or used in baking.
Biscuits and gravy A breakfast staple at small-town diners, often with sausage gravy.
Sweet tea Sweet tea is the house drink at most restaurants and homes.

Music and arts

Country and bluegrass music Local musicians play at festivals and churches.
Southern gospel choirs Churches host gospel singings.
Brick-inspired crafts Artisans create items from local clay and brick.

A little history

1870s Founded as a railroad town
Early 1900s Brick industry boom
1913 Hot Spring County Courthouse built
1930s Great Depression impact

Rivalries

Malvern vs. Arkadelphia high school football A long-standing local rivalry.

Game day Friday night high school football
Game day Fishing tournaments on Lake Catherine
Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey in the Ouachitas
Outdoors Floating the Ouachita River
With kids Train watching at the depot
With kids Fishing from the bank at the river

Locals speak with a classic Southern drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The town's name is pronounced 'MAL-vern' with stress on the first syllable.

Only here

The original brick streets from the early 1900s are still in use downtown.
The town's nickname 'Brick Capital of the World' is celebrated at Brickfest.
The railroad depot is a restored historic landmark.
The Ouachita River runs through town, offering fishing and canoeing.

New here? A few tips

Pronounce the town's name as 'MAL-vern'.
Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Try the local catfish and barbecue.
Visit the historic downtown and see the brick streets.
Get out to the Ouachitas for hiking and fishing.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Hot Springs area

Nearby

Every area

Hot SpringsArkansasSoak in the natural beauty.ArkadelphiaArkansasSlow river days and diamond-bright nights.Little RockArkansasHeart of the Natural State Pine BluffArkansasRiver town, Delta heart CamdenArkansasA friendly stop on the Ouachita River.MorriltonArkansasWhere the river meets the mountain RussellvilleArkansasRiver valley charm, mountain views MagnoliaArkansasSouthern comfort, magnolia pride

Malvern, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.