SPRING BREAK IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

As summer winds down, there's still time to squeeze in a few more memorable adventures before fall arrives. At McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, we understand the importance of making the most of these fleeting summer days. That's why we've compiled a list of easy end-of-summer trips in Northwest Arkansas that are perfect for savoring the last few days of the season. Pack up your vehicle and hit the road to explore these local gems! more BEAVER LAKE Just a short drive from Bentonville, Beaver Lake offers 28,000 acres of crystal-clear water surrounded by scenic Ozark Mountain landscapes. Spend a day swimming, fishing, or boating on the lake's pristine waters. It’s also an excellent area for birdwatching, so be sure to pack your binoculars and bird ID app! For a unique experience, rent a pontoon boat and explore hidden coves and inlets. Don't forget to pack a picnic to enjoy on one of the many shoreline beaches! BROWSE OUR SELECTION OF NEW VEHICLES DEVIL'S DEN STATE PARK Located in the heart of the Ozarks, Devil's Den State Park is a nature lover's paradise. Hike through lush forests, explore fascinating rock formations, and cool off in the park's refreshing swimming pool. For a truly memorable experience, book one of the park's rustic cabins for an overnight stay. As the sun sets, gather around a campfire and stargaze in the clear night sky. CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART While not a traditional outdoor destination, Crystal Bridges offers a perfect blend of art and nature. Founded by Alice Walton of the Walton Walmart family, this museum is a beautiful and eye-opening art experience. Stroll through the museum's stunning outdoor trails, which feature world-class sculptures set against the backdrop of the Ozarks. Inside, explore the extensive collection of American art, ranging from colonial times to contemporary works. Best of all, admission to the museum is always free! REMEMBER THESE SPOTS FOR YOUR NEXT SPRING BREAK BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER For a dose of adventure, head to the Buffalo National River, America's first National River. Rent canoes or kayaks and float down the gentle currents, taking in the breathtaking limestone bluffs and diverse wildlife. Stop at gravel bars along the way for swimming and picnicking. For a shorter trip, visit the Tyler Bend area for scenic hiking trails and easy river access. EUREKA SPRINGS Step back in time with a visit to the charming Victorian-inspired town of Eureka Springs. Wander through the winding streets lined with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Take a ride on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway for a scenic tour of the surrounding countryside. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Thorncrown Chapel, an architectural marvel of glass and steel nestled in the Ozark woods. LAKE FORT SMITH STATE PARK Just a short drive from the historic western town of Fort Smith, Lake Fort Smith State Park offers a perfect blend of water activities and mountain scenery. Rent a kayak or paddleboat to explore the lake, or hike along the park's scenic trails. The park also features a swimming pool and playground, making it ideal for families. Stay until evening to witness a spectacular sunset over the lake. WITHROW SPRINGS STATE PARK For a quieter, more secluded experience, visit Withrow Springs State Park near Huntsville. This hidden gem offers easy hiking trails, including a short walk to a picturesque waterfall. The park's spring-fed stream is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Bring your fishing gear to try your luck in the trout-filled waters of War Eagle Creek. SAVOR SUMMER WITH A NEW BUICK OR GMC As summer draws to a close, these easy trips offer the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, Northwest Arkansas has something for everyone. At McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, we're proud to be part of a community with such diverse and beautiful attractions. So, load up your vehicle, hit the road, and savor these last few days of summer in our stunning corner of Arkansas. And remember, when you're ready for your next adventure, our team at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC is here to make sure your vehicle is ready for wherever the road may take you! WHICH BUICK IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Five Road Trip Destinations Near NWA The days are getting longer, the kiddies are soon to be out of school, and the temperature is rising. Put it all together, and it means summer is almost here. The hot months are always prime time for road-tripping with the family, especially (shameless plug) in that great new Yukon, Enclave, or Sierra you just bought from McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in BENTONVILLE! Luckily for us here in Northwest Arkansas, there are plenty of great destinations within one-full-tank driving distance, with plenty to see and do, eat and browse. If you’re in need of a new family truck to take you on that big summer vacation or just a Saturday jaunt, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC. We’ve got new and used cars in every price range to fit both your needs and your budget. Shop our big selection online, or come see us for a test drive today! In the meantime, though, read on for a few of our favorite day trips from Fayetteville, Arkansas. more FIND THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP VEHICLE HERE Big Cedar Lodge Travel time from Fayetteville: approx. 1 hour and 35 minutes Built in 1921 as a fishing and hunting retreat by entrepreneur Jude Simmons, Big Cedar Lodge was modeled on the grand Victorian hunting lodges of the Adirondacks. Simmons built his vast log cabin on 300 rugged acres ten miles south of the then-sleepy Ozark town of Branson, MO. Perched on a mountaintop with commanding views of Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar was purchased in 1987 by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris along with another mansion nearby (the Tudor-style lodge of Frisco Railroad tycoon Harry Worman.) Both houses were restored to their former grandeur and the Big Cedar Lodge was born. Today, the complex offers 260 luxury rooms with rustic-themed furnishings, plus cottages, private cabins, gourmet restaurants, and a world-class on-site golf course. Visitors can also cruise on Table Rock Lake aboard a 65-foot yacht known as Lady Liberty. Blanchard Springs Caverns Travel time from Fayetteville: Approx. 3 hours One way to stay cool this summer is to head underground. A great place to do that is Blanchard Springs Caverns in Stone County, approximately two miles off Highway 14 near Mountain View. A brisk 58 degrees year-round, Blanchard Springs is considered a “living cave," which means the formations are still growing thanks to water percolating down through the rocks from above. The cave complex is run by the U.S. Forest Service and features multiple trails through various parts of the caverns. These trails include the Dripstone Trail, which features beautiful colored lighting plus concrete walkways and handrails that make it wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly. There's also the Discovery Trail, a more strenuous 1.2-mile trail that includes over 700 steps, and the Wild Cave Tour, which requires visitors to stoop, crawl and squeeze through natural openings to access parts of the cave normally off-limits to general visitors. As long as you’re not claustrophobic, it’s a recipe for summertime fun! EXPLORE NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY IN ARKANSAS Mount Magazine State Park Travel time from Fayetteville: Approx. 2 hours Another way to catch a cool breeze in the summertime is to get up high enough that you leave the heat far below. In Arkansas, the highest place you can go without access to an airplane or helicopter is Mount Magazine, which is the state’s highest peak at 2,753 feet. The centerpiece of one of Arkansas’s best state parks, Mount Magazine features wildlife, hiking trails, horseback riding, ATV trail riding with an available guide service, rock climbing, and plentiful spots for a relaxing picnic. If you’re looking to get away from it all for an overnight stay, check out the beautiful 66,000-square-foot Lodge at Mount Magazine. The lodge features luxury rooms, the gourmet Skycrest Restaurant, an indoor swimming pool, and commanding views of the valley far below and Blue Mountain Lake in the distance. A stay at Mount Magazine can be one of the best weekend trips in Arkansas! Tulsa, Oklahoma Travel time from Fayetteville: Approx. 2 hours Though it was once a dusty cowtown on the lonesome prairie, Tulsa has stepped into the 21st Century in a big way! This city now features one of the best collections of things to eat, see and do in the region. One big stop for families is the 85-acre Tulsa Zoo, which features over 150 species of animals from all over the world in open, modern habitats. For art lovers, Tulsa is also a mecca, with museums like the Philbrook Museum of Art, the Gilcrease Museum, The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art, and the Woody Guthrie Center (named after the Oklahoma native and folk singer.) For weird roadside attraction points, there’s also “The Center of the Universe,” a spot that mysteriously amplifies anything said there and echoes it back much louder to the speaker. Fort Smith, Arkansas Travel time from Fayetteville: Approx. 1 hour Only a hop, skip and jump from Northwest Arkansas is Fort Smith. Formerly a rough-and-tumble town, Fort Smith these days is a great destination for a day trip. Established in 1962, the Fort Smith National Historic Site is a collection of historic buildings restored to appear as they did during the heyday of westward expansion. In those days, “Hanging Judge” Issac Parker and a handful of U.S. Marshals brave enough to venture into the lawless Oklahoma Territory in search of fugitives were the only things standing between order and anarchy in the region. The site includes a reconstruction of the gallows used by Parker, Parker’s courtroom, and the 19th-century forts that gave Fort Smith its name. While in Fort Smith, also be sure to check out the life-size statue of U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves on horseback. One of several African-American U.S. Marshals who worked to bring justice to the Oklahoma Territory, Reeves haunted the nightmares of the lawless, sometimes dragging back hardened murderers by the half-dozen. Today, scholars say stories of his daring adventures may have been the real-life inspiration for TV’s The Lone Ranger. WHERE TO CATCH A BASEBALL GAME THIS SUMMER We hope you enjoyed this list of Arkansas road trips! If you’re looking for summer fun and adventure, there are plenty of places within driving distance of Northwest Arkansas where you can find both. To get there, you need a reliable, comfortable, affordable vehicle, and we’ve got those row after row at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC in BENTONVILLE. If you’re looking to buy a new GMC or Buick in Fayetteville, Rogers, Fort Smith, Bella Vista, Berryville or right here in McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, stop in today and see how easy it can be to drive home in the perfect new ride. Whatever you do, get out there this summer and enjoy the beauty of this place we all call home!

It’s summertime in Bentonville! Now is the perfect time to embrace the sun, enjoy the outdoors, and indulge in some refreshing treats. Whether you're taking a break from shopping for your next vehicle at McLarty Daniel Buick GMC or just looking for a way to beat the heat, Bentonville is full of diverse dessert spots. Let's explore some of the best places around to cool down with a delicious snack! Start Browsing For a New Ride Today Trash Ice Cream Don't let the quirky name mislead you — Trash Ice Cream is absolutely decadent. This place takes customization to a whole new level! Simply start with a base of either vanilla or chocolate ice cream, and then let your imagination run wild. You can mix in a variety of extras like cereal, cake, and cookies, then top it all off with even more add-ins like nuts, pretzels, candy, and hot fudge. You can also try one of their popular combinations like the "Ritzy Bizness" or "The Brass Monkey." The shop's neon ‘80s theme adds to the fun, making it a perfect spot to gather and enjoy. more Superfine Sweets Shoppe For those who appreciate premium ice cream, Superfine Sweets Shoppe is a must-visit. This shop offers hard-packed, hand-scooped ice cream in twelve delectable flavors such as Lemon-Poppy Seed, Dark Chocolate Sorbet, Blueberry Cheesecake Swirl, and Salted Caramel. There's a flavor for every palate! In addition to their amazing ice cream, Superfine also sells a variety of homemade pies, cookies, and specialty desserts. The vibrant colors and stylish decor of the shop create a fun and energetic atmosphere, perfect for kids and adults alike. The Best Coffee in Northwest Arkansas Brain Freeze Snow & Whips It’s a sweltering summer day — what's better than a visit to the snow cone truck? Brain Freeze Snow & Whips takes this crowd-pleaser to the next level. With a wide variety of snow cone flavors from Tropical Sno, everyone is sure to find a favorite. However, it's their soft-serve fruit whips that truly stand out. Available in flavors like Strawberry, Mango, Raspberry, and Pineapple, these whips are a refreshing and delicious way to cool down. You can even add a whip on top of your shaved ice for an extra special treat! Sweet Dream Creamery Sweet Dream Creamery is a fantastic food truck that offers an ever-changing selection of unique ice cream flavors. Some past offerings include Salted Oreo, Mazapán, Biscoff, Tres Leches, Earl Grey Lavender, and Honey Goat Cheese. But the choices don’t stop there — Sweet Dream Creamery also offers premium floats made with craft sodas and Concha ice cream sandwiches. For those with dietary restrictions, they have plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. This food truck is a must-visit for anyone looking to try something new and exciting. MarShae’s Sweet Escape Planning a special event? MarShae’s Sweet Escape has you covered with their premium nitrogen ice cream. Whether it's a wedding, birthday party, or corporate event, their frozen treats are sure to impress. They offer delicious combinations like Strawberry Shortcake and Lemon Berry Cheesecake, and their presentation is just as good as their flavors. You can even arrange for custom flavors to suit your event’s theme! Their catering and delivery services make it easy to elevate your next gathering. Best Questions to Ask Before Buying a Car At McLarty Daniel Buick GMC, we understand the importance of enjoying the little things in life. Just like your vehicle needs maintenance from our service department, you need a little self-care every now and then! So go ahead — treat yourself to some ice cream, a snow cone, or any other dessert this summer. You’ve earned it. And if you decide to treat yourself to something a little bigger, come see us in Bentonville, Arkansas, for a brand-new vehicle!