There are two kinds of people: those who love antiques and those who really love antiques. Regardless of which type you are, you’ve got to plan a visit to Mena. The itty bitty city probably isn’t on your radar, but it should be – and that’s because it’s one of the best antiquing towns in the country!
Mena is located just two hours outside of Little Rock; however, it’s worlds away from the capital city.
With roughly 200,000 residents, Little Rock is exponentially larger than Mena, which has about 5,500 residents.
But don’t let Mena’s small size fool you. It’s got a lot to offer.
Dubbed "one of the most charming getaways in the South," it’s nestled in the Ouachita Mountains and boasts everything from shopping to outdoor fun.
A collection of cute antique shops in downtown Mena is one of the city’s biggest perks.
It also earned Mena the distinction of "one of the best antiquing destinations in the United States," according to Southern Living and Wide Open Country.
In more recent years, several antique shops have opened in downtown Mena, and that’s no coincidence.
The shops are part of a $1 million-project to upgrade the downtown in an effort to attract visitors. Old Bank Antiques, Depot Antiques, and Mena Flea Market are a few of the town’s can’t-miss shopping destinations.
The best part of all is that the shops are located just a short distance from one another, so you can easily spend a day antique-shop-hopping.
And in true small town fashion, all of the owners are friendly with one another, as they each have their own unique treasures to offer.
There’s much more to downtown Mena than amazing antique stores, though.
It’s also got unique stores and boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants, including the Skyline Café, a decades-old favorite.
Mena visitors can also partake in a wealth of recreational opportunities.
An idyllic oasis, Mena sits at the eastern foot of Rich Mountain, the 2nd-highest peak in the state and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. The Ouachita National Forest, Talimena National Scenic Byway, and Queen Wilhelmina State Park are just a few of the outdoor attractions there are to enjoy in Mena.
An abundance of amazing antique shops might be what brings you to Mena, but that’s far from the only reason to visit!
With so much to offer, the itty bitty city is bound to make a BIG impression.
Well, what do you think? Are you itching to plan a visit to Mena? Make sure to check out the Visit Mena website, where you’ll find info on all the tiny town has to offer. And don’t forget to like Visit Mena on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the town’s happenings.
So, did you know about this amazing little town? Ever visited Mena? If so, did you do some shopping? What’d you think? Is it truly one of the nation’s best antiquing towns? Tell us!
This isn’t the only small town in the state that belongs on your radar. Click here to read about the coolest small towns in Arkansas that you’ve probably never heard of.
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