We need to talk about Downtown Rogers, Arkansas. This place is very family-friendly, and it’s definitely a place you should check out while you’re in the area.
Downtown Rogers is such a great place to hang out with so many fun things to do. There are brick-laid streets, great little coffee shops, and a railyard museum. And when you’re getting close to the end of your day, check out the barbecue restaurants for dinner.
This is part 1 about Downtown Rogers, so if you’re interested in moving here or just want to visit, keep reading. And look for part 2 coming soon.
Video:
Brick-Laid Streets Are Reminiscent of Times Gone By
Before asphalt was used to pave streets, there used to be brick streets, and before that were dirt roads. The railroad came to Rogers around 1881, and along with it, dirt roads combined with horse “droppings” were a part of daily life.
Brick streets became a reality at the end of 1924, and during that time, several businesses popped up in the area. But, with dirt roads covered in other animal substances, people tracked this in the shops, and business owners eventually got tired of it–so much so that by 1910, they started discussing paving the roads.
Unfortunately, no one could agree on the materials nor who would pay for it. Eventually, by May 1924, the paving commission agreed to use bricks, and by December 1924, the 24,000-square-foot area was finished.
Those early leaders expected the streets to last only 10 years, but they are still there today for all to enjoy. And if you look and listen, you might hear the clip-clop of horses and buggies going over them.
Or maybe not. But it’s super cool to see remnants of days gone by still around.
Experience the Railyard Park
The railroad is a large part of Rogers’ history, so what better way to commemorate that than create a multi-use park near the railroad in Downtown Rogers?
The Walton Family Foundation provided funding through the Design Excellence Program to redesign Frisco Park as a way to rebrand the area and stitch both the east and west parts of the city together. Previously, the railroad divided these areas, so the goal was to create cohesion and connectivity.
Completed in 2021, the many features include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
- Interactive water installations that people can use to cool off with on hot days.
- Outdoor music and event venues.
- Movable seating, so if your group gets larger, you can pull over more benches.
- Playards for the children.
- Paved walkways for farmers’ markets and other similar events.
- Tunnels to play in.
- Bike paths that connect to the many trails in the area.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
Amazing Coffee and Tea Shops To Start Your Day
If you’re anything like me, you need your daily coffee fix to get going for the day. The Railyard Park is conveniently located near several coffee shops, so if you find yourself taking the kids to the park this summer just to get them out of the house, at least you can stop for coffee on the way.
Let’s look at two of the area coffee shops near the park.
Onyx Coffee Lab HQ
Not only is Onyx Coffee Lab HQ a coffee house, but they also roast their own coffee beans, host tasting events, and have a cocktail bar within their facility. There’s a bakery, taqueria, and a mezcal bar as well.
Their menu seems a little fancy, so if you want a simple cup of coffee, this might not be the place for you. However, they do have house-brewed coffee if you’re traveling with more adventurous companions and they want to stop here.
But if you’re feeling more adventurous, you might want to try it. Here’s a sample of some of their coffee offerings:
- Honey Lavender Latte
- Hibiscus Rose Kombucha
- Blended London Fog
- Salt Mocha
- Chai or Matcha Latte
- Nitro Cold Brew
They also serve food, so if you’re a little hungry for breakfast, they have a small menu that includes sweet and savory breakfast foods. And if your breakfast time happens to be later in the day, that’s okay too, as they’re open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 6 PM.
They’re located at:
101 E Walnut Ave
Rogers, Arkansas
If you have any questions, you can reach them at:
479-899-6750
Anime Cafe
If you’re looking for more non-traditional drinks and love Anime, you must explore the Anime Cafe! The cafe combines the aesthetic of Japanese Anime with Thai Bubble Tea, so you get a fusion of fun stuff to look at and, perhaps, buy.
They serve “build your own” bubble tea with a choice of several flavors in either black or green tea. They also serve Boba soda and mochi ice cream, so if you want something sweet while going to Railyard Park, this is a great place to stop anytime, Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 AM to 7 PM.
You can find them at:
111 South 2nd Street
Rogers, Arkansas
You can also contact them at:
fun@animecafe.buzz
479-372-6605
Conclusion
Downtown Rogers is a great place to spend the day during your free time, and it’s a great place to take the kids during the summer to let them get their energy out. There’s so much history and fun shops to visit, so it’s worth checking out.
There’s so much to do in Downtown Rogers that I don’t have the space to tell you about it, so stay tuned for part 2!