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Things to Do in Northwest Arkansas
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items The northwest corner of Arkansas is a beautiful, thriving section of the state. Growing rapidly in population and with more and more visitors coming to check it out every year, it's a neat place to explore if you love the outdoors, art, biking, or ju...
Sections
9
Cheap or Free Thrills
Splish-Splash
Arkansas is For (Art) Lovers
The Natural State
Biking Bliss
Good Eats
Cheap or Free Thrills
Sometimes, the best things in life are free (or at least inexpensive). Thankfully, in NWA, there are tons of fun things to do that won't break (or even bend) your wallet.
One of the most fun, blast-from-the-past things to do while in NWA. This retro arcade in Fayetteville feels just like stepping back into the 1980's with a ton of different vintage arcade games, nostalgia galore in the decor and TVs playing old commer...
Arkadia Retrocade
A great walking trail around beautiful Lake Atalanta park in Rogers. There's a fun natural playground, picnic area, restroom facilities, fishing spots, and plenty of parking and relaxing green space.
Lake Atalanta Trails and Facilities | Destination Rogers Arkansas
I have so many wonderful memories of playing at the funky castle at Wilson Park in Fayetteville when I was little. Just a few blocks from the University of Arkansas, there's always something fun going on at the park.
Wilson Park - Fayetteville, Arkansas
The Five & Dime, attached to the Walmart Museum (closed for renovations until Spring 2024) is a functioning replica of the original dime store from Sam Walton's beginnings. You can find replica vintage toys, games, candy, and items from the 1950's.
Visiting the Walton 5 & 10 - Bentonville
The Spark Cafe is a replica of an old school soda fountain. It's good, cheap, delicious fun as the prices aren't too far off from the 1950's.
THE SPARK CAFE - Bentonville
The Scott Family Amazeum is fun for the whole family and perfect for kids of all ages. The Amazeum is a children's museum with tons of fun hands-on exhibits, water play features, a giant indoor climbing treehouse, indoor farmhouse, huge Spongebob Squ...
Scott Family Amazeum
Splish-Splash
NWA has a lot of watery places to hang out (pools, lakes, splash pads). Bonus is that most of these are free or inexpensive to visit.
A fun day in the sun from Memorial Day to Labor Day! They have a lazy rivers, several levels and speeds of slides, great splash and shallow areas for smaller kids, as well as general swimming options.
Rogers Aquatics Center | Rogers, AR
Awesome splash pad, perfect for all ages. This park has plenty of shade, a covered pavilion and multiple table options for eating and lounging, pickleball courts, clean restrooms, and a natural “ropes course” style playground that's great for older k...
Creekside Park Splash Pad & Natural Playground | Bentonville, AR
Beaver Lake is a local favorite for boating, skiing, jet-skiing, fishing, swimming, and summer fun.
Beaver Lake
This swift water rapids course (level 1 & 2) is a blast. You can kayak, canoe, or tube. The fee is only $10/car (rentals of equipment for additional cost). Life preservers are mandatory for kids 13 and under. And it's recommended that only strong...
Siloam Springs Kayak Park
Such a relaxing location with break-taking sunset views, this lakefront cabin is updated and perfect for kicking back for a laidback stay. The owner lives onsite in a separate area, so it's private without being too secluded.
Lakefront Cabin on Beaver Lake
Arkansas is For (Art) Lovers
Northwest Arkansas has a robust and engaged art scene, centered in Bentonville, thanks to the incredible Crystal Bridges American Art Museum.
Crystal Bridges is a world-class art museum nestled in a serene forest that has to be experienced to grasp how amazing it is. The trails surrounding it make for picturesque and easy hiking. And Crystal Bridges hosts many traveling exhibitions through...
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
If you're planning a trip to Northwest Arkansas around the art museums or film festival, there's only one hotel to stay, the 21C right off the Bentonville Square. It's easy walking or biking distance from Crystal Bridges and has curated modern art co...
21C MUSEUM HOTEL BENTONVILLE
Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024, the Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) was started and is helmed by Geena Davis to amplify and celebrate women and diverse voices in filmmaking. BFF is a fun, laidback event, but tickets to the most popular eve...follow them to keep track of when schedules are announced.
Bentonville Film Festival
The AMP (Arkansas Music Pavilion) is an open-air venue with both covered seating and a wide, sloped green lawn, perfect for spreading out on a blanket, watching the stars, and listening to a concert or comedy show. A wide range of artists, performers...
Arkansas Music Pavilion
The Momentary is a modern art museum (and decommissioned cheese factory). They have frequently changing galleries, performance art, festivals, and cool hang-out spaces.
The Momentary
If you love community theater, Arkansas Public Theater at the Victory is such a fun spot to watch local productions. I've enjoyed every play and musical I've been to at the APT.
Arkansas Public Theatre
For national tours of Broadway shows and larger concerts, the Walton Arts Center is a great venue.
Walton Arts Center
One of my favorite whimsical murals in Bentonville!
Bentonville Blue Octopus Mural
There are gorgeous, creative murals all throughout Northwest Arkansas. Create your own free art trail by scheduling a day around them!
NWA Daily's Art Mural Guide
The Natural State
Arkansas has had many nicknames over the years, but The Natural State hits the nail on the head. With breathtaking hiking trails, lakes, green space, and gardens, there are so many beautiful natural spaces to visit in Northwest Arkansas.
Lovely botanical gardens to stroll through, and central to pretty much everywhere in NWA.
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
Wonderful natural trails with clearly-marked native species to explore. One of my favorite walking paths, and there's a back route into Crystal Bridges Art Museum.
Compton Gardens and Arboretum
Technically, the Buffalo River is more Northwestwest Arkansas, but the short drive is worth it for the magnificent views, hiking, paddling, camping, and general outdoor fun.
Buffalo National River (U.S. National Park Service)
Turpentine Creek is a genuine animal sanctuary, a refuge for big cats who are survivors of the animal entertainment industry or being kept as “pets”. (Mostly tigers, but they also rescue and serve others like lions, panthers, servals, cats that were ...
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge | A Non-Profit True Sanctuary for Big Cats
Some of the most beautiful hiking trails and scenery, and it's an easy day trip from anywhere in Northwest Arkansas.
Devil's Den State Park | Arkansas State Parks
Buffalo National River is an outdoor heaven, and this a lovely place to stay for easy access to all that it has to offer. Rustic luxury
CEDAR CREST LODGE & CABIN - Prices & Reviews (Arkansas/Ponca)
Biking Bliss
Northwest Arkansas, and especially Bentonville, known as the mountain biking capital of the world, is a mountain biking destination for all skill levels, from novices to pros. Check out some of these awesome bike resources, events, and activities in ...
This website is a great hub for all things biking in Bentonville.
Welcome to Bentonville, Arkansas, the Mountain Biking Capital of the World
The Ledger is a bikeable building (with six floors of outdoor ramps, so you can bike all the way up) that houses really cool shared workspaces and meeting places.
Bikeable Building - Ledger
I love these Bike NWA (along with a bunch of other cute) stickers!
STICKER - Bike NWA sticker/Arkansas/Bentonville/Cycling
For people whose main reason for visiting Bentonville is biking, this dedicated motel is the perfect place to stay. You'll have easy access to everything you might need for an awesome mountain bike adventure in your stay here.
THE BIKE INN BENTONVILLE
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is a mountain biker's paradise. Miles of trails, ramps and jumps for any skill level, and easy access to state-of-the-art facilities blended perfectly with the natural surroundings. Not to mention awesome campground and d...
Coler MTB Preserve - OZ Trails Northwest Arkansas
Good Eats
Northwest Arkansas has some wonderful local restaurants to choose from!
Azul Tequila is one of my favorite family-owned authentic Mexican restaurants in the area, with two locations (Springdale and Bentonville Square). Their salsa sampler is a must!
Azul Tequila
ArkanSeoul is a family-owned Korean restaurant in Bentonville that specializes in making simple but authentic, delicious food inspired by their own family recipes. Everything on their menu is great!
ArkanSeoul Korean Food Company
Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food in Rogers is soooo good. They have a very modern take on Vietnamese food, and their pork belly fries are to die for.
Saiwok Vietnamese Street Food
The Preacher's Son is a restaurant in a beautifully restored church building right off the square in Bentonville. It's a great date night place, and don't miss the fun speakeasy bar hidden away in the basement!
The Preacher's Son - Restored Church in Bentonville, AR.
You've gotta love Hammontree's Grilled Cheese in Fayetteville. There's almost always a line out the door for lunch, but for good reason. They make a gazillion variations on a perfect grilled cheese sandwich (even for dessert!), and the restaurant env...
HAMMONTREE'S GRILLED CHEESE, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Table Mesa Bistro has great Tex-Mex with a fun, relaxed atmosphere on the Bentonville Square
Table Mesa Bistro. Modern Latin Cuisine. Bentonville, AR
With three locations, Ozark Mountain Bagel Co. is a great quick breakfast or location spot.
Ozark Mountain Bagel Co. | Best Bagels in Northwest Arkansas
Great spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch…or dinner. lol The space in Johnson is fresh, fun, and a great meeting spot.
Hail Fellow Well Met
Bring a little Arkansas home to your own kitchen with this fun wood platter.
Personalized Arkansas Wood Tray / Housewarming Present / Graduation Gift / University of Arkansas Present / Arkansas Gift / Arkansas Present
Great Coffee Options
Get your java fix at these NWA coffee shops.
If you like a mellow, smooth, low-acidic brew, Onyx is perfect. They have multiple locations in Northwest Arkansas.
Onyx Coffee Lab - Coffee Roasters • Café • Barista Training
One of my go-to's, Kennedy Coffee in Bentonville has lots of great, unique choices and a nice plain coffee if you like things simple.
Kennedy Coffee
Woo Pig Sooie!
It's not a visit to Arkansas without cheering the Razorbacks!
Bring home a little Arkansas Razorback love with this cute front door wreath!
Arkansas Razorbacks Front Door Decor | Razorbacks Sign | UARK Wreath | Hogs Door Hanger | Razorbacks Decor | Door Sign | Sports Gift
A fun vintage t-shirt if you've ever called the Hogs through the years.
Arkansas Vintage History Comfort Color Tee - Cute Razorback Gifts
You can get your Razorback tickets through the U of A Athletics website.
Arkansas Razorbacks | Official Athletics Website
Fun for the Whole Family
Modern Mission is such a fun, well-organized laser tag, Airsoft, and axe-throwing facility. They're one of the best places for birthday parties, and it's great for a wide range of ages.
Modern Mission