As Ron Stern, Real Food Traveler’s Hospitality Editor discovered, Fayetteville, Arkansas is not only a place for great fun, food and adventure, it’s also a jumping off point for even more to see. Here’s his four-day itinerary of things to do.

Save this 4-day itinerary of things to do to Pinterest to help you plan your Fayetteville, AR visit. Photos by Ron Stern. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Things to do in Fayetteville, Arkansas: A Four-Day Food and Fun Adventure Itinerary

The City of Fayetteville is perhaps best known for the University of Arkansas and Razorback Football. Situated in the northwest part of the state among the gently rolling Ozarks, this welcoming community equally loves showing off its other side. With a thriving gastronomic scene, outdoor adventures and a devotion to the arts, discoveries are seemingly around every corner.

During game day, thousands of local and out-of-state fans transform Donald W. Reynolds Razorback  Stadium into a sea of Cardinal Red and White. “Woo Pig Sooie!” meaning “Go Hogs” is the effervescent cheer that’s practically a brand name.

Knowing this, it came as a surprise to discover that Fayetteville’s charms extend well beyond university borders. Our four-day itinerary provided an ideal time frame to uncover this city’s unique cultural and culinary charms.

Day 1: Things to Do in Fayetteville, AR

My wife and I made the short 2-hour flight from Colorado to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Serviced by most major airlines, there are convenient and affordable routes to more than 20 US destinations.

After picking up our rental car, it was a breezy 20-minute drive to Fayetteville. October was an ideal time to visit as we were treated to some dramatic fall foliage and leaf peeping along the way. Oak, maple, spruce and pine trees seemed specially illuminated just for us and were ablaze in vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red.

We checked in for two nights at the Inn at Carnall Hall in the heart of the University of Arkansas Campus. This beautifully restored building dates back to 1907 when it was a women’s dorm. Its history still lingers in its wraparound porch, wood floors, ornate staircases and framed nostalgic artwork. Each room has updated furnishings and modern conveniences. After a quick unpack and a complimentary chocolate chip cookie, we headed out to explore.

The exterior of the Inn at Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The first spot on our walking tour was right next door to “Old Main” on the university campus. Completed in 1888, the red brick and limestone Romanesque-style exterior earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Currently housing administrative offices, the landscaping is just as impressive with expansive lawns, trees, and pathways. One of the most notable features, however, is the “senior walk.” Highlighting the heritage of this institution, it features the names of every graduating class since 1905 inscribed on five miles of sidewalks.

We continued a few more blocks to downtown which comprised a cozy mix of dining options, cultural attractions, historic buildings, and retail shops. The 36-mile Razorback Greenway also cuts through town offering pedestrians and cyclists ample opportunities for exercise and outdoor enjoyment.

Specializing in crafting new inspirations from the standard grilled cheese sandwich, Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese has garnered quite a loyal following. The eclectic interior features vintage collectibles, retro memorabilia and a giant pterodactyl hanging from the ceiling. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, “East of Edam” really hit the spot with bleu cheese, bacon, avocado, and spinach on sourdough.

The pterodactyl hanging from the ceiling is a fun surprise at Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese.

Since my wife is a bibliophile, Dickson Street Bookshop was a must-visit. With more than 100,000 used and out-of-print books, this was just the place for browsing on a lazy afternoon. After finding a good tome, we headed back to our hotel for a quick snooze.

As dusk approached, we were told that Mount Sequoyah was the place to go for elevated views of the city. This 32-acre property has an assortment of diverse activities including artistic, educational, health-related, as well as unique lodging options. The west-facing Mt. Sequoyah Cross was the gathering spot for the eagerly anticipated light show. As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, the colors of the sky changed to a pinkish-red hue, punctuating nature’s scenic beauty.

Visiting Mt. Sequoya is one of the must-stops in Fayetteville.

I was hankering some smoked meats and settled on Penguin Ed’s BBQ for supper. With two passions—BBQ and a love for Emperor Penguins–the owner has been serving up hearty portions of brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken since 1962. This place has earned high praise from residents. With attentive service, tender meats and decorative penguins, what’s not to love?

The ribs at Penguin Ed’s are a great choice.

Adding a bit of musical pizzazz to the evening, the Folk School of Fayetteville provides a community space for concerts, workshops and personal lessons. The evening’s fare featured a volunteer ensemble in an informal Irish jam session. The lively atmosphere reminded us of the time we spent in a neighborhood Dublin pub. Walk-ins are welcome and afterward, they serve a wee bit of light refreshments.

Day 2 in Fayetteville

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest impact. This was certainly true at Little Bread Co., our first stop for breakfast, where everything is prepared from scratch. We ended up sharing a delightful bacon, egg, and cheese croissant sandwich with some freshly roasted coffee. Then, I spied some bigger-than-life cream puffs calling my name from their display case. These Bavarian chocolate-covered beauties were stuffed full of airy and sweet pastry cream, most of which ended up on my face.

The Bavarian cream puffs at Little Bread are delicious.

Our next adventure brought us to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park about a 30-minute drive northwest of Fayetteville. Many might be unaware of a significant Civil War battle that occurred here on December 7, 1862. The Battle of Prairie Grove, the last significant campaign in northwest Arkansas, involved a dramatic clash between Union and Confederate troops resulting in 2,700 casualties.

The open fields surrounded by majestic trees and other landmarks are now hallowed ground. As the gentle breeze rustled the leaves around us, we could almost hear the haunting echo of cannons, musket fire and the anguished cries of wounded soldiers. The visitor’s center is the best place to start, and a self-guided driving tour with fourteen stops highlights key moments in this confrontation.

A visit to Battlefield State Park is an important part of an itinerary in Fayetteville, AR.

Directly across the highway from Battlefield State Park is a retro oddity that could be easily overlooked unless you knew it was there. A signature red and white old-time phone booth might be familiar site to some of a certain age but unknown to others.

Known as The Prairie Grove Airlight Outdoor Telephone Booth, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once commonplace throughout the U.S., this working 1959 telephone booth is one of only two left in the state of Arkansas. Stop by and make a call. As long as it is local, there’s no need to drop some coins as the cost is free!

The Prairie Grove Airtight Outdoor Telephone Booth.

We love antiquing, and the nearby Prairie Grove Commercial Historic District is a treasure trove of cute shops lining both sides of Main Street. We spent a leisurely hour just browsing through the consignment booths and engaging in warm conversation with friendly locals. Sterling Drug is worth the pop-in as they have been continuously serving the community since 1918.

During the fall, Prairie Grove hosts a signature festival known as The Clothesline Fair. Visitors from miles around attend this memorable day for the entire family. The event features arts and crafts, food vendors as well as square dancing for all ages and skill levels.

Craving a bit of local flavor, we followed up on some excellent reviews about a family-owned restaurant called The Catfish Hole. This iconic eatery has been serving up tasty farm-raised catfish for more than 20 years. I ordered their savory fried catfish accompanied with some house-made coleslaw, a sweet and tangy green tomato relish and bottomless golden hush puppies—tasty and quite filling.

Arriving back in Fayetteville, we took on a tour of Headquarters House Museum and Gardens also known as Colonel Tebbetts place. The whitewashed exterior of the residence stands out among its neighbors representing a stellar example of Greek Revival architecture. Constructed in 1853, it formerly served as the command center for both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War.

Many of the rooms and artifacts are original with some interesting more recent additions. You can tour this magnificent remnant of the period as well as stroll through their beautifully landscaped gardens.

Leverett Lounge was our choice for dinner. Tucked away on a small corner lot in a local neighborhood, the inside is pure whimsical fun. Painted China plates, retro tables, and creative knickknacks, all add to the pleasurable dining experience. And while you are there, don’t skip a visit to the restroom which I would describe as a colorful burst of vintage artistic expression.

Serving elevated but casual fine dining, Leverett Lounge offers both small and large plates to share. They offer a full range of pre-meal cocktails as well as beer and wine selections. Their smoked chili-rubbed flat iron steak over charred vegetable hash was tender and packed with flavor. The cozy space fills up rapidly so place your reservations early to reserve a table.

Enjoy the chili-rubbed flat iron steak at Leverett Lounge.

Fayetteville may not be a “big city,” but that doesn’t mean it skimps on the arts. Providing cultural enrichment for the region, TheatreSquared in downtown is the largest theater in the state. Additionally, it has won many awards for its architectural design. More than 350 performances and events are held each year drawing professionals from across the country. We attended their Twenty50 play and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hungry for more? Read Ron’s article about Ames, Iowa.

Day 3 in Fayetteville

It was time to change accommodations and that meant moving to the Fairfield Inn and Suites in the northwest quadrant of the city. Breakfast is included with your stay featuring hot entrees, oatmeal, fruit, pastries, and coffee. Our room was clean, bright, and comfortable and the staff was quite welcoming (like everyone we encountered).

The world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville was a must-visit and just a 30-minute drive. Attracting more than 300,000 visitors per year, the entire complex is meant to harmonize with the surrounding Ozark terrain.

Hungry for more? Read more about Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

With a perfect Tripadvisor rating, the museum showcases world-class art, rotating exhibits, and nature walks. Their restaurant called Eleven at Crystal Bridges has received excellent reviews from travelers. You can enjoy your dining experience while admiring the many architectural wonders like the wooden roof, glass walls, and outside water features.

One reviewer summarized it best saying, “This place is unbelievable… and stunning.” One of our more unexpected discoveries was a reconstructed 1954 Frank Lloyd Wright House. Known as the Bachman-Wilson House, the entire structure was dismantled from its original New Jersey location and painstakingly reassembled on-site.

General admission is always free. There is, however, a charge for special exhibits and tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright House.

For lunch, we heard about another slightly different barbecue restaurant called Girls Gone BBQ. Intrigued, we found this in a simple strip mall run by Arkansas Delta native Dana Neely.

Having been raised around the wafting aroma of smoked meats, she proudly serves up Eastern Arkansas-style barbecue. Pulled pork, brisket, and chicken are just a few of her offerings. We loved her tantalizing sides of pepper jack mac and cheese, grilled greens, and black-eyed peas. Additionally, she offers an entire line of gluten-free, vegan and something called “Alpha Gal Syndrome” friendly dishes—all mouth-droolingly delicious!

Afterward, we visited an indoor mall and a variety of boutique shops, entertainment venues and flower-laden Fayetteville historic square. For the gastronomic-minded, Fayetteville boasts more than 366 restaurants and bars, 95 of which are within easy walking distance of downtown.

We have always loved New Orleans, so it was a sheer delight to discover that Fayetteville enjoys its version of Cajun cuisine called Cafe Rue Orleans. The transplanted owners go the extra step by using authentic products for their recipes. This includes Louisiana Gulf Shrimp, Boscoli Olive Salad, and bread from Gambino’s Bakery. Consequently, dinner here was a no-brainer.

Their hillside location afforded grand views of the city with floor-to-ceiling windows. Our starter was their fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade. We also sampled red beans and rice as well as Decatur Salad with butter lettuce, olives and Italian dressing.

For dessert, our server suggested their Beignets which tasted just like the ones we have had at famous Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. Put this on your culinary list, and you won’t be disappointed. As Cajun Chef Justin Wilson was fond of saying, “I garontee!”

Day 4 of Things to Do in Fayetteville, Arkansas

For our final day, we rented a couple of e-bikes from Pedego Electric Bikes. After some easy instructions from the super helpful owner, we headed out back entering a portion of the Razorback Greenway. For ambitious adventurers, you can take that one step further via the Fayetteville Bikepacking Route Network. Choose from among five cycling loops ranging from 60-190 miles through some of the most gorgeous mountain terrain the Ozarks have to offer.

An e-bike tour is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and nature.

On this day, we decided to take a tour around picturesque Lake Fayetteville. The deep blue skies, vibrant fall leaves, and shimmering lake waters were all the inspiration needed for our scenic and invigorating 45-minute ride.

This trail also has the advantage of going right by the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, one of the city’s prized horticultural gems. The grounds include twelve gardens with various themes like Japanese, vegetable, rose and sensory. There are many distinctive areas of interest like a bat house, beehive colony, butterfly enclosure, and even a carnivorous plant bog.

Include a visit to the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks in your visit to Fayetteville.

The gardens are open Friday – Wednesday am to 5 pm and closed on Thursdays. There is an admission fee but children ages 3 and under are free.

You merely have to say “fried chicken” and my ears instantly perk up. At Mockingbird Kitchen, we were reliably informed that they make the best in town.

The very popular friend chicken at Mockingbird.

Pimento seems to be a thing here and generally in the south. I recommend their pimento cheese mousse and edamame hummus dip as a light and crunchy starter.

For my entree, I selected the brined fried chicken served atop some sauteed greens, potato smash, and topped with bacon gravy. Tender and seasoned just right, great southern food was one of the culinary perks I was hoping to find here.

After a well-deserved rest back at our hotel, we ventured out for one final meal just down the block at Wood Stone Craft Pizza and Bar. As the name implies, they prepare their pies in a wood-fired oven and everything is made to order using locally-sourced ingredients. We lingered over our pepperoni pizza enjoying the vestiges of our first visit but, hopefully not our last.

With the University of Arkansas as its heart, there’s no denying their love for all things football. But beyond game day, Fayetteville has stayed true to its historical roots and exudes small-town charm and friendliness. Manners are still in vogue here as people still address you as “ma’am” and “sir,” all part of Ozark hospitality. Whether spending four days or a week, you will no doubt discover why tourists from all 50 states find this little slice of northwest Arkansas so captivating.

For more information about visiting Fayetteville, Arkansas, check their website, here.

-Story and photos by Ron Stern, Real Food Traveler Hospitality Editor

Please note, as is common practice in this industry, this was a hosted visit, however, all opinions are honest and based on the author’s opinion for the purpose of informing our readers.