When a city is located right in the midst of what is considered some of the best natural beauty in the entire country, it only stands to reason that active lifestyle enthusiasts need not look far to find excellent retail options for outdoor gear. Fayetteville, Arkansas is surrounded by incredible destinations for hiking, trail running, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking—so we’ve put together an insider’s look at the best local stores for outstanding products supported by knowledgeable staff happy to share the pro tips that will make your adventures in the Natural State even better.

Frills, frocks and finery will take center stage in Fayetteville, Arkansas as the fall NWA Fashion Week brings a packed schedule of beautiful runway shows to Jett Aircraft at Drake Field—October 3 – 5, 2019. With a mission of supporting creativity in fashion and style in Northwest Arkansas, the semi-annual NWA Fashion Week has become a highly anticipated part of the region’s must-do events. A series of diverse and exiting runway shows are designed to highlight fashion trends, emerging local brands and up-and-coming designers, as well as display the work of regional stylists, models, designers, photographers and production teams.

If you’ve got a day or just a couple of hours to do some leisurely wandering on foot, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the fantastic array of downtown Fayetteville shopping options located over a several block span. Block Avenue and Dickson Street offer a mecca of independent stores with friendly service and unique stock you won’t find just anywhere. And, when your retail therapy results in an inevitable appetite and thirst, the hardest thing to do will be to choose from all of the options for where to stop in for a few bites and a craft cocktail or two!

There are a handful of true institutions which contribute substantially more than their share to help keep the funky in Fayetteville—and one of those places is Flying Possum Leather. Established in 1976, this wonderful shop is committed to creating and selling custom items at a time when mass production has nearly overtaken the artistry and craftsmanship of handmade leather work.

A wise woman (Bo Derek) was attributed with saying, “Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” Lucky for you, Fayetteville is full of great clothing boutiques with excellent customer service, careful attention to current fashion trends, and selections for all ages in a variety of budget ranges. The Northwest Arkansas region is home to a rapidly growing fashion industry, thanks in part to an excellent apparel studies program at the University of Arkansas and the biannual NWA Fashion Week—a dynamic organization with a mission of highlighting fashion trends, local brands and up-and-coming designers.

Some of us are just made to search out the hidden treasures, whether we’re looking for something very specific or we’re simply hoping to be inspired by that unique, one-of-a-kind item we can’t live without. Whether you’re a first-time secondhand shopper or avid about antiquing, Fayetteville offers an array of great shops ranging from highly curated to glorious jumbles of kitsch.