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Home » Blog » My Perfect Weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas (Northwest Arkansas)

My Perfect Weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas (Northwest Arkansas)

Phillip ShepardBy Phillip Shepard7 Mins Read
0U2A4004 scaled small
0U2A4004 scaled small

Today, I’m going to talk about the perfect day in Fayetteville, Arkansas — or rather, my perfect day in Fayetteville, Arkansas. There’s so much to do here that you won’t even know where to start. So, I’m going to give you my tips for a perfect weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

You can start your perfect weekend in Fayetteville with a cup of coffee from 7 Brew. Then you can take a tour around Kessler Mountain, go kayaking on Lake Fayetteville, and enjoy other sights, sounds, and tastes around here.

Below, I’ll talk about the different things you can do in Fayetteville, starting with beautiful mountain trails, a lakeside experience, exciting cuisine, and a fantastic arcade where you’ll be whisked back to the days of Pacman, Super Mario, and Mortal Kombat. Then, I’ll tell you how you can cap off a beautiful day in Fayetteville with a good ol’ barbecue followed by a starry night of music and fun. 

Video:

7 Brew Coffee

What better way to start your day than with a cup of warm, strong coffee? In Fayetteville, you’ll find a lot of coffee shops, but what stands out for me is 7 Brew. This coffee shop isn’t unique only to Fayetteville, but I like its homegrown appeal

7 Brew has an array of hot and iced coffees, teas, and smoothies. But what makes 7 Brew stand out is the friendliness of its staff. Everyone is always nice, smiling, and eager to strike up a conversation. On top of that, you can expect efficiency from the team. You can pop into the shop, order what you like, talk a bit, and just pop right out!

This coffee shop even has a rewards membership stamp card that lets you enjoy a complimentary drink after every 10 you buy. What a great way to reward loyal customers! Furthermore, they offer double stamps on Tuesdays, so expect a bigger crowd at 7 Brew on this day of the week.

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Things To Do Now That You’re Perked Up and Energized

Now that you’ve had your cup of joe, you’re ready for a day filled with fun and adventure. You’ll never run out of things to do in Fayetteville, especially if you love spending time outdoors. There are parks, lakes, and nature trails waiting for you to explore.

Here are some ideas on how you could spend your morning:

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

Kessler Mountain

Kessler Mountain is a 387-acre forested mountain located right beside Kessler Mountain Regional Park. Its trail system attracts residents and visitors daily. The trail is so diverse, with flat, manicured paths in one area, and rough, aggressive terrain in the next. One spot on the east side features a challenging climb. If you’re keen on getting some intense workouts, this is the perfect place.

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Lake Fayetteville

If you want to cool down and take in some scenery, Lake Fayetteville is a great place to visit. You can just walk around, rent a kayak, or hop on a scooter. For me, hopping on a scooter is the best way to take in the sights.

There’s a 5-mile loop that goes around the lake that’ll take you about 20 to 30 minutes to finish. Get ready to spot some deer and marvel at the waterfalls. You’ll also drive through the botanical garden, where you can feast your eyes on lush greenery.

On the other hand, renting a kayak is a great way to relax and have some downtime. Motorboats aren’t allowed on the lake, so it’s very peaceful and quiet. You can kayak to the middle of the lake and fish. You can also just sit back in your kayak, relax, and take amazing photos.

Grab Some Grub

There are plenty of restaurants around Fayetteville offering delectable dishes and sumptuous cuisines. But if you’re like me, who likes trying out and comparing different kinds of food, you’d love the food truck area right next to Lake Fayetteville. You can have all sorts of tasty treats — Japanese, Mexican, American, vegan, you name it. 

Arkadia Retrocade

Arkadia Retrocade is one of the hidden gems in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It’s a massive space that houses hundreds of retro games you might have grown up with, have always been curious about, or never got the chance to play. It’s a place where you can have lots of fun with your whole family or friends.

It’ll only cost you about five bucks per person to get in. You can spend the whole day playing over 150 vintage games — no quarters or tokens needed. There’s also a vast collection of vintage memorabilia to enjoy, including a replica bedroom of a typical kid from the 80s or 90s. 

Here are some of the games you might enjoy at Arkadia Retrocade:

  • Pacman
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Dragon’s Lair
  • NBA Jam
  • Super Mario

And here are some of the memorabilia that might take you back to your childhood:

  • Air hockey tables
  • Sega Saturn
  • Nintendo 64
  • Family Computer
  • Star Wars

Arkadia Retrocade is a paradise for those born in the 80s and 90s because it’ll make you feel like a carefree kid all over again. Coming here will also be a chance for you to introduce the younger generation to the joys of old-school games and fun. 

They can even host a birthday party for you. You can have your child’s birthday party here and just let all the kids loose inside the building. They’ll surely find a game they like with the hundreds of choices available.

Wright’s Barbecue

What better way to refuel after a day of fun than a hearty meal with the whole gang? Wright’s Barbecue is the perfect place for that. Located in Johnson, they have sandwiches, sausages, macaroni and cheese, and the best barbecue in Northwest Arkansas. I recommend going there as early as possible because the place fills up pretty fast.

JJ’s Live

Located on the north side of Fayetteville near Wright’s Barbecue is JJ’s Live. It’s Fayetteville’s favorite nighttime destination. It’s a massive venue that can accommodate 2,000 to 3,000 people. Coming here is the perfect way to wind down and cap off a great day.

JJ’s Live features lots of fun activities and excitement. They hold pickleball tournaments and even have their brewery. But the highlight of each night is, of course, the live music. They’ve brought in some of the biggest names in the music industry like Dashboard Confessional, Ice Cube, Ludacris, and Snoop Dogg.

Final Thoughts

Fayetteville has always been one of the best places to live in America. It’s a peaceful, picturesque city where you’ll never run out of things to do. If your idea of a perfect weekend is the same as mine, Fayetteville might just be the best place for you.

Sources

  • Seven Brew Coffee: Menu
  • City of Fayetteville Arkansas: Kessler Mountain Trails
  • Only In Your State: The Arkadia Retrocade Arcade In Arkansas With Over 150 Vintage Games Will Bring Out Your Inner Child
  • NWA Food: Wright’s Barbecue
  • Experience Fayetteville: Live Music at JJ’s Live
  • All Things NWA: 3 Day Itineraries
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Phillip Shepard

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