Mena, AR Road Trips
Plan drives from Mena, AR with practical route pages for distance, drive time, fuel cost, road character, and places to stop along the way.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
1
Longest Drive
258.6 mi
Jonesboro, AR
Quickest Drive
5h 9m
Jonesboro, AR
Plan Around Mena, AR
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Mena, AR is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Mena, AR by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
5,605
Median Income
$50,875
Median Home Value
$114,200
Median Age
40.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Mena, AR at a Glance
Founded
1896
Elevation
1,171 ft
Area
7 mi²
Notable People from Mena, AR
A sampling of people born in Mena, AR.
T. Texas Tyler
1916–1972
American musician (1916–1972)
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Mena, AR.
Mountain Fork Bridge
historic bridge in rural Polk County, Arkansas, United States of America
Janssen Park
municipal park in Mena, Arkansas, United States
Polk County Courthouse
courthouse in Arkansas, United States
St. Agnes Catholic Church
Roman Catholic church at 203 Eighth Street in Mena, Arkansas, USA
City data from Wikidata (Q79567), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Mena, AR
Mena is a town in Arkansas. A railroad town, Mena grew to a population of over 3,000 people within a few years of its founding in 1897. It was also touted for its health spa amenities. But soon after, the town's vitality diminished when rail facilities were moved to a nearby locale. Mena also had this troubling tendency of unabashed racial mistreatment towards African Americans that endured through much of the 20th century. Today it attracts tourists with its picturesque location among the Ouachita National Forest and Mountains.
1 Queen Wilhelmina State Park, 3877 AR-88, ☏ +1 479 394-2863, [email protected]. Open 24 hours. The highlight here is the "Castle in the Sky" lodge at the top of Rich Mountain along the Talimena Scenic Drive (i.e. Skyline Drive or Hwy 88), affording some grand views. It is also traversed by the 235 Ouachita [hiking] Trail. (updated Nov 2025) 2 Janssen Park. This town centerpiece with fountains and pools, along with the town itself, is named after the wife of the friend of Arthur Edward Stillwell, who brought the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad to town. He called her by the nickname Mena. (updated Sep 2021)
Chiquita's, 703 US-71, part of Northside Shopping Center. Open M-Sa 10AM-9PM. This family owned restaurant has been in Mena for almost two decades. Chopping Block Steakhouse, 705 Gilham Ave, ☏ +1 479 394-6410. Tu-Sa 10:30AM-9PM. This two-story log cabin seats up to 200 people and serves steak, burgers, and seafood. Cruizzer's Drive-In, 409 US-71, ☏ +1 479 394-5550. Daily 8AM-9PM. This is a 50s themed dive-in. Papa's Mexican Cafe, 1317 US-71 S. Tel: +1 479 394-6521 or +1 479 394-6461. Open M-Th 10AM-10PM; Su 10AM-3PM. Has over 30 30 authentic Mexican dishes. Skyline Cafe, 618 Mena Street, ☏ +1 479 394-5152. Open daily 5:30AM-2PM.
American Artisans Eatery & Gallery, 615 Mena Street, ☏ +1 479 394-1112. Art store and cafe.
Backwoods Lodge, ☏ +1 870 818-0892, [email protected]. Located near the Ouachita Mountains, this lodge has four bedrooms and a hot tub. Check-in 10AM, Check-out 2PM. $65-75, increased rates during hunting seasons. Mena Cabins and RV, 1047 Polk Rd 42, ☏ +1 479 883-5492, fax: +1 708-776-0288. This rental home is a 100 year old stone cottage that has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. Sleeps 1-4. Check-in: 3PM, Check-out 11AM. $150/night.
There is a Greyhound bus stop at the Exxon at 901 N U.S. 71. If driving, try to have a map or GPS, because Mena is tucked into one of the more isolated parts of the state.
Travel tips adapted from Mena (Arkansas) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
Trips to Mena, AR
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