Meet Bethany Osborn. She is a sophomore Journalism major and a Fayetteville, AR native. In addition to being a parent Ambassador, she is a volunteer at Washington Elementary School. If she isn’t spending time outside, enjoying the beautiful scenery Arkansas has to offer, you can find her in one of Fayetteville’s many coffee shops.
8 Ways to Experience Fayetteville in One Weekend
So your student has finally decided to let you come to Fayetteville for the weekend. In an effort to avoid down time, the following list includes ways you, as a parent can experience the town your current or future student calls home.
1. The Downtown Square
The Downtown Square acts as a basecamp for Fayetteville’s artistic community. The square is lined with small businesses ranging from boutiques to French bakeries, the Fayetteville welcome center, and even a vinyl record store. The Downtown Square and its surrounding streets are home to Fayetteville’s classic restaurants such as Hugo’s burger joint, Tiny Tim’s Pizza, and a small artisan bakery The Little Bread Company. If you’re visiting in the fall or summer, each Saturday morning there is a Farmers market (read about later in this post). If you’re visiting in the winter, be sure to catch the Lights of the Ozarks. The downtown Square is a great starting point for any weekend in Fayetteville.
2. Crystal Bridges Museum
Crystal Bridges is actually located in the neighboring city of Bentonville (about a 20 minute drive from campus). Crystal Bridges is a museum of American Art that is free to the public. The beautifully crafted museum is surrounded by hiking trails and also has a restaurant that specializes in modern American comfort food. For families interested in experiencing the artistic culture of the south, Crystal Bridges is a great way to spend your day.
3. Dickson Street (not just for rowdy twenty-somethings)
Sure, Dickson Street is primarily lined with bars and places to grab a quick late-night fourth meal, however, it is also home to a few hidden gems. First there is George’s Majestic Lounge. Yes it is primarily a bar, but also serves as a concert venue for local live music. The Walton Arts Center is also located on Dickson Street; this venue is great if you’re looking to catch a theatrical production or musical performance. A great place to eat before you see a show is Hammontree’s, one of Fayetteville’s best restaurants. Hammontree’s is adored for its gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
4. Mount Sequoyah
No matter the time of year, Fayetteville is never in short supply of beautiful views. The Northwest Arkansas area is the best place to see the Ozark Mountains. Devil’s Den State Park offers hiking, camping, and lodging and is located 45 minuets south of Fayetteville. Hawksbill Crag is also a popular place students go to experience the Ozarks; it’s an hour and 20 minutes from Fayetteville. Luckily, if you’re looking for a great view there’s one available in Fayetteville. A five-minute drive from campus, Mount Sequoyah will give you and your student a view of the entire city of Fayetteville, and it now has hiking trails. If driving a few hours isn’t an option due to time, but you still want a taste of the mountain scenery, Mount Sequoyah is sure to deliver.
5. The Fayetteville Farmer’s Market
As mentioned before, if you’re visiting your student during the fall semester before November, it is essential to visit the Farmers Market. Each Saturday morning from 6am to 2pm the downtown square comes alive to showcase the best of Fayetteville’s artisan community. The square is lined with vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, meats, eggs, soaps, jewelry and so much more. As you turn each corner there is a different group of live and local performers. The Famer’s Market will delight each of your senses, and if your student refuses to take you there, it’s because they’re afraid it will make you want to move to Fayetteville.
6. Arsaga’s Depot
The Arsaga family has provided Fayetteville with freshly roasted coffee since 1992. The family recently opened a branch off of Dickson Street in an old train freight building. This unique café not only offers its award winning coffee but also serves decadent French crepes. You will find a mixture of Fayetteville locals as well as university students enjoying the relaxing, family-friendly environment. Arsaga’s is perfect for a meal or a place to grab a cup of coffee while you decide what to do next in Fayetteville.
7. Brunch
You may be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t love Sunday brunch. Luckily Fayetteville is a community that is welcoming and nurturing to the idea of brunch. The Farmers table is a great new place five minutes south of campus to grab a fresh organic brunch. The Farmers Table offers traditional country breakfast items that come from local farms. Other places to try are Common Grounds, Bordinos, and Ella’s. Common Grounds is located on Dickson Street and they offer gourmet coffee drinks as well as classic breakfast dishes with a twist, such as breakfast pizza. Bordinos is also located on Dickson Street and is mostly thought of as a dinner place that serves Italian dishes, however, they recently started serving brunch. Bordino’s is on the pricier side, but it’s definitely worth it. Finally, Ella’s is located in the Inn at Carnell Hall on campus; they’re famous for their decadent entrees and deserts. Ella’s is perfect if you’re looking to stay on campus. Your student will definitely appreciate a break from midnight IHOP and Waffle House runs!
8. The University of Arkansas
Okay, so this one may seem a little confusing. Many of you saw the campus at orientation, but now it’s time to see the campus from your student’s perspective. Your student may want to show you some of their favorite places to visit on campus or even just walk across the Old Main Lawn. If you didn’t get a chance to see the campus during orientation, it’s definitely worth it. The University of Arkansas has a beautiful campus that is always changing, and walking across campus is a great way to experience Fayetteville through the eyes of your student. University sporting events are also something many Fayetteville locals participate in. If you’re visiting on a weekend there’s likely to be a football, basketball, or baseball game where you can cheer on the hogs alongside your student.