1. The Ozarks Are So Gorgeous, You’d Be Crazy To Stay Inside
A local favorite outdoor hotspot is Devil's Den in the Ozarks, just outside Fayetteville. Outdoorsy natives—and that's most natives—spend their days camping, hiking, spelunking, and rock climbing amid some of the best views in the country.
2. But The Mountains Aren't Just For Hiking
Grab your pool noodle and favorite floaty, there are party coves spread out among little nooks in the Ozarks where locals like to spend hot summer days.
3. Come Laundry Day, Locals Do Their Whites and Razorback Reds
You can take your pro football teams, Northwest Arkansans live and die by their beloved Razorbacks from the University of Arkansas, showing their pride all around town even in the off-season.
4. Razorbacks Know Dickson Street Is The Place To Be
University of Arkansas students can step right off their campus onto the West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, chock-full of unique bars, restaurants, and boutiques to keep them entertained. Just don't spell it "Dixon."
5. Locals Do Not Look Kindly On Arkansas Travelers Fans
Fans hit up the new Arvest Ballpark on summer Saturdays to watch the Double-A minor league baseball team the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, named as an homage to the Robert Redford movie and the state's nickname, The Natural State—particularly when they're playing their heated intrastate rivals, the Arkansas Travelers.
6. In Northwest Arkansas, There's Always Something On Tap
What's better with all that meat than an ice cold—and even better, local—brew? Northwest Arkansas is home to some tasty craft beer brewers, such as Tanglewood Branch Beer Company, Apple Blossom Brewing Company, Saddlebock Brewery, Fossil Cove Brewing Company, and the newer Ozark Beer Company.
7. There's Nothing Better Than Combining Blues, BBQ, And Bikes
Despite being relatively new, Fayetteville's Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Festival is one of the best motorcycle rallies in the U.S. Hosted on Dickson Street, there's something for even non-bikers, such as incredible barbecue, live bands, and a parade.
8. Can Natives Interest You In Crappie Or Catfish?
You can take your fancy salmon and Chilean sea bass, Northwest Arkansans are more interested in fishing for and eating local catches like crappie and catfish, and they're proud of it.
9. There Are Holidays, And Then There Is Hunting Season
Northwest Arkansans celebrate the start of hunting season as they would any federal holiday. Just try to find anyone on the town streets on the first day of deer season.
10. Beaver Lake Has A Lot Of Tourists Because It's Stunning
So, fine, tourists flock to Beaver Lake, but it's for good reason. With massive limestone bluffs, natural caves, and stunning flora and fauna, who wouldn't flock to the lake for a picnic or boat ride?
11. Lake Ann Is Where You Go When Just Swimming Isn't Enough
Lake Ann in Bella Vista isn't just stunning, it's deep. And because of this, it has no power limit, which means one thing: All water sports allowed. Grab your water skis and motorboats, Lake Ann is ready for those wild summer days.
12. Springdale Has Been Dubbed The "Poultry Capital Of The World"
Looking around Northwest Arkansas, you'll find many public features bearing the Tyson name, a proud homage to the multinational Tyson Foods headquarters in town. The company is the second biggest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork in the whole world.
13.Does Your Hometown Have The Nation's No. 1 Farmers Market? Because Fayetteville Does
Because Fayetteville does. The award-winning Fayetteville Farmers market is one of the best in the whole United States and is lined with all of the fruit, veggies, coffee, flowers, crafts, antiques, and handmade goods you could possibly want.
14. Meat: It's What's For Dinner (And Lunch And Breakfast, Too)
Come mealtime, Northwest Arkansans can usually be found out back grilling up steaks, burgers, and chicken wings. And if they don't feel like cooking, they hit up local hotspots like Hugo's in Fayetteville for some of the best burgers in town or James at the Mill in Springdale for something a bit more upscale.
15. Natives Never Run Out Of Flea Markets To Visit
If you're looking for crafts or antiques, you have more options than you can count on your hands and feet. With Cottage at the Barn, Vintage 10, Somewhere in Time Antique Mall, and Daisies and Olives, if you can't find what you're looking for in Northwest Arkansas, you can't find it anywhere.
16. You’re Welcome For Wal-Mart
Bargain shoppers take note: Bentonville is world-famous as the location of the first Wal-Mart, originally called Walton's Five and Dime after its founder Sam Walton. It still stands today as a visitor center.
17. If You Don't Drive A Pick-Up, You're Probably Not From Hereabouts
Local Northwest Arkansans know the pick-up truck is the best way to get around, but the question remains: Ford or Chevy?
18. Northwest Arkansas Is Home To Down-Home Country Classics
Country, blues, and folk music icon Lucinda Williams spent a good deal of her childhood in Fayetteville with her father who taught at the University of Arkansas. Country music singer and songwriter Joe Nichols also calls Northwest Arkansas home.
19. Pinnacle Hills Promenade Is The Locals’ Go-To Shopping Spree Locale
Anchored by Dillard's, J.C. Penney, and Target, but including upscale shops like White House/Black Market, Nine West, and Banana Republic, the open-air Pinnacle Hills Promenade has something for everyone. But it's not just stores; there's a movie theatre, restaurants, and it’s where locals head for local live music on Saturday nights.
20. The Dogwood Festival Isn't Just About Flowers
Don't let the Dogwood Festival's name mislead you; this annual three-day festival in nearby Siloam Springs is chock-full of local foods, crafts, live music, and entertainment, plus tons of activities for kids—and grown-ups if you don't mind strange looks whilst inside a bouncy castle.
21. The Wal-Mart Founder Really Believes In The Arts
The Walton Performing Arts Center—yes, as in Wal-Mart's Sam Walton—came to fruition because of donations from the Walton family, who are a major local influence. And it's now known as the cultural hub of Northwest Arkansas. It hosts the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, or SoNA, and several theaters for live plays, dance, and other performing arts.
22. As If There Isn't Enough Natural Beauty, There's A Botanical Garden, Too
Feast your eyes on the 86-acre Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, filled with so much gorgeous flora that, of course, it's one of the best places to host weddings and summer concerts in Fayetteville.
23. It's Not Home To Just The University of Arkansas
Though Razorback pride runs rampant, Northwest Arkansas is home to several other college students who study at John Brown University, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and Ecclesia College, all of whom do serious good work in the community.
24. World-Famous Art Finds Its Place Here
You can add the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville to the list of amazing cultural locales in Northwest Arkansas. Also due to the Walton family, Sam's daughter Alice, the museum hosts some of America's finest works of art and is quickly becoming a premier destination.
25. Football Games Aren't Just For Football Players
Of course Northwest Arkansans love their college football, but the games are an attraction not just because of the players. Locals are also big fans of the great cheerleading squad and marching band.
26. Don't Be Shy If Your Neighbors Invite You To A Fish Fry
Were you too busy hiking and camping and visiting museums to remember to go grocery shopping? No worries; come summertime all of your neighbors will be hosting fish fries you can attend.
27. The Fayetteville Public Library Is Nationally Renown And Has Great Views To Boot
Recognized as an American Landmark Library, you have to wonder if what draws patrons to the FPL, or Blair Library, is the books or the sweeping views of the Ozarks from its windows.
28. Pea Ridge Could Give Gettysburg A Run For Its Money
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicmcphee/477111054
Pea Ridge National Military Park and its Elkhorn Tavern is nationally acknowledged as one of the best preserved Civil War battlefields in the whole country. Take that, Gettysburg.
29. Northwest Arkansans Work Hard For Their Money
Forbes has named Fayetteville one of the top 10 places to live in the U.S. for careers. Though Tyson and J.B. Hunt Transport Services capture a lot of talent, Bentonville is known as a retail capital of the world, with several smaller stores offering great job opportunities, too.
What do you love about living in Northwest Arkansas? Tell us in the comments below! 
