Northwest Arkansas is a metropolitan area that stretches across the beautiful Ozark Mountains. It includes four of the ten largest cities in the state: Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. Also nearby are the fast-growing communities of Siloam Springs, Centerton, Lowell, and Fort Smith. This is a region where employment is abundant, housing is affordable, commutes are short, and the climate is filled with a sense of possibility.
Regional growth has been driven by the three Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered here: Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services, as well as over 1,400 suppliers and vendors that are drawn to the region by these large businesses. There's also a growing industry in healthcare services. In fact, there is a 4-mile stretch on both sides of I-49 that is being deemed the Springdale Care Corridor.
Most notably, Northwest Arkansas is home to the University of Arkansas which is one of the nation's top public research universities. It's also well-known for Calling the Hogs at sporting events. The picturesque campus is located in Fayetteville, overlooking the Ozark Mountains. Not too far away is John Brown University, a private, interdenominational, Christian university. Located in Siloam Springs, JBU offers a top-ranked academic, spiritual, and professional foundation for world-impacting careers.
Secondary education is also top-notch in the region. According to U.S. News & World Report, Northwest Arkansas is home to eight public high schools that rank in the top 10% of the nation. In addition to traditional public schools, Northwest Arkansas offers a range that includes open-enrollment charter schools, conversion charter schools, parochial or schools with religious affiliation, independent schools, and prep-track schools giving families plenty of choices for their children to learn and grow.
From fine art to flowing bike trails, Northwest Arkansas is packed with all kinds of adventure. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art allows you to enjoy our country's best artwork and the most unique sculpture-lined trails. The Razorback Regional Greenway provides a paved, multi-use trail stretching the entire length of the region. There are also several spots across Northwest Arkansas that offer cyclists the best single-track trails, paved pathways, and on-road routes in North America.
If you prefer to hike, Devil's Den and Hobbs State Park have miles of the most scenic trails in the state. If you enjoy live music, The Walmart AMP brings in the best talent in every genre. And, if you love baseball, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, which serves as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals, always serves up a good time. Hands down, there's always something fun to do and explore around here.
As one of the fastest-growing areas in America, Northwest Arkansas is constantly expanding its shopping and dining experiences. You'll find retail chains you know and love at area malls such as Pinnacle Hills Promenade, along with plenty of trendy boutiques that offer everything from casual to upscale shopping. When it comes to the culinary scene, the area offers farm-to-table, hip food trucks, High South cuisine, fine dining, and plenty of international flavors.