This Underrated Arkansas College Town Could Be Your Favorite 2027 Weekend Escape

A 187-foot steel tower here once held 50,000 gallons of water. Now it rings 14 bronze bells every quarter hour.

That’s a pretty great career change for a water tank.

Every holiday season, that same tower turns into a giant glowing candle. The tradition started in 1988.

I can’t imagine driving past it at night and not grinning a little.

The tower sits on a college campus in south Arkansas, and the campus is only part of the fun. A historic courthouse square sits close by.

Two state-worthy outdoor spots wait just outside town.

I like the idea of a weekend trip that mixes theater shows, football lights, quiet gardens, and lake air. Nothing about it feels rushed.

So why haven’t more people put this little town on their 2027 list?

Listen For The Bells Of A Tower That Used To Hold Water

Start your weekend at Southern Arkansas University, the heart of Magnolia, Arkansas. Its most famous landmark is a 187-foot Cor-ten steel tower that you’ll spot from all over campus.

Built in 1976, the structure first worked as a water tower. It held 50,000 gallons for the campus and surrounding area.

That same year, it won a national-sounding honor called Steel Tank of the Year. Yes, that’s a real award, and yes, this tower earned it.

Things got musical in 1980. That’s when 14 cast-bronze bells were installed high up in the structure.

Today those bells chime every quarter hour. So if you lose track of time on campus, the tower has your back.

The bells did go quiet for a while after some damage. A donation made in memory of a former physical plant director helped bring them back with new digital equipment.

The tower has even shown up in Southern Living Magazine. Not bad for something that started life storing water.

Plan to stand near the base for a few minutes. Catching a chime in person is the easiest free souvenir in town.

Save A Winter Night For The World’s Tallest-Looking Candle

Some towns string lights on a tree. Magnolia lights up a 187-foot tower instead.

Since 1988, Southern Arkansas University has decorated its bell tower as a giant illuminated holiday candle each year. It’s one of those traditions that sounds a bit wild until you see photos.

A candle this size changes the whole skyline of a small town. It also gives you a perfect excuse to plan a cozy December trip.

The best move is to arrive before dark. Walk the campus in the late afternoon, then stay put as the lights come on.

Bring a warm jacket and a phone with plenty of battery. You’ll want more than one picture, trust me.

Families with kids will find this an easy win. There’s no ticket to juggle and no long show to sit through.

Pair the candle with a stroll near the downtown square. Holiday trips work best when they stay simple and close together.

Mark your 2027 calendar now for the season. A glowing tower this tall doesn’t really let you forget it exists, and honestly, it shouldn’t.

Grab A Seat For A Show Without A Big-City Price Tag

Curtain up, phones down. Harton Theatre on the Southern Arkansas University campus hosts theater productions, concerts, and other cultural events through the school year.

The lineup changes often, which keeps things fresh. Recent schedules have included the musical Into the Woods, a Low Brass Chamber Ensemble concert, and an SAU Jazz Concert.

That’s a pretty fun range for one stage. You could catch a fairy-tale musical one weekend and smooth jazz the next.

Here’s the part budget travelers will love. Some performances and events are offered free of charge.

College shows also have a special kind of energy. Students pour real effort into every scene, song, and set change.

Check the university calendar before you book your trip. Building a weekend around a show gives your evening a clear plan.

Arrive a little early so you can find parking and settle on campus. A quick walk past the bell tower before showtime makes a nice warm-up.

Theater nights in a small town feel personal in a way big venues rarely match. You might even leave humming something you didn’t know before.

Cheer Like A Mulerider Under The Stadium Lights

Few mascots are as memorable as the Muleriders. That’s the proud nickname of Southern Arkansas University teams, and it’s a great conversation starter.

Football fans should head to Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field. It seats 6,000 people and has a press box and LED lighting.

Artificial turf was first installed in 2016, with another upgrade arriving in 2026. The field took the name Rip Powell Field in 2015.

Not a football person? Baseball happens at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field.

Softball fans have Dawson Field at the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex. Track meets take place at the Mulerider Track and Field Complex.

That gives you options across nearly every season. A fall trip might mean football, while a spring visit could mean a ballgame in the sunshine.

Look up the athletics schedule as you plan your dates. Lining up a home game adds real hometown spirit to the weekend.

College games in smaller towns tend to feel friendly and easy to enjoy. Wear something comfy, bring your loudest cheer, and get ready to say Muleriders a lot.

Swing A Racket Or A Club Before Lunch

Pack your sneakers, because this campus lets visitors get in on the action. The Live Oak Tennis Courts were renovated and named in 2018.

The complex has seven full-sized courts. It also has a championship court with bleacher seating.

Best of all, the courts are open for campus and community play during set hours. On weekdays, play runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 6:30 p.m. until midnight.

Weekends are even easier. Saturdays and Sundays run from 7 a.m. until midnight, though SAU events get first dibs.

Golf fans get a treat too. The SAU Driving Range sits on the southeast side of campus.

It’s open daily from daylight until dark. A self-service machine takes debit or credit cards for buckets of balls.

That setup is great for couples or friends with different hobbies. One person can practice serves while the other works on that slice.

A morning workout also sets a good pace for the day. You’ll earn that afternoon coffee and feel totally fine about it.

Recharge Inside A Campus Hub Filled With Local Art

More than 70 original works of art hang inside one campus building. That building is the Donald W.

Reynolds Campus and Community Center, completed in 2004.

The pieces come from local and regional artists. Wandering through feels a bit like a small gallery visit mixed into your coffee run.

Speaking of coffee, there’s a Starbucks inside. The center also houses the campus bookstore and a post office.

The building covers more than 76,000 square feet. It serves students, staff, faculty, and the wider Southwest Arkansas community.

Inside, you’ll find a 450-seat cafeteria and a 500-seat ballroom called the Grand Hall. There’s also Foundation Hall, a 200-seat theater and lecture space.

The 30-seat Magnolia Room handles formal dining and receptions. Outside groups can reserve spaces here for meetings and conferences.

For visitors, the bookstore is an easy weekday stop. Grabbing a Mulerider shirt is a fun way to remember your trip.

Spend a slow half hour here with a drink in hand. Looking at regional art between sips is a pretty relaxing way to reset.

See Where Students Learn To Grow Real Food

Here’s a fun surprise for a college town. Southern Arkansas University runs more than 1,600 acres as a working farm and student laboratory.

That’s a lot of classroom space with no walls. Students get hands-on lessons in crops, animals, and land care.

On the main campus, the Agriculture Building covers 30,000 square feet. It holds labs for animal science, soils, horticulture, and plant science.

The campus has also been adding hydroponic equipment and orchards. Hydroponics means growing plants in water instead of soil, which sounds a bit like science fiction.

The Department of Horticulture focuses on teaching and research about horticultural crops. In plain terms, they study how to grow things well.

Curious families can ask about this side of campus. The university arranges personalized campus tours by appointment, though access to agricultural facilities should be confirmed separately.

Kids who love animals or gardens may find this part fascinating. It shows how a college can connect straight to everyday food.

Plan ahead and call the school before your trip. A little scheduling could turn a simple drive past fields into a real learning moment for everyone.

Stroll Past Murals, Old Homes, And A Grand Courthouse

Downtown Magnolia, Arkansas, makes a great slow-paced afternoon. The town is the county seat of Columbia County, and its impressive Second Renaissance Revival courthouse stands at the heart of downtown.

Historic murals add pops of color around town. Historic homes give the streets an old Southern feel.

All of it sits close to the university. Your campus stop and downtown wander can easily fit in the same day.

Need a breather? The Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden sits just off the downtown square.

It’s a quiet green space and a short walk from campus. Bring a snack, find a spot, and let the afternoon move at its own speed.

The campus itself sits at 100 E. University, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753.

Park once and you can walk to many highlights.

Magale Library is another handy stop near the center of campus. It sits right behind the Reynolds Center and offers wireless internet access and a designated public-access computer.

Comfortable shoes are your best friend here. Small towns reward walkers with details you’d miss from a car window, like a mural corner or a pretty porch.

End The Weekend With Lake Breezes And Forest Trails

Sunday mornings were made for fresh air. Luckily, Magnolia has two easy outdoor escapes nearby.

Lake Columbia is one of them. It’s a natural pick for a calm morning by the water.

Logoly State Park is the other. It gives you a forest setting for a peaceful walk before the drive home.

Both spots balance out the busier parts of the trip. After games, shows, and downtown strolls, a little quiet feels great.

Pack water, sunscreen, and bug spray for south Arkansas weather. Spring and fall tend to make outdoor time extra pleasant.

Bring a picnic from town if you like. Eating outside under tall trees beats a drive-thru lunch every time.

Families can let kids burn off energy before the ride. Couples can enjoy a slower, chattier morning together.

Wrapping a trip in nature leaves you feeling rested. You came for a college town and leave with lake views, bell chimes, and a camera roll you’ll actually want to scroll through again.