You've done the pedal pub and the $40 cover. You've done the all-inclusive, where the greatest adventure was the journey from the pool bar to the beach bar. Then there’s the golf trip where you lost more balls than you made pars. It’s time to raise the bar on your guys’ getaway.
Maybe it's your annual trip, or the first of a lifelong tradition. Either way, hanging out with your buddies never gets old (even if you do). Rally the guys and get down to Fayetteville for a weekend of outdoor adventure, heavy-hitting food, SEC sports, and after-hours shenanigans.
Your Basecamp: Where to Stay in Fayetteville
If you’re the group’s self-appointed Type A planner, you already know that getting everyone to agree on where to stay can be the hardest part of planning a trip. In our corner of the Ozarks, you don't have to choose between a city trip and sleeping under the stars. You can do both. (Cue the overstuffed trunk.)
Spend a few nights downtown, where dinner, the game, and a show on Dickson Street are all within walking distance. Then load up the car and head to a nearby campsite that feels more remote than it actually is. Explore hotels, campsites, and more places to stay in Fayetteville.
Get Outside in Fayetteville
Fresh air is right around the corner. Crush a morning ride without leaving city limits, or cast a line at Lake Wilson, and still make it back downtown in time for lunch
Bring the Bikes… All of Them
Fayetteville's 120-mile trail network gives road, gravel, and mountain bikers plenty of ways to ride. Cruise paved paths into downtown for urban exploring, or hit the dirt for some of the best mountain biking in the country. Try Centennial Park at Millsap Mountain, which hosted the 2022 Cyclo-Cross World Championships.
No bikes? No problem. Several local bike shops rent e-bikes so the whole group can keep pace.
Kayak Fishing at Lake Wilson
Load up the kayaks and head to Lake Wilson, a 28-acre lake that once served as Fayetteville's first water supply and now draws anglers, paddlers, and hikers. You’ll have so much space that nobody can hear you miss the hookset. Cast a line in the morning, then stretch your legs on the Joe Clark Trail, which loops around the lake through hardwood forest.
Group Adventure in the Ozarks
Friends don't let friends leave the Ozark Mountains unexplored. Some of the best hiking, biking, and floating in Arkansas starts a short drive from downtown. Interested in road tripping? We can help with that.
But First, Gear Up
Forgot a headlamp? Tent pole snapped last season? Swing by Packrat Outdoor Center and get everyone outfitted for the weekend in one trip. But hey, you don't need a gear failure to treat yourself to a new knife, pack, or boots. If you’d like to shop around, Fayetteville has plenty of local outfitters. Call it retail therapy for the outdoorsy.
Devil's Den State Park
About 30–35 minutes south in West Fork, Devil's Den is a natural playground for groups who want a bit of everything: singletrack for the riders, bluff views for the hikers, and fishing in Lee Creek.
Seasoned adventurers can tackle the 15-mile Butterfield Hiking Trail, which loops deep into the Ozark National Forest. Split it into an overnight backpacking trip (grab a free permit at the visitor center first), or knock it out in one long day. Plan on about seven to eight hours and pack plenty of water. Short on time? The Yellow Rock Trail leads to a big stone overlook with panoramic valley views.
Gas stations and grocery stores are scarce near the park, so fill up and grab plenty of snacks and water before you leave.
The Buffalo National River
About an hour and a half to two hours east of Fayetteville, the Buffalo National River winds 135 miles through the Ozarks. Designated in 1972 as America’s first national river, it’s a popular spot for floating, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Camp overnight and you can trade the daytime scenery for some pretty incredible stargazing.
Make sure to book gear early with an outfitter, check the river levels before you go, and download offline maps since cell service is limited.
Take It Inside
A little friendly competition never hurts anybody (except maybe your pride). Head indoors for arcade games and climbing walls to keep the rivalry going rain or shine.
Arcade Days
Settle old scores at Pinpoint, a pinball bar tucked below Block Avenue near the downtown Square, with vintage and modern pinball, Skee-Ball, cocktails, and local beer. For a throwback, head to Arkadia Retrocade on College Avenue, where one admission covers unlimited play on more than 120 classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat.
Indoor Climbing at Boulders and Brews
Head to Dickson Street for a climbing session at Boulders and Brews. You don't need any experience, since routes are marked and graded for every skill level—first-timers to seasoned climbers. It's bouldering only, so there are no ropes, just 13- to 14.5-foot walls over thick padded floors. Shoe and chalk bag rentals are available on site.
Make Your Play SEC Gameday
Every guys' trip needs a reason. A birthday. A bachelor party. A reunion. Fayetteville gives you the best reason of all: SEC sports.
Razorback Football, Basketball & Baseball
Visitors flock to Fayetteville every fall to experience one of the most hog-wild pregame scenes in the country. This October and November, Razorback home games include Tennessee, Missouri (on Halloween!), South Carolina, and a regular-season finale against LSU. Check out our Razorback gameday guides with everything you need to know.
Join rowdy Razorback fans for a legendary tailgating experience and try out Fayetteville Trailgating, a new gameday experience that lets you ditch the traffic, grab a to-go drink from the Outdoor Refreshment Area (ORA), and march alongside thousands of fellow fans into HogTown.
Football's not the only game in town. Razorback basketball fills Bud Walton Arena all winter, and in spring, Baum-Walker Stadium draws some of the biggest crowds in college baseball. Grab a spot in the Hog Pen beyond the outfield, and you'll see why fans plan whole weekends around it.
Feed the Crew in Fayetteville
Breakfast and Coffee
A big day deserves a big breakfast, and Fayetteville has plenty of local brunch spots to choose from. Locals love Doomsday Coffee & Roasterie, a veteran-owned spot known for its breakfast quesadillas, tacos, and sandwiches. A word of advice for the extra hungry: the triple-meat breakfast tacos are not to be skipped.
As for the coffee snob in the group (you know, the one who brought his own grinder), Fayetteville has more local coffee shops than he can review in a weekend.
Lunch Plus Pints
Midday hunger meets its match at Sassy's Red House, a local BBQ mainstay. Try their Irish Nachos: a mountain of crispy waffle fries loaded with all the good stuff. Sharing is encouraged but rarely practiced. Finish it with their signature Sassy Jones Rebel Yell 4-Pepper Hot Sauce and thank us later.
Dinner Is on the Grill
When your dinner is best served medium rare, grab a table at Bocca Italian Eatery. They age their filets for 35 days and flash-finish them in a 1,000-degree pizza oven for a sear you just can't replicate in the backyard. Explore more of Fayetteville's best steaks.
Image Courtesy of Bocca - Hangry Pedaler NWA
In a burgers-and-beer mood? Easy enough. As for who serves the best one, we're staying out of that debate. You and your buddies can hash that out, but we do have some suggestions.
Patio Hangs
From April through October, Fayetteville's outdoor patios are where every good day ends up. Big win? Cheers. Caught the biggest fish? Cheers. Wearing the BBQ sauce on your shirt with pride? Double cheers. Find a spot at Dickson Street Pub, Feed and Folly, Penguin Ed’s, Calle Latin Cuisine, and many more.
Image Courtesy of Emma Farr Photography
The Night Shift
Start with happy hour, then follow the music to Dickson Street, Arkansas' top entertainment district. Dive pool halls, swanky cocktail spots, buzzing patios, and legendary live music venues are packed into just a few blocks, so everything's a short walk apart. From curtain call to last call, you’ll find it all here.
And when you're ready for the next stop, our Outdoor Refreshment Area (ORA) lets you bring your drink along. Very Vegas of us, we know.
Raise a Glass to Happy Hour
Feel like starting the night with something shaken or stirred? Head to the square and get a little fancy. Vault is a bourbon bar tucked inside an old downtown bank vault, with low lighting, a laid-back vibe, and a daily happy hour from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Just around the corner, Guisinger pours inventive cocktails inside a historic 1886 building overlooking the Square, with happy hour daily from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Find more happy hours in Fayetteville.
Don't worry, we didn't forget the beer lovers. If you’re looking for local hops, tap into the eight craft microbreweries and nonbreweries along the Fayetteville Ale Trail. Grab a passport, get ‘em stamped, and sip your way through Fayetteville’s finest pours.
After Dark on Dickson
You can't do Fayetteville without a night on Dickson Street, especially when the Hogs are home. It's packed with legendary bars, live music, and late-night food for when you need it (you will). Catch a show at George's Majestic Lounge, the oldest continuously operating live music venue in Arkansas. It's been around since 1927 and has the stories to prove it.
Somewhere on Dickson, a band is playing your song. Go find it. Want to know what's happening tonight? Check out the Experience Fayetteville Event Calendar.
Planning the Guys’ Trip: Need-to-Knows
Is Fayetteville, Arkansas, a good destination for a guys' weekend?
Absolutely. We've got Razorback sports, craft breweries, walkable nightlife, live music, and Ozark trails and rivers all close together. Hike in the morning, catch a game in the afternoon, and end up on a patio by dinner. We'd love to have you.
How many days do you need for a guys' trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas?
Two to three days gives you time for a game or show, a brewery crawl, and one big outdoor day. If you can swing an extra day, add an overnight backpacking trip or a spring float on the Buffalo.
Can you plan a guys' weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on a budget?
Definitely. Arkansas State Parks and the Buffalo National River are free to enter, and so are most of the city's trails and parks. Between local burger joints, brewery food trucks, and plenty of free things to do, it's easy to plan a great weekend that works for everyone in the group.
Is downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, walkable?
Very. Dickson Street and the downtown Square are connected, and the Outdoor Refreshment Area (ORA) lets you carry your drink between spots in marked zones from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. It's easy to wander and see where the day takes you.
Main Image Courtesy of Jeff Rose for Buffalo Outdoor Center
