First Thursday returns to the downtown square for its 2022 season! As always, this event is FREE and open to the public. The event celebrates Fayetteville's local arts culture, music, food, and beer! Guests can also take advantage of the Outdoor Refreshment Area -- those that are 21 and older can sip and stroll their way through the event.
Experience
Experience
Surrounded by the scenic Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is the entertainment capital of Northwest Arkansas. With its thriving arts scene, legendary live music and nightlife, culinary treasures, and events and attractions for all ages, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Fayetteville! Enjoy nearly anything you can imagine, from Razorback athletic events to winding mountain roads made for motorcycles. We’ve got enough outdoor activities to last a lifetime, and a system of cycling trails befitting of the only Bike City in the United States. When you experience Fayetteville, brimming with historic sites, boutiques, and family-friendly activities, you’ll find enough variety to keep your entire group all smiles.
We invite you to explore our unique corner of Arkansas and immerse yourself in our thriving community. With its small town feel and big time culture, Fayetteville’s full of attractions that just might find you extending your stay!
One of the most popular things to do in Fayetteville for both locals and visitors is watching a movie under the stars at the 112 Drive-in Theater, one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in America. Open seasonally from April to October, you can catch an extremely affordable double feature on a single screen drive-in every weekend! With just over 300 theaters of this kind still operating in the entire country, this is a uniquely Fayetteville experience you may never be able to replicate!
As if the lush landscaping and vibrant themed gardens (all twelve of them!) of our beloved Botanical Garden of the Ozarks right here in Fayetteville aren’t enough, BGO also boasts the only Butterfly House in the state of Arkansas and over 70,000 visitors annually. In true Fayetteville fashion, BGO is a lovely, whimsical, and must-see destination where you can revel in the peace of the outdoors and connect with nature - and each other! Enjoy a leisurely stroll, join a guided tour, or stop by for an event and enjoy the enchanting beauty of the Garden.
Spend an afternoon bonding with the family at Arkadia Retrocade, where parents can relive their arcade days on games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, and kids can ditch the PlayStation for the afternoon to enjoy the timeless strategies of games like Tetris and Asteroids. The classic, stand-up arcade machines are straight out of the ‘80s: vintage, out-of-service machines, fixed up and installed in the Retrocade! $5 - cash only - covers you for all-day game play, no quarters necessary.
This family-friendly wonderland of art is home to the iconic Bluebird of Happiness and houses a six-acre art park, gallery, art classes and demonstrations. Replete with sculpture gardens, large-scale murals, sparkling glasswork, fantastical creatures, and playful fountains that are loved by visitors of all ages, Terra Studios inspires creativity in all who visit. Even your dog friends are welcome - when accompanied by conscientious owners prepared to clean up after them, of course! Terra Studios is a wildly popular Northwest Arkansas tourist attraction, and the non-profit welcomes you to visit - for free! - all year round.
You won’t want to miss this museum that flies! In a way, it’s literal -- Fayetteville’s Arkansas Air & Military Museum is an unusual one in that many of the historic aircraft on display can still take flight. Residing in an all-wood hangar listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places, this largest aviation museum in Arkansas is a fascinating glimpse into the colorful history of aviation in the state, bursting with original artifacts and aviation memorabilia. Small but mighty, this tucked-away gem is an experience the entire family can enjoy.
Sometimes known as simply “The Square” to locals, Fayetteville’s Historic Square is a popular walkable, history-filled, family friendly location where you’ll never run out of things to do, places to shop, or food to eat! Two hours of free parking will afford you enough time to stroll the gardens, drop by our Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center, grab a local beer and a bite to eat - with time to spare! Make a day of it and enjoy a classic Fayetteville experience by picking up local produce at the Farmers’ Market, taking in the holiday spectacle that is Lights of the Ozarks, soaking in the local culture at First Thursday, or stopping by the annual Block Street Block Party.
This self-guided beer tour gives both visitors and locals a glimpse into the unique craft brewery and cidery culture of Northwest Arkansas. The Fayetteville Ale Trail currently features 17 stops, each of which will commemorate your visit with a personalized stamp in your passport! Passports are available for no cost at any Ale Trail brewery/cidery location or at the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center. Completed passports can be redeemed for a free prize!
The Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center, located on the Historic Downtown Square, is the go-to place to learn about the best things to do and events going on while you’re in town! The Visitors Center offers seating areas, a phone charging station, and local art on display, plus videos and wall maps showcasing attractions throughout Fayetteville. As the neon sign says, all are welcome! Be sure to make this your first stop and pick up a free Visitor’s Guide, Fayetteville Ale Trail passport, maps, and brochures to help you get around. Plus, browse a unique assortment of locally made merchandise and one-of-a-kind souvenirs!
Things to Do in Northwest Arkansas | What to Do in Fayetteville
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