This Lesser-known Destination in the South Has Charming Towns and Mountain Views That Rival the Smokies—Without the Crowds

While the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway get the spotlight when it comes to mountains in the South, Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and the Ozarks offer an unexpected alternative—without the crowds. Driving through this part of the state is the ultimate road trip for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for genuine Ozarks hospitality and fall foliage, which typically lingers into mid-November.

Several communities make up NWA—including Bella Vista, Bentonville, Berryville, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Holiday Island, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdale—and each one has its own unique draw. Fayetteville and Bentonville have art and beer scenes reminiscent of Asheville, North Carolina. Some of the smaller towns have squares that feel like scenes from Hallmark movies and coffee shops straight out of Gilmore Girls. And the Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and an “underground city” give tiny Eureka Springs an air of mystery.

Here’s where to stay, eat, and explore in Northwest Arkansas.

Where to Stay

From historic inns and cabins to art hotels and unique hobbit holes and tree houses, NWA has accommodations for every type of traveler. If you dare, stay at “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, in Eureka Springs. Guests have reported ghost sightings and paranormal activity during their visits, particularly in Room 419, Theodora’s Room. Rather stay in the woods? Check into Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits or The Original Treehouse Cottages.

For more traditional accommodations, consider the Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville, the Inn at Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, or the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. There’s also a recent boon in new accommodations. Rogers’ Arka Motel, featured on HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, was remodeled in 2024, and the Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown and The Star on Spring, a luxury boutique hotel in Springdale, opened to guests in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Best Places to Eat

NWA has put its mark on “High South” cuisine with an elevated flair to Southern comfort foods. Dine in a cave at Grotto Wood Fired Grill & Wine Cave in Eureka Springs, or savor authentic Italian family recipes at Ermilio’s. Bentonville is home to multiple restaurants that have been featured in the James Beard Awards—including Conifer, Yeyo’s, and Wright’s Barbecue.

Enjoy a slice of heaven at The Preacher’s Son, where executive chef Neal Gray serves guests inside a Gothic Revival church; there’s also a bar underneath called Undercroft. Fayetteville’s Feed and Folly is billed as a “modern public house” that serves house-smoked and cured meats. To wet your whistle, try the new Oak Steakhouse rooftop bar at Hotel Avail in Rogers or have a craft beer from Gotahold Brewing in Eureka Springs.

Best Things to Do

With 500 miles of bike trails, several state parks, cave tours, byways, and a handful of excellent rivers and lakes to explore, Northwest Arkansas is a dream destination for outdoor adventurers. Devil’s Den State Park is home to the state’s first designated mountain bike trail, along with several other routes that lead visitors on an exploration of the park’s unique rock formations and caverns. Both Withrow Springs State Park and Kings River Falls Natural Area are great for hiking in Huntsville.

Razorback Greenway links several NWA communities with a 40-mile scenic bike trail featuring great spots to shop, eat, and sightsee. Cyclists will also enjoy Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville; here, you’ll find the Coler Airship Coffee outpost, reachable only by walking or biking.

If you like water, Siloam Springs is worth a visit for the Siloam Springs Kayak Park or WOKA Whitewater Park. Or, go spelunking in the area’s vast cave system—Onyx Cave Park in Eureka Springs, Cosmic Cavern in Berryville, and War Eagle Cavern in Rogers are some of the most popular with visitors.

There’s plenty of culture to explore in NWA, too, with folk and bluegrass sounds reminiscent of Appalachia. In Bentonville, visit the architectural marvel Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, home to many American art masterpieces, or tour the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville for a look inside former president Bill Clinton’s home.

See the historic War Eagle Mill, said to be one of the few water-powered mills left in the U.S. It’s tucked along War Eagle Creek, a waterway that feeds into Beaver Lake in Rogers.

Round out your NWA itinerary with scenic drives along Highway 62, Highway 12, and Pig Trail; soar through the skies at Ozark Mountain Ziplines; or explore the region by train via the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.

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