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Ozark Mountains
Stretching from northwest and central Arkansas into Missouri, the Ozark Mountains are an ancient range, once surrounded by sea and now well worn by time. Verdant peaks give way to misty fields and hard-dirt farms, while dramatic karst formations line sparkling lakes, rivers and capillary-thin back roads. The region derives a lot of pride from its independence and sense of place, a zeitgeist at least partially informed by multiple generations of familial roots and a long history of regional poverty. For literary company, pick up Daniel Woodrell's novel Winter's Bone, which was adapted into a critically acclaimed film of the same name.
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ozark Mountains.
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Terra Studios
Terra Studios is hard to pin down. It's...a big piece of public art? Sure, with plenty of sculptures, a kid-friendly area, a labyrinth, and reminders of the wind's power. Consider this a crazy hybrid amusement park and a sneak peek into the creative culture of the Ozarks. Catch live music on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Note the park may close in rough (ie rainy) weather. Located about 20 miles southeast of the city off of AR-16.
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Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks
Even if you're the type to roll your eyes at the words 'botanical gardens,' take some time out to visit this 40-acre wonderland. You'll find the considerable diversity of flora of the surrounding uplands replicated at a miniature scale, as well as a host of themed gardens – Japanese, sensory, rock and water, butterfly, and children's, to name a few. From June to August, the garden is open and free to the public from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday nights. Tale North Crossover Rd to get to the gardens, which are about 6 miles north of town.
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Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Located about 12 miles southwest of Fayetteville, this state park encompasses some 700 acres where the eponymous Civil War battle of Prairie Grove was fought in 1862. The battlefield has some historical interpretive signage and a museum with artifacts from the fight, but the real draw is the natural beauty: the area has been frozen in time, and retains a 19th-century pastoral beauty that is supremely tranquil, despite all the blood once shed here. The most direct route here is via US-62.
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Dickson Street
You can't have a North American college town without a main drag packed with cafes, bars, little stores and students being students. Dickson St is that thoroughfare in Fayetteville, and besides being a nice example of the genre, it's the heart of entertainment and cultural life in Fayetteville. The most 'college-y' blocks of Dickson are between Arkansas Ave and St Charles Ave.
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Lake Fayetteville
The byproduct of the construction of the Fayetteville Dam, Lake Fayetteville is a pretty dollop of blue surrounded by hundreds of acres of protected land, which includes picnic pavilions, boat docks, playgrounds, a paved 5.5 mile walking trail, and a 6.9-mile nature trail. It's an immensely popular spot with families come weekends.
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Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The Shiloh Museum is a good starting point for exploring the Ozarks' considerably complex history and culture. Exhibitions include six historical buildings you can poke around, and rooms full of artifacts ranging from quilts to photographs to hand-crafted toys. Located in Springdale (which began as Shiloh, hence the museum's name), 10 miles north of Fayetteville via US-71.
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Clinton House Museum
This little house was once the residence of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and is filled to the brim with old campaign materials, photos and the like. It's a spot for enthusiasts, but the shear amount of stuff ought to impress those with no interest in politics.
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Fayetteville Historic Square
This landmark acts a natural center of gravity for downtown Fayetteville. Five of the buildings fronting the square, including the old post office, Guisinger Building and the former Bank of Fayetteville, are on the National Register of Historic Places.