Nostalgia and Nature Meet for an Unforgettable Weekend Getaway in Arkansas

We caught up with James Beard award-winning restaurateur of Nixta Taqueria (Austin, Texas) and co-star of the PBS series, Taco Mafia, Sara Mardanbigi, who shares her ideal weekend back home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Some of her hometown favorites include hiking at Devil’s Den, drinking delicious cocktails and playing old school arcade games, and so much more. 

Fayetteville, Arkansas is a little under the radar. It’s perfect for any outdoor enthusiast: there’s mountain biking, rafting, canoeing and plenty to do if you're trying to be more low key. The University of Arkansas is here, which brings people from all over the world and still maintains a small town charm. The best thing about the Ozarks and this part of Arkansas is the people, who are warm, friendly, and welcoming. 

Growing up here, I always had to pad in an additional 30 minutes when leaving the house because you’d inevitably run into your neighbors who genuinely want to know how you're doing. It’s a place of true community and neighborly love.

If I was spending a weekend back home in Fayetteville, there are a few things I wouldn't miss.

One of the greatest attributes of the Ozarks is that you get to experience every season fully. In fall, the trees dramatically change color and turn crimson, deep plum, and golden yellow. It’s absolutely gorgeous and is the prime hiking season there. In winter, there's plenty of snow, perfect for building snowmen.

In spring, there's dogwood and magnolia trees everywhere that look like beautiful white cotton balls. And in summer, it's just hot and perfect. If you’re visiting between summer and fall, go to Harps, the local grocery store, get picnic fixings, and then head out to Beaver Lake. And if you don't want to be on the water, there's plenty of hiking trails there too. 

When you’re back in town, head to the downtown square and get a coffee at Arsaga’s, a beloved coffee shop that has great pastries. Fayetteville is in the heart of the agricultural part of the state, so the Fayetteville Farmers Market has amazing produce and is right on the Downtown Square. 

From there, go to Taste of Thai for lunch, or if you’re craving something nostalgic, go to Hugo's. You have to walk down a few steps to a basement where you’ll find quintessential Americana diner food inside. It’s the kind of place that makes you say “a whole lotta memories have been made here.”

At happy hour, grab a drink at  Pinpoint, Maxines Tap Room, or Vault, which has really great cocktails. The last time I took my husband Edgar there, he jokingly asked “I've never heard the Hog Call (what they do at Razorback games at the University of Arkansas). Is that a thing around here? Do you think if I asked the guy sitting next to me, he would do it?” And I was like… “Yeah, try it and see what happens.” So he turned to his neighbor and asked, “Hey, would you mind doing the Hog Call? And then the whole bar erupted into a coordinated, “ooh…Pig Sooie…oooh…Pig Sooie…oooh…Pig Sooie Razorbacks!” 

Everyone in the square is really friendly, and you can't go wrong with a local recommendation. If you want to try something fancy, try Atlas for a tasting menu or Geraldis for pizza. 

For souvenir shopping there's Pearls Books, where the owners get to know you and always know the book you want to read. If you're a plant person, go to Pink Fern, which has a great assortment. Soot and Sage, Boho Boutique, and Freckled Hen have the best gifts and random cool things. 

For more nature activities check out Devil’s Den State Park or Mount Sequoyah, which is absolutely gorgeous and also hosts art, music, and the farmers market. If you want to stay in town, check out Gulley Park. 

If you want to check out some hidden gems, there's an old-school arcade called Arkadia Retrocade, which is an arcade player's dream. There are antique arcade games that you won’t find anywhere else. There's also a hole-in-the wall bookstore called Dickson Street Bookshop. The shop is beautiful and includes a teaching kitchen, bee hives, 3D printing and robotics lab, simulation lab, body and wellness classes, and so much more. And if you’re willing to take a 15 to 20 minute drive over to Bentonville, head to Crystal Bridges. It’s owned by the Walmart family, has free admission, and is home to amazing modern art. 

That’s the best thing about the Ozarks: You can drive around and find cute spots to stop wherever you go. And in Fayetteville, nature is intrinsically a part of you, after all Arkansas is called “The Natural State.” 

Get Outdoors

• Hike Beaver Lake, if you're visiting in spring or summer, pack a picnic from Harps
• Devil’s Den State Park, the state's most beloved state park
• Mount Sequoyah for art, music, and a farmers market
• Gulley Park right in town
• The free-admission Crystal Bridges, which is about 20-minutes away

Dining and Drinks

• Pizza at Geraldis
• Taste of Thai for lunch
• Hugo's, a local institution
• Happy hour at Pinpoint, Maxines Tap Room, or Vault
• Dinner at Atlas
• Coffee at Arsaga’s

Shopping

• Pearls Books for a good book rec
• Pink Fern for plant lovers
• Find gifts at Soot and Sage, Boho Boutique, and Freckled Hen

Wild Card

• Embrace your inner kid at Arkadia Retrocade
• Dickson Street Bookshop for a unique experience

As told to Only In Your State