The historic Roundtop Filling Station welcomes visitors to Sherwood.

How often does your family venture outside of Little Rock?

Maybe you’re likely to plan a weekend getaway somewhere a few hours away — areas like Hot Springs, northwest Arkansas and Memphis are popular for their countless activities, restaurants and entertainment venues. But sometimes two or three hours in the car is more than the kids (and mom) can handle.

But what about spending the day just 20 or 30 minutes down the road in a city filled with fun family destinations?

In part four of our Short Drives Series, we’re highlighting the city of Sherwood, where there are good eats and several options for family fun, both inside and out.

1. Vortex Arcade

Vortex Arcade is a brand new facility that replaced Z82 Retrocade and is located just a few doors down from Z82’s former location. The arcade features games like Pac-Man, NBA Jam, Galaga, Donkey Kong, pinball and dozens more. There’s also an area with couches were guests can sit down and play video games. The new Vortex Arcade facility is nearly twice as big as Z82 Retrocade.

The arcade is open from 5-10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m.-midnight on Fridays, noon to midnight on Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $9.25 per person and children ages 5 and under get in free with a paying adult. It’s located at 4027 East Kiehl Ave. Visit Facebook.com/TheVortexArcade for more information.

2. Two Sisters Café

This adorable little spot is perfect for a lunch break during your day of family fun in Sherwood. Two Sisters Café is operated by Two Sisters Catering, which has been in business for nearly 20 years. The café menu features sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads as well as a full spread of coffee options to get that caffeine boost you need to get you through the afternoon. There’s also a “take and bake” menu featuring casseroles, pasta dishes, desserts, dips and more that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

The café is located at 3130 E Kiehl Ave. and is open Monday-Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Head to the Two Sisters website or call (501) 819-0189 for more information.

3. Polar Delite Shaved Ice

Polar Delite Shaved Ice opens on April 1 each year and closes for the season in the early fall. Picnic tables with colorful umbrellas give visitors a shady spot to sit and enjoy their treats during the hot summer months. Some of the fun snow cone flavors patrons can enjoy include wild blueberry, sour apple, strawberry shortcake and blue orchid. Total, there are more than 75 flavors!

As the weather warms up, Polar Delite Shaved Ice is a perfect place to get a cool and sweet treat.

The Polar Delite Shaved Ice truck is located in the parking lot of the Country Club Flea Market at 118 Country Club Road. Visit Facebook.com/PolarDelite for up-to-date information on hours and new flavors.

4. Bill Harmon Recreation Center

This family-friendly rec center opened in 2002 and offers a gymnasium, walking/running track, lap pool and more. There are rooms available for rental for kids’ birthday parties or other events. Plus , parents with small children can use a childcare service provided for members while they are working out. Aquatics classes and organized basketball games are two great ways to get kids involved and active.

Daily passes and a variety of membership options are available; head to CityofSherwood.net/Facilities for more details. The center is open Monday- Thursday from 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday from 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. The Bill Harmon Recreation Center is located at 51 Shelby Road.

5. Henson Park Tennis Center

Perfect for a few hours of outdoor recreation, these tennis courts are open to the public for a rental fee starting at $5 an hour. They also offer lessons for adults and children, so if you’re not familiar with the sport, this is a chance to learn something new as a family. Email the instructor Jimbo Hobson for more details about lessons and leagues.

The courts are located at 408 N. Beverly Ave. and more information is available at Facebook.com.


PAST SHORT DRIVE SERIES:

Conway | Benton & Bryant | Jacksonville