articles

5 Staycation Ideas in Northwest Arkansas for Spring Break

You might not be going out of town this year, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun

By By Kara Ault, Macaroni Kid Fayetteville March 19, 2021

School break is coming in Northwest Arkansas. For some of us, anticipated trips have been canceled due to the coronavirus. For others, the plan was always to stay in the area.

If you do find yourself at home with your kids this school break, Macaroni Kid Fayetteville has staycation ideas for you to find your family fun in Northwest Arkansas. After all, there are lots of hidden gems and fun, local things to do with the family in Fayetteville and the surrounding towns. While the situation is changing quickly and it's hard to anticipate what might happen tomorrow -- let alone next week! -- here are five staycation ideas and activities in our area:

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park

506 E Douglas St, Prairie Grove; 479-846-2990

Hours: Museum- 8 AM-5 PM, Playground/trails- 8 AM-sunset

What we love:  Prairie Grove Battlefield Park is known as one of America’s most intact Civil War battlefields. With more than 900 acres, this park commemorates the site of the Battle of Prairie Grove, where on December 7, 1862, Confederate and Union forces clashed in a fierce day of fighting that resulted in 2,700 casualties. Admission to the museum is free and kids and adults will enjoy the interesting exhibits and items from the battle on display. There is a paved 1-mile walking trail (hilly, but beautiful and stroller-friendly) marked along the path with markers of the battle and an abundance of wonderful photo opp locations. There is a playground and picnic tables as well as newly remodeled restrooms, so take a snack or lunch and enjoy the day among history. 

Lokomotion Family Fun Park in Fayetteville

What we love: Lokomotion is a lot of fun for all ages and has the only Go-karts & bumper boats in the area, along with two 18-hole miniature golf courses, spin zone bumper cars, laser tag, and an amazing arcade! Get great coupon deals HERE.

Jones Center in Springdale

922 E. Emma, Springdale; 479-756-8090

Hours: varies

What we love:  While their Spring Break special events are canceled, The Jones Center’s facilities and amenities will remain open to the community until further notice. This includes the gymnasium, pools, indoor ice arena, Tyson Fitness Center and the Runway Bike Park. Price varies from free to about $3-$5 a person. Please note due to Covid-19 restrictions, advance registration is REQUIRED for pool and ice skating activities.

Devil's Den State Park

11333 W Devils Den Rd- West Fork, Arkansas; 479- 761-3325

Hours: Visitor Center: Open all year, 8 AM- 5 PM. Trails, open dusk til dawn.

What we love: Beautiful trails, scenery, rock formations, places to wade in the water and picnic tables. Several of the trails are easy to do with even young children and there are great photo opp locations at waterfalls and cliffs along the trail. You can fish or rent canoes and pedal boats for the lake at the park. The Civilian Conservation Corps used native materials to build the park’s wood and stone structures among the natural beauty. It now stands as one of the most intact CCC sites in the U.S., with a legacy you can see in its trails and buildings like its original cabins. Admission to the park is free.

Razorback Regional Greenway

Goes from S. Fayetteville to Bella Vista, see map of trail here

What we love:  This 36-mile paved trail system connects Northwest Arkansas cities with beautiful scenery and lakes and streams along the way. It goes right through downtown Fayetteville, Springdale where there are plenty of coffee shops and unique stores and restaurants you can visit. You are welcome to bike, walk or rent an electric scooter (in Fayetteville) and ride with your kids along the trail. 

While we are doing our best to update closures and cancellations as we hear about them, please make sure to double check with the event host or attraction before heading out!