Jonesboro area

Around Jonesboro area

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Greater area · Arkansas · 185k people

Jonesboro area

Locals say Northeast Arkansas · “The Hub of Northeast Arkansas”

Where the Delta meets the Ridge

Arkansas State University scarletArkansas State University black

Welcome to Jonesboro, the heart of Northeast Arkansas. Whether you're here for the Red Wolves, the catfish, or the peace of the Delta, you'll find a friendly community ready to share it.

Clubs for Jonesboro area

No clubs for Jonesboro area yet.

The room

Jonesboro area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Jonesboro's; the others are below.

One room for everyone around Jonesboro. 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

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Marketplace

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

Things to do

  • Crowley's Ridge A unique ridge running through the Delta, with parks and trails.
  • Crowley's Ridge Nature Center Free exhibits and trails on the ridge.
  • Lake Frierson State Park Fishing, boating, and camping on the lake.
  • Craighead Forest Park Big city park with a lake, trails, and picnic areas.
  • Arkansas State University Home of the Red Wolves, with a lively college atmosphere.
  • Centennial Bank Stadium Where the A-State Red Wolves play football.
  • Outdoors Fishing at Lake Frierson
  • Outdoors Hiking on Crowley's Ridge
  • With kids A-State football games
  • With kids Crowley's Ridge Nature Center
  • Evenings Downtown bars
  • Evenings Live music at The Forum
  • Locals love Catfish restaurants
  • Locals love Barbecue joints

Through the year

  • Craighead County Fair September Annual fair with rides, livestock, and food.
  • A-State Red Wolves Football Games Fall Home games at Centennial Bank Stadium draw big crowds.
  • Jonesboro Air Show Spring Aerial performances and static displays at the municipal airport.
  • Jonesboro Farmers Market Summer Local produce, crafts, and food trucks every Saturday.
  • Downtown Jonesboro Music Festival Summer Live music and food vendors in the historic district.

Hot, humid summers and mild winters, with the best times being spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most pleasant, with mild temps and lower humidity.

Talk like a local

“NEA”
Northeast Arkansas
“The Ridge”
Crowley's Ridge
“Red Wolves”
Arkansas State University teams
“The Delta”
The flat agricultural lowlands

Getaways

  • Memphis Big-city attractions, music, and BBQ.
  • Paragould Small-town charm and Crowley's Ridge State Park.
  • Blytheville Delta heritage and the Air Force base museum.
  • Batesville Historic river town with shopping and dining.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Arkansas State Red Wolves NCAA Division I

Also rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA), Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

Eat and drink

  • Fried catfish A Delta staple, often served with hushpuppies
  • Fried pickles Popular in the South, commonly found in local diners
  • Barbecue (pulled pork) Memphis-style barbecue influence, with dry rubs and tangy sauce
  • Sweet tea A Southern staple, often served unsweetened in some places but sweet tea is iconic
  • Delta tamales A regional specialty found in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta

Where people go

  • Catfish restaurants Often family-owned, serving fried catfish and sides
  • Barbecue joints Smoked meats, often with a Memphis influence
  • Hunting lodges Duck hunting is a major local pastime, especially in the Delta
  • Rice fields The landscape is dominated by rice paddies and irrigation
  • Crowley's Ridge A geological anomaly rising above the flat Delta, with forests and hills
  • Delta flatlands The vast, flat agricultural plain stretching to the Mississippi

Heritage and traditions

Jonesboro takes pride in its role as the heart of Northeast Arkansas, a place where Delta agriculture, duck hunting, and a strong university community come together.

This time of year in Jonesboro area

  • Duck hunting season Fall Hunters flock to the Delta for duck season, a major cultural tradition.
  • Rice harvest Fall Combines work the fields, and the Weiner Rice Festival celebrates the harvest.
  • Trumann Wild Duck Festival October Celebrates duck hunting season with food, crafts, and a parade.

Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to

Festivals

  • Trumann Wild Duck Festival October Celebrates duck hunting season with food, crafts, and a parade.
  • Weiner Rice Festival September Honors the rice harvest with a parade, rice dishes, and a rice-eating contest.

Landmarks with a story

  • Southern Tenant Farmers Museum In Tyronza, tells the story of the 1930s labor union of sharecroppers.
  • Craighead County Courthouse A 1930s courthouse with classic architecture.
  • Arkansas State University Museum Showcases local history, natural history, and regional artifacts.

Food traditions

  • Rice and gravy A hearty dish from the rice farming heritage, often with chicken or pork.
  • Duck gumbo A fall and winter favorite made with wild duck, reflecting hunting culture.
  • Fried pies Hand-held pastries filled with fruit or cream, sold at fairs and bakeries.

Music and arts

  • Delta Symphony Orchestra A regional orchestra performing at Arkansas State University.
  • Blues and country music The Delta's musical heritage influences local venues and festivals.

A little history

  • 1859 Founded as a railroad town
  • 1909 Arkansas State University established
  • 1934 Southern Tenant Farmers Union founded in Tyronza

Rivalries

  • A-State vs. Arkansas Razorbacks In-state bragging rights for college football.
  • Jonesboro vs. Paragould High school football showdowns.
  • A-State vs. Memphis Basketball rivalry with the Tigers.
  • A-State vs. UALR Little Rock rivalry in the Sun Belt.
  • Game day Friday night high school football
  • Game day A-State tailgating
  • Outdoors Birdwatching on Crowley's Ridge
  • With kids Craighead County Historical Museum
  • With kids Arkansas State University Museum

People speak with a Southern drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. You might hear 'over yonder' for 'over there'.

Only here

  • Crowley's Ridge is a unique geological formation rising above the flat Delta.
  • The Southern Tenant Farmers Union, a pioneering labor union, was founded here.
  • Rice fields stretch across the landscape, a defining feature of the region.
New here? A few tips
  • Be ready for hot, humid summers and mild winters.
  • Try the local catfish and BBQ, and don't miss a tamale.
  • Learn about duck hunting; it's a big part of the culture.
  • Pronounce 'Crowley's Ridge' as 'Crow-lee's Ridge'.
  • A-State is the university, and Red Wolves football is a big deal.

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Areas in Jonesboro area

Jonesboro-Paragould, AR CSA. 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.

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