Everyone says their hometown is the best place ever, but I'm not kidding when I say Northwest Arkansas is the best. We have everything from world-class museums to the Wal-Mart home office. Beat that, world. Besides all of the great attractions, we also have some world-class people. Almost everyone I've met in my 19 years of living there have been genuine, nice people. The memories that have come out of growing up in this area will stay with me forever, no matter how far away I am. Here's why NWA is great!
1. The Ozark Mountains
The first thing that I came to appreciate as I grew older was the views. This part of Arkansas is nestled in the Ozark Mountains. Driving down in any valley area will give you a glimpse of the great mountains in the distance. If you drive a little south past Fayetteville, you get to Devil's Den, which is famous for its trails and amazing views on the Yellow Rock Trail. The prime time to go is in the fall, or if you're willing to wake up before the sun comes up, you can hike to the rock to watch the sun rise.
2. Bentonville
For the few who don't know, the first Wal-Mart store was located on the Bentonville Square. It now serves as the Wal-Mart museum and gift shop, getting visitors from all over the globe. The downtown area features a laid-back, small town feel while having one of the best economies in the United States. When you arrive at the square, you can visit multiple coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, or you can relax on the benches by the fountain. During the summer, the square hosts a Farmer's Market on select Saturday mornings.
It also is the home of the world-class museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It has extensive trails open seven days a week, and you can find world famous art within the contemporary walls. Many parks are all over the area as well, making the city a great atmosphere for families to settle in.
3. Dickson Street
For anyone looking for night life or even just a daytime visit, Dickson Street in Fayetteville is the place to be. Many bars and restaurants lie on the street, as well as an adjacent alley where food trucks park and serve hundreds a day. They serve everything from barbecue to ice cream. During the school year, the street gets packed with University of Arkansas students at night, but that makes the scene that much more energetic.
4. The Walmart AMP
Sponsored by Wal-Mart (obviously), the amphitheater in Rogers was built very recently, but has already hosted many famous bands from a range of genres, including country and indie pop. It has brought, like Bentonville, visitors from all around and has sparked growth in the immediate area. Restaurants around the AMP are booming thanks to all the concert goers! I mean, how convenient is it to have a concert venue less than ten minutes from your house?
5. The Charm of Eureka Springs
If you're ever bored of Rogers, Bentonville, or Fayetteville (like that could ever happen), then you'll take a day trip or two to Eureka Springs. It attracts many tourists, but it still has the Victorian architecture holding numerous shops and art galleries. You can't help but take pictures as you're walking around. It has murals, painted staircases, lakes, beautiful scenery of the mountains, crystal shops, art galleries, trinket stores, and cute little restaurants. And don't forget about Thorncrown Chapel, the fourth best building of the twentieth century.
If I ever move away from Northwest Arkansas, I will never look back on that place and say that it wasn't amazing. I can still remember moving from Fayetteville to Rogers and watching the town flourish as I grew up. Shops were added, a mall was built, more jobs came, schools were expanded. As those things grew, so did my love for the area. Northwest Arkansas will always be my home.
