Blog

Ready to shed the cabin fever blues and get some sun and much-needed fresh outdoor air? Grab some face masks and hand sanitizer, and pile your beloved and the kiddos in the family-mobile. Read on for a few suggestions from McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in Bentonville for unique destinations in Arkansas that make the Natural State genuine and fun. The Boston Mountains Scenic Loop Looking for a spectacular drive? We can never get enough of the beautiful Boston Mountains, and one of the best scenic drives in the state is Boston Mountain Scenic Loop, otherwise known as U.S. Highway 71. The gorgeous Boston Mountains Scenic Loop was once a stagecoach route in the mid-19th century. This picturesque drive will take you through twists and turns, pretty mountain towns, lush valleys, and quaint farmlands... more Just west of U.S. 71 and nearly as spectacular is I-49, which stretches over and above spectacular valleys and pristine flowing streams, and includes the only freeway tunnel in the entire state. Both of these routes offer plenty of areas for you and yours to take photographs or even to hike into the mountains and get up close with the Natural State. FOUKE MONSTER MART 104 Highway 71 Fouke, Arkansas Whenever you want to take a quirky but fun Arkansas road trip, head for Fouke, Arkansas. This destination is known for its legends about the gigantic Boggy Creek Monster, a seven-foot-tall Bigfoot-like creature reportedly seen by area locals since the 1940s. The creature is described as being completely covered in reddish-brown hair, leaving three-toed tracks, and having a foul body odor. For more in-depth information or local lore, the Fouke Monster Mart is the place to find out more about the Boggy Creek Monster. The souvenir store sells cool monster t-shirts and unique postcards, and still has a plaster cast of the monster’s foot on display. Be sure to take pictures. To get to the Fouke Monster Mart, just head toward Dequeen, AR, then make your way onto U.S. 71 and follow it into town. The Monster Mart store is just north of Butler Street. SIMS BAR-B-QUE 2415 Broadway Little Rock, AR If your adventures ever take you to the center of the Natural State, do yourself this one favor: stop in Little Rock for some of the best barbecue in Arkansas at the legendary Sims Bar-B-Que. The original Sims Bar-B-Que was started in 1937, when Allen and Amelia Sims opened up their restaurant to serve their take on bar-b-que with what became known as the world-famous Sims Bar-B-Que Sauce -- a tangy, mustard-based sauce of the type that's common in South Carolina. With that delicious secret sauce slathering every bit of perfectly-smoked pork, Sims quickly became a staple of Little Rock cuisine and the rest is history! The chopped pork sandwich plate is to die for and be sure to order yourself a slice of their famous sweet potato pie to complete one of the best meals around. Sims Bar-B-Que’s flagship store is located at Roosevelt and Broadway, in the heart of Little Rock. Your friends at McLarty Daniel hope these suggestions will assist you in planning your next road trip. As always we are here to help our customers. If you want to start your Spring fling by driving a new set of wheels like in a new GMC Yukon or the elegant Buick Enclave, stop by and let us assist you when you’re ready to purchase a new vehicle. Hope to see you soon! CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE MCLARTY DANIEL SALES TEAM

For a day trip or going for an extended visit with family during Thanksgiving, it's best to be prepared for anything. Especially now, it is imperative to have a great road trip plan, to help you and the family travel with confidence in these confusing times. McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in Bentonville would like to suggest some helpful hacks to make holiday travel more convenient and easy, so you can get the most out of your time with the family. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels! SNACKS TO GO: You can't have a road trip without snacks, but spills can happen, especially if you're traveling with the kiddos. To keep everyone’s snacks from ending up on the floorboard, recycle flip-top coffee creamer containers into snack containers. They are easy to fill up with the kids’ favorite snack, feature... more a snap lid that closes tight to prevent spills, and are easy to manage while on the road. CLEAN VEHICLE, FUN TRIP: There's no better way to trash up a road trip than riding in a cluttered vehicle filled with used snack wrappers and empty beverage cans. Here is a quick solution: transform an inexpensive plastic cereal container into a clever trash collector. Just insert a small trash can liner in the cereal container, and this hack will keep your ride tidy while you’re on the road. PREPARED AND READY: For the weak stomachs out there, it's always a good idea to be prepared in case one of your traveling companions gets car sick. Little nausea can turn into a big mess! Keep your road-trip barf free by creating a ready-to-go motion sickness kit out of a plastic storage bag containing the essentials. Inside, pack a few air-sickness bags (doubled brown paper bags), cleaning wipes, mints or hard candies to help fight off nausea, and over-the-counter medicines to help with motion sickness. SMARTPHONE APPS: Your smartphone is the ultimate travel tool to have ready at all times, and helps make your next trip easier and safer in dozens of ways. The Google Play and Apple Stores are awash in trip-friendly apps. For example, the helpful app, SitOrSquat, assists you in finding clean public restrooms while on the road. Then there's GasBuddy, the app that helps travelers find places to fill up on gas at the cheapest price We hope these travel hacks are helpful when out on the open road enjoying quality family fun. If you are in the market to purchase a new vehicle for your holiday excursions, don’t hesitate to contact your friends at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in Bentonville. Let us assist you with your vehicle needs. Be safe and Happy Thanksgiving! CLICK HERE TO CONTACT THE MCLARTY DANIEL SALES TEAM

IIt's October, and with Halloween fast approaching, it's the perfect season for roasted marshmallows, camping, and telling spooky stories by the light of a flickering campfire. Arkansas has always been home to great storytellers, and that includes quite a few stories about monsters that supposedly roam the hills and hollows of The Natural State, including a few that are alleged to hang out in NWA. Seen below, just for fun, check out details on three legendary monsters that are said to have their stomping grounds right here in Arkansas! And if you need a quality new or used vehicle without a monstrous price tag, come see us today at McLarty Daniel... more Buick GMC, where our deals on wheels are always treats, with no tricks! Have a great October and a Happy Halloween, from your friends at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC THE WHITE RIVER MONSTER Situated in the farming country in the Northeast part of Arkansas, Newport might be the last place you'd expect a monster to lurk. But since at least 1915, residents along the muddy White River there have reported seeing a long, scaly river monster that has become known locally as "Whitey." Described by eyewitnesses as between 40 and 50 feet long and as wide as a car, the creature is said to have gray, smooth, hairless skin like a seal, and blows up great blasts of water when agitated or frightened. In the 1930s, locals were so convinced of the existence of the beast that a wealthy local plantation owner named Bramlett Bateman, who claimed he saw the creature while working near the White River, funded the construction of a massive, river-spanning rope net to try to capture the creature alive. That effort failed, but Bateman stuck to his guns about his claims of seeing the monster for the rest of his life, later bringing in experienced former Navy Divers in primitive scuba gear to look for it underwater. Another notable run of sightings began in 1971, when locals again claimed to see a gray, horned beast more than 20 feet long in the White River, with investigators later documenting a trail of three-toed tracks along a muddy riverbank, with each print measuring 14 inches long. Investigators later found a trail of 14-inch-long footprints, each with three toes, along the riverbank. Interest in the monster was so great that in 1973 the Arkansas State Legislature made it illegal to hunt, harass or harm the White River Monster. The creature hasn't been sighted in many years, now, but there's always time! THE FOUKE MONSTER Situated in the extreme southwest corner of Arkansas in Miller County, the tiny town of Fouke always might seem like an unlikely place for a monster to lurk. But since at least the 1940s, locals and visitors have been reporting sightings of a family of massive, hairy, Bigfoot-like creatures that have since come to be collectively known as "The Fouke Monster." One of Arkansas's most enduring monster legends, The Fouke Monster stories were always about furtive glimpses of a shy, shambling ape until May 1971, when Fouke resident Bobby Ford and his family raced into town and breathlessly told police of their family farm being attacked by the Fouke Monster, which they described as hairy, walking upright like a person and seven feet tall with bright red eyes. The Ford family told police that the trouble started the previous evening around dusk, when Bobby Ford's brother saw the massive creature walking across their rural property. Grabbing a rifle from the house, Ford claimed he took a shot at it with a high-powered rifle, apparently knocking it down and wounding it. The Ford Family told deputies that the enraged creature then attacked their house, trying to break down the door and at one point shoving a long, hairy arm through a window in an attempt to grab one of them. After several terrifying hours with the creature trying its best to break in, the Fords said, they were able to escape to a truck and race to town, where they reported their story to police. Investigators who visited the property the next day found no sign of the creature, but they did discover huge tracks and deep scratches on the wood of the porch, as if made by massive claws. After the story was reported in the local paper, it hit the wires and was republished coast to coast by the Associated Press, which coined the name “The Fouke Monster." Eventually, the story was made into a low-budget horror movie called “The Legend of Boggy Creek” and a sequel. As for the Fouke Monster, while sightings do occasionally come in to local police departments, the apparently peaceful beast hasn't decided to attack another home since the alleged assault on the Ford Farm. THE OZARK HOWLER For a fantastic Arkansas beast that roams a little closer to home here in Northwest Arkansas, we now turn to The Ozark Howler, a frightful creature that legends say haunts the hills in North Arkansas and Southern Missouri. Some legends describe the Ozark Howler as being the size of a black bear, covered in dense black fur, with the horns and beard of a goat, while others say the Howler is a giant cat about as large as a Bengal tiger, with glowing yellow eyes and a sleek black coat. What the accounts all agree on, however, is the Ozark Howler's blood-chilling cry, which carries for miles in the mountains and which is supposed to sound like a cross between the howl of a large timberwolf and the terrified scream of a woman. For the settlers who pioneered life in the Ozarks, some of whom slept outside in their travels with only a blanket, a campfire and a single-shot rifle for protection, that cry must have been blood-curdling indeed. Whatever the case, stories of the Ozark Howler have been a favorite around campfires in the Arkansas Ozarks since at least the early 1800s, and have since been collected in several anthologies of Ozark folklore. In more recent years, the stories seem to have been joined with tales of the Black Panther, a massive black cat, always nocturnal, that many claim to exist in Arkansas, also producing a blood-curdling scream. Folklorists, however, suggest both the Ozark Howler and the Arkansas Black Panther may both be just tall tales, possibly a folkloric remnant of stories of the demonic black hellhounds of Scottish and Irish folktales, brought to America with immigrants from Scotland, Ireland and England and adapted to better fit the creatures travellers saw in the Ozarks, including bears and cougars. That said, if you hear a deathly cry in the Ozarks while camping this fall, don't say we didn't warn you!

It's autumn in Arkansas again, and that means it's perfect weather to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in Arkansas. Build a campfire, roast some marshmallows and hot dogs, and generally have a grand old time in the cool evening air. If you own a hard-working GMC Canyon of GMC Sierra 1500, finding your way to adventure at one of Arkansas's incredible campgrounds is easier than ever. If the weather is nice, or if you own a camper shell, you can even sleep right in your GMC truck, away from the critters, bugs and various no-seeums that can make camping more of an adventure than you bargained for! Seen below, check out McLarty Daniel Buick GMC's tips for planning a perfect camping trip in your GMC truck! Got no GMC truck to go camping in? We can fix that! Come see us today for a test drive... more of a beautiful 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, or 2021 GMC Canyon, or check out our full selection at our website right now. 1) PACK SMART: We're not just talking about not forgetting the sticks to roast hot dogs on either (we'll get to that). Camping means bringing everything you might possibly need in with you so you. Just a few of the things you should take, especially if you're planning to get deep in the backwoods: Basic tools Jumper cables or a charged jump-starter Recovery tools including a full-size shovel, a DC-powered air compressor and recovery straps A first aid kit, and several days worth of any medications you take in a waterproof container Extra fuel for both your truck and camp stove if you're taking one 2) SLEEP SMART: Going camping means roughing it, so be sure you know where everybody is going to sleep, with provisions for inclement weather. GMC sells several "truck tents" that cover all or part of your truck bed and sleep up to four comfortably. Or, if you own a camper shell for your truck, you can build a simple plywood platform and bring a full-size mattress along for the utmost in outdoor comfort. 3) FOOD, SUPPLIES AND STORAGE: Luckily, the GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500 both include plenty of dry interior storage where you can keep your camping supplies and food safe from bugs, scavengers and water. Need more space and organization? GMC sells sturdy truck-bed storage drawers that make the entire bed floor lockable storage that's secure when the tailgate is up. Check it out here. 4) PREP AND PLAN: Eating outdoors is one of the funnest parts of going camping, so plan what you want to eat and be sure to bring everything, including spices, ingredients and measuring cups and spoons and more. And unless you're cool cooking over a campfire -- which is trickier than it looks -- be sure to bring extra propane for your camp stove or you're going to be eating a lot of cold sandwiches. 5) DON'T FORGET YOUR DEVICES! Just because you're getting away from it all doesn't mean you want to get away from everything! Even if you're planning to completely unplug during your camping trip, you should still keep at least one phone charged and ready for emergencies. If you aren't planning on going completely off-grid, many GMC trucks include a 120-Volt outlet in the bed that can power phone/device chargers, and many 2021 GMC trucks include the ability to use the truck as a WiFi hotspot so you can browse the internet, even in the great outdoors. It's time to get out there and enjoy this cooler weather, Northwest Arkansas! Is your truck ready? If not, come see us today for a test drive of a beautiful, adventure-hungry GMC Canyon or GMC Sierra today. Or you can check out our full selection online right now.

With the Coronavirus shutdown of recent months and more of us trying to do our part by social distancing, you might feel like your entertainment options have shrunk dramatically compared to this time last year. One thing that you CAN do to pass the time safely is take a long and relaxing drive. Northwest Arkansas is great for that, full of sights and sounds. But what if you've been there and done that and the "new" has worn off? Well, one way to make any downtime better, including a long drive, is by listening to a great podcast. The world of podcasting has really exploded in both quality and variety in recent years, with shows on topics of every flavor, including relationships, sports, crime, history and more. You can find them on Spotify, iTunes, and.... more other popular online music sources. . Seen below, check out McLarty Daniel Buick GMC's suggestions for three great podcasts to listen to for entertainment while you're taking a long and relaxing drive. Whether you're driving just for the heck of it, taking a vacation or travelling for work, any one of these is guaranteed to make the long miles fly by! And if you need a vehicle with a great sound system to play those podcasts clear as a bell, come see us today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, or check out our big selection online right now. THE MISSIONARY: While there are millions of needy people around the world who rely on the kindness of charitable organizations to survive, light oversight of charities -- especially in poverty-stricken countries -- can lead to some horrific problems when either do-gooders go wrong or they set out to do bad things in the first place. In "The Missionary," journalists Rajiv Golla, Halima Gikandi and Malcolm Burnley take a deep dive into the story of American missionary Renee Bach, a woman who ran a charity that set out to help desperately needy children in the African nation of Uganda, but left death and confusion in its wake. Over the course of seven episodes Golla, Gikani and Burnley look into Bach background, what forces drove her to go to Africa as a recently-graduated high school student from Virgina, and why things went so horribly wrong at the charity she started. 13 MINUTES TO THE MOON: On a scale from one to "impossible," the mission to put a human being on the surface of the moon in 1969 must rank right up there with one of the most impossible things that has ever been attempted. That it succeeded in an age when computers were as big as a delivery truck and most calculations were still done by slide rule is not only a stunning scientific achievement, it's one of the greatest stories ever. In the podcast "13 Minutes to the Moon," the BBC sets out to tell this incredible true story, calling on many of the people who made it possible for Neil Armstrong to say: "That was one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind on July 20, 1969. Featuring a score by movie composer Hans Zimmer, this 12 episode podcast is for anyone who has ever looked up at the moon and marveled over the knowledge and courage it took to take us there. TALKING SOPRANOS: Whether you were a fan when the show was on the air or have picked it up in reruns or on HBO streaming, you know "The Sopranos" has earned its place as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Following the story of New Jersey mob-boss Tony Soprano (played by the late, great James Gandolfini) as he tries to raise a family while simultaneously runs a wide-ranging criminal empire, the show is raw, brilliantly written, often hysterically funny and always awe inspiring in its depth of emotion and character development. Over twenty years after the show debuted, stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, who played Tony's protege Christopher and rotund wiseguy Bobby Baccalieri, respectively, launched the "Talking Sopranos" podcast during the coronavirus lockdown to immediate fanfare. Schirripa and Imperioli discuss one episode per week, starting with the pilot episode. Whether you're a big-time Sopranos fan or not, their show -- featuring their recollections of crucial scenes, and guest appearances by show stars including Robert Iler and Edie Falco -- is a true delight. In addition to the always-hilarious back and forth between the two long-time friends, "Talking Sopranos" delivers the goods, including Schirripa and Imperioli spilling the fava beans on things even diehard fans were never privy to when the show was on the air.

The coronavirus epidemic likely has you rethinking everything, including how you shop, how you work, how you educate your kids and everything else under the sun. It's sure changed things for us here at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, where we've instituted innovations like come-to-you test drives and at-home service pickups and deliveries to help our customers keep shopping for and servicing the cars vehicles need. While coronavirus may have put a damper on some of your plans, one safe thing you can do right now is get out and take a long drive. With gas prices at historic lows and spring in full bloom, it's a great time for a drive, and as long as you don't stop much, practice good hand-washing, pack a lunch and bring hand sanitizer in case you do have to stop, it's safe, relaxing and fun. Lucky... more for us here in Northwest Arkansas, our region is home to some of the most beautiful scenic routes and all of the United States, and any one of them is ripe for a responsibly social-distanced day out of the house. Seen below, check out three of our favorite drives you can take from Northwest Arkansas. And if you need a great new or reliable used car to get you there, count on McLarty Daniel Buick GMC to help you get into the driver's seat. Give us a call today, or check out our big selection at our website right now. Interstate 49 Bentonville to Alma While interstates get a bad wrap when you're wanting to do some sightseeing, Interstate 49 is no regular ol' interstate! Weaving through some of the most majestic scenery of the Boston Mountains between Bentonville and Alma, including a dip underground through the Bobby Hopper Tunnel I-49 offers some truly breathtaking views, especially from the highway bridges that span between mountains along the way, with some of the bridges over 200 feet from the valley floor below. If you've never slowed down to marvel over the engineering feat of I-49, you should, not to mention some of the beautiful sights along the way. For a slower pace on the way back (and some equally-spectacular views) pick up U.S. Highway 71 out of Alma on the way home. The Pig Trail Fayetteville to Ozark Though Interstate 40 stole a lot of the traffic from the iconic "Pig Trail" that was once one of the only sole way to get to Northwest Arkansas if you were coming from the central part of the state, if you're looking for a relaxing drive full of breathtaking sights that will really help bust those quarantine blues, the lack of traffic is a feature, not a bug. The lightly-traveled highway is great these days when you want to really slow down and enjoy the natural splendor on display. Best of all, thanks to the Interstate 49, you can take your time coming down, then pop over to Alma and hit I-49 to put the pedal down and let the ponies run. Start in Fayetteville and head south on Highway 16 at Brashears, then follow Highway 23 down to Ozark, where you'll meet I-40. Mount Magazine Scenic Byway Havana to Mount Magazine State Park Though it's hard to beat Mt. Petit Jean near Morrilton for beautiful views, when it comes to the king of peaks in Arkansas, there can be only one, and Numero Uno is Logan County's Mount Magazine, near the small town of Paris, Arkansas. Towering 2,753 feet high, with a winding road that takes you all the way to Mount Magazine State Park at the top, the only thing better that the mountain might be the drive you have to take from Northwest Arkansas to get you there. The Mount Magazine Scenic Byway runs 45 miles along Arkansas Highway 309, running from the town of Havana Yell County all the way to Mount Magazine. It is a true treasure of Arkansas scenic drives, rising more than 2,300 feet from start to finish. In the springtime, with the hills in bloom, it's an incredible journey. Before you go, be sure to check the website of Mt. Magazine State Park online to make sure the park is open to visitors. This is just the tip of the iceberg to all the safe, scenic drives available to you here in Northwest Arkansas. What's your favorite drive. Share it with us in the comments and maybe we'll highlight it in a future post of the official blog of McLarty Daniel Buick GMC! Stay safe out there, and for all your automotive needs, trust McLarty Daniel Buick GMC to be there for you and your family.

Christmastime is here again, and in addition to food, decorations and merriment, this time of year gets a lot of folks thinking about the less fortunate and those who don't have as much. The work to help the less fortunate goes on year round, and here in Northwest Arkansas, we're lucky to have more than our share of stellar non-profits that do the good work of giving people a hand up to a brighter, better future. If you're looking to contribute or volunteer this Christmas season or in the new year ahead, seen below are details on three incredible charities doing great work right here in Northwest Arkansas. Whether you want to give of your time or a cash or material contribution, any one of these would be a great place to do it. They're some of the best examples of the giving, compassionate... more spirit that makes Northwest Arkansas a great place to live, work and raise a family. It's part of the reason why everyone at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC is proud to call this Northwest Arkansas home. From all of us: Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year to you and yours. Laundry Love Northwest Arkansas If you've ever been without a washer and dryer long term, you understand how tough it can be to keep your clothes clean. Tack on the added expense of using a laundromat -- which, with washing and drying, can be up to $7 per load or more depending on the location -- and you can easily see how many less-fortunate people in Northwest Arkansas often have to make hard decisions between food, rent and clean clothes to wear. Helping fill that gap is Laundry Love NWA. Part of a nationwide Laundry Love initiative, Laundry Love NWA is one of the efforts of the non-profit group Serve NWA, and seeks to provide people the dignity of clean clothes through monthly events at local laundromats, with access to washers and dryers provided free of charge one night of the month. Held at Rogers, Fayetteville and Springdale, these events also include a potluck dinner for volunteers and participants to enjoy while clothes go round and round in the suds. An all-volunteer service, Laundry Love relies heavily on donations of funds and detergent. A little of your time and money can go a long way toward helping people be proud of themselves and their appearance again. For more information or to contribute, visit their website at: servenwa.org/laundry-love/ CASA of Northwest Arkansas Founded in Seattle in 1977, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has since spread all over the nation, training, recruiting and supporting people just like you who serve as decision makers and advocates for children in courtroom settings, including kids who have been abused, neglected, or who are currently part of the foster care system. Since 1997, the superheroes without capes at CASA of Northwest Arkansas have been fulfilling that mission in Washington, Benton, Madison and Carroll Counties, building relationships with the vulnerable children they serve, learning about their unique situations, and helping kids make the legal decisions that will literally shape the rest of their lives and help them find their way to a more peaceful future. If you have the time and love to spare, there is no specific background or education required to be a CASA volunteer, and they will provide special training in areas like child mental health, working with vulnerable children, and the psychological aftermath of abuse and neglect. If your circumstances allow you to contribute, CASA of Northwest Arkansas accepts tax-deductible donations of cash and other items. For more information, visit their website at: www.nwacasa.org Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas Right now, think back on your childhood and recall that adult in your life who gave you a hand up, a pat on the back or a "good job" at exactly the moment you needed it. Along with loving parents or guardians, those are the adults who truly shape our lives. For over a century, Big Brothers and Big Sisters has been helping provide those life-changing role models to kids all over the nation as the oldest and most effective youth-mentoring organization in America. Founded in 1995, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas has spent over two decades strengthening families in Northwest Arkansas by providing mentoring "Bigs" to "Littles" ages 6 to 14 years old in Benton and Washington Counties. Together, these carefully-paired friends spend a few days every month doing rewarding, low-cost activities together like a day in the park, catching a movie or visiting one of our great local museums. In the process, these volunteers make a real difference in the lives of children, improving their self-esteem, relationships, and outlook on their future while helping them avoid pitfalls that can take their the lives in less-than-positive directions. Anyone can volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister, and the group also accepts tax-deductible charitable donations to help further their mission. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas, to volunteer or to learn how you can help, visit their website at: bbbsnwa.org

A lot of us here at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC are history buffs. Plus, with November being Native American Heritage Month, it's a great time to look at some of the places in Arkansas where you can explore our state's rich Native American history. While there are no federal Native American reservations in Arkansas, there are dozens of federally recognized tribes associated with Arkansas. These include the Quapaw, Tunica and Osage — all of which left their mark in history. Read on for three incredible places in Arkansas where you can explore Native American heritage! And if you need a top-notch vehicle to get you there, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, or check out our full lineup of great Buick and GMC vehicles right now on our website.... more Start Car Shopping Online Today PLUM BAYOU MOUNDS ARCHEOLOGICAL STATE PARK 490 Toltec Mounds Road | Scott, AR Sprawling over a 100-acre site in Lonoke County near the small community of Scott, Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park (formerly known as the Toltec Mounds) is one of the largest Native American sites in the Mississippi River Valley. The centerpiece of the park is several towering earthen mounds, built entirely by hauling dirt in baskets, which were constructed between 650 and 1050 A.D. The mounds were built by a people known by archeologists as the Plum Bayou Culture, who had long since disappeared by the time Europeans first made contact with natives in the area. Believed to have been used for ceremonial purposes for around 300 years, the site today includes 18 mounds, with the largest being 49 feet high. Several of the mounds, which originally featured flat tops where researchers believe powerful religious leaders constructed temples and homes, were built to line up with where the sun touches the horizon at the summer and winter equinox. Admission to the park is free, and there are well-maintained paved paths to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. Great Spring Break Destinations in NWA PARKIN ARCHEOLOGICAL STATE PARK 60 State Hwy 184 | Parkin, AR Located along the St. Francis River in Cross County, Parkin Archeological State Park preserves the site of a 17-acre Native American village. The village is believed to be the town of Casqui, which was mentioned in writings from the 1541 expedition by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and home to the Arkansas Archeological Survey Research Station since 1990, the site is believed to have been established at some point between 1000 and 1250 A.D. as an important trading and farming village. Once surrounded by a water-filled moat and a high wooden wall made of locally harvested trees, the fortified village was home to up to a thousand inhabitants at one point. Excavations show they farmed a number of valuable crops, including beans, squash, sunflowers and tobacco, and prowled surrounding forests and waterways for fish, turtles and wild game. Today, park interpreters provide guided tours and educational events at the park, which includes a picnic area, playground and boat ramp to the St. Francis River. Admission is free. Best Dog Parks in Northwest Arkansas THE MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY 202 SW O Street | Bentonville, AR Founded in 2006 by David Bogle, a native of Bentonville who is a registered member of the Cherokee Nation, Bentonville's Museum of Native American History moved to its current gallery space in June 2008. Currently, the museum houses a collection of over 10,000 Native American artifacts. The collection is a mixture of Bogle's own collection along with items loaned to the museum by private collectors. Exhibitions at the museum take visitors through Native American history in the area, showcasing items ranging in history from the Paleo Period of 12,000 B.C. all the way up to art and artifacts from the present day. Admission to the museum is free, and they hold special exhibitions and events throughout the year. Local Coffee Spots Worth Visiting There's a lot of great history out there in Arkansas, and if you need a great new or used vehicle to get you there, stop in and check out our great selection today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC! Or you can check us out online right now!

Fall will soon be here, and in addition to cooler weather, hunting season and football, if you're like most Americans, there will probably be some fall road trips in your future soon. Here at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, one of the ways we've found to cut those long miles down to size is a great podcast, online radio shows that feature stories, comedy, information, history, you name it. One of our favorite categories of podcast these days is of the automotive variety, with folks in the know dishing about everything from Detroit news to racing to cars they owned in their younger days. Read on for four of our favorite automotive-themed podcasts. Find them on services like Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. And when you're ready to own a great new.... more or used vehicle to listen to your podcast while driving, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, or check out our big selection online right now. THE DALE JUNIOR DOWNLOAD If you're into NASCAR racing, there's a good chance there are a few drivers you love to hate (and maybe even a few you hate to love). Love him or hate him, you've got to admit, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a winner in every sense of the word. The two-time Daytona 500 champion who has been voted the Most Popular Driver in NASCAR a record 15 times, Dale Jr. and co-host Mike Davis share the wheel on this fun and informative look at the behind the scenes world of auto racing, with fascinating commentary, insight and predictions about NASCAR seasons past and present that could only come from someone who has lived and breathed the racing life at the highest level. HERITAGE ROAD Speaking of NASCAR, America's favorite racing series wasn't always the well-financed, carefully-regulated, billion-dollar spectacle it is today. Way back in the 1940s and '50s, it was just a bunch of hot rodders (many of them moonshiners, who hopped up their vehicles to help elude the law) looking to see whose car was the fastest and whose driving was the slickest. In this podcast, hosted by Rich Phillips, the voice of the Texas Motor Speedway, listeners can take a deep dive into the long and shady history of NASCAR, tracing the sport from its early whiskey-running roots to today's giant, high-banked ovals that have become temples of speed. CAR TALK In the days before the internet, folks looking for help with their cars were pretty much stuck with few options to turn to for information when their vehicles took a clunk, boink, squeak, rattle or turn for the worse. Filling the gap in those strange, pre-Google, pre-Yahoo days were the hilarious hosts of Car Talk, a nationally-syndicated public radio program that allowed people to call in and talk to seasoned mechanics Ray and Tom Magliozzi about their automotive woes. Though Tom has since headed for that big grease pit in the sky, the shows of yesteryear are all still archived online in this still-informative and always-hilarous podcast, which gives a reliably funny glimpse into the way wrenchin' used to be. THE SKIDMARKS SHOW From Henry Ford racing his earliest speedsters through the streets of Dearborn to today's million dollar supercars, vehicles of all stripes are meant to be FUN! That seems to be the idea behind The Skidmark Show, a weekly podcast that delves into all things wonderful, weird and worrisome about cars. Hosted by Jeff Allen of CNBC's "The Car Chasers" and rock DJ and serious car guy Ethan Demetrius, The Skidmark Show is an always-fun look into the world of vehicles, with Demetrius and Allen both reviewing new models and talking about the cars they've loved in the past with a host of famous and infamous guests, including Formula Drift star Vaughn Gittin, Jr., Tom Keller of Cinderella and the original inventor of the Hot Wheels Track. It's always a good time. Whatever you're looking for in a podcast, these four should have something to fit the bill. And whatever you're looking for in a great car, truck or SUV, McLarty Daniel Buick GMC can make it happen, thanks to our incredible selection of new and pre-owned vehicles. Stop in today for a test drive, or check out our full selection online right now.

We're blessed to live in Arkansas for a lot of reasons, and one of the best is the stellar food our state has to offer. From the piney woods down south to the mountains in the northwest to the delta in the east, there's great food to be had in almost every little town and big city in the state. Though momma always told us to eat three square meals a day, we sneak in a round one every once in awhile in the form of a delicious pizza. Is there any meal more convenient? No fork or knife required; just two hands, an appetite and some napkins to clean up the aftermath. We call that the perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner! We're lucky to have dozens of great pizza places in Arkansas, and seen below are four that are definitely worth a road trip. So read on for four of our favorite pizza joints... more in Arkansas. And if you need a great new or used vehicle to get you there, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, where our deals are unmatched and our service is unparalleled. DELUCA'S PIZZA NAPOLETANA 831 Central Ave. Hot Springs http://delucashotsprings.com Started in 2013 as a cozy, six-table restaurant, Deluca's Pizzeria Napoletana has distinguished itself since then as one of the Natural State's premiere places for gourmet pizza, featuring wood-fired pies loaded with fresh ingredients, artisan cheese and a plentiful serving of love. Though they moved to a larger space in 2018, be prepared to wait for a table during peak hours, and for a bit of sticker shock. Signature pizzas go from upwards of $28 each, but are totally worth it. IRIANA'S PIZZA 201 East Markham St. Little Rock www.irianaspizza.com A great, brightly-lit pizza joint situated only a block away from Little Rock's fun and entertainment-packed River Market District, Iriana's pizza serves up some of the best pies in the city thanks to the skills of proprietor John Iriana, an Italian-American who really knows what he's doing in the kitchen. Big ol' pizzas loaded with delicious toppings on a crunchy/chewy crust are the standard fare, but there's nothing standard about the flavor. For a truly supreme experience, try their "Clean the Floor" special with everything but the kitchen sink. NIMA'S PIZZA 109 S. School Street Gassville www.nimaspizza.com Situated in tiny Gassville a few miles from Mountain Home in extreme north central Arkansas, Nima's Pizza may be a little out of the way for most folks, but you're never going to beat the family-friendly atmosphere or the delicious pizzas served up by this small, family-run joint. Each pizza is made with love, hand-tossed at the time of order from a secret family dough recipe that's whipped up fresh every day. From there, they pile on the toppings for a pie that's as delicious as it is affordable. Got a crowd to feed? Try Nima's 16" x 26" "Family Sheet" pizzas, which serve 8 to 10 adults. ROD'S PIZZA CELLAR 3350 Central Ave. Hot Springs www.rodspizzacellar.com Another stellar pizza joint from Hot Springs, Rod's Pizza Cellar has been a local institution since 1975, dishing up huge, stick-to-your-ribs fare that includes sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes galore. The star of the show, however, is the pizza: dictionary-thick pies on a buttery crust, loaded with so many topping and so much cheese that you may need a fork to eat it and a box for the leftovers, even if you go conservative and only order a small. For the biggest appetites, try the legendary Rod's Godfather, with copious amounts of pepperoni, Canadian bacon, onions, green peppers, olives and sausage loaded down with over a pound of shredded provolone. Stick with the 10-inch or 13-inch unless you're feeding an army. It's delicious either way. Did we get you hungry? Ready to get out there and find some delicious pizza? Get there in style with a beautiful new GMC or Buick vehicle from McLarty Daniel Buick GMC. Stop in today for a test drive, or check out our full selection online right now.

Summertime means plenty of sun, the kids out of school and ample opportunities to get out there and see a little more of this beautiful state we all call home. You're lucky to live in Arkansas if you're a foodie, as the state has more than its fair share of great food. Some of the best to be had: the state's incredible selection of world-class barbecue joints, from inner-city establishments to little barbecue pits way out in the boondocks, Arkansas barbecue might not be as legendary as the cue in Texas, but we'll put this state's ribs, smoked chicken and maybe even a few of our brisket plates up against anything found in the Lone Star State. more Seen below, check out our list of five Arkansas barbecue joints that are well worth the drive, or worth a stop if you're just out and about in the state. And if you need a beautiful new or pre-owned vehicle to get you there in style, stop in at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC and check out our great selection of new and used cars, trucks, vans and SUVs today! JONES' B-B-Q DINER 219 West Louisiana Street, Marianna The East Arkansas Delta is the cradle of great Arkansas barbecue, and the little town of Marianna is home to what might be the greatest of them all: Jones' B-B-Q Diner. A surprise winner of the James Beard Award -- normally handed out to world-renowned five-star restaurants -- Jones' B-B-Q Diner has been around since the 1920s and is about as bare bones as you can get, situated in a simple cinderblock building with a handpainted sign out front. The pork butt and sides, however? Divine, even if they are served on plain ol' white bread. Get there early, though, as they usually sell out quick. MCCLARD'S BARBECUE 505 Albert Pike Road in Hot Springs Another classic, old-line barbecue joint in a building that looks like it could be a set piece in a 1920s road movie, McClard's Barbecue is a family-owned place that has been around since 1928. There's even a fascinating story about how it came to be, with the McClard Family, who originally ran a small motel nearby, accepting the recipe for their barbecue sauce from a destitute boarder who couldn't pay his rent. Though the author of the recipe is lost to time, thankfully, McClard's is still around, dishing up some of the best barbecue in Central Arkansas with loads of their tangy, one-of-a-kind sauce. Bring cash, though, as they don't accept cards. SIMS BARBECUE 2415 Broadway Street in Little Rock When a restaurant has been around over 80 years, you know they have to be doing something right in the kitchen. Little Rock's Sims Barbecue, opened in 1936, seems to do everything right when it comes to down-home barbecue and delicious sides. A favorite of President Bill Clinton back before he had a few heart attacks and went vegetarian, Sims moved a few years back from their ramshackle building on 36th Street, but is still dishing up great stuff at affordable prices, serenaded by one of the best juke boxes in the city. One difference at Sims, other than the consistent quality of their hardwood-smoked pork and ribs, is their sauce: a yellow mustard/vinegar/brown sugar concoction that bears more resemblance to the barbecue found in South Carolina than any sauce served up in these parts. The sweet and tangy sauce is perfect, as are their soul food sides, homemade cakes and pies. NICK'S BARBECUE & CATFISH 1012 Bobby Glover Highway in Carlisle Serving up delectable barbecue and sides since 1972, Nick's Barbecue and Catfish in Carlisle recently moved to a larger restaurant space near their old location to better serve the hordes of diners coming off I-30 to sample their delicious menu. Don't fancy some of the best ribs and pulled pork in the state? That's cool. As the name implies, Nick's also serves meaty and delicious Arkansas-raised catfish and all the fixins, plus delicious onion rings, classic Arkansas cheese dip, homemade salsa and more, with scratch-made cheesecake, chocolate cakes and fried pies for dessert. Hope you don't have too far to go once you leave, because you'll leave Nick's stuffed, guaranteed. WHOLE HOG CAFE Original location at 2516 Cantrell Road in Little Rock While the original location of Little Rock's Whole Hog Cafe -- located in a bland strip mall a few doors down from an Office Depot -- may not look as cool on the outside as McClard's in Hot Springs or Jones in Marianna, one look at the hundreds of trophies and certificates from the nation's top barbecue competitions should clue you in that the barbecue is going to more than make up for the lack of ambiance. Now the flagship of a small chain, the original Whole Hog serves up truly incredible pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, sausage and ribs as the core of a menu where the sides are just as good, including spicy baked beans, a creamy, mayo-based potato salad, and even southern faves like creamed corn and greens. Save room for dessert, too, as their huge, fudgy chocolate brownies might be the best in the state.

February is here, and that means Valentine's Day, the holiday of love, romance and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. If you're still looking for that perfect gift for a special someone, we have a great suggestion: Eureka Springs! Located right here in Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs has a charm that's unlike any other city or town in the region, full of Victorian charm and small-town romance that will put the perfect bow on your Valentine. Read on for our suggestions for stops in a perfect Valentine's Weekend get-away in Eureka Springs. And if you're looking to fall in love with a new or used car, truck, van or SUV, stop in at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, where we have plenty of vehicles worthy of your affections. more Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbit Houses 3018 E Van Buren St. When you're planning that perfect weekend get away, where you stay is very, very important to striking that perfect romantic tone. And what could be more romantic that staying in a beautiful treehouse, a luxurious cave-turned-guesthouse, a real castle, or -- if you're into the "Lord of the Rings" books and films -- a Hobbit House? Making those fantasies a reality is the name of the game at Eureka Springs Treehouses on E. Van Buren Street. Each of their fantasy accommodations is outfitted with luxurious amenities like Jacuzzi tubs and king size beds, for a one-of-a-kind night in a one-of-a-kind dwelling. For more information, visit their website at estreehouses.com Le Stick Nouveau 63 Spring Street Eureka Springs has long been known for their fine hotels, but when it comes to fine dining, few establishments in town are able to match Le Stick Nouveau. This cozy French restaurant, situated on the first floor of the beautiful New Orleans Hotel, takes food and presentation to the next level. Named for the original Candlestick Inn in Branson and owned by the same couple, Le Stick Nouveau features an excellent menu of daring and delicious food, plus one of the best wine cellars in Northwest Arkansas. While it isn't as cheap as some places and it can be hard to get a table on a busy weekend night, Le Stick Nouveau is an unsung gem of the local restaurant scene and the perfect meal for a romantic night. For more information and a full menu, check out their website at: lestick.com St. Elizabeth's Church 30 Crescent Drive After your meal, you might want to get out and stroll a bit with your significant other. Strolling is a very Victorian thing to do, and the city is great for that, day or night. One of our favorite, secluded places for a romantic walk is on the grounds of the beautiful St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, just down the hill from the Crescent Hotel. The gorgeous grounds are built around a domed sanctuary of native stone, and are open all night. It's perfect for some romantic strolling. While you're there, be sure to admire the bell tower. Because of the hilly terrain of Eureka Springs, St. Elizabeth's is the only church in the world with an entrance through the top of the bell tower, a fact that got it listed in the famous Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge 239 Turpentine Creek Lane Getting out and about in Eureka is always fun. Between the numerous art galleries, antique stores, coffee shops and restaurants, there's plenty to keep you busy. One of our favorite ways to kill a few hours in Eureka Springs is a visit to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. One of the largest wildlife facilities in America that's open to the public, Turpentine Creek specializes in the rescue and care of big cats, including many that have been abandoned by owners who took on a "pet" that grew into more than they could handle, and cats that were once abused in circuses and roadside zoos. At Turpentine Creek, all animals are treated with the care and dignity they deserve. Stop in for a chance to get up close and personal with their family of lions, pumas, bobcats, and rare white tigers. It's an experience you won't soon forget.