Just Past Little Rock Is A Quaint City With Scenic Parks, Golf Greens, And Small-Town Charm

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Arkansas is America's most affordable state and is an underrated Southern gem. As a former resident, I personally think it is worth a visit — but I recommend getting out and exploring some of the charming small towns if you go. I spent almost eight years living in the capital city, but I enjoyed exploring outside the metro area, too. During my time there, I found there were some cool spots just past Little Rock, like the city of Sherwood, just a 15-minute drive from its larger neighbor.

Sherwood is a small town — there are only around 33,000 people who reside there, according to the United States Census Bureau. But despite its small size, the city's charming personality shines through. The legend of Robin Hood may be associated with England's Sherwood Forest, but Sherwood, Arkansas has incorporated the man in tights into their own city's brand as well. The city's first flag was created in 1976 and includes an image of the character with his bow and arrow. To this day, Sherwood still incorporates the bow and arrow into the official city logo.

This quaint city offers a quieter pace, and that's part of what people like about it. There aren't as many chain restaurants in Sherwood, but there are some local eateries that you can add to your itinerary if you go, including Pig N' Chik, The Saucy Pig, Two Sisters Cafe, and Mama's Gyros Grill. You won't find big attractions there either, but there are activities to keep you busy, including golf greens and multiple scenic parks.

For a small town, Sherwood has a large array of places where you can get out and play. The city has 17 parks and recreational areas that have activities available for all members of the family — even the furry, four-legged ones. If you want to ensure your dog has a perfect vacation too, plan a stop at The Sherwood Dog Park. It has two separately fenced areas so small and large dogs can both have a spot to run around. 

There are parks in Sherwood that are great for your human kids also. Pickthorne Park, Indianhead Park, and Hughes Park are a few that have playgrounds. This Google reviewer also spoke highly of another local park and shared, "Lake Cherrywood Park is a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet, little-known area of Sherwood. It's a great spot if you're looking for a peaceful place to relax or let the kids burn off some energy. With its nice lakeside views and a basketball court, it offers a simple but enjoyable setup for families ... Overall, it's a calm, family-friendly park that's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area." Situated beside a lake, this is also a spot where you can drop a line in the water and fish. 

Multiple parks in Sherwood have scenic places to get out and take a walk, too. Austin Lakes Park has a 1,600-foot paved walking trail. The paths at Storer Park and Hughes Park are both about a quarter of a mile. The trail at Henson Park is a little longer, with a total length of about 1.3 miles.

The city of Sherwood maintains multiple parks for its residents and visitors, but it also operates The Greens at North Hills. The public golf course was originally built in 1926, but was redesigned by world-renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. in the late 1970s.

This Google reviewer called it "one of our favorite courses to play," and shared some of the reasons why he liked the golf greens there. "The course is not particularly long but hilly. The greens are always spectacular ... Customer service is great, and the pro shop is stocked with clothing and equipment ... You can't beat the price." There's also an onsite restaurant called Joey's Bar and Grill where you can get a bite to eat if you work up an appetite. The Greens at North Hills is open Tuesday through Sunday. Golfers who want to check out more courses in the area can also head to Cabot, which is about 20 minutes away. It's another charming city near Little Rock with golf greens. 

Just remember that Sherwood is a small town. If you go and plan to stay a few days, you won't find a lot of hotels right inside this quaint town. However, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Little Rock North – Sherwood is located within the city limits. If you're traveling with your RV, you can also book a stay at Cedar Hill Village or Brookwood Village.