Oklahoma City skyline. Photo: Visions of America/Getty Images
Now’s the time to make travel plans for 2023, so let’s dive into three top locations to plan a weekend getaway.
1.Kansas City
Photo: Adam Lacy/Getty Images
Known for great barbecue and its two-time Super Bowl champion football team, Kansas City is a bustling metropolis about 3.5 hours from Fayetteville.
- Here’s how to spend the perfect weekend in the heart of America.
To remain: Spacious Airbnb container with roof deck for $90+ a night.
To do:
- Kick off the summer at the largest free Memorial Day weekend event in the Midwest: Celebration at the Station. This year’s party will be on Sunday 28 May.
- Ride the KC Streetcar. It’s free, and the 2.2-mile trail passes several hot spots in the city.
- Go to a match. KC is home to a trio of professional sports teams: the NFL’s Chiefs, baseball’s Royals, and Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC. College basketball fans can watch the Kansas Jayhawks play at the iconic Allen Fieldhouse less than an hour away in Lawrence.
To eat:
- Head at Kansas City Magazine’s top-rated barbecue joint, Harp Barbecue in nearby Raytown.
- Prey some steak sauce and enjoy a Kansas City strip at the Golden Ox.
- Have dinner on the roof of The Well, located in historic Waldo.
2. Hot springs
Photo: visit to the thermal springs
About 3.5 hours south of NWA is Hot Springs, known for its hot springs, hiking trails, and bathing facilities. Here are some tips on how to live it.
To remain: A luxury Airbnb on Lake Hamilton for 16+ guests.
To do:
- Assist the shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world with performances by Justin Moore and The Village People! This year’s event will be on Friday 17 March. Details.
- Tours the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, which now serves as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park.
- Have fun panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain and the Diamond Lakes area from the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
To eat:
- Prey a burger, hot dog, sandwich or salad at the Superior Bathhouse, which claims to be the only brewery inside a national park in the United States.
3. Oklahoma City
Photo: Visions of America/Getty Images
Oklahoma City it’s 3.5 hours west of NWA and has a lot to explore. Here’s how to spend your time there.
To remain: A private lakefront villa at The Village for $269 a night.
To do:
- Put on your cowboy hat and go to the Chuck Wagon Festival. This year’s event is May 27-28. Details.
- Learn the history of the region’s native population at the First Americans Museum.
- Go out in Bricktown, OKC’s original warehouse and distribution center has transformed into a business and entertainment district.
To eat:
- Order the Coyote Chicken Sandwich at Cafe 501.
- Sit down for soul food at Florence’s Restaurant, winner of the 2022 James Beard American Classics award.
- Have fun a great ribeye, rack of lamb or Australian mahogany lobster tail.
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