Northwest Arkansas has no shortage of exciting things to see and do.
From natural attractions and historic sites to outdoor activities, there is something for everyone in Northwest Arkansas.
Fayetteville, in particular, is the best destination for fun and adventure.
This vibrant city in Washington County is an incredible destination for outdoor activities and nature viewing.
Historically, before the city was named Fayetteville, it was initially called Washington Courthouse in the early 1800s.
Today, the city has a bustling economy and is home to the University of Arkansas, where thousands of students study every year.
From a visitor’s perspective, Fayetteville offers top-notch entertainment, leisure, and exciting activities.
It has numerous museums, shopping centers, galleries, and restaurants that offer a wide range of activities.
You might be wondering what’s in store for you in this city.
So, read on to find out the 15 best things to do in Fayetteville, AR.
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The Fayetteville Downtown Square & Gardens is one of the focal points in the city.
The area is packed with unique shops, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, and modern offices.
Its square gardens are filled with colorful flowers that add more beauty to this spot in Fayetteville.
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Constructed in 1978, the Fayetteville Downtown Square & Gardens was utilized as a plaza area in the city and eventually became one of the favorite spots for people to hang out.
Each year, thousands of people gather at this place and enjoy its scenic atmosphere while having leisure time at the adjacent restaurants and bars.
It’s also where the Ozarks Festival happens every year at the Fayetteville Convention Center, gathering more than 200,000 people from all around Arkansas.
In addition, it’s also where the farmer’s market is located.
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Are you interested in more history?
Well, Fayetteville has so many historical places to visit, and one of them is the Confederate Cemetery along E. Rock Street.
Contrary to your expectations, the cemetery isn’t that scary to visit.
In fact, it has a tranquil atmosphere that gives you peace away from the city noise.
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This 3.5-acres cemetery is situated in a beautiful setting that overlooks Fayetteville’s skyline.
If you want to learn more about the American Civil War, this cemetery is the best place to visit.
In addition, the cemetery has been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
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The Experience Fayetteville Visitor’s Center is the one-stop shop for everything essential while you travel there.
Like most visitor’s center, this one offer tourists in Fayetteville all the information about the city, its highly-recommended attractions, and activities to do.
In addition, this visitor’s center situated along S. Block Street has a bicycle rental available for those who want to tour Fayetteville on a bike.
Moreover, the visitor’s center has a retail store that features local merchandise and souvenirs.
So, once you arrive at Fayetteville, make sure to head to the Experience Fayetteville Visitor’s Center to get acquainted with the city’s vibes.
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The Arkansas Air & Military Museum along South School Avenue is not your typical museum.
It is because this one in Fayetteville offers you a colorful history of Arkansas’ aviation history through different exhibits.
These exhibits feature the original artifacts and memorabilia of Arkansas’ aviation history.
The featured items there range from vintage racing planes made in the 1920s and 1930s, a vintage airliner, and many more.
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Remarkably, most of the vintage planes displayed at this museum are still functioning today.
It’s where you’ll learn how the golden age of aviation in the United States flourished until reaching the jet age.
In addition, various military aircraft were displayed and were utilized during the Vietnam War.
Overall, stepping inside this museum and roaming through its vast halls and hangars is an unforgettable experience in Fayetteville that you shouldn’t pass on.
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If you’re looking for the locals’ favorite spot to relax and enjoy outdoor activities, then head to Lake Fayetteville.
This charming lake situated on the northern edge of Fayetteville is surrounded by parklands that span through 640-acres that are popular for outdoor and waterborne activities.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of Lake Fayetteville, engage in various activities such as boating, hiking, fishing, and sand volleyball.
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Or perhaps, have a picnic with your loved ones.
The entire lake has a size of 194-acres, which also is abundant in bass and panfish, making it an excellent fishing location.
In addition, it has a boat dock and ramp to make your fishing experience a lot more convenient.
Moreover, it’s also where the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and several parks are situated, making it the best place to visit in Fayetteville.
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Currently, the Clinton House Museum along Clinton Drive is temporarily off-limits to the public.
However, you can still visit its outside premises and take excellent photos of the house.
This museum was home to William Jefferson Clinton or Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, and his wife, former state secretary Hillary Clinton.
It features memorabilia, photographs, campaign videos, documents, and political speeches of the Clintons.
One of the best features of the museum is its First Ladies Garden at the back of the house.
It is a perfect setting to snap gorgeous photos, either with yourself or your loved ones.
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West Dickson Street is considered the commercial hub of Fayetteville, while many consider this the downtown area.
It’s located just off the University of Arkansas, and it’s one of the most popular places in the city for leisure.
The entire stretch of West Dickson Street is lined with restaurants, bars, local shops, entertainment, and services.
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Strolling through this street to indulge in leisure activities like dining, drinking, and even partying since most restaurants and bars have regular live music weekly.
One of the best places to have fun and party, check out the oldest club in Arkansas, the George’s Majestic Lounge.
For a cozy and relaxing experience, there are many coffee shops and patio restaurants to choose from along West Dickson Street.
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This professional theater company in Fayetteville has already produced and performed more than 200 productions, making it one of the must-see attractions in Fayetteville for entertainment.
Today, TheatreSquared continues to entertain its audience with top-notch live theater shows at the 175-seater Walton Arts Center along West Spring Street.
In addition, the company has been recognized as one of the United States’ ten most promising emerging theaters, according to American Theatre Wing.
Aside from the live stage plays, the theater also has an educational program for aspiring stage performers.
It’s also home to several professional playwrights who create compelling scripts for the Arkansas New Play Festival.
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Wilson Park, situated in the heart of Fayetteville, is the first and oldest park in the city.
It offers visitors a beautiful and well-maintained urban space where you can relax or do various outdoor activities.
Constructed in 1906, Wilson Park spans for 23-acres, featuring a wide range of amenities from a basketball court, tennis court, softball field, and a swimming pool for those who want to engage in sports.
In addition, it has a playground, a castle area, swings, and vast green lawns for a picnic.
Furthermore, Wilson Park has a walking trail that leads you to scenic views of the city.
If you’re looking for an afternoon of relaxation with your family, Wilson Park is the best place you need to go.
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The Northwest Arkansas Razorback Regional Greenway is a popular hiking destination in Fayetteville.
It stretches for about 36 miles or 58-kilometers and has a mixture of off-road and paved trails traversing the north-south axis of Northwest Arkansas.
The Greenway, which opened in 2015, connects Fayetteville to the neighboring Bentonville through Walker Park and Lake Bella Vista.
If you’re up for some hiking activity in Fayetteville, this trail won’t fail you with excitement and fun.
Kessler Mountain Regional Park is situated in southwest Fayetteville.
This 620-acre mountain park is another popular outdoor destination in Fayetteville to visit.
This mountain park has an elevation of 1,856-feet above sea level.
It’s known for its outdoor sports facilities such as soccer and baseball fields, hiking trails, and nature viewing.
Aside from the abovementioned sports facilities, Kessler Mountain is widely known for its top-notch mountain bike trails.
Volunteers built a 13-mile expert-level biking trail throughout the park, which many riders around Arkansas love to visit to test their skills on them.
Overall, the Kessler Mountain Regional Park is an excellent outdoor attraction in Fayetteville to stretch your muscle and sweat out.
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The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, situated along North Crossover Road in Fayetteville, features a beautiful collection of 12-themed gardens and a butterfly house.
Established in 1994, this botanical garden that spans 44-acres is aimed to provide Fayetteville’s locals and visitors the best place for relaxation and recreation.
Indeed, this garden is a top-notch place for recreation and relaxation for all ages.
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Wandering through its beautiful gardens is an incredible experience you and your loved ones should not miss.
The garden offers various educational programs, classes, and workshops about conservation and horticulture for all ages.
So, don’t forget to spend some time at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.
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The Headquarters House along East Dickson Street in Fayetteville is a historic building you can visit to learn about some fascinating history.
During the American Civil War, the Headquarters House served as a garrison for both the Union and Confederate armies.
Despite the brutality and devastation of the American Civil War, the building survived and still standing today, offering visitors the stories of both sides of the Union and Confederates.
For history enthusiasts, the Headquarters House is a treasure chest full of rich information about the American Civil War history.
The Washington County Historical Society, which currently manages and maintains the Headquarters House, offers guided tours, while walking tours are available to its surrounding grounds and gardens.
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Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville is an iconic location frequently visited by many.
It’s known for its historic cross that illuminates after during nighttime every day.
Its hilltop is a popular place to get an excellent vantage point of Fayetteville aside from being a religious retreat for the Methodist Assembly members.
Visiting Mount Sequoyah is a nice experience that you can add to your itinerary in Fayetteville.
Climbing the hilltop offers you a bird’s eye view of Fayetteville and its stunning scenery, especially the city lights during the evening.
And before heading down, don’t forget to take photos or selfies of the illuminated cross of the Methodist Assembly.
Gulley Park is one of Fayetteville’s busiest parks.
It is mainly because of outdoor activities happening there regularly.
The entire park, which spans about 27-acres, has numerous natural features such as the Niokaska Creek, trees, a pond, and open fields.
In addition, it has a 1.5-mile trail that takes you around the park.
Moreover, the park has sports facilities, park amenities, an art garden, a dog park, etc.
If you have more time for another round of outdoor activity with your loved ones, Gulley Park has everything you need.
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Fayetteville Farmers Market’s dedication to locally produced, fresh food developed Northwest Arkansas as a thriving and greener neighborhood.
Since 1973, the market has provided the best locally made products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, baked products, honey, eggs, jams, and fine art from the four-county region.
All market vendors cultivate their products and manufacture them within a 60-mile radius of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
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They’re extremely local since they are only made in and from Arkansas.
Year-round operations enable the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market to supply seasonal products created and cultivated locally.
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Baum Stadium is frequently one of the first locations cited when talking about the top collegiate baseball facilities in the country.
The Stadium at George Cole Field received its name from its key sponsors and Razorback baseball heritage when it officially opened on May 3, 1996.
It came across three renovations, despite being recognized as among the top stadiums in the country.
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Baum Stadium is the golden gem of the university ranks, with a capacity for greater than 10,000 audiences and a perfect playing field that exceeds most minor league ballparks.
When Baseball America ranked the greatest collegiate facility in the country, Baum Stadium was given a special distinction in 1998.
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The specially created Gator Golf Fayetteville course stands out mainly because of its stunning waterfalls and African natural wildlife.
The exotic plants and innovative design transform a leisurely walk into a family experience.
Their two 18-hole courses in Midtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, provide room for all players and are situated on two acres on a mountainside.
Both children and adults will undoubtedly adore the tricky course while attempting to achieve a “hole in one”!
If you’re planning a team-building event, youth group outing, family gathering, birthday celebration, or just a fun family night out, Gator Golf Fayetteville is the place to go.
The most popular place to have fun in Northwest Arkansas is Lokomotion Family Fun Park!
Discover two 18-hole mini golf courses, bumper cars, laser tag, and an incredible arcade in addition to the neighborhood’s sole go-karts and bumper boats.
Before engaging in any exciting attractions, you may begin your stay by completing a game of mini-golf on either of the 18-hole courses.
The bumper boats are tough to beat on warm days.
If the weather prevents outdoor recreation, you may still have fun by playing Laser Tag or exploring the sizable Games Arcade.
Additionally, a restaurant at Lokomotion Family Fun Park serves pizza, wings, and other snacks.
A quarter-life crisis and a desire to return to their Fayetteville origins inspired the owners to transform their passion for homebrewing into a thriving local company.
Visitors are welcome to drop by Crisis Brewing to learn more about their fantastic selection of small-batch craft brews, including a variety of seasonal beers, cream ale, pale ale, a few IPAs, a stout, and several other beverages.
There is a lovely covered patio space, and during the winter seasons, there are fire tables around to keep guests warm.
The Penguin Ed’s BBQ, only a couple steps away, can be reached by calling the red phone near the bar.
When you contact from the red phone and choose your take out order, you’ll receive a 5% discount.
Raise a drink with Crisis Brewing and enjoy watching people converse daily.
There are dozens of reasons for you to include Fayetteville as your next travel destination.
This city has an identity of its own, making it one of the best places to visit in Northwest Arkansas.
Despite being a developed city, Fayetteville maintained its small-town charm and natural beauty.
If you’re ready to travel to Fayetteville, don’t forget to refer to this trusty post.
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