Is Rogers, Arkansas Worth Visiting?

Posted by EffectiveWasabi858@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 75 comments

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask, my apologies if it’s not. My husband and I (+ dog & cat) are planning a trip to Rogers over Memorial Day weekend (driving from Texas) and will be there for 3 nights. We’ll visit Hobbs State Park (cycle Karst Loop trail), War Eagle Caver and of course the Onyx Coffee Lab.

I’d love to hear any other recommendations for places to visit (would enjoy hiking with cute views, bicycling, good Arkansas food, cocktails, fishing with guide, historic places etc).

I was also considering Buffalo national river to hike the Goat trail to Big Bluff or check out Harley’s tower in Eureka Springs but seems it would be a 4hr+ drive from Rogers. I appreciate all suggestions, thank you all so much in advance! 😊

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TheBimpo@reddit

/r/Arkansas?

Rogers, Arkansas isn't exactly Orlando or Pigeon Forge when it comes to tourism.

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DogsBikesAndMovies@reddit

Arkansas is arguably the shittiest state in America. I spent one day there, and that was more than enough. Find someplace else.

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TTHS_Ed@reddit

They're coming from Texas, so they might not mind /s

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Oh, no, we definitely mind. We’re just looking for places that aren’t too far a drive( 4hrs+/- ) from the Dallas area.

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Thatonetwin@reddit

Its about a 5 and half hour drive. Its got stuff like top golf, the walmart amphitheater if your looking to go to a concert.

Arkansas is a beautiful and awesome state if your looking to go swimming or hiking. And Rogers is like right there is it Ozarks for that.

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DogsBikesAndMovies@reddit

Just don't drink the tap-water. It's gross.

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thetrain23@reddit

Not if you like nature. Arkansas has elite lakes and rivers. No urban areas worth visiting, but it's the most underrated state in the country for natural beauty.

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asphid_jackal@reddit

Arkansas is arguably the shittiest state in America.

Bold words when Texas and Florida still exist

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HecticTurtIe@reddit

You say that as if those are places you actually want to visit. Both are way overcrowded and overpriced. Rogers sounds lovely!

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

I tried but the Arkansas subreddit deleted my post and I wasn’t sure where else to post because I was hoping to get some recommendations.

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TheBimpo@reddit

A lot of state subreddits have stickied posts for tourism/general questions. Doesn't look like that one does, but their rules also don't specifically ban tourism posts. Maybe message the mods and ask what's up. Also, there's /r/RogersArkansas/

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standardtissue@reddit

I'm just going to sip my tea.

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jeff1074@reddit

All of Arkansas worth visiting! I’ve never actually been there but I’m going this summer and I hope it’s nice.

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OceanPoet87@reddit

r/usatravel or r,/Arkansas

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zedazeni@reddit

Rogers? Absolute to not. NWA, sure. I went to college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. It’s a pretty typical college town. Springdale and Rogers are essentially suburban towns with nothing to do. It’s just standard suburban cookie-cutter houses and strip plazas. Absolutely nothing there. Bentonville has Crystal Bridges Art Museum, which is cool if you like art.

Like others said, there’s a ton of paved biking trails. You can actually go from Crystal Bridges to the University of Arkansas exclusively on the trails.

Just south of Fayetteville is Devil’s Den State Park, which has some really neat trails to hike on. Eureka Springs is a nice town, but it’s very small, literally two streets and only a few blocks on each street, but it’s very much feels like “Hipster West Virginia,” but I wouldn’t stop anywhere between NWA proper and Eureka Springs unless you’re very very right-leaning, politically. That area, especially Harrison AR (near Eureka Springs) is known for being a sundown town and has strong KKK ties.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your detailed suggestions. Others on the thread mentioned staying in eureka springs instead of rogers. What do you think? Are there some activities or special places in the eureka springs area?

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zedazeni@reddit

It’s a very cute small town, but that’s about it. A few quirky gift shops and cafes in some old buildings which are nestled in a steep ravine. If you’re looking to kill time it’s a great place for that. If you’re looking for things to do…there’s better small quaint towns in America, and especially in Nee England, that have a similar vibe with more to do.

That being said, I’d go there over Rogers. Rogers is like The Woodlands or Denton, it’s just suburban sprawl and strip plazas. The only “things” to do is go shopping at The Promenade (outdoor mall like you’d see anywhere in the USA) or the Walmart Amphitheater, which unless there’s a show/event there that coincides with your visit, is just another outdoor amphitheater like you’d see anywhere else in the USA.

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cathemeralcrone@reddit

I genuinely thought this was a joke post. Rogers?? It's just a regular town. Go to Eureka Springs instead.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Okay, but when trying to search for activities to do while in Eureka, I couldn’t find anything other than Harley’s tower.

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Content-Elk-2037@reddit

Look up Turpentine Creek Refuge, amazing place. Also, if you like visiting waterfalls, you can look up waterfall trails. Northwest Arkansas is a beautiful area. If you like art museums, look at Crystal Bridges.

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cathemeralcrone@reddit

Eureka is a beautiful tourist town with cute inns. Rogers is just a normal fugly town. All of NW AR is a pretty area and you can easily drive between the small towns. Go to Pea Ridge and Crystal Bridges. Or go stay further east in Gilbert and float the Buffalo River.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Wow, that sounds so amazing, I would love that (the cabin with hotub)! I had already booked a hotel in Rogers. I’m now searching for places in Eureka Springs. Thanks so much.

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Sea-Astronomer-6600@reddit

Eureka springs is beautiful!!!!! Great for cabins with hot tubs, great scenery, downtown is cute and there’s stuff close by to explore.

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capsrock02@reddit

I’ve never heard of this place in my life

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Redbubble89@reddit

Do you think Americans know every small town in this large country?

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TheBimpo@reddit

of course the Onyx Coffee Lab.

Who hasn't heard of this coffee shop in the 6th largest city in Arkansas

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No_Report_4781@reddit

I’m from Arkansas, and I don’t even know where Rogers is located

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TheBimpo@reddit

Now's your chance.

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No_Report_4781@reddit

There are many reasons why I’m from Arkansas instead of living in Arkansas.

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TheBimpo@reddit

But...Onyx Coffee Lab?

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No_Report_4781@reddit

Sounds like a tech bro startup

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Metal_Rider@reddit

It’s just outside Bentonville

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benck202@reddit

For folks who are into good coffee, onyx is nationally famous.

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TheBimpo@reddit

I'm into good coffee! Right now, as we sit, I'm drinking a cup of locally roasted coffee that I ranthrough my Burr grinder and prepped with my French press. It's the Ardi blend from Hyperion, surely you've heard of it.

I think, just maybe, perhaps possibly you're overestimating the fame of a coffeeshop?

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benck202@reddit

Next time you go into Hyperion, ask the roaster whether they’ve heard of Onyx in Arkansas. Industry people will know- all of the good roasters in New England where I live have heard of them.

My point here is not to get into a snarky argument with a stranger about coffee snobbery, but rather to point out that if OP is a coffee nerd and is looking for a weekend getaway from Dallas, Onyx is 100% a legitimate draw. Hope you enjoy your coffee and have a great day!

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DharmaCub@reddit

Literally no one not from Rogers Arkansas knows what that is.

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Bootmacher@reddit

I've lived in the area. War Eagle Mill is definitely a fun detour!

Hobbs State Park is alright, but Devil's Den is already on your way.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Yes, so many people mentioned how they loved war eagle mill. I’m excited for that one.

I’ll check out Devil’s Den! Thanks for the rec.

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Bootmacher@reddit

Devil's Den is the park and in the town that True Detective Season 3 was based off of. You can find filming locations there, and in Fayetteville, like Hugo's, which is also a great restaurant.

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StrengthFew9197@reddit

We live in Dallas but I grew up in Fayetteville. Northwest Arkansas is the only really great part in Arkansas. So much to do outside. We took our teenagers and their friends to beaver lake, canoed the white river, visited eureka springs and they loved it. We stayed in Airbnb with access to lake closer to eureka springs than Rogers. I recommend the trip.

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MeTieDoughtyWalker@reddit

I’ve travelled around that area a lot and Rogers isn’t a place I’d want to specifically visit. Stayed in Eureka Springs many times and there’s much more to do around there. I’m still mad they closed my favorite cheesecake place of all time.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Yes, because a several people recommended eureka springs, I’m currently looking for a cabin so we can stay there instead.

What are some of the activities you enjoyed while visiting eureka springs?

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Danibear285@reddit

Absolutely

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Active_Wing7906@reddit

I went for the first time a month or 2 ago. It’s…ok. I was there for work and even as an avid cyclist, I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to visit.

If you’re there because y’all are passing through, you’ll enjoy it. There’s a couple good bars and restaurants

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your comment. Which restaurants and bars did you like the most?

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Active_Wing7906@reddit

Peddlers Pub

Tower Bar

Scotch and Soda

Started in Rogers, but these might all be in Bentonville. Walking through the Walmart HQ campus was kinda cool.

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mdavis360@reddit

I’m just surprised you’re taking a cat on a road trip. 🙀

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

My cat does very well on road trips! She sits on my lap quietly and occasionally looks outside the window (closed of course). I sometimes put her in her carrier if it’s safer, but she’s not a fan of that 🙂

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mdavis360@reddit

That’s really cool. I would be afraid to even take one of my cats out of their carrier in the car because I would imagine them flipping out.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

I started slow. 7m drives to my nearby Starbucks for coffee. Then when she got comfortable, I’d take the longer way home. Then kept building from there.

I’m now trying to get her comfortable with taking short walks with me and the dog. Not sure if that’ll ever work though lol

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Feisty_Water_3164@reddit

Arkansas is a beautiful state.

For what it is worth Rogers, Arkansas is dry - meaning that alcohol is available under limited situations.

Missouri is close by and you can get packaged alcohol there

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stellarreject@reddit

If you are into art, I'd suggest a visit to Crystal Bridges

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Bootmacher@reddit

They have the painting from the meme of the guy demanding payment.

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dhrisc@reddit

Its even better in person. They also have the Rosie the Riviter painting by Rockwell.

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Thank you guys! I’m adding that to my list!!

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dhrisc@reddit

They also have an event space called The Momentary attached to the museum, check their calendar in case any cool things are happening while youre there.

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dan2376@reddit

I've been to the area a couple times. Bentonville is a nice small town. I've stayed a night in Rogers and it's nothing to write home about. Bentonville is kind of unique because of all the Walmart money, so there are a lot of super nice houses and the square is pretty active with a lot of little shops and restaurants. There is a bakery on the square that has some amazing cupcakes and another bar & grill off the square that my dad and I thought was pretty good when we were there last. Of course there is the original Walmart location that is apparently a nice museum, but it was being renovated last time I went there so I've never been. I'm not a cyclist but I've heard there are a lot of great cycling trails in the area.

Anyone shitting on Arkansas has never been to NW Arkansas. I thought it was a really pretty area the last time I went there.

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AdministrationTop772@reddit

Never heard of the place

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dhrisc@reddit

Its a big town in one of the fastest growing areas of the US in NW Arkansas.

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Metal_Rider@reddit

If you’re a cyclist, Rogers is just outside Bentonville. Lots of great MTB and Gravel riding in the area. Bentonville and Bella Vista are fantastic. I used to live in Houston and lots of us would drive up there for cycling vacations. The Walton family has invested millions in making it a cycling hotspot.

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benck202@reddit

Last time I was down there I met mountain bikers from Colorado who had flown to Bentonville specifically for mountain biking, which is a good sign it’s paying off.

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stellarreject@reddit

My GF and I visited the Gear Garden in Blowing Springs. Weren't riding but a really beautiful place to just enjoy a pint and a waterfall.

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benck202@reddit

NWA generally is worth a visit for sure, especially if you are interested in cycling. Rogers is small with a cute downtown. Some of the best mountain biking in the US is within a short drive. Make sure you get to Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, a short drive away. It’s one of the most amazing American art musesums and it’s free. You could spend a whole day there.

Good restaurants in Rogers, Bentonville, and Fayetteville. Wright’s BBQ is locally famous and worth a stop - they have several locations. If you want to go really high end Heirloom is in the same building as onyx, and it’s excellent. Sounds like you’ve already identified the most famous best coffee in the area, but Confident Coffee is another great one. In Fayetteville, the Vault is an awesome little cocktail bar, and if you’re into books, Dickson Street Books is one of the most amazing used bookstores in the country (seriously).

Anyone telling you Arkansas is not worth a visit has never been to NWA, by the way, or if they have it hasn’t been for 20 years.

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MUL98@reddit

Nothing in Arkansas is worth visiting.

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Morning_phlegm@reddit

Rogers itself is probably not worth a trip, but northwest arkansas has some good activities. It’s all kind of corporate now but there are still a few spots with soul. While you’re there, check out Crystal Bridges art museum. Go eat pizza at Pizzeria Ruby. Make a day trip to Eureka Springs to walk downtown and do a little shopping, then check out the Crescent Hotel (and maybe do a ghost tour!)

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itsjustmo_@reddit

There's a store in Eureka Springs where the bunnies give you your change.

Enough said!

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

Omg, so fun! I will check it out, thank you!

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DineenMattingly@reddit

How, of all places, did you come up with some random town no one has ever heard of?

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EffectiveWasabi858@reddit (OP)

We live in the Dallas area. I just googled close cities to drive to for Memorial Day weekend and Rogers came up.

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