It is a Saturday afternoon in Searcy, campus is dead and you are looking for something exciting to do. Of course you are a poor college student so your options are seemingly limited; however with a short look around town, it becomes apparent there are lots of fun activities that are completely free.
One Searcy classic that many people have heard about, but failed to enjoy, is the zonkey. Located just about 10 minutes from campus, this donkey-zebra hybrid is a must see during your time here at Harding. The zonkey is accustomed to lots of visitors and has no qualms about letting strangers pet it and posing for a profuse amount of pictures.
If you are looking for something a little more active, Searcy has its very own city bike trail. Beginning at Ella Street, the trail winds its way 4.8 miles down to Queensway. Whether you are wanting to take a leisurely walk or a tough ride, the trail is an excellent way to take in the more uninhabited areas of Searcy and enjoy the beauty of the Natural State.
Searcy Parks and Recreation is an excellent resource when it comes to finding free things to do. One of their more popular properties is the covered public fishing pier located on Truman Baker Drive. The pier is a perfect place in most weather to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing and take a break from the busy city life of Searcy. The parks and recreation department also oversees the Searcy Art Gallery in the historic Black House on East Race. Of course, admission is free and the gallery often changes the displays to regularly give Searcy a fresh outlook on the arts.
When coming to college, many students are leaving behind beloved pets that are unfortunately not allowed in the dorms. One solution to help ease this void is to enjoy an afternoon at the Humane Society. Anyone over the age of 18 is invited to go over any day after 1 p.m. and help walk dogs, socialize with cats, or just help with operations. An afternoon at the shelter can be a rewarding and unique experience, especially if you listen to Sarah McLachlan while doing so.
And though it’s a little bit of a drive, a great way to end a day is to go and watch the sunset from the Judsonia Bridge. Called one of the last treasures left in the state of Arkansas by “The Bridge Hunter”, it is the perfect place to take a group of friends after your free activity filled day in the wonderful town of Searcy.
