72 Hours in Northwest Arkansas
If you haven't spent time in Northwest Arkansas, you are missing out on one of the most fun weekend getaways in the US! Splitting your time between Bentonville and Fayetteville, you'll be able to see the best of NWA in just a few days. Fayetteville is the most charming college town in America (and I am totally not biased by going to school here! Wink). Bentonville feels like the cool older sister of Fayetteville with world class museums, stellar mountain biking, and some of the best food and drinks in the area.
These cities are perfectly nestled in the Ozark mountains, so whether you're looking for college sports, darling shops, or breathtaking hikes, you can find it here. NWA is truly a hidden gem!
If you're visiting in the fall, make sure to check the football schedule for the beloved Razorbacks. It seems like the entire state travels to Fayetteville for game days, so hotels can get pricey! If you're looking to attend a game, the price is 100% worth it, but if football isn't your thing, you'll want to visit during an away game.
My favorite hotels in NWA are:
The Graduate Fayetteville - decorated with historical references and nods to the University's fandom, the Graduate is the perfect stay to really lean into the culture of the area without sacrificing luxury digs (at a pretty reasonable price!).
The Inn at Carnall Hall - If you want to be close to the U of A, the Inn is the choice for you! Located on campus, this building was originally a women's dormitory in 1905 (the first of its kind in the state!) before housing the fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, in the 1960s. In 2003, this beloved inn opened its doors to the public and quickly became one of the most popular places to stay in Fayetteville.
Dickson Street Inn - Conveniently located in the center of Dickson street (aka the bar district in Fayetteville), this shockingly quiet inn will be the perfect stay if you're looking to bar hop and walk around Fayetteville. It's charming and the location can't be beat!
21c Museum Hotel - Part hotel and part art gallery, this hotel (located right in the heart of Bentonville) feels like a version of "Night at the Museum." With ever evolving art displays, a stunning bar and restaurant, and playful penguins statues that move around the hotel, this spot will charm you immediately!
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Day One:
Arrive to Fayetteville as early as you can - there will be a lot to cram into this weekend getaway! Start your day with a walk around campus. This is the central hub of Fayetteville and a great way to see the gorgeous architecture, get a feel for the city and get some steps in. One of my favorite traditions is the "senior walk" - every single Arkansas graduate gets their name engraved on the sidewalk forever. The first class starts at Old Main (the main building on campus) and it wraps around the entire campus. My name is on Dickson Street - see if you can find it!
After your self-guided campus tour, head down Dickson street to explore that area for lunch. I recommend grabbing a bite at Hammontree's, a grilled cheese restaurant, before checking out some of the little shops on Dickson. This is the bar district and you are on vacation so you should absolutely stop by Puritan Coffee and Beer for some fuel before your afternoon.
A can't miss on Dickson Street is the Dickson Street Bookshop - I can assure you there is no place like it! With over 100,000 titles, these books are stacked floor to ceiling creating a (somehow perfectly organized) maze of books winding throughout the store. This book-lover's dream has been making the news for years as one of the must-visit bookstores in America. See here and here and here.
For dinner and drinks, head to Fossil Cove Brewing Co. and grab a table outside if you can! This dog friendly brewery has some great craft beer and they're home to Wicked Wood Fired Pizza aka one of the best pizza places in town! I recommend the Blackberry Cream or the Sabertooth Saison (a seasonal beer). For dinner, you have to get the Honey Stix (alfredo, mozzarella, thick-cut pepperoni, jalapenos, honey drizzle), the Wise Guy (alfredo, smoked gouda, salami, bacon, portobello mushrooms), and the Jolene (olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, mozzarella, Italian cheeses, fresh mozzarella, spinach, portobello mushrooms, balsamic drizzle).
At bar close, you can head to Dickson Street to relive your college days at places like Shotz, 21st Amendment, Dickson Street Pub, Piano Bar or Tin Roof. If you are smart (unlike I was on my last trip to Fayetteville), you'll get to bed early-ish before a packed day tomorrow!
Day Two:
Start today off with a trip to the Fayetteville Farmers Market (Saturdays only from 7am to 2pm). You can walk around the square and grab a coffee from a vendor to enjoy while you browse the booths. I recommend picking up a box of Zelli Pasta (small-batch pasta handmade in Northwest Arkansas) and a bag of Arsaga's coffee (they even have a farmer's market blend!). While you're browsing the vendors, don't forget to check out the shops on the square as well! Some of my favorites are City Supply , Riffraff, Shindig Paperie, Block Street Records, and Cheap Thrills.
For lunch, you'll want to walk over to Loafin' Joes for the best sandwiches and chips in NWA. I love the Surfin' Sub (sliced chicken, swiss cheese, pineapple, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard) and the homemade jalapeño chips with ranch. It's my favorite lunch in town!
This afternoon, you have options depending on the time of the year! If you are into sports, you can see the schedules for every university sport here. If arts are more your thing, check out upcoming shows at the world-class performing arts theater, Walton Arts Center, here. Both options are great, and there is almost always something going on at one or the other!
Dinner may depend on where you end up this afternoon, but some of my favorites are:
Shulertown Food Trucks (I love the Greek one!)
Day Three:
You'll be in Bentonville for most of the day, but you should grab some coffee before you head that way! Pink House Alchemy is darling and there are so many options for flavors in your coffee. I added cherry to my latte and was obsessed!
In Bentonville, there is something for everyone! I recommend parking at the square and walking wherever you want to go. Start with a scavenger hunt at the Walmart Museum (in a temporary location currently). It took about 45 minutes and was so much fun! After that, you can head back to the square for lunch at any of the amazing restaurants there. I love Pressroom, Flying Fish, Bentonville Taproom, or Table Mesa, but truly every restaurant here is great!
After lunch, you can walk to try some of the best coffee in the world, Onyx Coffee. There is a location just off the square. Literally any drink you order will be perfection, and I recommend buying a box or two of coffee while you're there! Once you're caffeinated, you can walk to two of my favorite bars in town! I recommend starting at Rope Hounds since it's a little further away. This taproom is very dog friendly and the environment just can't be beat. Grab some local beers on draft, sit on the patio, and play with the puppies to your heart's content.
After Rope Hounds, walk back towards the square for the best peoplewatching in town at Bentonville Dive. This bar is mostly patio seating, and its corner location makes it perfect for watching people walk and bike past. By the way - did you know Bentonville is a mountain biker's heaven? You will see bikes everywhere! I could spend hours at Bentonville Dive, but if you start to get a bit hungry, dinner at The Preacher's Son is a must. This restaurant in a restored church has some of the best food you'll ever eat, and you'll be planning your trip back to Bentonville after your first bite. And lucky for you, there will be a Bentonville focused post later this year!
