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Fayetteville is more than just a college town. We share the essential things to eat, do and see while you’re in this Arkansas hotspot.
Knowing that Fayetteville is a college town is like knowing a woman only by her measurements — you’ll draw some conclusions from that information, but most of them will be wrong.
“The town has grown into a most remarkable city that never fails to shock newcomers and visitors alike,” says Robert Rhoads, a 38-year resident and Fayetteville’s commissioner of advertising and promotion. “I’ve heard repeatedly over the years the defining and universal comment, ‘It’s nothing like I expected.’”
Standing in Fayetteville on a sunny Saturday in early March, I can echo that sentiment.
I’m struck by how similar the multitude of colorful images is to the childhood experience of traveling via my red Viewmaster. By loading a round reel of photographic images into the slot, a new scene flashed with every click of the lever.
Had Fayetteville made its way to a Viewmaster reel, you’d see Osage Indians, the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route, Civil War battles, New Orleans’ French Quarter influences, signs of Italian heritage, Arkansas’ largest performing arts center, a $23 million public library that’s been cited by The New York Times’ travel section and a remarkable 8,000-pound bronze sphere shouting messages of peace in more than 100 languages.
Fayetteville was founded in 1828 (eight years before Arkansas’ statehood) on land previously set aside for the western Cherokee nation. President Andrew Jackson issued its original town patent. The town’s name was chosen because two of the original city commissioners hailed from Fayetteville, Tenn.
Census data indicate that Fayetteville flourished until early 1862, when Confederate forces were ordered to torch it. From that initial burning to the end of the war in 1865, the town was at the center of numerous engagements between the Confederacy and the Union. Visitors can see proof of this in the cemeteries and historical markers scattered about.
Progress returned when the first regularly scheduled passenger train of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway arrived from Pierce City, Mo., in 1882.
Even earlier, in the 1680s, European settlers came to the area. One of the first and most noteworthy, Henri de Tonti, is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Arkansas.” A soldier, explorer and fur trader, de Tonti sailed under the French flag accompanying René-Robert Cavelier on his explorations of the Mississippi River.
In 1686 de Tonti established a trading post that became Arkansas Post (Arkansas County), the state’s first permanent Euro-American settlement. Tontitown, well known for its Italian food, was named for de Tonti.
Today, Fayetteville has a permanent population approximating 69,000 and is home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
In March 2010, Forbes magazine ranked Fayetteville seventh on its list of Top College Sports Towns and fourth on its 2009 list of Best Places for Business and Careers.
In 2009, Kiplinger magazine ranked the city seventh on its Best Places to Live, Work and Play list; Builder Magazine placed it No. 9 on its list of Healthiest Housing Markets; and Business Week placed the city on its list of Best Small Cities for Startups and named it the Best City in Arkansas.
Fayetteville is 115 miles east of Tulsa with a drive time of about two hours. Go see it for yourself. You can leave the Viewmaster at home.
Fayetteville’s little black book
Where to stay. What to do. Where to eat.
Sightseeing and events
The Billgrimage Tour starts in the house where a two-term United States president and the current secretary of state married and began their life before entering the public eye.
930 California Blvd., (479) 444-0066, www.clintonhousemuseum.org
Or stop by the visitors’ center on the historic town square, 21 S. Block Ave., and pick up the Historic Walking Tour brochure.
www.experiencefayetteville.com
Dickson Street: Fayetteville’s social center of activity.
www.dicksonst.com
Walton Arts Center
The Walton Arts Center anchors Dickson Street’s multicultural vibe. Through an unusual partnership between public and private sectors, the center serves as the university’s and the community’s performing arts center, is home to the North Arkansas Symphony and hosts the annual Wal-Mart shareholders’ meetings.
495 W. Dickson St., (479) 443-5600, www.waltonartscenter.org
Fayetteville Public Library
Visit for 88,000 square feet of an over-the-top learning experience. In June 2005 the library won the coveted national Library of the Year award sponsored by Library Journal and Thompson/Gale Publishers. In 2006 the library was named an American Landmark Library by TravelSmart newsletter. 401 W. Mountain St., www.faylib.org
Bikes, Blues & Barbeque
Motorcycles, blues music and world-class barbecue. This year’s event runs Sept. 29-Oct. 2.
www.bikesbluesandbbq.org
Arkansas & Missouri Express Train
The Arkansas & Missouri Railroad is one of the few commercial lines left in the United States that operates both freight and passenger service. Enjoy a leisurely ride from a bygone era through the scenic Boston Mountains and into the historic Arkansas River Basin. All passengers travel in refurbished antique passenger cars or the first-class parlor coach.
800-687-8600, www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com
World Peace Prayer Fountain, the “Peace Ball”
Located in front of Town Center, this is a beautiful piece of public art. The fountain is 10 feet in diameter and 8,000 pounds of bronze inscribed in more than 100 languages with “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Water spills continually over the top and into a pool below. The sculpture took Fayetteville sculptor Hank Kaminsky 16 months to construct.
Chi Omega Greek Theatre
Built in 1930 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, this outdoor theater on the University of Arkansas campus is a replica of the Theatre of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis in Greece.
Dining
www.dineinfayetteville.com
Hugo’s
Have a Bleu Moon Burger (blue cheese on great beef), a basket of fries and anything else you think you can handle. It’s all good.
25 1/2 N. Block Ave., (479) 473-7555, www.hugosfayetteville.com
Theo’s American Kitchen & Cocktail Lounge
Part Greenwich Village, part New Orleans. This bar is a destination all its own. Renowned for its martinis.
318 N. Campbell Ave., just off Dickson Street; (479) 527-0086; www.theosfayetteville.com
The Common Grounds Bills itself as a gourmet espresso bar, but it’s so much more. Along with the requisite selection of coffees, lattes, cappuccinos and hot chocolate, the bakery-case offerings are as decadent as Utica Square’s Queenies. The eatery offers a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu; a full bar; and a selection of cigars. Oh, and ice cream.
412 W. Dickson St., (479) 442-3515, www.commongroundsar.com
Hog Haus Brewing Company
The only operating brewery in the Northwest Arkansas area, located in a building reminiscent of New Orleans’ balconied perches.
430 W. Dickson St., (479) 521-2739, www.hoghaus.com
The Flying Burrito
Burrito bar extraordinaire. The white queso dip is worth the trip.
503 W. Spring St., Suite 220; (479) 521-3000; www.flyingburritoco.com
AQ Chicken
A fried chicken institution since 1947. Pan-fried chicken with a subtle lemon- pepper bite enrobed in the perfect crust. If you don’t have time to sit down and enjoy it properly, make a dash through the express drive-through and bring some back to Tulsa.
1925 N. College Ave., (479) 443-7555, www.aqchickenhouse.net
Emelia’s Mediterranean Kitchen
Known for the Saturday/Sunday brunch and the salmon omelet (available anytime).
309 Suite 2, W. Dickson St.; (479) 527-9800; www.emeliaskitchen.com
Shopping
McLellan’s Fly Shop
A full-service fly shop offering top-quality fly fishing gear and advice for fishing the White River.
18 W. Sunbridge Drive, (479) 251-7037, www.mcflyshop.com
Corazon Interiors
Wander into the store for no particular reason. The art glass and colorful décor will make you smile. On the square.
15 S. Block Ave., (479) 587-9294
French Quarter Antiques
Named one of the “Top 200 Places to Shop in the South” by Southern Living magazine.
11 N. Block Ave., (479) 443-3355, www.french-quarters.com
French Metro Antiques
Recently voted “Best Antique Shop in Northwest Arkansas” by Citiscapes Metro Monthly magazine for the fourth year in a row.
200 Dickson St., (479) 587-0804, www.frenchmetro.com
Maude Clothing Boutique
A combination of funky vintage furniture and fun unique clothes that make it into a cozy bedroom-like boutique. It also offers an eclectic mix of clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, and accessories.
704 N. College Ave., (479) 935-4700
Lola
A contemporary women’s boutique that specializes in luxury basics, premium denim and one of a kind event pieces.
339 Northwest Ave., (479) 443-5535, www.lolaboutique.com
Something Urban
Trendy clothing and accessories.
643 W. Dickson St., (479) 442-0140
Town & Country Clothing
Women’s specialty store featuring weekend casuals, career suiting, mother-of-the-bride dresses, coats and unique accessories.
9 S. Block Ave., (479) 442-5561, www.townandcountryshop.com
Lodging
Dickson Street Inn
Location, location, location. Boutique hotel with a veranda wine bar overlooking the stirrings on Dickson Street. Lots of character, beautifully restored and well maintained.
301 W. Dickson St., (479) 695-2100, www.dicksonstreetinn.com
Inn at Carnall Hall
On the National Register of Historic Places, the board of trustees in 2001 approved to turn the structure, which is located on the campus of the University of Arkansas, into a historic hotel and restaurant at a cost of $6.9 million.
465 N. Arkansas Ave.,(479) 582-0400, www.innatcarnallhall.com
Pratt Place Inn
AAA Four Diamond. A unique retreat on Sassafras Hill, which the third generation of the Pratt family is preserving.
2231 W. Markham Road, (479) 966-4441, www.prattplaceinn.com
Just for the vibe
Dickson Street
Anywhere you go will give you a feel for Fayetteville.
www.dicksonst.com
George’s Majestic Lounge
Live music.
519 W. Dickson St., (479) 527-6618, www.georgesmajesticlounge.com
The bar in Bordino’s Restaurant.
Wine Spectator 2009 Award of Excellence.
310 W. Dickson St., (479) 527-6795, www.bordinos.com
