Greater Fayetteville - Fayetteville, AR

Because of the heavy fighting that took place during the Civil War, Fayetteville took decades to restore itself to its former glory. After reconstruction, the local university began to flourish, attracting the brightest minds in the south and Midwest. Corresponding with the growth of the state school, communities outside of the Fayetteville city limits emerged as viable neighborhoods for University of Arkansas employees. During the 1980s, Greater Fayetteville grew faster than any other area of the country.

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History anchors the cultural attractions available for Greater Fayetteville residents. Funded by the Walton family, the Walton Arts Center books live theatrical productions and nationally acclaimed bands. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art features the paintings and sculptures of famous American artists. Fayetteville hosts the annual Art of Wine festival that features a multicourse dinner paired with a wide variety of vintages.

Located along U.S. Highway 412, the central location of Greater Fayetteville bursts with ethnic diversity. The eclectic Marketplace Grill features dishes from all over the world. Boom boom shrimp consists of crispy fried Pacific shrimp tossed in a spicy Thai chili garlic sauce that lingers on your palate. Share a light appetizer before moving on to the house specialty, ultimate jambalaya pasta. The New Orleans-inspired dish combines the elements of Caribbean, Creole and Cajun culinary influences by combining grilled chicken, marinated shrimp, roasted vegetables and bow tie noodles with a very spicy Cajun sauce.

Enjoy the succulent steaks and seafood served at Crabby's Seafood Bar & Grill. The Rogers, Arkansas restaurant receives online kudos for its melt-in-your-mouth jumbo lump crab cakes and tender ahi tuna with sesame seed crust.

Greater Fayetteville pulsates throughout the night. Springdale's Pachanga Night Club promotes Latin music and dance in an upbeat setting. On the Mark Sports Bar & Grill provides respite for locals who want a more laid-back dining and drinking atmosphere. Several big-screen televisions surround diners as they enjoy a basket of jalapeño poppers stuffed with bleu cheese or a dozen chicken wings basted in a tangy homemade sauce. On weekends, live music keeps Flaps Down Grill busy from open to close. Fans of piano bars should not miss the action at Willy D's, where the performers know the words and music to any song request thrown their way.

Ozark Regional Transit meets the public transportation needs of residents who need to travel to and from Greater Fayetteville. The number 52 bus connects Lowell residents with Fayetteville attractions, and students who live in Springdale can reach campus by taking the number 62 bus. Route 490 carries passengers to destinations located off Interstate 49, which represents the primary expressway for the entire area. US Highway 412 runs through the heart of Springdale. Commuters who want to avoid I-49 traffic congestion take business route US highway 71 that adjoins the eastern edge of the university.

Sporadic taxi service and the absence of the car pooling specialist Uber means Greater Fayetteville residents must primarily depend on public transportation and automobiles to reach their destinations. Paved bike trails created by the Washington and Benton County Parks and Recreation departments make it easy for cyclists to travel throughout Greater Fayetteville. Some of the trails seamlessly merge with roads to give cyclists easy access to area points of interest. Pedestrians walk on smoothly paved sidewalks in most subdivisions and enjoy expansive sidewalks that encircle city squares. While you pay to park near campus, you never have to put quarters into a meter in Greater Fayetteville.

Enter Murphy Park without having to pay an entrance fee. The 40-acre park includes a volleyball court and large playground structure. Kids participate in activities held inside of the Springdale Youth Center, while adults walk on the wide, paved trail that loops through dense wooded areas. Use one of three covered pavilions to host family reunions and graduation parties. The park charges $12 to rent a pavilion for an entire day. Luther George Park includes a skate park that has a half-pipe, centerpiece and two quarter ramps for the daredevil in you to enjoy.

Every September, grill masters attend the annual Northwest Arkansas Steak Cooking championship held in Arvest Ball Park. The annual event allows attendees to sample appetizers created by prominent local chefs. The Bryce Davis Dog Park in Greater Fayetteville covers nearly 10 acres of open space where your dog romps with his canine buddies. Every Greater Fayetteville county and municipal park requires you to keep your dog on a leash.

The cost of living in Greater Fayetteville sits 14 percent below the national average. Housing leads the way in saving residents money, especially on apartment rentals. Although demand for apartments prompt landlords to increase rents around campus, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Greater Fayetteville runs $524. Bus fares cost only $1.25, and seniors older than 75 ride free. Monthly passes that provide unlimited rides cost $30. Gasoline prices average 11 percent less per gallon than what the average American pays at the pump. Six quarters get you a 12-ounce draft beer during happy hour, and $2.50 covers the price of a cold draft beer outside the rest of the day.

Located in Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas Mall acts as the center of commerce for residents who live in Greater Fayetteville. Shoppers from Rogers, Lowell and Springdale flock to retailers such as Dillard's and Kay Jewelers. Avoid the long lines at the mall by shopping at Greater Fayetteville boutiques. Beyond Urban specializes in selling vintage women's clothing and accessories that include handmade necklaces and purses. The boutique attracts college students who want to sit at the top of the fashion trend curve, as well as professional women who need to let their hair down after work.

Meeting the locally grown organic produce needs of area residents, award-winning Fayetteville Farmers Market runs from April to October with special holiday markets over the winter months. Ethnic and organic grocery stores abound in Greater Fayetteville. Ozark Natural Foods helps you check off every item on your organic foods list, while Tang's Asian Market sells exotic spices that you cannot find anywhere else in Greater Fayetteville.