By Ania Melgar
Fall has finally arrived! The weather is perfect, the leaves are changing colors, and Halloween is just around the corner. Northwest Arkansas is a vibrant destination in fall with plenty of things to see and do. Make the most of your fall break with these ideas on what you can do in Northwest Arkansas!
UREC Trips
The University Recreation Outdoors offers several fun trips that students can join during fall break. If you have an adventurous spirit and love being in nature, these trips will definitely help you recharge! This year, there are going to be two trips:
Fall Break Expedition Canoe (Buffalo River Wilderness)
When: October 19-22, 2019 Cost: $150 student
Experience a canoe trip on America’s First National River and make some memories that will last a lifetime! The Buffalo River is a popular camping and canoeing destination and during the fall, you have an amazing opportunity to catch gorgeous fall scenery like nowhere else. Plus, you won’t have to worry about anything during the trip–UREC will provide all the gear, instruction, and food, so all you have to do is bring yourself and a mood to explore!
Ouachita Mountain Bike Tour (Ouachita, Hot Springs, and more)
When: October 19-22, 2019 Cost: $150 student
A mountain biking trip that will take you through the Ouachita mountain terrain and help you get to know the incredible biking trail system out in the wilderness. The trails that will be explored during the trip include the LOViT trail, Iron Mountain trail system, the new Hot Springs Northwoods trail system, and more!
You can expect to get a thrill from a new bike trail each day, as well as some quality camping time at night with relaxing hot tubs and good food with great company. The trip fee includes food, transportation, camping gear, and the guidance and supervision of trained instructors.
UREC will even provide bike and helmet rentals to those students who don’t have their own, so if you’ve been curious to join the Northwest Arkansas vibrant mountain biking scene, now’s your chance!
Downtown Eureka Springs. Photo Credit: The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
International Students and Scholars (ISS) Trip to Eureka Springs
When: October 21-22, 2019 Cost: $120 (Sign up Oct. 14-17)
Join ISS for a fun-filled trip to Eureka Springs–one of the cutest and most scenic towns in Northwest Arkansas! The trip fee includes transportation to Eureka Springs, hotel stay, and guided tours around town. Also included in the fee are dinner at a restaurant on Monday and breakfast at the hotel on Tuesday. Eureka Springs features beautiful architecture, the most haunted hotel in the U.S., and the largest spring in Northwest Arkansas. Sign up to join them and explore more of Northwest Arkansas!
Devil’s Den Trip
Devil’s Den State Park is one of the most picturesque and well-loved parks in the Ozark Mountains. Devil’s Den State Park offers great opportunities for those of you who love hiking, camping, and mountain biking on numerous trails that will take you to places like the Devil’s Den Cave and Twin Falls. You can rent a cabin at the park for a comfortable stay that will allow you to take in the natural splendor each day as you explore the region during the best season of all. Each cabin also comes with a fireplace, so grab some marshmallows and start planning your visit!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
When you think of a typical fall activity to do in the U.S., visiting a pumpkin patch should easily be near the top of your list! As Halloween approaches, you may want to head out to one of the many pumpkin patches around Fayetteville if you are staying in town for fall break. Head on over to Farmland Adventures, Ozark Maze, or Mcgarrah Farms to pick out the right pumpkin to carve your own jack-o-lantern!
Take a Scenic Stroll in Crystal Bridges
The fall foliage on the Crystal Bridges Museum trails is especially beautiful this time of year, so it’s a perfect addition to a visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum. The natural beauty of the trails is complemented by the addition of several artworks along the various paths you can take, so be on the lookout for crystal displays and Chihuly artwork!
If you haven’t had a chance to visit their Infinity Mirrored Room exhibit, use this opportunity during fall break to catch a glimpse of the amazing visual feat by artist Yayoi Kusama that’s been all over social media! Crystal Bridges also have several group events scheduled if you want to enjoy the trails with a guide, like Discover the Grounds: Cloudspotting with Gavin Pretor-Pinney on October 19.
