Regular readers of RealFoodTraveler.com know that I love to visit lesser-known destinations as much as bigger “bucket list”-type locations. While the latter are always full of wonders to behold, the small-town places that aren’t on people’s radars are often full of great surprises. What I found on a recent press trip to Rogers, Arkansas, was a city that’s simultaneously corporate (Walmart, Tyson and JB Hunt are all based there) while still having a small-town atmosphere. They honor their history while embracing the present and future which has drawn many of their younger residents back, creating a new generation of businesses. It also makes it a mighty fine place to visit. Here’s the 4-Day itinerary I created for Real Food Travelers to experience a wide variety of things to do in Rogers, Arkansas. 

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your own visit to experience all the things to do in Rogers, Arkansas. Photos and graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Editor’s Pick 4-Day Itinerary: Things to Do in Rogers, Arkansas

Day 1:
Fly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) and pick up your rental car.

Head to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville – Depending on the time of day, this is about 30-45 minutes away from the airport. Although not in Rogers, your primary destination, it’s an easy drive and worth a couple of hours of your time there. When I visited, several exhibits were consolidated due to the vast expansion they are constructing that will expand the museum by 50%. The design of the building is as much of a work of art as the art inside and out. Take advantage of the Art Trail outside which leads to a Frank Lloyd Wright House. DON’T MISS: Stopping in the gift shop and purchasing a delicious Kielbasa from The Coffee Bar to tide you over until dinner. The Museum also has a restaurant, Eleven, which was closed for an event the day I was there.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s building is a work of art itself, not to mention what’s inside and out. I specifically went to see “Big Red Lens” (center) by Fred Eversley, which I’ve seen in stories about the Museum for years. It didn’t disappoint!

Check in to the new Hotel Avail Rogers, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – This stunning hotel is situated perfectly for this itinerary. There are several places to go for food, shopping and entertainment within walking distance. But it’s also close enough to downtown and the highway to get you everywhere else in this plan, quickly.

The Hotel Avail Rogers is a great place to stay, not only for the accommodations but also the handy location for seeing all the things to do in Rogers, Arkansas.

Dinner is a quick walk away at Capriccio’s Ristorante, where you’ll feel welcomed like you’re coming over for family dinner. Authentic, scratch-made dishes range from salads to seafood to hearty pastas. DON’T MISS: Their variety of cocktails and Tiramisu for dessert.

Capriccio’s Ristorante is a favorite among the locals for good reason.

Day 2:
Drive to downtown Rogers where you’ll be spending the entire day.

Start with coffee and breakfast at Onyx Coffee Lab, one of the prettiest, most impressive coffee spots I’ve ever seen. I guess I’m not alone because it has been voted one of the 10 Best Independent Coffee Shops by USA Today as well as receiving a bunch of other awards. Not only is it a super-stylish place, but a high level of expertise goes into their coffee, which is available in many places throughout the U.S. and abroad. We saw that expertise in action during a “cupping” demonstration where we got to do what the pros do and taste a variety of coffees in their purest forms. They roast right there so it’s possible to see, hear and smell the processes. Note the bold murals down the central hallway. They lead to a tiny restaurant where you’ll be dining on this itinerary. Go ahead – peek in. DON’T MISS: Onyx’s food menu is small but mighty. I highly recommend the Avocado Toast with milk bread, avocado, dressed greens, pickled onions, green onions and sesame with the addition of a Japanese chopped egg (think spicy egg salad), bacon and aioli.

The amount of attention, and intention that goes into Onyx Coffee Lab is impressive – and really shows. 

Fortified with coffee and a hearty breakfast, stroll around downtown. The old and the new blend together perfectly, giving a great energy to the area, which you’ll witness in a variety of ways over the course of the day.

Stop in at the Daisy Airgun Museum (you’ll know you’re in the right place with the big hint of a multi-story Airgun leaning up against the side of the building). Frankly, not being a gun person myself, I wasn’t so sure about going here. But it was fascinating. You’ll learn the history of the company, whose first industry had nothing to do with airguns. See how the times changed and how the company pivoted into the airgun biz. See lots of memorabilia from the past and the salute to the classic movie, A Christmas Story, which featured the lead character’s unflinching desire to have a specific model of Daisy Airgun, which did not put his eye out, afterall. Learn about the bigger lessons the Daisy guns are said to teach to young people, back then, through to today.

The Daisy Airgun Museum is full of nostalgia for visitors.

A short walk away, the Rogers Historical Museum, in the Hailey Exhibit Hall, located in an art deco-style former car dealership, lays out the story of how Rogers, Arkansas came to be. There’s a fun, hands-on children’s area and permanent exhibits of clothing, machinery, transportation and even a really old jail cell. One large area of the Museum is available for temporary exhibits. When we were there, it was devoted to quilts made by residents over the years. They were so beautiful, with such fine handiwork, and a real window into the art of the craft. Across the street from the Hailey Exhibit Hall is the Historic 1895 Hawkins House, beautifully restored, providing a glimpse into the real life at the time.

The Rogers Historical Museum’s exhibits span both sides of the street, including the Hailey Exhibit Hall and Historic 1895 Hawkins House.

After immersing in history, it’s time to for a contemporary lunch at Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie. With one location in Bentonville, the location in downtown Rogers, Arkansas, is in a sleek building with sparce furnishings, augmented by clever artwork and fresh flower bouquets on every table. We got to meet Rob Nelson, the Executive Chef and Partner of the restaurants. He has quite the pedigree, including being on Food Network, has presented dinners at the James Beard House, studied and worked in France and much more. It all shows in his creative approach to the menu that’s focused on seasonal and local ingredients. Examples include the Pig Ear Nachos with, yes, crispy pig ears for scooping; a Charcuterie Board featuring locally-sourced lamb pate, bacon and cheeses, pickles and various spreads; Boiled Peanuts; a Catfish Pastrami Reuben; Ostrich Patty Melt; various flatbreads and salads and the Tusk Burger. That’s what I dug into, made with local Hertzog Ranch beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle with cheese (I could have added pimento cheese or made it an ostrich patty!).

Using locally procured, and scratch made ingredients, Tusk & Trotter creates elevated offerings.

Work off lunch with a bike ride. Get equipped at Phat Tire Bike Shop where they’ll outfit you with a regular or electric bike and helmet. Start your ride across the street in the Railyard Park, the hip community area where we saw people eating, playing and enjoying an outdoor concert. Rogers was a railroad town so the second life given to this area is all part of its revitalized essence. Ride through the Railyard Bike Park, through tree-lined, undulating trails, to peaceful Lake Atalanta. There, you can ride around the circumference on curving pathways that take you in and out of sun and shade, around the pastoral waters. If biking isn’t your thing, drive to the Lake, park in the lot, and walk around the lake. But do be aware of mountain bikers coming in off their dirt paths, entering the main bike path.

Equipped with electric bikes from Phat Tire Bike Shop, it’s off to Lake Atalanta for a beautiful ride.

After returning the bikes, you’ll want to quench the powerful thirst you built up on the ride. Walk over to Ozark Beer Company which has a large patio out front and a rustic vibe inside. There are more long, picnic-type tables and benches than 2- or 4-tops there, to encourage people to meet and chat over their shared love of beer (or cider, hard water or cocktails). DON’T MISS: A beer flight, the perfect way to get to know a variety of their offerings. But if beer isn’t your thing, their Old Fashioned is excellent!

Ozark Beer Company has a great vibe that encourages meeting fellow beer-fans in their friendly tasting room in Rogers, Arkansas.

Hungry for more? Listen to our podcast conversation with Ozark Beer Co.

Return to the Hotel Avail to freshen up before walking over to the Walmart AMP for a concert if there’s one playing. The AMP maintains a full schedule of local and national acts, often getting last-minute acts in who are on their way to/from Nashville and other major venues – so check in advance and when you’re there to see if there’s a concert happening during your visit. The food offerings at The AMP are really good and well-thought out. We got to meet the culinary director behind all of the food offerings including to the performers themselves who, he told us, have made some pretty unique requests, which he does his best to accommodate. BONUS: Because it’s a pleasant, easy walk from the Hotel, you can bypass the parking and mass-exodus when the concert is over.

There really isn’t a bad seat in the house at the Walmart AMP, but they’re especially good in one of the box seats where the views and food are top notch.

If you still have any energy in you after the busy day, head to the nearby Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or up to the Oak Steakhouse atop the Hotel Avail for a night cap. Or, if you are still hungry, stay for a late dinner. We had numerous people, including restaurateurs, tell us that the Oak Steakhouse restaurant was a great place for a steak dinner. Then, just take the elevator down to bed, belly full.

Day 3:

Get the day started early by walking out the back door of the Hotel, across the plaza to Confident Coffee. Started by a woman who left the corporate world to follow her passions, the Rogers location is decorated in, well, confident floral patterns. Order a coffee drink (or other) and a bite and sit a spell. DON’T MISS: The freshly-baked quiche, croissants, scones or muffins.

Confident Coffee, just outside of the hotel, offers a lovely space, great coffee and delicious baked goods.

A PLAN-AHEAD ACTIVITY! Hop in the car, head into the Ozark mountains, and drive about an hour to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Home to more than 100 rescued animals, their mission is to provide lifelong care to neglected and abused victims of the exotic pet trade on a 459-acre ranch. See tigers, African lions and servals, bobcats, cougars, leopards, ligers, bears and more thriving in expansive, natural habitats. Although tickets can be purchased upon arrival, since an hour-long tour in an open-air tram is included with admission, and happens every hour on the hour, it’s best to purchase tickets in advance, online, signing up for a specific time slot. Learn the stories of these animals, some of which came from a certain tiger-centric TV show…

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see wild animals up close and learn about their prior existences and how much better their lives are now. (See one of the tigers close up in our video below).

Keep those nature vibes going by driving back the way you came to the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area, spending time in the interactive visitor’s center before strolling the paved trails nearby. Arkansas’ largest state park, the day-use park includes a 54-mile trail system with hiking, is ADA accessible, offers mountain biking, horseback riding and multiple kinds of campsites.

Hobbs State Park Conservation Area is the ideal way to get in touch with nature while visiting Rogers, Arkansas.

Continuing the mountain path back into the city, not far from Hobbs is the War Eagle Mill. There, you’ll see an authentic mill that still grinds grain today. Demonstrations are given, periodically, to show how the ingenious equipment works, in tandem with the river. Inside the mill is a fun shop with souvenirs, jewelry, soaps, jams and packaged grains. One shopper says he always stocks up on grits when he visits.

See how a grist mill works in real life, plus shop and enjoy the scenery at War Eagle Mill.

Back in Rogers, get in line at Wright’s BBQ. And waiting is pretty much guaranteed for this popular spot, James Beard Award-nominated for Best Chef South in 2025. The line moves quickly though and there’s a lot of seating inside or on the big patio. Just behind the covered patio is where all of the smoking takes place in a whole batch of smokers, each with their own name like “Spoonful of Sugar” and “Best of Friends.” There’s something for every level of appetite (as long as that’s hungry, hungrier and hungriest). There are Bowls like Loaded Mac with mac & cheese topped with pulled pork; sandwiches such as the Smoked Chicken or Brisket; and Plates that come with the choice of two sides. Pair Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs, Burnt Ends, Sausage, Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage and Smoked Chicken (or combinations thereof) with sides like Smoked Beans, Deviled Egg Potato Salad and Collard Greens to name just a few. Oh, man, this is good eating! DON’T MISS: Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage, Bacon Burnt Ends or the classic Banana Pudding.

A meal at Wright’s is one of the things you must do in Rogers, Arkansas. Don’t forget the banana pudding for dessert.

Head back to the hotel to nap off that food baby you undoubtedly have going on before you, yes, eat again! To space out the feasting a little, stroll Downtown Rogers a little more in the evening before going to Yeyo’s Mezcaleria & Taqueria. Remember the bold murals I mentioned, as seen at Onyx Coffee Lab? This is where they lead! This spot is tiny with just a few tables on the main level, where the bar is, and a few up the stairs so reservations would be a really good idea. Every single thing in Yeyo’s is there intentionally, from ancient masks to new art, to the vast collection of tequilas and mezcal’s. The five-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South, Chef Rafael Rios, and his team create dishes that utilize produce fresh off of his family’s local farms (overseen by his parents), harkening to the past while being inventive and new. Dining at Yeyo’s Mezcaleria and Taqueria is an education. A delicious education. The menu includes a variety of tacos like Smoked Pork Belly, Pollo Poblano and Pescado. But there are also larger dishes such as the Chilaquiles Torta, Mexican Burger and the Barbacoa de Rollo, which came highly recommended. Our meal was delicious, the drinks were strong, and the vibe felt at once sacred, familial and fun.

Drinking and dining at Yeyo’s Mezcaleria & Taqueria is a very special experience that combines local residents with ingredients and strong familial ties.

Hungry for more? 5 Unique Places to Get a Taste of Rogers, Arkansas.

Day 4:

Grab something light from Hotel Avail Rogers’ Little Acorn Coffee & Bar in the lobby such as coffee drinks, pastries or a yogurt-fruit-granola parfait (my favorite) and lounge in your room until check-out time, reflecting on all the good times you had.

Before heading to the airport, head to Mirabella’s Table for one last meal in Rogers, their famous brunch. Technically a buffet, the format for this restaurant is unique in that you order off the fixed-price menu, versus lining up at a buffet, plate in hand. The server will bring small-plate versions of what you ordered, versus a single entrée. That means you and your dining partner(s) can try a variety of things. If you want more, they’ll bring it. The only things you need to leave your seat for are the omelet station and the serve-yourself fruit-and-yogurt bar. DON’T MISS: Ordering the bacon and the potatoes. I don’t know what they do to them but they are amazing.

At Mirabella’s Table, they’ll bring out enough of any item ordered to feed everyone in your party. Try a variety of things.

Return your rental car and settle in for your flight back home, happy to have fit in so much fun and so many good experiences into just four days in Rogers, Arkansas.

To learn more about Rogers, Arkansas, visit the DestinationRogers.com website.

-Story, photos and video by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor of Real Food Traveler

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