Springdale, Arkansas sits in the center of Northwest Arkansas and packs in a surprising amount to do — professional baseball, one of the country’s longest-running rodeos, a family recreation center like no other, a revitalized downtown arts-and-dining district, and Ozark history. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Springdale.
Sports & Recreation
Springdale is a sports town. Catch the Northwest Arkansas Naturals — the region’s Double-A baseball team — at Arvest Ballpark, one of the best minor-league experiences in the country. Each summer, the Rodeo of the Ozarks at Parsons Stadium brings decades of tradition, bull riding, and fireworks to town. The Jones Center — a beloved community campus with the region’s only indoor ice rink, indoor pools, and a fitness center — is a family favorite year-round, and the 70-acre Randal Tyson Recreational Complex adds baseball, soccer, tennis, a splash pad, a dog park, and Miracle League barrier-free fields. See our full guide to sports & recreation in Springdale »
Downtown Springdale & Emma Avenue
Downtown Springdale has been reborn around Emma Avenue, now a walkable district of restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, murals, and live music that has become one of the region’s most exciting dining and arts destinations. Walter Turnbow Plaza hosts markets and events, and the Razorback Greenway runs right through. For current restaurants and breweries, browse our sister sites NWA Food (Springdale) and NWA Brew (Springdale); for live music, see NWA Rocks. Explore the full Downtown Springdale & Emma Avenue guide »
Museums & Ozark History
The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is one of the best places in the region to explore the heritage of Northwest Arkansas, with exhibits, historic buildings, and archives spread across a downtown campus. Admission is free, making it an easy and enriching stop for the whole family. See all museums in Springdale »
Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation
Springdale’s parks have something for everyone: Luther George Park downtown features an amphitheater for concerts and movie nights plus a skatepark, Murphy Park (the city’s oldest) offers a three-acre fishing pond and a pool, and Lake Springdale & J.B. Hunt Park brings free fishing, kayaking, disc golf, mountain biking, and a pump track. The paved Razorback Regional Greenway cuts through the city as part of the OZ Trails network; for biking maps and conditions, see our sister site NWA Bike Trails. Explore all parks in Springdale and trails in Springdale.
Farmers Market & Community Events
Downtown Springdale hosts a seasonal farmers market along with festivals, concerts, and cultural celebrations that reflect the city’s diverse community. These gatherings are among the best ways to experience local life in Springdale throughout the warmer months.
Plan Your Visit
Central Springdale is an easy hop to everything else in Northwest Arkansas. Pair it with our guides to Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, and Bella Vista, or get outside with our complete guide to Northwest Arkansas outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Springdale, Arkansas known for?
Springdale is known for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball team at Arvest Ballpark, the historic Rodeo of the Ozarks, the Jones Center, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, and its revitalized Emma Avenue dining district.
Can you watch professional baseball in Springdale?
Yes. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, a Double-A team, play at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale throughout the summer season.
What is there to do in downtown Springdale?
Downtown’s Emma Avenue district offers restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, murals, live music, and community events, plus the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and access to the Razorback Greenway.