The Great Weather Guide to Fayetteville

By Dustin · March 17, 2009 10:32 pm · 17 Comments

If you aren’t in maximum security prison and you live in Fayetteville, you might have noticed that over the last couple days it’s been freaking awesome outside. I mean, holy bejesus awesome. Triple awesome. Sexual awesome.

And if you’re like me, when the weather turns Fayetteville out there you want more than anything to get out and enjoy it. And of course in Fayetteville, the nice weather could be here today gone tomorrow.

Plus, with so many options for outdoor activities, it’s hard to keep track of all the possibilities. So I propose we come up with a list. Like, right now. Cool?

Here are a few of totally-boss outdoor activities for perfect weather in Fayetteville, as compiled by Dustin, several of you on Facebook, and whoever adds to the comments of this post.

Wilson Park: This one is kind of a duh. Fayetteville has some great city parks, and there’s nothing better than to head over to old WP (that’s what I call it)(starting now?) and take advantage of the many things it has to offer. Hills for rolling down, a creek for poking around in, a trail for exercising on, a castle for climbing in, tennis courts, hoops, a playground, some grass for lounging in, little leaguers to watch, and swings. My friend Ashley says that all of the worlds problems would be solved if every person spent 10 minutes a day at a nice park on a nice day in a swing. I like her style.

Farmers’ Market: This one is also kind of a duh. The Farmers’ market is just a couple weeks away, starting on April 4th. It’s a reason Fayetteville rules, and we can’t wait for this season to start. Perfect way to spend a nice Fayetteville day.

Razorback Baseball: If baseball is your thing, Fayetteville’s got it in a big way in the spring time. Combine that with beer, and you can count me in. The only way to take in a Razorback baseball game is out in left field (just ask TB), and of course, the Naturals are just right down the road in the “Dale.”

Botanical Gardens: The Botanical Gardens of Northwest Arkansas are only a few years old, but they’ve already put together a pretty impressive garden, and there are all kinds of events scheduled there to check out when the weather gets nice.

Trails: Trails. We got ‘em. If you haven’t checked out the new-ish trail system in Fayetteville, then you owe it to yourself to break out your Schwinn or your awesome stunt bike, or just your feet (the trails are for walking too, you know) and see what all the fuss is about.

Biking in General: As far as I know, there is no better place in North America to get out and enjoy the scenic highways and byways on your bicycle than Fayetteville. I know, I already mentioned bikes talking about the trails, but it’s so awesome, it get’s it’s own mention as well.

Anything Involving Dogs: Dogs rule. Walking them in any of our parks or down Dickson St., taking them swimming, throwing things and letting them bring them back to you (they love that), or just chillaxing with them on a blanket (if your dogs like chillaxing). Kickin’ it with dogs in nice weather is the best.

Hiking: If you like nature, Fayetteville has it. If you also like exercise, you’ll love hiking. Devil’s Den is technically in West Fork, but it’s close enough. Lake Wedington is just right down the road and is pretty nice from what I remember. Of course, you can also hike the trails, but to me “hiking” can’t be called “hiking” if it’s on a paved surface. That’s just called walking.

The Amp: So what if it’s in the mall parking lot. It’s an outdoor concert venue, and the lineup that’s been announced so far looks pretty promising this year. Live music+outdoors=Yes.

Gulley Park: Speaking of outdoor music, Gulley Park has it starting in the Summer time almost every Thursday. In addition to that, Gulley Park is great place for kickin’ it with dogs, frisbee golf, other frisbee related activities, hacky-sacking, kickballing, volleyballing, and general outdoorsing.

Old Main Lawn: Old Main is another awesome place for all kinds of outdoor activies. Amy B. suggests people like to play soccer up there, and on certain days you might take in a game of cricket played by some of our international students. With all the development that has happened at the University over the years, Old Main lawn has remained in tact as a great place for hanging out on a nice Fayetteville day. Most things you can do at a park, you can do at Old Main lawn.

Patios: One of my favorite things to do on an awesome Fayetteville day is to hang out on one of the awesome patios around town. Some of my fav’s are US Pizza, Jose’s, LuLu’s/Sasafrass (RIP), Smilin’ Jack’s, and George’s. I also like to drink.

Porch Chilling: Porch chillin’ only requires three things: Friends. Beer. Porch. Those three items are always a recipe for awesome.

Cornhole/Baggo: If you are a competitive person and you have not played this game either A) Do, because it’s awesome, or B) Don’t start, because it’s extremely addictive might annoy the bejesus out of your wife. Unless she plays too, and then, see A. Even if you aren’t athletic, if you can throw a 4lb bag of beans about 20 yards, you can play this game. It also helps to have a frosty beverage in your hand.

Grilling/picnicing: Grilling is the single best method of cooking ever. Grilling almost always means good weather, good food, and a good time, almost every time. God bless grilling. Picnicing, also called eating outside, is also pretty botching.

Running: Uh…Not for me…but, whatevs. Knock yourself out.

Go Carts: This is one I don’t normally think of, but if you show up with about 10 friends and take over a track, riding go carts can help you recapture a little bit of your childhood. Lokomotion family fun park is the only place around here with outdoor go carts. Yeow.

Lake Fayetteville: A good place to do lots of stuff on a nice day. Walk, run, bike, hike, frisbee, dogs, fishing, chillaxing. Also, if you can’t get in free to the Razorback baseball game, you can watch old men play softball, and pretend.

412 in Springdale: Psyche.

Thanks to those that participated in the discussion on Facebook. What else do you guys like to do when the weather is this incredible?

[Photo by Clinton Steeds via Flickr and Creative Commons 2.0]

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Comments

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Lankford
March 17, 2009

LEFT field, dude. Don’t drink and blog.

I want to mention Lake Fayetteville specifically. It’s a good place to do lots of stuff on a nice day. Walk, run, bike, hike, frisbee, dogs, fishing, chillaxing…

The Truth
March 18, 2009

It’s 8 a.m.ish. I feel like making barbecue right now. Like immediately.

Duke McDingo
March 18, 2009

Late addition to the list of patios: Louie’s on Joyce. I checked it out this week. Pretty sweet. Happy Hours until 7.

Dustin
March 18, 2009

@Lankford D’oh. I knew that. Fixed.

I also added Lake Fayetteville, and go carts. Duh.

a. brown
March 18, 2009

Unsurprising to people who know me, I have never played soccer on Old Main lawn. I am afraid of public sports. But it looks like people have fun doing them.

My dog has social problems (yeah, seriously) so we can’t take her to ol’ WP. What is a dog if you can’t take her to the park?

Dustin
March 18, 2009

Sorry a. brown. I took your suggestion on Facebook to mean that you played. Fixed.

George
March 18, 2009

I’m kinda partial to horseshoes. There are some great clay pits over at Walker Park (they even have a league!). I generally play at the OTP Fun & Recreation Center out in Wedington Woods (sorry, private club).

Much to my daughter’s dismay, I don’t own a pool. Our town is a little lacking in the water-fun related activities. The public pool at WP (yesss) is alright I guess, but it’s really not that kid friendly…at least not for little kids. The best one in the area is actually over in Prairie Grove. Yep, good ol’ PG. It’s got the gradual beach-like entry, a few small slides, two really badass big slides, and a nice kiddie pool. All for just a few bucks.

Dede Peters
March 18, 2009

DOGS….

Dog Romp > happens on Saturday mornings at 8:30, Old Main front lawn and when it gets hot…the dogs go swimming in the Fulbright Fountain! Please, spayed and neutered dogs only, nice dogs – who get along well with other dogs and people. **Be prepared to pick up after your dog.** All different sizes and kinds come out. It will become the highlight of your week and your dog(s) will soon be able to tell it is Saturday morning.

ddp gallery > dog-friendly art gallery on the Square. We got biscuits and water. Sometimes HeidiHo The Art Dog is here – she loves to make new friends, canine and human.

yrfuneralmytrial
March 18, 2009

You had me at “Sexual awesome”.

Dragon Lady
March 18, 2009

The Drive In.

It’s probably not going to be around much longer so you gotta go hit it up.

Dos: Smuggle booze in your trunk, play on the super old swing set, watch the amazing array of folks around you, watch some pretty bad movies. All under the stars. Nice.

Don’ts: Make too much eye contact in the bathroom, eat a hot dog, get caught with yer booze, expect to see a good movie. Nice.

Dustin
March 18, 2009

Good one Dragon Lady. Strangely, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I have never once been to the Drive In.

George
March 19, 2009

Drive In. Yeah, that is good. The fact that no one mentioned it before is a sign that it won’t be around much longer. Good times though.

Learned that “don’t make too much eye contact in the bathroom” lesson. Hardest $10 I ever made.

zh
March 19, 2009

Anybody know when the drive-in starts and where you can find the showtimes?

a. brown
March 19, 2009

http://112driveintheatre.com/

They’re opening this weekend with Twilight and Push, and I think it’s either $8 or $9 per car. The concessions aren’t too expensive, either, but I’d second avoiding the hot dogs.

P-Dub
March 19, 2009

The drive-in is now up to $11 per car, which is totally do-able considering you get 2 movies, jawsome old M&M commercials, and a healthy supply of mullets. Plus you can bring your own food in to save a bit of cash and future health problems. Viva la drive-in!

a. brown
March 20, 2009

Nerds! I guess that’s still only $2.75/person if you have four in the car. It really is worth it for the 80s commercials and drunkenness.

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