Destination: Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The start of racing season at Oaklawn is a good time to dive into all the magnificent wonders there are to experience during winter in the Spa City. Here's a fine selection of articles on where to stay, play and dine in Hot Springs.

The 2018 Arkansas Bucket List - 9 Experiences To Try Out in The Natural State.

With a new year there are new opportunities to experience in Arkansas. Here are nine suggestions on places to go, things to see, activities to do and things to eat around the state in 2018.

The Great Arkansas Pie Hunt.

Five years ago, everything changed for me when Arkansas Pie: A Delicious Slice of the Natural State came out. Now I'm back on the trail to see how the pie-loving landscape has changed, and to find all those pies I missed.

The North Delta's Hidden Surprise - Tamale Factory in Gregory.

A Woodruff County horse barn isn't just a showplace for quarter horses on centuries-owned land by an Arkansas Delta farm family. It's also where the tamales for two great Arkansas restaurants are made - and where, every Friday and Saturday night, crowds come in to dine on steak. Let's check out Tamale Factory.

Country Kitchen in Pine Bluff Serves the Best Chili Cheeseburger I Have Ever Eaten.

That's no hyperbole - I've had more than my share of the messy dish and this one, featuring a hand-patted beef patty and housemade chili, served in a genuine 50s diner in the South, beats every other chili cheeseburger I've ever had in my life.

Thing is, though, I wasn't looking for this decadent dish. I was out looking for pie.

Steaks Are High(ly Craved) at Outback Steakhouse in Conway.

The popular Australian-themed chain is a favorite of ours for birthday celebrations, not only for the always-steady fare but because of one tiny kids menu detail.

Lights and Pie - Great Places To Get Pie When You Go Out To See Arkansas's Holiday Lights.

Tis the season for robust light displays and holiday cheer - and what better way to get in the mood for viewing the sights of the season than with a nice slice of pie. Check out these recommendations for restaurants open in the evening, serving pie near some of the best light shows in Arkansas this December.

Marlar's Cafeteria in Magnolia Has Opened My Eyes to Raisin Pie.

The humble dessert, often called "funeral pie," has been low on my list of pies to enjoy in Arkansas. But a visit to Marlar's Cafeteria in Lower Arkansas has shown me raisin pie can be a magnificent, syrupy end to a midday meal.

A Pie Each Day at Sweetpea's Breakfast Burgers and BBQ in Kirby.

We lucked out on the pie of the day at Sweetpea's in our latest pie hunting adventure - and had a good hearty dinner to boot. Let me share more about this Kirby restaurant with you.

Cool Places to Stay: DeGray Lake Resort State Park.

Whether's it's for the fine fishing, a weekend escape or a celebration, DeGray Lake Resort State Park is flexible. Take a look inside this multi-functional park, one of the most popular destinations in the Arkansas State Parks System.

The 1980s Are Alive at Cavanaugh Pizza in Fort Smith.

Feeding a family cheap is a hard task today - but one Fort Smith classic manages to offer some pretty fantastic pizza for not much. Let's head back to the 1980s for a look inside the timeless Cavanaugh Pizza.

Honeymoon in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Whether you’re honeymooning or wanting to escape for a romantic weekend, Hot Springs is a destination to unfold and enjoy.  The city, wrapped around Hot Springs National Park, is a place to enjoy year-round, with activities and attractions that span the calendar.

Get Set Up with the Set-Up at The Fish Net in Caddo Valley.

The longstanding catfish joint near DeGray Lake has been a family go-to for lots of folks over the years. The "set-up" may be the best bet on the table.

Meet Me at the Yellow House They Call Casablanca - in Memphis.

Found on a recommendation, enjoyed on a bitterly cold morning, savored in luxe splendor, craved in absence, Casablanca's Mediterranean and Eastern cuisine is comforting in all the right ways.

This Is Crazy! Best Cheap Fried Pies at the Bald Knob Phillips 66 Travel Center.

Did that catch your attention? Don't look at this like it's clickbait. Look at it as a service - a delicious service that's about to score you some of the largest fried pies in Arkansas for less than two bucks.

I've Rather Lucked Out with AirBNB.

Because of what I do for a living and the hobbies that drive me on the side, I spend a lot of time on the road. Because I don't have a lot of money for those overnights, I utilize a lot of cheaper options for lodging. AirBNB makes that easier.

A Walk In The Woods - Chihuly In The Forest at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

We're all looking for a little connection. One November afternoon, Grav and I took a walk in the woods to see what it would bring. Mind you, it was $10 a person and we were going to look at a famous glass sculptor's work, but still...

Quick Bite: Fratelli's Pizzeria in Siloam Springs

This quaint little pizza joint in the somewhat undiscovered downtown of one of Arkansas's more mysterious towns puts out one size of pizza in so many varieties. Here's a look inside Fratelli's.

Natalie's in Batesville Tantalizes Me, And It Will Tantalize You Too.

Rarely am I so tempted to throw fate to the wind to try all the things at a restaurant, but the more I saw of Natalie's menu and desserts, the more I had to resist the urge to consume everything.

Restaurants That Make Holiday Dinners For You in Arkansas.

Here's a growing list of places around the state of Arkansas where you can pick up your Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other holiday dinner with all the fixings - so you don't have to cook.

Quick Bite: The Dive in Conway.

Though I greatly lament the passing some time ago of Saigon Cuisine, the restaurant that's taken its place inside the former Kentucky Fried Chicken on Oak Street near the interstate has a good vibe and, more importantly, an irresistable sandwich I want again right now.

Stay On The Edge of the World's Longest Oxbow Lake at Lake Chicot State Park.

The remote facility north of Lake Village is a favorite of fish lovers and family reunions. Take a look inside the cabins at Lake Chicot State Park.

Next Time, We'll Try The Pizza at Fox's Pizza Den.

We weren't out for pizza on a Sunday night in Lake Village, Arkansas, but with all other operations closed we ended up at the joint along US 65 in the southeast Arkansas town. And we have plenty of reasons to go back.

24 Hour Truck Stop Delights at JJ's Restaurant on I-30.

What ever happened to the old greasy spoons, the roadside eateries where you could get breakfast or a burger any hour of the day? There's still one in operation between Malvern and Benton on Interstate 30. Let's stop in at JJ's Restaurant.

150+ Restaurants to Consider for Induction Into Arkansas's Food Hall of Fame.

Note: Save this for reference for voting in next year's Arkansas Food Hall of Fame!

I've been asked who I'd vote for on this year's nominating ballot for Arkansas Food Hall of Fame. I can't tell you that, but I can share some of the really cool stories I've written on Arkansas's classic restaurants.

Hold on folks, this'll be a long one.

The Arkansas State Fair's Strangest Fair Fare.

While this year's Arkansas State Fair has some unusual and outright freakish items on its menu (scorpion pizza, anyone?), the annual October event has been the place to find even odder selections in its past.

The 2017 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

As you've come to expect from Tie Dye Travels, here's a comprehensive alphabetic list of all the really cool food available at the Arkansas State Fair this year. Do note that prices and items will be updated as they're located on the fairgrounds. Check back when you're ready to go, and be sure to bookmark this site on your phone.

The 2017 Arkansas State Fair Food Preview.

As always, here's a preview of the crazy new items popping up at this year's Arkansas State Fair. While some items are genuinely welcomed, others are rather frightening.

Stories of State Fairs Past in Arkansas.

Want to see how food offerings have evolved over the years at the Arkansas State Fair? Let's look back at fair food coverage, one corndog at a time.

Roughing It In Comfort at Devil's Den State Park.

Tight budget? No problem. Worried about wildlife? No problem. No tent? At Devil's Den State Park in northwest Arkansas? No problem.

Terri-Lynn's BBQ and Deli is a Little Rock Neighborhood Secret.

Or, at least it has been until now. Since 1960, patrons have lined up for lunch five days a week to enjoy some of Little Rock's most underrated smoked meats and two delectable pie. Oh, and when you go to Terri-Lynn's, don't forget your deviled eggs.

Required Visitation - Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

A visit to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center may make you hopeful, ashamed or even angry – but most of all, it will make you think.

Ten Years of Tie Dye Traveling.

It's hard to believe I've been writing the stories and sharing my adventures for ten years. Tie Dye Travels hasn't just become part of the story of Arkansas and its food, it's become a news source in itself - and my primary portal to the world.

9 Great Little Rock Restaurants I Discovered During Little Rock Restaurant Month.

With August coming to a close, my quest to re-experience Little Rock through the lens of its great restaurants and locations is complete. More new stories are coming - but first, here's ten restaurants that flew below my radar until they came into focus during the promotion, and the best thing I liked about each.

Eat The Room - Dining In The Ottenheimer Market Hall at the Little Rock River Market.

A delectable variety of cuisine is available under one roof in downtown Little Rock. Let's venture inside the Ottenheimer Market Hall along President Clinton Avenue to find a great place for breakfast or lunch in the Little Rock River Market.

The Parallada Jalisco'z at Taqueria Jalisco'z Knocked My Scarf Off.

I kid you not - I went, I experienced, I enjoyed and now I have no clue what happened to my scarf after experiencing this Little Rock Restaurant Month special at this Baseline Road taqueria.

Quick Bite: The Veggie Burrito at Bobbi D's Southern Cuisine.

When you're on the run and want a quick, delicious breakfast that won't break the bank, Bobbi D's on 65th Street has the deal for you. Check this out.

It's About Time We Talked About Big Orange.

For a traveler who's often asked about the hidden gem and the older restaurants and places to catch a bite, I'm full of information. But somehow I've skirted around one of the largest developments in the Little Rock dining scene for six years now. It's about time I changed that.

See, Big Orange isn't small, quaint or unexplored. It's large, groovy and well loved by thousands of food lovers. And it has the largest chance of putting Arkansas on the world burger franchise map. Seriously. Let me explain.

Homer's West Hangs Onto Comfort Food's Greatest Hits in Little Rock.

In an age where Little Rock's food scene is turning more towards trendy, fashionable and hot, Homer's West remains steadfastly secure in a more langurous moment of the past. And that's A-OK.

Flipping Over to the B Side Again in Little Rock.

I can't say I've written about this B Side Bistro before. Sure, there was a restaurant of that name here at one point, and it was dear to me. What I encountered this time was pretty solid and showed lots of promise, but is it the same? Not in the least.

Pieday: Key Lime Pie at Capers.

Rarely am I ever surprised by a pie. But this one - which I've overlooked in my travels, deserves a special measure of notice. After all, it's not often you get chocolate in your Key lime the way you do at Capers.

Black Angus May Be Little Rock's Most Overlooked Classic Burger Joint.

Through three locations over 56 years, Black Angus has served up charcoal burgers and hot dinners to its customers. And yet somehow, it's so often overlooked when it comes time to eat.

Growing Up with The Purple Cow.

Restaurants that cater to the kid in all of us tend to get a lot of family traffic. That's certainly the case for us. For celebrations and the like, or just for a special treat, there's always the Purple Cow - which not only has the eponymous milkshake on the menu but a whole lot of different eats to boot.

A Peaceful Corner and A Welcome Quiet at the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden.

Incongruously set between a bridge and a convention center on a downtown streetcorner, this secret garden is open to all every hour of the day. Let's take a look inside the H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden, and learn the significance of its location in Little Rock.

Fish Houses of the Diamond Lakes Region of Arkansas.

Sometimes the one that got away was meant to be dinner. When you miss out on the whopper that should have stayed on your line, consider one of these classic fish restaurants.

She Had Me At Duck Fat - A First Visit to Skye's Little Bistro.

An opportunity to dig into a new eatery as part of a great promotion? I'll take it. But I certainly wasn't expecting the ridiculously gorgeous flavors I encountered at Skye's Little Bistro on Third Street in Little Rock. So worth the visit.

Quick Bite: The $12 Brisket Special at Capital Bar and Grill.

During Little Rock Restaurant Month's downtown-focused first week, Capital Bar and Grill inside The Capital Hotel Hotel downtown is offering a beef brisket sandwich with housemade barbecue sauce and fries for $12. I think it needs to become part of the regular menu. Here's why.

The World at our Front Door - Heifer Village in downtown Little Rock.

Heifer International's World Headquarter grounds aren't just a place for the decisions to be made for a global non-profit. They're also a place to exerience an urban adventure - and a great lunch to boot.

Eat the City: The Little Rock Special.

Arkansas and the Mid South in general could be considered my running ground. I’ve traveled our surrounding states, explored nooks and crannies all over Arkansas and expounded on the merits of different cities within and without. But Little Rock is my hometown.

This city at the touchpoint of Arkansas’ River Valley, Delta, Ouachita and Ozark region has a unique cuisine all its own – and it’s far more than cheese dip. While I’ve expounded greatly on its classics, I’ve fallen behind on talking about a lot of the new places in town, and on reminding you of the magnificent eateries we have to offer. Little Rock Restaurant Month is time for me to remedy that. It’s not just an opportunity to share the good food here. It’s a chance for you to explore great dishes and delights – with some really smart deals.

Off The Main Highway Find the One of a Kind Cafe.

Sometimes you have to turn off the highway, follow the signs and see what's at the end of a path. We did just that Saturday, and found a permanent sandwich stand that's quaint, cute and serves some marvelous food, too - right between Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village off Arkansas Scenic Highway Seven. Let's check out the One of a Kind Cafe.