This Lesser-known Destination in the South Has Charming Towns and Mountain Views That Rival the Smokies-Without the Crowds

"From historic inns and cabins to art hotels and unique hobbit holes and tree houses, NWA has accommodations for every type of traveler. If you dare, stay at "America's Most Haunted Hotel," 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, in Eureka Springs. Guests have reported ghost sightings and paranormal activity during their visits, particularly in Room 419, Theodora's Room. Rather stay in the woods? Check into Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits or The Original Treehouse Cottages."

"For more traditional accommodations, consider the Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville, the Inn at Carnall Hall in Fayetteville, or the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville. There's also a recent boon in new accommodations. Rogers' Arka Motel, featured on HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous, was remodeled in 2024, and the Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown and The Star on Spring, a luxury boutique hotel in Springdale, opened to guests in 2024 and 2025, respectiv"

Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and the Ozarks provide a less-crowded mountain alternative with fall foliage that typically lingers into mid-November. Several communities—Bella Vista, Bentonville, Berryville, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Holiday Island, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and Springdale—each offer distinct attractions. Fayetteville and Bentonville feature lively art and beer scenes; smaller towns offer quaint downtown squares and cozy coffee shops. Eureka Springs showcases Victorian architecture, cobblestone streets, and an underground city ambiance. Lodging ranges from historic inns, haunted hotels, and treehouses to modern art hotels and newly remodeled and opened properties in 2024–2025.

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