Enjoy a profusion of blooms in 12 themed gardens at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. Photo courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism
March 11, 2024
To recognize Fayetteville’s commitment to offer bicycling at every level, Union Cycliste Internationale, the world’s governing body of sports cycling, designated it America’s first Bike City in 2021. You can easily pedal your way along the area’s more than 400 miles of scenic paved roads and scores of trails.
Whether you choose to explore by 2 wheels, 4 wheels, or foot, Fayetteville delivers stirring experiences through outdoor adventures, a thriving arts scene, and diverse cuisine.
Start at the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center to pick up information about the town in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, including a Fayetteville Ale Trail Passport. Sip your way through the region’s lively craft beer scene on a self-guided driving tour that features 23 breweries. Get your passport stamped at each stop to qualify for prizes.
One of the state’s most beloved festivals, Firefly Fling at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, will take place on July 20 with activities for the whole family. This collection of 12 themed gardens showcases an ever-changing array of blooms, and its butterfly house is especially popular with little ones. Garden admission: $10. Firefly Fling: adults, $24 (includes garden admission).
You won’t want to miss watching a gorgeous Ozark sunset from Mount Sequoyah, a community hub for more than 100 years that tops locals’ and tourists’ lists of free places to visit in town. Once a faith-based summer retreat center, the 32-acre property overlooks the city and features a lighted cross.
Play classic pinball games and sample creative cocktails at Pinpoint Fayetteville. Photo courtesy Experience Fayetteville
Complementing the area’s natural beauty, towering murals and other public art decorate Fayetteville, which is home to more than 20 galleries and studios. And not all of the art hangs on walls. At Pinpoint Fayetteville, enjoy the groovy, glowing graphics of pinball machines that you can play. This nostalgic collection located in a decked-out downtown basement rotates each month, as does the bar’s menu to suit the season.
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Plentiful shops within the walkable downtown area include indie record shop Block Street Records and 2 independently owned bookstores—Pearl’s Books and Dickson Street Bookshop. The pink-painted Presley Paige store brims with home decor, seasonal gifts, pillows, and art.
The Farmer’s Table Café sources many of its ingredients from local farmers and food artisans. Photo courtesy Experience Fayetteville
Sourcing from regional farms and artisans, the Farmer’s Table Café is a locavore’s dream. Try the grilled ham and pimento on sourdough. The breakfast and lunch spot is also open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.
City Park, the site of Fayetteville’s first park, is now an outdoor restaurant under a giant awning; menu offerings include tacos and smashburgers. Named after a small Mexican town, Tula is a downtown hot spot known for refined Mexican cuisine.
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Feel the school spirit at The Inn at Carnall Hall, located on the University of Arkansas campus. The building was originally a women’s dormitory starting in 1905, and the inn opened in 2003 with 50 richly appointed guest rooms, a restaurant, a lounge, and a wraparound porch. Rates start at $159.
Be sure to designate a driver if you plan to drink alcohol.
