Every fall, Razorback fans travel to Fayetteville to watch the Hogs play football! College game day is a staple of American culture, especially in the South and SEC, but here, the options for weekend fun go beyond the Saturday battle on the gridiron. Visitors in town for the football game often stay Friday through Sunday for the best experience - and leave wishing they had more time. When you aren’t tailgating and cheering at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, make the most of your weekend trip by trying some of these popular traditions and things to do in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Eat the Best Local Foods
If you’re talking football, you’ve got to think about food! Along with anticipating the delicious snacks and barbecue at the game itself, many fans return to town eager for another meal at their favorite Fayetteville restaurants. Staples such as Herman’s Ribhouse, Hugo’s, Penguin Ed’s and the Catfish Hole are always popular and never disappoint, which is why so many people continue to make time to visit on game day weekends.
For breakfast, try Farmer’s Table Cafe or Little Bread Company, both favorites for locals and visitors alike. Hammontree’s and Sassy’s Red House are great lunch options for groups, and you can enjoy delicious and incredible dinners at Theo’s and Mockingbird Kitchen.
New restaurants pop up in Fayetteville regularly, and some of those dining options have quickly become new traditions for Hog fans. If you’re looking to try something different, explore the options at Waystone Pizza, Mess Hall 45, or Girls Gone BBQ! No matter what you’re craving, there’s a restaurant in Fayetteville that’s serving it. For a more complete list, check out the Experience Fayetteville Restaurant Guide.
Drink Delicious Craft Beer
Like food, beer always seems to come up when football plans are being made! As a college town, Fayetteville has always had (and continues to have) a plethora of great watering holes. If you’re a beer drinker, however, conquering the Fayetteville Ale Trail will quickly become a favorite activity for football weekends.
With 23 stops throughout Northwest Arkansas, there’s a nearby brewery stop on the Fayetteville Ale Trail no matter where you’re staying! The tour is self-guided, acting as a taproom roadmap that gives visitors an easy glimpse into the craft beer culture in Northwest Arkansas. Participants can pick up a passport at any brewery location and then collect stamps at each stop for a keepsake, with a special prize available to finishers!
If a weekend challenge sounds more appealing, try The Fayetteville Flight! To claim glory, sample beers and get your passport stamped at each of the breweries located in Fayetteville. Once you’ve finished your “flight”, show your passport at the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center to claim a special bonus prize.
Enjoy the Arts
Of course football fans appreciate the arts, especially when the works are as diverse and fun as they are here! Fayetteville has historically been known as a “funky” mountain town with a thriving arts scene. The beauty of the surrounding Ozark Mountains acts as a muse for a number of local artists, shaping their eventual masterpieces. With public art, large-scale murals, and galleries sprinkled throughout town, one visit to Fayetteville is all you need to see great works by local painters, sculptors and craftsmen — and sometimes, to bring a piece of art back home!
Live arts are a must-experience in Fayetteville, too. From a sprawling list of live music venues where you can see a concert any weekend night to unforgettable performances by artists and entertainers, we’ve got it all. Downtown Fayetteville is home to Obie Award winning TheatreSquared in addition to the Walton Arts Center, the largest and most-booked venue of its kind in all of Arkansas. Together, they’ve made the Downtown & Dickson Street Entertainment District the performing arts capital of Northwest Arkansas.
Celebrate on Dickson Street
When the game is over, this is where Razorback fans go to celebrate. Dickson Street serves as the epicenter for fun throughout Northwest Arkansas — and it’s right next to campus!
Home to many of Fayetteville’s most popular bars and restaurants, Dickson Street is quite literally lined with a huge variety of options. A few favorite places to grab drinks for visitors are 21st Amendment, Kingfish, Sideways, JJ's Grill, Busters and Brewski’s. Dining spots range from late-night food trucks, to sports bar fare, to fine dining. A few favorites are Los Bobos Taqueria, Farrell’s Lounge, Doe’s Eat Place, and Bordinos.
Dickson Street also offers live music almost every night of the week. Legendary names of the music industry have passed through Fayetteville and played here, particularly at George’s Majestic Lounge, the oldest and longest-running club and live music venue in Arkansas.
Visit Campus
Along with attending the game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, any alumni in town for the weekend should visit the University of Arkansas campus for a stroll down memory lane, and to see the amazing growth that’s taken place! Even if you’re just here for the football, the campus is beautiful and a great place to stroll.
Even as new buildings crop up at the University of Arkansas, Old Main remains the cornerstone of campus. Completed in 1875, Old Main is the most recognizable symbol of the university (and the most Instagrammed landmark in Arkansas, if you’re looking for a great selfie). Behind Old Main is a statue of U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, namesake of the Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences. The dedication ceremony included special guest President Bill Clinton, whose first home with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (now the Clinton House Museum) is located just off the other side of campus. The lawn, or arboretum, is home to one of every native tree in Arkansas, with a few exceptions.
While you're there, another must-do on game weekends is finding names on Senior Walk. Each year, all graduates have their name carved into the sidewalk that circles and cuts through campus. The walk begins directly in front of Old Main with the first graduating class of 1876. This season, make sure to find the names of your friends and family!
Earn Prizes with the Visit the SEC Pass
Did you know that you can earn cool prizes just for visiting the different cities of the Southeastern Conference? Often named one of the best places to live in the SEC, Fayetteville has no shortage of fun stops for families, sports fans, nature enthusiasts or even coffee lovers alike to make the absolute most of gameday weekends! Download your free Visit the SEC passport to see which stops earn points towards your first prize. Hint: one of them is at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium! For more information, visit visitthesec.com.
Go Your Own Way
There's always something happening in Fayetteville! If none of these options are what you're looking for, check out the Experience Fayetteville Event Calendar for things to do on the weekends or browse some of the most popular attractions in Northwest Arkansas.
