If you’ve never been to the Northwest Arkansas region, you’re definitely missing out. It’s considered “the bubble” of Arkansas as life here is not exactly reflective of the state as a whole. There are 2 main cities that make up this region, Fayetteville and Bentonville, plus a bunch of other smaller towns scattered in and around.
After my cross-Arkansas road trip a few months ago, I actually loved it so much, I decided to give up the big city life of Los Angeles and move here – to Fayetteville to be exact. I know what you’re thinking… WOAH big change! And yes, you’d be correct, but what drew me to this area is how biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities are staples of the culture and community. The infrastructure is literally built around being a bike-able city and it’s very easy to meet like-minded individuals. The Northwest Arkansas region is also extremely progressive as they call it the new “Austin” with a big influx of tech companies moving into the area.
Now that I’ve settled into town over the past few weeks and really had a chance to explore, I’m excited to share with you how to enjoy a perfect weekend getaway in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Table of Contents
Day 1 Itinerary for a Weekend Getaway in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Walk (or bike) around Lake Fayetteville
Start your morning with a walk (or bike ride) around Lake Fayetteville. As I mentioned above, biking is a huge part of this community so there are several bike shops where you can rent bikes in the area. I recommend Phat Tire as they have several locations all through NW Arkansas, with one location super close to Lake Fayetteville.
There are two options for trails at Lake Fayetteville – paved or dirt. The paved trail is 5.5 miles and the nature trail is 6.9 miles long. Here’s a map for reference. Even if you don’t have time to do the full loop, you can still enjoy the sights for as far as you can make it around. There are also boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals here.
You can park in the Northwest corner of the lake in this parking lot: 1153 Lake Fayetteville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72764. Some of the best views of the lake are from this area as well.
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Breakfast at Prelude Breakfast Bar
After your morning workout, head to downtown Fayetteville for breakfast at Prelude Breakfast Bar. They’re known for their pancakes so that’s a must, but why only get one when you can have 3? That’s right, you can try 3 different pancakes with their pancake flight. If you’re looking for something a bit more savory, I recommend the avocado toast or huevos rancheros. what to do in Fayetteville Arkansas
Walking & Shopping around the Square
There is actually a ton of great shopping all around the main square in Fayetteville. From souvenirs to trendy attire to random trinkets, you’ll find a nice little mix of boutique stores in the area. A couple of my favorites are Riff Raff, City Supply and B Styled. 1 day in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Make sure to stop in the Experience Fayetteville store located directly off the square to find out about all the events happening in town during your visit. You can also follow their Instagram page @fayettevillear to get the latest news. 1 day in Fayetteville, Arkansas
If you’re visiting on a Saturday during Spring – Fall, you’ll get to experience Fayetteville’s wonderful famers market. There’s a lot more than just fresh produce and flowers, so you can grab some lunch at one of the vendors or food trucks.
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Tea at Savoy Tea
One of my favorite spots in town in Savoy Tea. With over 100 different teas in store and new ones being added all the time, you’ll never run out of new flavors to try. Besides loose leaf teas with samples to try throughout the store, you can make any of their teas into a latte or try one of their specialty tea drinks.
Clinton House Museum
Located just a couple of blocks from the town square, the Clinton House was the first home of Bill and Hillary Clinton. In 1975, Bill actually asked Hillary to marry him in the living room of this small bungalow home. The museum is currently closed due to COVID, but we’re hoping it will open back up soon.
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University of Arkansas Sports Game
The University is the heart of Northwest Arkansas – there is A LOT of school pride in the region. Don’t be shocked if you hear people randomly yell “Woo Pig Sooie” as you’re walking around town. Check to see if any of their sports teams have a home game while you’re in town. This year, their basketball team made it to the Elite 8 in March Madness and their baseball team is undefeated so far. During football season, the whole campus turns into a tailgate party. It’s definitely a lot of fun and I assure you, you’ll be bummed if you miss out!
Dinner at Bordino’s
My favorite Italian restaurant in town is Bordino’s, located right on Dickson Street. It’s the perfect location to grab a bite before hitting the bars. I recommend the Beef Tenderloin Rigatoni, and their Roasted Red Pepper Vegan Rigatoni is actually really tasty as well! One day in Fayetteville, Arkansas
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A Night Out on the Town
If you plan to explore the nightlife, Dickson Street is the place to be. There’s a wide mix of dive bars, karaoke bars or try something more intimate like the bar at Theo’s. Fayetteville is a college town so you can expect to see a lot of college-aged kids out and about. However, all the locals make an appearance as well so you won’t be the oldest one out, I promise. One day in Fayetteville, Arkansas
There are also a couple great live music spots in the area. There’s a dueling piano bar right off Dickson Street, or head a couple blocks north on Dickson and you’ll come to George’s Majestic Lounge. George’s is the oldest and longest running night club and live music venue in Arkansas.
Fayetteville is also one of the only cities in America where you can carry alcohol around on the streets as you bar hop. You just have to get a wristband from one of the many bars in the area.
Day 2 Itinerary for a Weekend Getaway in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Puritan Coffee Bar
Grab coffee and a small snack at the local favorite, Puritan Coffee Bar right off of Dickson Street. It has a super cute interior and also serves alcohol starting later in the day. This is a great spot to get some work done too. There’s a parking lot behind the main entrance, so you don’t have to pay for parking on the street (not that street parking is expensive – about 25 cents per hour).
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Hike to Devil’s Den
By far the most popular hike in the area is Devil’s Den, a series of stunning waterfalls that are a 30-min drive south of Fayetteville. Devil’s Den actually has 17 cabins and 135 campsites that you can reserve for an overnight stay as well. The hike is only about 1.5 miles to get to the waterfalls and is fairly easy. I recommend bringing a backpack with towels and snacks so you can jump in the ponds and relax on the rocks while soaking up some rays. The park is even open during winter to hike through.
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Lunch at Farmer’s Table
This mission of Farmer’s Table is to support local food producers so that we can help to increase community food security. All ingredients are from small family farms and food artisans in Arkansas. The restaurant is a converted craftsman-style home with indoor and outdoor seating areas. They’re only open for breakfast and lunch and pretty much their entire menu is delicious! where to eat in Fayetteville Arkansas
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Watch a Live Performance
Right in downtown Fayetteville, you can catch a show at Theater 2 Squared or the Walton Arts Center. The Walton Arts Center brings in world-class talent for music, plays and other eclectic performing arts experiences.
Or you can drive 15 minutes North to the Walmart AMP in Rogers to watch the hottest artists in the biz perform at the outdoor amphitheater. You can either buy a seat or get a lawn ticket to picnic with friends.
Dinner at Ella’s Table
When you think of campus dining, Ella’s Table is not what you’d expect. Tucked into Carnall Hall on the University of Arkansas campus, this elegant restaurant serves up some gourmet dishes at a fraction of the gourmet price. I recommend the Braised Pork Belly, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Crab Rangoon.
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Other Noteworthy Mentions for an Extended Weekend Getaway in Fayetteville Arkansas
Onyx Coffee
A staple of Northwest Arkansas is Onyx Coffee. With locations all throughout the region, they serve a variety of beans ranging from rare, small batch and experimental to collaborations and other seasonal coffees. They also offer some specialty coffee drinks as well as non-coffee favorites. Get on their email list to hear about their latest releases and upcoming coffee tastings. where to eat in Fayetteville Arkansas
Wright’s Barbecue
Recently ranked as #11 on Yelp’s Top Restaurants in the United States, Wright Barbecue‘s is a staple of the Northwest Arkansas region. The original location is here in Fayetteville but they’ve now expanded to Bentonville as well. I recommend going for lunch as they close when they run out of food and they usually don’t make it ’til the end of the day. It’s closed on Sundays and Mondays so make sure to hit it any other day of the week.
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Where to Stay in Fayetteville
Graduate Fayetteville
Steps away from the Fayetteville town square and just a few blocks from Dickson Street, Graduate Fayetteville is the perfect spot for your next Northwest Arkansas getaway. You’ll feel right at home with its colorful and eclectic interior decor that nods to the Ozarks and Razorbacks.
Inn at Carnall Hall
Overlooking the Campus Grounds, Carnall Hall first served as a women’s dorm when it first opened in 1905. In 2003, the University renovated it into a hotel directly on campus. The Inn at Carnall Hall is the perfect mix of old-world charm and southern grace, and you can’t get a better location to be in the heart of all the action.
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I love Wrights BBQ! I got some BBQ sauce on my carpet and had to call my carpet cleaner in Greenwood haha. Thanks for sharing!