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I copied this, with a few updates, from what I did last year. Hope this helps!
Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR along I-30 about 70 miles SW of Little Rock. You will be concerned with Exits 73 (Caddo Valley) and 78 (Arkadelphia). The game is in Cliff Harris Stadium at Benson-Williams Field - https://goo.gl/maps/3FjxoHHC6P82. Here is a FAQ for some things you need to know about attending a game at the stadium: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit..._Fan_Guide.pdf
Getting Here
Driving - https://goo.gl/maps/ZezW9cs9ZWyW4aa67
Google shows a drive of about 7hrs, so stock up on road trip snacks and music! Looks like the top two routes either go through Memphis along I-55 or down US-67. Pick your poison in that regards I guess.
Flying - https://www.google.com/flights?hl=en...STL.2019-12-01
The closest airport is Little Rock (LIT). It looks like flights from St. Louis to Little Rock are running around $500 right now. It's about 70 miles from the airport to Arkadelphia, so plan on getting a rental car at the airport. If you can do the 7hrs in a car, that seems to be the much better option.
Staying Here
When looking for hotels in the area, search for rooms in "Caddo Valley", not Arkadelphia. The road that goes past the stadium (AR-8) is actually the road from Caddo Valley to Arkadelphia, so this isn't an issue. There is the usual smattering of local and national chains at all prices.
Best Option: Holiday Inn Express - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpres...xs/hoteldetail
It's the newest in town and quite nice. I've actually stayed there for over a week while home repairs were going on, and had no issues. About 10min from stadium and close to Caddo Valley restaurants.
Interesting Option: DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge
A little further out at 20 minutes from the stadium, this is a resort lodge with a restaurant and a great view of DeGray Lake - just be sure to ask for a lake-view room. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but you can't beat the environment. They also have sunset and owl/bald eagle spotting cruises on the lake this weekend. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/p...cilities/lodge
Avoid: Pioneer Inn and College Inn Motels
These are more "long term" motels that kinda caters to folks who can't get an apartment. Mostly because no landlord wants them. It beats being homeless I guess.
Eating Here
There are the usual blend of fast food chains with some interesting local places thrown in. I'll separate them by exit/town. The 24hr Walmart is Exit 73.
Caddo Valley (Exit 73)
National Chains - Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Waffle House, Taco Bell, Flying Burger
Local - Fat Boys: Pretty good BBQ and deserts. Not "best in Arkansas" or anything, but if you want some local flavor, it's a good bet; The Front Porch: Not a restaurant, but some very good homemade desserts that's close to Holiday Inn Express; The Fish Net: Don't expect haute cuisine, but it's pretty decent seafood
Arkadelphia (Exit 78)
National Chains - Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Andy's, Chicken Express, Western Sizzlin, Subway (2 locations), Dunkin Donuts, KFC
LocalArkadelphia (Downtown)
Arkadelphia has a small, approximately 4 square block downtown. About 5 minutes from the stadium.
Local - El Parian: Cheap Mexican, not bad; Italian Cuisine: Yes, that's the name. A bit nicer than Benvenuti IMHO; Slim and Shorty's: Burgers, sandwiches, fish, you name it; Java Primo: Coffee house with a good sized menu. Skip the cake though; 67 Grill: Big burgers, sandwiches, nachos. Kinda salty to my taste, but lots of folks like them; Los Agaves Mexican: Typical small town Mexican. Clean and tasty
Pizza
You can get pizza delivered by Domino's and Pizza Hut. Little Caesar's is also in Arkadelphia for pick-up.
About Ouachita Baptist UniversityAbout Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia is a small town of about 10k half way between Little Rock and Texarkana on I-30. European settlement started around 1809, and the town got the name of Arkadelphia on 1839. There is no firm documentation at to why we changed from Blakelytown to Arkadelphia, but it's most likely just the what is seems. Arka- from the state name and -delphia from the Greek. There are a couple of small manufacturers around town, and the two universities of course. It's the "big town" for about a 20 mile radius of small farm communities. We are also supposed to be getting a large (but non-stinky) paper mill in a couple of years.
Ouachita Baptist University is located in Arkadelphia, AR along I-30 about 70 miles SW of Little Rock. You will be concerned with Exits 73 (Caddo Valley) and 78 (Arkadelphia). The game is in Cliff Harris Stadium at Benson-Williams Field - https://goo.gl/maps/3FjxoHHC6P82. Here is a FAQ for some things you need to know about attending a game at the stadium: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sit..._Fan_Guide.pdf
Getting Here
Driving - https://goo.gl/maps/ZezW9cs9ZWyW4aa67
Google shows a drive of about 7hrs, so stock up on road trip snacks and music! Looks like the top two routes either go through Memphis along I-55 or down US-67. Pick your poison in that regards I guess.
Flying - https://www.google.com/flights?hl=en...STL.2019-12-01
The closest airport is Little Rock (LIT). It looks like flights from St. Louis to Little Rock are running around $500 right now. It's about 70 miles from the airport to Arkadelphia, so plan on getting a rental car at the airport. If you can do the 7hrs in a car, that seems to be the much better option.
Staying Here
When looking for hotels in the area, search for rooms in "Caddo Valley", not Arkadelphia. The road that goes past the stadium (AR-8) is actually the road from Caddo Valley to Arkadelphia, so this isn't an issue. There is the usual smattering of local and national chains at all prices.
Best Option: Holiday Inn Express - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpres...xs/hoteldetail
It's the newest in town and quite nice. I've actually stayed there for over a week while home repairs were going on, and had no issues. About 10min from stadium and close to Caddo Valley restaurants.
Interesting Option: DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge
A little further out at 20 minutes from the stadium, this is a resort lodge with a restaurant and a great view of DeGray Lake - just be sure to ask for a lake-view room. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but you can't beat the environment. They also have sunset and owl/bald eagle spotting cruises on the lake this weekend. https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/p...cilities/lodge
Avoid: Pioneer Inn and College Inn Motels
These are more "long term" motels that kinda caters to folks who can't get an apartment. Mostly because no landlord wants them. It beats being homeless I guess.
Eating Here
There are the usual blend of fast food chains with some interesting local places thrown in. I'll separate them by exit/town. The 24hr Walmart is Exit 73.
Caddo Valley (Exit 73)
National Chains - Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Waffle House, Taco Bell, Flying Burger
Local - Fat Boys: Pretty good BBQ and deserts. Not "best in Arkansas" or anything, but if you want some local flavor, it's a good bet; The Front Porch: Not a restaurant, but some very good homemade desserts that's close to Holiday Inn Express; The Fish Net: Don't expect haute cuisine, but it's pretty decent seafood
Arkadelphia (Exit 78)
National Chains - Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Andy's, Chicken Express, Western Sizzlin, Subway (2 locations), Dunkin Donuts, KFC
LocalArkadelphia (Downtown)
Arkadelphia has a small, approximately 4 square block downtown. About 5 minutes from the stadium.
Local - El Parian: Cheap Mexican, not bad; Italian Cuisine: Yes, that's the name. A bit nicer than Benvenuti IMHO; Slim and Shorty's: Burgers, sandwiches, fish, you name it; Java Primo: Coffee house with a good sized menu. Skip the cake though; 67 Grill: Big burgers, sandwiches, nachos. Kinda salty to my taste, but lots of folks like them; Los Agaves Mexican: Typical small town Mexican. Clean and tasty
Pizza
You can get pizza delivered by Domino's and Pizza Hut. Little Caesar's is also in Arkadelphia for pick-up.
About Ouachita Baptist UniversityAbout Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia is a small town of about 10k half way between Little Rock and Texarkana on I-30. European settlement started around 1809, and the town got the name of Arkadelphia on 1839. There is no firm documentation at to why we changed from Blakelytown to Arkadelphia, but it's most likely just the what is seems. Arka- from the state name and -delphia from the Greek. There are a couple of small manufacturers around town, and the two universities of course. It's the "big town" for about a 20 mile radius of small farm communities. We are also supposed to be getting a large (but non-stinky) paper mill in a couple of years.
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