This Lesser-known Region Is Arkansas' Gateway to the Ozarks-and It Has More Than 500 Miles of Hiking and Biking Trails

"Northwest Arkansas may be synonymous with Walmart, the massive, multinational retail corporation that grew out of Walton's 5&10 in downtown Bentonville. But for me, an active traveler with an interest in cycling, hitting the trails, and enjoying a drink or two, Walmart is the least interesting thing about a region that's bursting with a wonderful blend of vintage Americana and natural beauty."

"Sidney Roach, community manager at the Plaza, moved into one of the apartments during construction. Pointing out her bike leaning against the patio railing, she jokes about her short commute. When she wants a bit of exercise or to get a drink, she just hops on her bike and rides up to Natural State Beer Company, a German-style brewery that emphasizes Gemütlichkeit, a sentiment that roughly translates as coziness coupled with community and good cheer."

"I start my morning on the Razorback Greenway, meeting Roach for breakfast at Un Deux Trois, a French-inspired bistro serving up a mix of homemade pastries and wraps, coffees, and curated wines from the likes of Burgundy and Piedmont. Having had the good fortune to travel in France, I can tell the designer did their homework with large windows welcoming in the morning sun and a shaded pergola underneath a white and turquoise awning that practically sings "La Vie en Rose.""

Northwest Arkansas combines vintage Americana and natural beauty with active outdoor amenities. The Razorback Greenway is a 40-mile paved bike and pedestrian path officially dedicated in 2015. Residents and visitors use the path for exercise and transportation across a largely car-dominant region. The Plaza at Pinnacle Hills is a new 10-acre luxury development in Rogers built alongside the Greenway, featuring apartments and the forthcoming Hotel Vin scheduled to open in summer 2026. Residents like community manager Sidney Roach bike to nearby destinations such as Natural State Beer Company, a German-style brewery that emphasizes Gemütlichkeit. Un Deux Trois is a French-inspired bistro with pastries, curated wines, large windows, and a shaded pergola.

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