Northwest Arkansas (NWA) is one of the best places to move to with your family. It has plenty of attractions I’m sure you and your loved ones can enjoy. But if you’re new to NWA and you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered.
Here are the first things I did in Northwest Arkansas when I moved here:
- I visited all the trails, parks, and libraries.
- I went to the DMV.
- I signed up for Nextdoor.
- I signed up for Meetup and Facebook groups.
- I checked out the grocery stores.
- I attended Visit Bentonville and Exp. Fayetteville.
Of course, these aren’t the only things you can do in Northwest Arkansas. You can check out my 3-day itinerary for more details. But if you want to have an easier time at NWA, I think my suggestions below are worth giving a shot. Keep reading to find out more!
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1. I Visited All the Trails, Parks, and Libraries
As soon as I moved down to Northwest Arkansas, the first thing I did was investigate all the parks, trails, and libraries. Those are important to me when I first moved down here because I love and enjoy the outdoors, trail running, and reading.
First, I visited all the trailheads around the areas in Bella Vista and tried out The Back 40. Then went to:
- Slaughter Pen
- Springdale
- Rogers
- Weddington
I tried to figure out all the trail systems to see exactly where I want to spend most of my time running and just being outdoors.
You can also get an online map detailing all the trail systems in the areas to help you move around easily. It’s also a good idea to make friends and ask around about the best trails and spots in the area.
After investigating the trail systems, I went to the following libraries to see what resources they have:
- Fayetteville Library
- Bentonville Library
- Springdale Library
- Rogers Library
I also had to check out the parks in the area because Fayetteville and Bentonville have so many parks with in-ground pools, massive swing sets, and track systems. So it’s really fun because every single park around the area is completely different.
For example, one of my favorite parks is Walker Park in Fayetteville because it’s centrally located and surrounded by trees, making it feel like a utopia inside the city. Also, a lot of families and people go there, so if you’re looking to make new friends, consider visiting Walker park.
Please read my other article to learn more about my perfect weekend in Bentonville.
2. I Went to the DMV
The second place I visited after getting to Northwest Arkansas was the DMV in Fayetteville. As someone from Chicago, I can tell you that going to the DMV is usually not an enjoyable experience. You have to stay in long lines, and the employees — honestly, they don’t look like they want to be there.
Fortunately, there’s a handy directory for all of Arkansas’ DMV offices. Another interesting thing about Fayetteville is that the revenue office is next door to the DMV. So if you’re in that city, you can get your stickers and go next door to pay your property taxes all in one place.
As a side note, if you get your driver’s license from the Fayetteville DMV, you can also get a free library card for any of the libraries in the area. How cool is that?
And even if you don’t have an NWA driver’s license, that’s okay. If you’re like me and you like reading, you can also shell out 50 bucks to wet your reading appetite.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
People LOVE Bentonville! Why? Read to know more
3. I Signed Up for Nextdoor
The next thing I did was go to the website Nextdoor and sign up for all notifications around the area. The nice thing about the website is it connects you to all the neighbors and allows you to see all the events happening in the area. For example, Nextdoor allows people with missing pets or upcoming garage sales to alert you and next-door neighbors about these things.
Using Nextdoor is great because it connects you to neighbors within a four-mile (6.4-kilometer) radius. You can easily narrow down your search to people who live next to you (as opposed to Facebook pages, which usually cover a much larger area). So, if you want to hit up some neighbors after moving to Northwest Arkansas, consider signing up on Nextdoor.
If you’re an introvert, you can use Nextdoor to introduce yourself to your neighbors and post a message to them, instead of walking to their front door to initiate a conversation. You can post things like “Welcome to the area,” and you’re good to go.
Want to spend a perfect weekend in Bentonville? We’re here to help! : Read here
4. I Signed Up for Meetup and Facebook Groups
Although I prefer Nextdoor over Facebook groups, I wanted to cast a wider net. So, I also went and signed up for Facebook and Meetup groups. Meetup Groups is a great website that has focus groups on things like blockchain, knitting, biking, running, and other interests. Of course, Facebook Groups need no introduction.
Both Meetup and Facebook Groups let you network with other people and collaborate on different projects, like team-building exercises to welcome new residents of Northwest Arkansas. So, check them out if you want to have a social group in NWA from the get-go.
5. I Checked Out the Grocery Stores
The next important step for me was to check out all the niche grocery stores in the area, including Walmart and ALDI. Northwest Arkansas has multiple grocery stores where you can find cuisines like Middle Eastern and Indian food. I have Middle Eastern friends who have a grocery store right in Fayetteville. (I believe there’s also one in Bentonville.) Some of these stores sell out fast, so you should drop by when you get the chance.
6. I Attended Visit Bentonville and Exp. Fayetteville
Lastly, Visit Bentonville and Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center are two places you have to check out when visiting Northwest Arkansas. These two locations have all the itineraries, maps, and upcoming events in both locations.
I have to say that you’re not officially a “Fayettevillian” until you buy some of the merchandise. You can grab merchandise like branded caps and shirts. My favorite is the one that says “Fayetteville is my favorite ville.”