North of Arkansas is a great place to visit, live, and generally explore. Fayetteville is the second largest city in the state and really has something for everyone. If you’re considering moving to Fayetteville, you’re in luck, as today I’ll detail all the best places in the city.
Fayetteville is split into 5 geographical regions: North, East, South, West, and Downtown. The Razorback Greenway is a pedestrian path that connects all major areas. The city is full of parks, shopping, farmers’ markets, and cultural hubs, including symphonies, Lake Fayetteville, and Veterans Park.
Whether you’re moving here or just planning a trip, it’s a good idea to get a feel for a place ahead of time. So come along as I walk you through each region of the city.
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Exploring the East Side of Fayetteville
This is one of my favorite sides of the city because of its views. It’s a great place to catch a beautiful sunset– or sunrise if you’re an early riser. Adding to the beauty of the East Side is all the art. You’ll find colorful murals along walls, with more and more art popping up.
The Ozark Co-Op
The Ozark Co-Op is a neighborhood grocery store selling fresh produce and plants. It also has a great coffee shop with lots of seating to work, socialize, or just hang out by yourself or with your friends. The plant store is also wonderful and a personal favorite.
Another important topic to learn about Fayetteville are the best breakfast places in Fayetteville!
Razorback Greenway
The Razorback Greenway runs through Fayetteville and cuts right through the city’s East Side.
Many buy homes by this greenway to enjoy a leisurely stroll with their family. You can run, bike, or walk your dog here. It’s a great connecting point through Northwest Arkansas.
Gulley Park
Tucked away on the East Side is a multiple-acre park full of fun activities for all ages. There are music festivals throughout the summer, which is a great way to enjoy a warm afternoon with friends and family.
Crossover Road
This road goes up and down along the mountains, with beautiful views and many businesses. This includes a great ramen restaurant, a fitness center, and a kickboxing gym. If you live here, you’ll frequently traverse this road to hang out or run errands.
Planning to move to Fayetteville? Here are a few Tips To Move To Fayetteville!
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
The Best Places in North Fayetteville
The North Side of Fayetteville has more of an urban feel, with housing often connected to businesses. Apartments and houses might sit above coffee shops, clothing stores, or florists. This new housing style makes it easy for residents to take advantage of the local stores.
JJ Live
One of the top spots in Fayetteville, JJ Live has pickleball courts and a huge performance venue that hosts mid-range to large artists. JJ Live is a great place to catch a concert or show or play pickleball if that’s your thing. This is a must-visit if you’re in Fayetteville.
Looking for a better opportunity? Better future in Fayetteville? Fayetteville: Back To The Future
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville is a large lake surrounded by forests and trees. You can also rent bikes or scooters and ride along the 5-mile paved walkway by the lake. Within the lake area, you can find the beautiful Veteran’s Park. You have many picnic spots, volleyball courts, and walking paths here.
Large Office and Medical Complexes
The North Side is where you’ll find large businesses and medical centers like Washington Regional Hospital. They might not be where you’d hang out every day, but it’s a great area to live if you work at one of these businesses.
South Side Fayetteville – A Great Hangout
The Razorback Greenway paves its way through the South Side and serves as the central hub.
Driving along MLK, you’ll come across a brand-new park with tennis courts, trails, and nearby restaurants. It is also full of a lot of great art and businesses.
Housing
Like the North Side, the housing in this area is built adjacent to small businesses, creating a convenient urban vibe. I’ve always loved the idea of living atop cute stores and restaurants. How cool would it be to live above the Woodside Pizzeria on the South Side?
Fayetteville High School
Fayetteville High School is a modern architectural gem and has won many design awards. It’s strategically located by the local university, allowing the two education centers to share resources.
If you’re an architectural buff, you’ll want to stop by this High School. To check out more architectural wonders, read my article on the 7 Award-Winning Designs in Northwest Arkansas.
The Amazingness of Downtown Fayetteville
Downtown Fayetteville is the heart of the city. With the expansive library, multiple stadiums, and Downtown Square, you’ll want to spend time enjoying everything it has to offer.
The Library
I cannot say enough fantastic things about the Fayetteville Library. This spot is a cultural hub and center of learning. Aside from a wide selection of books, they offer courses and workshops. It has a tasty cafe and even a teaching kitchen so you can learn to make the food yourself.
The Ramble
This newly built trail system connects with the library and the Razorback Greenway. It includes wooden staircases, paved pathways, and bridges– all very Instagram-able. This trail will soon connect to other downtown areas, including music venues and entertainment spaces.
Stadiums
Fayetteville celebrates athletics, and it’s evident with all the local stadiums. Visit the massive Razorback Stadium, the Track, Field, or Bud Walton Stadium. Don’t forget to watch a baseball game at Walker Stadium and enjoy the classic American experience right here in Fayetteville.
Downtown Square
The Downtown Square is a great commercial center, and you should check out the farmer’s market on the weekends. In the wintertime, you won’t want to miss the lighting ceremony or Christmas Parade.
The StartUp Junkie is located here and helps support local programs with seed funding. They have a unique coworking setup, so you can work from here and start your business.
Other Downtown Spots
- The Metro District is where you’ll want to go for brunch. Check out the Prelude breakfast bar if you’re in town. You won’t regret it!
- The Walton Art Center boasts symphonies and broadway plays. I’ve been to almost all the symphonies in Northwest Arkansas right here.
- The University of Arkansas has a beautiful campus right downtown. Sororities and fraternities dot the neighborhood as well.
- Dickson Street is the social hub of Fayetteville. With coffee shops, karaoke bars, and many events, Downtown is the place for entertainment and mingling.
The West Side of Fayetteville
West Side has a large residential area and is a great place to live. I should know– this is where my home is! The West Side is full of pretty, tree-lined streets and businesses. There’s a ton of affordable housing on the West Side.
Mount Kessler Regional Park
Kessler Mountain is an excellent place to hang out with friends and family. It’s packed with sporting options and playground equipment, making it great for team sports and kids. With miles and miles of maintained trails, the park is an excellent spot to explore on foot or mountain bike.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a biker’s paradise. Built for the Biking World Championships in 2022, this area drew many international bikers and spectators for a fabulous event. I was lucky enough to be here for it all and have enjoyed the park since.
Conclusion
There is a lot to do and see in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Each region has its own vibe and attractions and is well worth a visit. So if you’re coming to town, hopefully, this tour gave you a good idea of what to expect. I hope you enjoy Fayetteville as much as I do!