Home to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville thrives with cultural institutions, museums, art, botanical gardens and a lively nightlife scene. Classic buildings and a throwback drive-in movie theatre give the town vintage charm amidst football fever and live-music venues.

Things to do

Both visual and performing arts thrive in Fayetteville, starting with TheatreSquared, a professional venue for dramas, musicals and comedy housed within the Walton Arts Center. To experience the quirky side of Fayetteville art, visit Terra Studios where you’ll find colourful glass creations, troll statues, murals, labyrinths, enormous wind chimes and the renowned “Bluebird of Happiness” display.

Stop by the Clinton House Museum to see the room where former president Bill Clinton proposed to Hillary Rodham, then glimpse aviation history at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum. In a nostalgic nod to earlier decades, the 112 Drive-In Theater lets you view both modern and classic films under the stars.

Dickson Street is where to go for nightlife and live music, having hosted some of the biggest music acts in the country. George’s Majestic Lounge is a cultural icon featuring live-music shows, while Backspace expands to include stand-up comedy, performance art, improv and poetry readings. Classic lounges on Dickson include the Lightbulb Club, Dickson Street Pub and Teatro Scarpino.

During football season, snag tickets for a University of Arkansas Razorbacks game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Brush up on the Razorbacks fight song and learn the famous Hog Call, “Woo Pig Sooie”.

Getting around

Taxis, regional transit buses and Razorback shuttles service most areas of Fayetteville and downtown. Rental cars are available at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Bentonville, about a 30-minute drive away.