How To

Weather-Proof Your Family Getaway in Rogers

Planning a family getaway can be stressful.  Between finding things to do that meet everyone’s interests, figuring out where to stay, and finding the best driving routes to get there, there are lots of things to consider.  One big factor is always weather, especially here in the Ozarks region, where things can change vastly from day to day.  If you want to weather-proof your visit to Northwest Arkansas, keep these local attractions on your Rogers itinerary.

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South Side
The South Side of Rogers has exploded with growth, boasting many new shops and eateries. Pinnacle Hills Promenade is in the middle of this growth.  The mall is an outdoor shopping center featuring over 100 stores and 15 restaurants with plenty of parking surrounding the mall.  Pinnacle Hills Promenade is anchored at its edges by Bass Pro Shop, Dillard’s, J. C. Penney, and a Malco Movie Theater.  You will also find family favorites like Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW), Gap and Gap Kids, Build-A-Bear, Lululemon, Kendra Scott, and more.

Promenade Mall

Fast Lane Entertainment is a state-of-the-art bowling alley, and an indoor playground all rolled into one.  The Fast Lanes Family Fun pass gives you an hour of bowling, a large pizza and pitcher of soda, 1-hour of unlimited video games for each guest, and a game of laser tag for up to 5 people.

Slime Studio is a new and innovative creative space for the entire family. The menu includes a DIY phone case, a DIY Marimo and Aquarium, clear or cloudy slime, and pre-made slime. The options are endless when it comes to colors, scents, and add-ons. Take your time learning new slime tricks and be sure to take advantage of the backdrop they have set up. Slime Studio is able to accommodate birthday parties as well.

Downtown Rogers
Downtown Rogers is not to be missed, with its unique collection of locally owned shops and eateries bordering the brick-paved streets and rail lines that harken back to the city’s original hay day as a Frisco Railroad stop. There are plenty of ways to get in out of the elements, but we especially enjoyed the Daisy Airgun Museum and the Rogers Historical Museum.

The Daisy Airgun Museum tells the tale of how the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company became Daisy Outdoor Products.  Even if you are not a big fan of BB Guns, the artifacts and stories encapsulated in this museum will entertain you.  From the company’s ties to comic strip hero Red Ryder, to the movie A Christmas Story (You’ll shoot your eye out!), to the golf balls that astronaut Alan Shepard hit on the moon, the historical exhibits are very interesting.

At the end of the tour, you will find yourself in the Daisy discount store where there are limited edition as well as scratch and dent guns for sale.  All who go through the tour get a commemorative medallion.

Daisy Museum

The Rogers Historical Museum moved into the historic Hailey Ford Building located at 313 S. 2nd Street in downtown Rogers.  This is the new home to the Museum’s exhibits, special use gallery, administrative offices, and an exhibit workshop.  The Key Wing and Hawkins House, located right across the street, remain important feature for the Museum.  Children will have space for hands-on activities during field trips and special events and the space will be able to host larger groups and civic meetings.  The Hawkins House still offers guided tours giving a glimpse of life in Northwest Arkansas from 1900 to 1910.

Northeast
Just to the North of Rogers, you will find an amazing piece of history at the Pea Ridge National Military Park.  The 4,300-acre park is the most intact battlefield in the United States.  At the visitor center, you will watch a short movie about the battle.  You can explore the educational exhibits inside the visitor’s center and then head out on the 7-mile drive that circles the battlefield.  Ideally, you can get out and explore each of the 9-stops along the drive, but if weather is a hindrance, you can also listen to the audio tour of the park from the comfort of your car.

Pea Ridge House

Nearby
Another great perk to making Rogers your getaway hub is that it is close to everything!  For more weather-proof fun and things to do in Northwest Arkansas, check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Scott Family Amazeum, both a 10-minute drive to the north in Bentonville, or hitch a scenic ride on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, 20 minutes to the south in Springdale.

Crystal Bridges architecture
@DestinationRogersAR

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