Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas 101: Heralded and undersung corners of the state’s most booming region
Has Northwest Arkansas fatigue set in yet? What was once a well-kept secret is now on everyone’s list of places to live. Corporate money and a steady stream of new residents has led to a rapid increase of new amenities and services, most of which were unimaginable just a decade ago. And increasingly, people are packing up their cars and paying Northwest Arkansas a visit to see what all the hype is about.
Much has been written about places like Crystal Bridges and the Walton Arts Center. People are aware that James Beard-nominated chefs live and work along the Interstate 49 corridor. It’s a well-known fact that mountain bikers come from all over to explore some of the best-groomed trails in the country. University of Arkansas Razorback athletics are a major draw for sports fans, and minor league baseball provides an opportunity to see the professionals play. College students, corporate-types, immigrants, blue-collar workers — just about everyone can find something of interest in Northwest Arkansas. Yes, with growth comes challenges; many natives have been priced out of the local housing market. But there’s no denying the vibrancy that exists in Northwest Arkansas.
In fact, there’s so much to do that new visitors may have a hard time putting an itinerary together. Here, we’ve put together a list to give visitors a good sense of what makes the area special.
Dickson Street Bookshop
325 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville
Smack in the middle of the city’s rowdy entertainment district, the shop’s labyrinth of rooms, ramps and hallways burst with books. It’s easy to lose yourself in the sprawl and spend an afternoon browsing old titles. You may not find what you’re looking for, but you’ll leave happy with something in hand. Founded in 1978 by the late Don Choffel and Charles O’Donnell, Dickson Street Bookshop represents a well-worn yellowed paper approach in a world dominated by online booksellers.
Block Street Records
17 N. Block Ave., Fayetteville
This hip local record store is perhaps one of the last bastions of the “Keep Fayetteville Funky” mentality that some locals fear is slipping away with each new multimillion-dollar development. It’s also one of the last places in Northwest Arkansas where you can go “digging in the crates.” Inside the small record store, crates are filled with albums that span genres, and employees are usually spinning something you haven’t heard before. Vinyl isn’t cheap these days, but there seems to be a steady appetite for it in Fayetteville.
The Guisinger
1 E. Mountain St., Fayetteville
A lot of people in Fayetteville are excited about the new cocktail bar that opened in April on the downtown square. The Guisinger is the latest concept from the guys behind Feed & Folly and City Park, a couple of established local hotspots. The place has a grownup feel, providing a much-needed alternative to the college drinking scene that Fayetteville is mostly known for. And with veteran bartender Trey Fincher behind the bar, patrons can definitely expect a quality cocktail. You can get a Redbull and vodka elsewhere.
Charly’s Taqueria
1830 S. Pleasant St., Springdale
The booming immigrant population in Northwest Arkansas has led to an abundance of authentic taquerias in the area. You can find them nearly everywhere, but one of the best is Charly’s Taqueria. It’s the kind of hole-in-the-wall place that you might miss because it’s tucked into an aging strip mall with hardly any signage. Once you find it, you’ll encounter some of the most delicious Mexican food that nobody is talking about. The menu isn’t surprising — they have tacos, burritos and tortas — but the execution is top-notch. The carne asada burrito could be used to negotiate world peace. The crowd at Charly’s is blue-collar and mostly Hispanic, but everyone feels welcome, even the corporate types that wander in from the big chicken company HQ down the road.
The Odd Soul
126 W. Emma Ave., Springdale
If the late Anthony Bourdain picked somewhere to day drink in the area, he’d probably choose this spot — a no-frills place with full bar service and a pizza oven. Regulars come and go throughout the day, escaping the frantic pace of life outside. The bartenders are funny but not overbearing. And with 22 taps, The Odd Soul is one of the better beer bars in Northwest Arkansas. But, of course, Bourdain would have probably settled for a Budweiser and a shot of something brown. Listen to The Odd Soul owner Jeffro Brown’s entertaining interview on the District 3 Podcast to hear a lifelong resident speak about his background, the story behind the bar and the growth he has witnessed in his hometown.
Onyx Coffee Lab
101 E. Walnut St., Rogers
Onyx isn’t exactly flying under the radar. But no matter how much you’ve read about the award-winning roaster, its headquarters in Rogers is worth a visit. Onyx has been setting the standard in coffee roasting and preparation for several years, and with each new project, it expands the brand’s aesthetic. Walking around the flagship location, you imagine every tile was meticulously chosen, every chair purposely placed. Hail Fellow Well Met — Onyx’s cafe in Johnson — embodies this approach, as should its chocolate production facility in Springdale, currently under development. Visit Onyx for the coffee, sure, but stay for the feng shui.
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
20201 E. Arkansas Highway 12, Rogers
Mountain biking has taken off in Northwest Arkansas, and there are many well-groomed trails in the region to ride. Some of the best singletrack can be found just east of Rogers at this 12,000-acre park, which features several loops that vary in length and difficulty. Little Clifty Loop is the best of the bunch, with nearly 9 miles of challenging trail that can crush weekend warriors. The trails at Hobbs aren’t paved with Walton money, making them a bit harder to navigate than those found closer to town. You will also need to navigate horse bombs in your path; the trails at Hobbs State Park are open to horseback riders, too. Take plenty of water with you because once you’re on the trail there’s no looking back. Many a rider has been seen walking his bike out of the woods due to exhaustion.
Monte Ne Inn
13843 E. Arkansas Highway 94, Rogers
There are a lot of great places to eat in Northwest Arkansas, but one of the most memorable culinary experiences you can have is found at Monte Ne Inn. Named after the historic resort community of the early 20th century — now covered by Beaver Lake — the restaurant serves all-you-can-eat fried chicken, bean soup and mashed potatoes in a traditional family style. Pass the biscuits to your left and take the green beans from your neighbor to the right. And leave your snootiness at the door; this isn’t white-table-cloth-Walton Avenue. Monte Ne Inn is a throwback restaurant that gives a glimpse of Northwest Arkansas before the money poured in.
Momentary
507 S.E. E St., Bentonville
The Walmart Amp gets most of the limelight, but the Momentary is a contender for the best music venue in the region. The small-ish amphitheater gives everyone on the lawn great sightlines to the onstage performers. Wu-Tang Clan’s visit this past October was one of the most memorable shows in the area in a long time. A steady rain fell on the crowd while the legendary rappers brought the MF’n ruckus. Upcoming shows include Lake Street Dive and Gary Clark Jr., and while tickets are a bit pricey — as are the drinks — it’s a small price to pay to see top-bill artists in a semi-intimate setting.
Bentonville Brewing Co.
901 S.W. 14th St., Bentonville
Breweries are a big deal in Northwest Arkansas. Nearly half of the state’s 60-plus beermakers are found in this corner of the state. One of the most impressive area taprooms belongs to Bentonville Brewing Co. Founded in 2015, the brewery moved to its current location in 2020. The structure is a hulking presence along the street, housing a 20-barrel brewhouse and several large stainless steel fermentation tanks. The outdoor seating area to the rear of the brewery is the place to be during warm weather. People from all walks of life congregate there for pints of Homewrecker IPA and Natural State Porter.