Northwest Arkansas Has Mountain Views That Rival the Smokies

Whereas the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway get the highlight in the case of mountains within the South, Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and the Ozarks supply an surprising various—with out the crowds. Driving by means of this a part of the state is the final word street journey for outside lovers and households in search of real Ozarks hospitality and fall foliage, which usually lingers into mid-November.

A number of communities make up NWA—together with Bella Vista, Bentonville, Berryville, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Vacation Island, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdale—and each has its personal distinctive draw. Fayetteville and Bentonville have artwork and beer scenes paying homage to Asheville, North Carolina. A few of the smaller cities have squares that really feel like scenes from Hallmark films and low retailers straight out of Gilmore Ladies. And the Victorian structure, cobblestone streets, and an “underground metropolis” give tiny Eureka Springs an air of secrecy. 

Right here’s the place to remain, eat, and discover in Northwest Arkansas.

The place to Keep

From historic inns and cabins to artwork resorts and distinctive hobbit holes and tree homes, NWA has lodging for each sort of traveler. If you happen to dare, keep at “America’s Most Haunted Lodge,” 1886 Crescent Lodge & Spa, in Eureka Springs. Company have reported ghost sightings and paranormal exercise throughout their visits, notably in Room 419, Theodora’s Room. Moderately keep within the woods? Verify into Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits or The Authentic Treehouse Cottages.

For extra conventional lodging, think about the Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville, the Inn at Carnall Corridor in Fayetteville, or the 21c Museum Lodge Bentonville. There’s additionally a latest boon in new lodging. Rogers’ Arka Motel, featured on HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, was transformed in 2024, and the Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown and The Star on Spring, a luxurious boutique resort in Springdale, opened to visitors in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Greatest Locations to Eat

NWA has put its mark on “Excessive South” delicacies with an elevated aptitude to Southern consolation meals. Dine in a cave at Grotto Wooden Fired Grill & Wine Cave in Eureka Springs, or savor genuine Italian household recipes at Ermilio’s. Bentonville is house to a number of eating places which were featured within the James Beard Awards—together with Conifer, Yeyo’s, and Wright’s Barbecue.

Get pleasure from a slice of heaven at The Preacher’s Son, the place govt chef Neal Grey serves visitors inside a Gothic Revival church; there’s additionally a bar beneath referred to as Undercroft. Fayetteville’s Feed and Folly is billed as a “trendy public home” that serves house-smoked and cured meats. To moist your whistle, attempt the brand new Oak Steakhouse rooftop bar at Lodge Avail in Rogers or have a craft beer from Gotahold Brewing in Eureka Springs.

Greatest Issues to Do

With 500 miles of motorbike trails, a number of state parks, cave excursions, byways, and a handful of fantastic rivers and lakes to discover, Northwest Arkansas is a dream vacation spot for outside adventurers. Satan’s Den State Park is house to the state’s first designated mountain bike path, together with a number of different routes that lead guests on an exploration of the park’s distinctive rock formations and caverns. Each Withrow Springs State Park and Kings River Falls Pure Space are nice for climbing in Huntsville. 

Razorback Greenway hyperlinks a number of NWA communities with a 40-mile scenic bike path that includes nice spots to buy, eat, and sightsee. Cyclists will even take pleasure in Coler Mountain Bike Protect in Bentonville; right here, you’ll discover the Coler Airship Espresso outpost, reachable solely by strolling or biking.

If you happen to like water, Siloam Springs is price a go to for the Siloam Springs Kayak Park or WOKA Whitewater Park. Or, go spelunking within the space’s huge cave system—Onyx Cave Park in Eureka Springs, Cosmic Cavern in Berryville, and Battle Eagle Cavern in Rogers are among the hottest with guests. 

There’s loads of tradition to discover in NWA, too, with folks and bluegrass sounds paying homage to Appalachia. In Bentonville, go to the architectural marvel Crystal Bridges Museum of American Artwork, house to many American artwork masterpieces, or tour the Clinton Home Museum in Fayetteville for a glance inside former president Invoice Clinton’s house.

See the historic Battle Eagle Mill, stated to be one of many few water-powered mills left within the U.S. It’s tucked alongside Battle Eagle Creek, a waterway that feeds into Beaver Lake in Rogers. 

Spherical out your NWA itinerary with scenic drives alongside Freeway 62, Freeway 12, and Pig Path; soar by means of the skies at Ozark Mountain Ziplines; or discover the area by prepare through the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.