SydneyPaige Welcome to the Natural state. This is your Northwest Arkansas travel guide. Whether you’re drawn to outdoor adventures, immersing yourself in local arts and cuisines, or seeking a relaxing escape from the 9-5 life, Northwest Arkansas has something for every traveler.
Would you believe I had Arkansas on my 2023 vision board? Arkansas is somewhere I’d never imagined going. I mean what’s in Arkansas? But that’s kind of the point. Arkansas was the 21st state I visited! And the one state that has surprised me the most thus far! My hope with traveling to all US states is to see beauty I’d never imagined.
This guide is to showcase all the things to eat and do in Northwest Arkansas. I ended up here in the Ozark’s on a seven-day business trip. It gave me enough time to check out different restaurants and some free time for things to do around the Northwest corner of the state. Not every work trip is alike but try to live like a local. Sometimes you only have time to work and eat. If that’s the case for you then just focus on the food portion of this guide.
Just because you are on a business trip doesn’t mean it has to be boring and mundane. I am going to do a whole guide on business travel but for now here are my favorite pre-travel tips:
Pack light/carry on only
It would be a nightmare if your bag got lost and it had everything you needed for the trip and you are expected to be somewhere within hours but all you have is your comfy airport outfit.
Know your company’s travel policy
Understanding your company’s travel policy is going to help you know what you will and won’t be reimbursed for.
Sign up for loyalty programs
If you are able to book it yourself (and it allows) make sure to enter loyalty numbers for your airline and hotel programs.
Use a credit card with travel rewards
If you have to come out of pocket for cost first -before being reimbursed, put all of your charges on the credit card to earn points.
Research your destination
Research a few things before you go, especially if you don’t know the agenda but end up having some extra time to explore.
Did you know Bentonville, Arkansas is the mountain bike capital of the world and home to the original Walmart?
Where to Fly into
Northwest Arkansas National Airport
If you plan on visiting Fayetteville, Roger’s or Bentonville you want to fly into Northwest Arkansas National. XNA is located in Bentonville, AR. You can tell an airport is small when there is only one door in and one door out.
After a short walk to baggage claim I headed to the Enterprise counter for my rental car. Once you exit the building right across the cross walk is the entrance to the parking garage for the rental cars. Stepping out of the Arkansas Airport was exactly what I’d expect it to be. Very rural, farms and animals everywhere.
Where to Stay
Aloft Rogers-Bentonville
If I wasn’t here for work, I would probably stay closer to Fayetteville. It reminded me of downtown Austin and was walking distance to so much! But if you are staying near Rogers or Bentonville, the Aloft Bentonville/Rogers was the perfect hotel in proximity of everything I needed for the week. I didn’t even need to leave the hotel they had a pool, gym and a lounge with a bar area.
Where to Eat
Now the meat of this guide. The food!
What to eat? Well that depends on what you are in the mood for; sushi, BBQ, tacos? Use this guide to help you decide where you want to eat, skip the fast food and try something local!
Seafood
Blu Fish House
I know seafood isn’t the first that comes to mind when visiting Arkansas but if you find yourself craving seafood while there, Blu is the spot. I loved the presentation of the sushi boat. They had great customer service too. If you wanted to cook yourself they even have a marketplace to purchase seafood by the pound.
New American
Theos
Locations in Fayetteville and Roger’s
Their site says they are the best happy spot in Northwest Arkansas! Their happy hour hours are from 4-6pm Monday through Friday. With the Fayetteville location being a little too far to make happy hour from my hotel. The Rogers location was less than 10 minutes away.
I started with a delicious glass of champagne, poke nachos and a happy hour cheese board. This is the perfect spot for a buisness meeting or after work happy hour.
Big Orange
Locations in Roger’s, West Little Rock, and Midtown Little Rock
Not only can you hit up Big Orange for lunch or after work bites but there is a whole shopping promenade with other restaurants and retail stores around it. I love spicy food so of course I got the Reaper burger and added fries.
BBQ
Wright’s BBQ
Locations in Johnson, Bentonville, Rogers & Little Rock Arkansas
They say you can’t go to Northwest Arkansas without trying Wright’s BBQ. Before even getting to Arkansas this place was highly recommended. I visited the Roger’s location right by the top golf. Great sized portions, loved the different sauces and had a fun outdoor seating area.
Pizza & Dessert
Old Chicago & Crumbl Cookies
Everyone deserves a night spent with takeout and Netflix relaxing in their hotel room. Old Chicago is known for their deep dish so pick some up dinner and swing over to Crumbl Cookies for some dessert.
Mexican
Local Lime
Locations in Roger’s and Little Rock
I came here on my lunch break, so I didn’t drink but the drinks looked amazing. I loved the trio salsas, they give you six different options to pick from. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what kind of tacos I got. There was a sign marketing them as a seasonal dish, as soon as I saw the sign, I knew I needed them. This is the perfect spot for taco Tuesday.
La Carreta
If you are looking for something a little more authentic head to Lowell, Arkansas for the La Carreta food truck. The wait was long, but worth it. Their prices are affordable, and the burritos are huge!
Fast Food
Slim Chickens
Remember earlier when I said skip the fast food and try something local? Well how about both. Slim Chickens compared to Raising Canes, has much more variety with their menu options as well as their seasonal options and is an Arkansas based restaurant.
Things to do
Shopping
Pinnacle Hills Promenade
Now no matter where I am going, I always spot out shopping areas. Malls are the perfect rainy-day activity. I expected more mom-and-pop restaurants, but Northwest Arkansas is very established. I could spend a whole afternoon at Pinnacle Hills Promenade.
Fitness class
Nooma
Working out at a hotel gym for the week is not the vibe. Especially if you are trying to maximize your time in a new place on a work trip. So, I was looking for a workout class to try. I signed up for the 6:45am Strength class and WAS it a workout. This class was heated between 95 and 102 degrees. Think hot yoga but hot workout. I really liked how this class was designed because you have different weights in front of you, therefore it can be as intense as you desire.
Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Crystal Bridges offers indoor AND outdoor exhibits. Admission is FREE for the museum and all of the trails, but some exhibits require a fee. You can enjoy a schedule of temporary exhibitions and experiences. I like that the exhibits are temporary so when you visit in different seasons, you won’t be experiencing the same art. I decided to walk the outdoor trails but there were many people including kids riding bikes. This was the perfect solo date, but it honestly would be fun for all ages. Home to over 120 acres of Ozark nature. This museum is for everyone.
Hiking
Lake Atalanta
Lake Atalanta is a reservoir that offers miles of trails for walking and biking. This was a last-minute idea, and it did not disappoint. I love the all-trails app – you can basically find any trail near you. Lake Atalanta is tucked away in Rogers, AR. I got done with my work early and the weather was nice, so I decided to find something to do outdoors. Nothing crazy, but a good two miles to get the blood flowing.
Whitaker Point
Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag)
If you only have time for one hike, this is the one. So I checked out of my hotel headed to the walmart in Roger’s, AR for some snacks and drinks for the hike.
As always, I checked out the all trails app and read some reviews of the hike. Now, what scared me wasn’t the hike itself but the drive to the trail head! So, I knew I would be getting a rental car, but had no idea if it would be a something all-wheel drive or not for the terrain. That seemed to be majority recommend hikers take a 4-wheel drive vehicle up to the trailhead.
2.7 out and back trail. I completed this trail in the beginning of April on a Saturday morning around 10am. Get there early! I got lucky and the crag viewpoint was almost empty by the time I got there, but I passed more people than I could count on my way back. I met a woman in her 70s doing a solo hike and saw plenty of kids so this trail is good for all ages. Amazing views of the valleys of the National Buffalo River.
Bowling
Fast Lane bowling
Night Life
Fayetteville, Arkansas – Dickson Street
I really liked Fayetteville, it reminded me of Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas. I would have loved to spend more time here, but at least I did get to spend the last night of the trip bar hopping and enjoying food from all the food trucks.
Things I saved for next time
There are always things you don’t get to do because of time, money, distance, whatever it is. So here are some things I didn’t do but saving for my next visit:
- Kayak the Buffalo river
- Visit the Botanical Gardens
- Walmart museum (closed until spring 2024)
- Devils Den State Park
Arkansas surprised me! I can’t wait to come back. Spending one week in the Northwest corner of the natural state made me curious about the rest of the state.
So, whether you were vacationing near the Ozarks, came here for work or found yourself in Northwest Arkansas – I hope you love this guide!
