If you’re traveling to the Ozarks and want to keep the whole family entertained, Fayetteville is a worthy choice. That’s because it’s a college town with an abundance of activities to choose from-offering everything from sports games to outdoor adventures.

Located in the Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville is the home of the Arkansas Razorbacks (University of Arkansas). But even if you’re not a fan, there’s more than sports attracting visitors to this up-and-coming city.

Heads up: This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click and buy—we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here.

Discover what Fayetteville has in store as a destination for your Ozarks family vacation.

Take Bikes Out to the Razorback Greenway

If you enjoy leisurely strolls or rolling around with the family on bike rides, take your tribe out to the Razorback Regional Greenway and get a feel for this massive paved trail that goes through the city and countryside. The trailhead for mile 0 originates in Fayetteville inside Kessler Mountain Regional Park and heads north, vertically connecting the cities of Northwest Arkansas.

Don’t worry though, you don’t need to complete the full 40-mile journey in one go. Learn more about riding the Razorback Greenway in our post covering highlights on the path.

If you didn’t bring a bike, rent some wheels from one of these outlets:

• The Bike Route
• Clubhaus Fitness
• Highroller Cyclery
• Phat Tire Bike Shop
• Veoride

Renting a bike is simple, but we recommend reserving it early if you can. Read about our positive experience of renting bikes in Bentonville, the mountain biking capital of the world, located only 45 minutes away from Fayetteville. Read more about Bentonville in our post.

Related: NWA Mountain Biking Guide for Families

Get Some World-Class BBQ Outdoors or To Go

Fayetteville’s Dickson Street food court provides an assortment of food choices for the whole family, including tex-mex, barbeque, and ice cream for dessert. The food truck parking spot called Shulertown has picnic tables and seating so you can enjoy your eats in a high-vibe outdoor atmosphere. Find it at 372 W Dickson Street.

If you prefer a more traditional dining experience, check out these local BBQ joints in town:

• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
• Foghorn’s
• Herman’s Ribhouse
• Wrights Barbecue
• Sassy’s
• The Bar-B-Q Place

Fayetteville Square & Festivals

Northwest Arkansas hosts nearly 200 festivals each year. That means there’s a super high chance that you’ll catch one during your stay in Fayetteville.

Many of these events are hosted at Fayetteville Square, where you’ll also find unique boutiques, restaurants, one-of-a-kind art, visitor center, and a mix of historic buildings and modern structures. Find it here:

Here are some popular events going on in the city throughout the year:

• Frozen Toes 5k & 15k Trail Run (January)
• Dig In! Food & Farming Festival (March)
• Juggling Festival (May)
• Gulley Park Summer Concert Series (May-August)
• Firefly Fling (July)
• Wizard Way of the Ozarks (August)
• First Thursday Fayetteville (August-October)
• Bikes, Blues, & BBQ (September)
• Lights of the Ozarks (November-December)

Check out the Fayetteville calendar of events for more.

Visit Wilson Park

While you’re in Fayetteville, take the kids to the city’s first park, which features a picturesque castle structure. At Wilson Park, the kids can swim at the pool, play on multiple playgrounds, climb and explore the 1981 castle, and enjoy a picnic. Plus, the parents can enjoy some zen by the spring-fed pond and visit the park’s 100-year-old Osage Orange tree.

The park is also encompassed by a paved walking trail where you can get some exercise, too.

Vintage Video Game Arcade

Welcome a blast from the past at Arkadia Retrocade, an 80s and 90s-era arcade center that’s a budget-friendly attraction in Fayetteville. Here you and the kids will enjoy retro-style arcade video games, including Pac-man, Asteroids, Tetris, Dr. Mario, Frogger, and more.

Admission is just $5 for all-day play and you won’t have to bring any extra money to feed the machines. When you get tired of playing, relax on the couches or enjoy a snack that you brought in or get some refreshments right inside the arcade. Find it in the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt and Admire the Art

Take a close-up look at over one hundred larger-than-life murals, sculptures, and art installations that can be found around the city. See if you can find these public displays in person:

• Bug Murals
• Gnome Mural
• Fayetteville Bulldog Mural
• Athena Mural
• Deer Sculpture
• Nature’s Flow Sculpture
• Fish Tank Mural

Pictured : World Peace Prayer Fountain

Sprinkled around town, you’ll find multiple beautifications in unusual and unexpected spots like traffic boxes and storm drains. Check out the map to help locate these works of art, plus more public art all over Fayetteville.

Get Out of Town for a Scenic Drive

If you want to get out of the city, spread your wings and go from a drive on the nearby scenic byway, a 35-mile loop that runs between Fayetteville and Alma. It’s called the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop—here’s the map of the route. If you enjoy this ride, discover more scenic drives in the Ozarks in our post that introduces you to three others in the region.

More To Explore in Fayetteville

If you’re still looking for more to do in Fayetteville, here are some more ideas for your Ozarks family vacation:

• Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
• Gregory Park Pump Track
• Brooks-Hummel Nature Preserve
• Lokomotion Family Fun Park
• Lake Sequoyah Park
• World Peace Wetland Prairie
• Rocky Branch Park
• Village at Shiloh Park Land
• Walker Park Splash Pad (May-September)

Planning Your Stay in Fayetteville, Arkansas

There’s enough to keep your whole family busy for an entire vacation just in Fayetteville. Whether you’re staying for a night or a week, there is an abundance of family-friendly accommodations waiting for you. Find a family-friendly vacation rental in Fayetteville for a comfy and welcoming stay.

Pictured above is a little sampling of one of our favorite vacation rentals for families in Fayetteville.

This one comes with bikes, games, and everything you could ever need while on your Ozarks vacation!

If a traditional hotel stay is more your style, check out dates and rates at these local hotels in Fayetteville.