Exploring Downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas

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Family-Friendly Activities, Food, and Local Gems

A grandkid-approved guide to exploring history, food, and fun in the heart of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

By Bev Faries with help from the teenage grandkiddo!

Tucked away in the Ozark Mountains, downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a fun college town full of history, charm, and things to do for everyone. I might not have thought to visit on my own, but now that my grandkids are living there, it’s become one of my favorite places to check out. On my latest trip, I explored downtown more—wandering around the historic square, Dickson Street, and Block Avenue. Come along as I share what we discovered and the local spots my family suggested!

A Quick Look at Fayetteville’s History

Before jumping into our adventures, let’s take a quick peek at Fayetteville’s backstory.

Fayetteville was founded in 1828. It began as a settlement for Native Americans and grew as homesteaders started to settle in the area. Today, it is one of the three largest cities in Arkansas and has been home to the University of Arkansas since 1871.

WHERE TO STAY

The Graduate Hotel by Hilton is an excellent place to stay! These hotels are located in college towns, and Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas and the Razorbacks, is no exception. The hotel has a unique boutique vibe, featuring a strong Razorback theme and showcasing local history from Fayetteville. It has a relaxed atmosphere—so much so that my granddaughter and I strolled to the lobby in our pajamas in the morning to get coffee.

I was fortunate to secure a top-floor room with a balcony, which allowed us to enjoy stunning views of the Ozark Mountains. My oldest granddaughter joined me for the first night, and my grandson joined me on the second night. With coffee and breakfast available on-site, a fun and relaxing atmosphere, and unique guest rooms, this place is perfect and is right in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas!

The Graduate Hotels have thirty-five locations situated in college towns across the country.

Bucket List Stays:

The Inn at Carnall Hall is in the heart of the University of Arkansas campus. Originally built in 1905 as the school’s first women’s dormitory, it has since been converted into a charming inn.

The Dickson Street Inn, established in 1894, is situated at the center of Dickson Street, offering a convenient and historic accommodation option.

THINGS TO DO

I was really surprised by how clean and friendly downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, is. I mean, I expected some Southern hospitality, but it still caught me off guard to see so many young guys holding doors open for us and calling me ‘ma’am.’ That classic Southern charm is definitely alive and well here. We did a bunch of fun things while we were in town.

Stroll Around the Square

On our first evening, we took a stroll around “The Square,” as the locals call it. The Graduate Hotel is conveniently located in that area, which serves as the heart of downtown and is where many activities occur. Although it was nighttime, being a quiet Sunday evening, we felt safe. A few young people were out, either grabbing a bite to eat or chatting in the square. It was a perfect opportunity for my granddaughter to familiarize me with the area and start planning our activities for the upcoming day.

Since it was Sunday evening, a bunch of restaurants were closed. Luckily, we stumbled upon Tiny Tim’s Pizza and West Mountain Brewing, both in the same spot, and they had some tasty food! It was all about casual bites and brews, though I skipped the beer this time because I was hanging out with my teenage granddaughter. Instead, I went for a great pizza and water.

On weekends, you can visit the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market, which comes highly recommended by my family. It features fresh produce, flowers, crafts, and artisanal goods, and often features live music. I will plan my next visit to coincide with the Farmer’s Market schedule.

Dickson Street and Block Avenue

Dickson Street is the place to go, from what I hear. My granddaughter and I visited in the morning hours, and it seems to me Dickson Street is the place to be in the evenings, with a more lively nightlife crowd, possibly because of its proximity to the university? That is what it seems, the hub of the evening with music venues, bars, and pubs.

As we walked, we passed the Dickson Street Bookshop, a charming little place famous for its rare used books. Although it wasn’t open yet, I made a mental note to take my grandson there someday.

We made our way along Dickson Street to the Walton Arts Center, passing by Getting Involved, a bronze sculpture partly painted by J. Seward Johnson, just outside the Walton Arts Center. But more on this later.  

After finding breakfast, we headed to Block Avenue. Why? Because they have the boutiques! We set out in search of something fun and different. The clothing boutiques were enjoyable, but there was more to discover! We stumbled upon Heirloom Candle Bar, and oh my goodness, it was so much fun!

What is a Candle Bar? It’s a place where you can make your own candle! You select the scent (or a mix of scents), choose the size of the candle, and decide on the color of the container. Then, someone guides you through the candle-making process. It’s a fun activity with kids, with your teenage grandkiddo, as in my case, or as a Mom’s Day Out!

Fayetteville Art Walk

Fayetteville is no stranger to art, with murals on buildings, paintings on the crosswalks and on the storm drain covers, and even sculptures around town. The first mural we found was Enjoy Local, by Jason Jones. Stunning in the evening with the light hitting it.

Nearby is the World Peace Prayer Fountain near Fayetteville Town Center. A piece by Hank Kaminsky, it’s a 10-foot bronze sculpture sphere with the saying ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ inscribed in over 100 languages. Water flows over the sculpture.

Getting Involved is a bronze sculpture, partly painted, made by J. Seward Johnson. It sits just outside the Walton Arts Center. It’s an elderly woman knitting on the bench. Fayetteville is no stranger to art, even painting some of the street intersections, storm drain covers, and buildings.

You can find an interactive map of the Fayetteville Art Walk here.

Wilson Park

On our last day, my grandson and I decided to visit Wilson Park, which I had heard so much about because of its castle. It’s not directly in downtown, but close by. After enjoying breakfast, we headed over and discovered the famous Wilson Park Castle. Originally, it was the site of an unattractive natural spring pump. It has since been transformed into an art installation created by artist and sculptor Frank Williams, who won a contest in the 1970s.

As we strolled down the path by the castle, we came across a play area where other moms were relaxing with their kids. My grandson quickly made some friends, and they began playing tag before we decided to explore more of the park.

Other Area Highlights

If you’re looking to explore areas beyond Fayetteville, we have some great options that we’ve visited on previous trips and are within driving distance:

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville
• Museum of Native American History, also in Bentonville
• Beaver Lake, known for its beautiful nature and 487 miles of shoreline
• Razorback Greenway is perfect for biking and hiking.

WHERE TO EAT

BREAKFAST

The Prelude Breakfast Bar was seriously awesome! Our waiter told us they don’t serve Coke or Pepsi, but honestly, that didn’t bother me at all. They really prioritize supporting local farmers, and you can taste it in the food. It gets pretty busy, so be ready to wait for a table.

The Graduate Hotel offers a breakfast that is perfect for guests who want to venture downstairs in their pajamas after an overnight stay. The coffee and eggs were excellent, and my grandson particularly loved the waffle (without the chicken). We relaxed on a couch, which made us feel right at home.

LUNCH and DINNER

Tiny Tim’s Pizza and West Mountain Brewing are next to each other. Although they seem to be separate restaurants, each with its own space, we discovered while settling into our seats at West Mountain Brewing that we can order Tiny Tim’s Pizza as well! How great is that?

Hugo’s is a popular restaurant where we waited about an hour for a table. It is located a short walk across the street from The Graduate Hotel in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is well-known for its burgers, steaks, and barbecue. The restaurant is in the basement of one of the older buildings on the square. I found the burger to be excellent, and they even had my favorite bourbon at the bar, although I didn’t indulge.

Here are some other options that my local family recommends trying. I still have these on my bucket list for my next visit:

• The Buttered Biscuit
• Sassy’s BBQ
• Farmer’s Table Café
• Catfish Hole
• Fayetteville Farmer’s Market

FINAL THOUGHT

Downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas, may be known as a college town. Still, I’ve come to see it through a more personal lens—visiting my grandkids here has opened my eyes to its history, art, and undeniable Southern charm. From strolling the square to exploring Wilson Park and beyond, each trip with them brings new discoveries and memories. If you’re planning a visit to Northwest Arkansas, don’t overlook this gem in the Ozarks—you might just fall in love with Fayetteville the way I have.

Looking for other places to explore? Check out St. Louis Best BBQ, Southen Illinois Things To Do, and Best Hotels in Las Vegas Off the Strip.