Rogers is a charming city in northwest Arkansas that offers visitors plenty of things to see and do. From unique museums and cultural attractions to outdoor adventures and family fun, Rogers has something for everyone. This article explores 12 of the top attractions that you don’t want to miss when visiting Rogers.
Whether you spend your time immersed in the captivating history of the Hawkins House or enjoying the hands-on exhibits at the Amazeum, there are activities and destinations perfect for couples, families, solo travelers and more. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the miles of trails throughout the city, while shoppers can browse the boutiques and antiques shops downtown. And you can’t visit Rogers without experiencing the flavorful local cuisine.
Keep reading to discover 12 of the best things to do in Rogers to make the most out of your Arkansas getaway.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is one of the most popular attractions in northwest Arkansas. As Walmart heir Alice Walton’s pride and joy, the museum features her collection of American masterpieces spanning five centuries. The collection includes works from legends like Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell.
The museum campus itself is a work of art, with architecture and grounds designed to complement the natural Ozark landscape. The design incorporates glass, wood and water elements throughout the galleries and walking trails. Visitors can explore rotating exhibits along with the permanent collections. Don’t miss the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Bachman Wilson House relocated and reconstructed on the museum grounds.
Outside, the trails wind through native woodlands, crossed by streams and dotted with outdoor sculptures. Other amenities include a museum store and restaurant featuring locally-sourced ingredients. The family-friendly museum offers additional activities including lectures, films, festival events and kids’ programs.
Hawkins House
Step back in time with a visit to the Hawkins House, an impressive Victorian home-turned-museum that offers a glimpse into the everyday life of one of Rogers’s founding families. Built in 1881, the Hawkins House provides a look into what living in Rogers during the late 1800s was like.
This beautifully restored red brick Queen Anne-style house features original furnishings, wallpaper and decor from the Hawkins family. Inside, you’ll find Victorian-era toys and clothes, and photographs depicting what life was like for this influential local family. Docents provide guided tours showcasing the family’s wedding cake silver, English bone china, children’s Saxony wool dresses, several Eastlake parlors, and a 1988 pump organ.
Outside, stroll through the heirloom gardens blooming with flowers and herbs similar to what the original homeowners grew. The Hawkins House provides a one-of-a-kind experience to discover Rogers’s early history.
Rogers Historical Museum
Delve deeper into the local history and culture with a visit to the Rogers Historical Museum, located downtown. The museum occupies a former headquarters of the local Masonic Lodge built in 1914. Permanent and rotating exhibits highlight various aspects of Rogers and the surrounding area throughout history.
Browse the Smithsonian Rogers Gallery to view artifacts and displays centered around local agriculture. The agriculture exhibit spotlights the long history of poultry and apple orchards that built the regional economy. Other galleries feature exhibits related to architecture, Native American culture, the Civil War era and more. Museum exhibits incorporate historic objects, archival images and multimedia components.
The Rogers Historical Museum also houses the Soda Fountain featuring an old-fashioned lunch counter. Visitors can order up classic sodas, ice cream treats and light fare. Don’t miss special events like the annual Pioneer Days or holiday open house celebrations held at the museum.
The Rink Skating
If you’re looking for year-round family fun, lace up your skates and head to The Rink Skating in Rogers. This modern roller skating rink provides entertainment for all ages and abilities seven days a week. Their huge wooden rink floor is the perfect place to roll along to fun music, play arcade games or enjoy one of their regular themed event nights.
In addition to open skating sessions, The Rink Skating offers lessons for both roller skating and ice skating. Sign the kids up for summer camps or classes tailored for specific skills like speed, dance and hockey. Adults can join recreational teams and leagues for some friendly competition too.
When you work up an appetite, grab a snack at the 1950s-style diner concession area. With affordable prices and daily specials, The Rink Skating is one of the best things to do in Rogers with kids and makes for an easy rainy day activity.
Thaden Field House Museum
Aviation history buffs will love a stop at the Thaden Field House Museum found on the campus of Rogers Executive Airport. The museum celebrates the legacy of early aviation pioneer Louise McPhetridge Thaden who learned to fly at the grass Rogers airfield in the late 1920s.
Thaden went on to set numerous flying records over her career including winning the first Women’s Air Derby race in 1929. The museum contains exhibits highlighting her trailblazing path along with other local aviation history. Visitors can view a replica of Thaden’s history-making Travel Air biplane model along with a wealth of archival photographs and artifacts.
In addition to the indoor museum displays, aviation enthusiasts can watch small planes practicing takeoffs and landings onsite. The Thaden Field House Museum both honors Louise Thaden’s accomplishments and the continued role of aviation in the Rogers community.
Lake Atalanta
Rogers offers outdoor lovers beautiful parks and green space perfect for strolling, jogging or cycling. Lake Atalanta is a serene 19-acre park set on a lovely tree-lined lake, just blocks from downtown Rogers. Walk the paved trail encircling the lake to take in views of the waterfowl, flowering gardens and rock bluffs dotted with historic railroad bridges.
Benches scattered along the walking path provide the perfect perch to relax amid nature and maybe catch a spectacular sunset. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the tables and grills dotting the park. Let the kids burn off energy at the playground and splash pad located onsite. Special events take place at Lake Atalanta throughout the year ranging from outdoor concerts to holiday light displays.
River Rails Trails
Northwest Arkansas is laced with fantastic multi-use trails perfect for cycling, walking and running. The River Rails Trails course runs directly through Rogers utilizing a former railroad corridor. Part of the Razorback Greenway regional trails network, the flat, paved River Rails Trail stretches 3.1 miles through Rogers.
Along the way, the tree-lined pathway connects numerous parks and neighborhoods. Trail users can take a break at benches, water fountains and fitness stations found at intervals. Link up additional trails to continue your adventure by bike or foot north towards Bentonville or south towards Lake Fort Smith State Park. The trails offer both transportation routes and recreation from the heart of Rogers.
Houlihan’s Restaurant
After a day on the River Rails Trails, reward your outdoor adventures with a meal at Houlihan’s Restaurant found in the Rogers Promenade District. Houlihan’s occupies a prime spot overlooking Lake Atalanta, offering al fresco lakeside dining along with indoor seating and a festive bar area.
Expect juicy burgers, tender steaks and seafood fresh off the grill highlighting American cuisine. Their menu features healthier options too including build-your-own entrée salads and low-carb plates to satisfy all appetites. Save room for dessert too – Houlihan’s famous carrot cake and chocolate cake creations deliver. The full bar offers an extensive beer list plus hand-crafted cocktails and wines. Watch the sunset over Lake Atalanta while enjoying Rogers’s lively downtown dining scene.
Hobbs State Park
Just a few miles outside Rogers near the community of Rogers itself lies Hobbs State Park, one of Arkansas’s most popular and pristine state parks. The 12,054-acre park stretches along the southern shore of Beaver Lake, edged by limestone bluffs blanketed in oak and hickory forest. Visitors to Hobbs State Park will discover miles of scenic hiking trails, streamside camping spots and impressive karst geology.
Hikers can choose from 20+ miles of trails – some following former historic wagon routes – ranging from short nature walks to overnight backpacking treks. Mountain bikers also have their pick of routes suitable for all skill levels. Be sure to see the scenic Glory Hole waterfall cascade, tranquil Van Winkle Hollow with its pioneer homestead site and remnants of a prehistoric rock shelter used by Indigenous peoples.
The visitor center provides interpretive exhibits explaining the park’s natural features and history. Over 200 species of birds along with deer, fox and raccoon inhabit the park. Anglers can test their skill fishing for black bass, crappie and other sport fish from the shoreline or by boat. With endless things to experience, Hobbs State Park makes an ideal base to enjoy Rogers’s beautiful outdoor offerings.
Rogers Experimental House
For a truly unique experience, check out the Rogers Experimental House located within the downtown Arts District. The futuristic Experimental House originated as part of the 1976 United States Bicentennial Celebration. Architect E. Fay Jones designed the innovative steel structure to demonstrate solar power capabilities through passive solar panels, greenhouse space and solar water heating.
Although ahead of its time, the house could not maintain livable temperatures and sat empty for decades. Thanks to restoration efforts, visitors can now tour the interior to see the sun-catching architecture and educational exhibits explaining various alternative energy sources. Outside, stroll through the surrounding butterfly gardens blooming from spring to fall. Part art installation, part cultural history and part science lesson, the one-of-a-kind Rogers Experimental House exemplifies the city’s creative spirit of innovation.
Rogers Little Theater
Enjoy performing arts in an intimate setting with the Rogers Little Theater found downtown. What began in 1925 as live entertainment in a tent, today occupies the historic Victory Theater building. The volunteer-run community theaterstages a variety of productions throughout the year ranging from dramas to comedies to musicals.
Past shows include classics like To Kill a Mockingbirdalong with recent hits such as Mamma Mia! Upcoming events like live concerts and special fundraising galas also take place in the cozy 98-seat theater. Supporting local theater, getting to know the characters and actors and finding that perfect seat all make for a delightful night out during any Rogers visit. The Rogers Little Theater continues offering quality local entertainment for all ages season after season.
Rogers Flea Market
No trip to Rogers is complete without a stop at the Rogers Flea Market, open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As one of the area’s most popular attractions, the Rogers Flea Market features over 200 vendors spread across an indoor/outdoor venue spanning seven acres.
Interfaces range from antique booths to fresh produce stands to food trucks and everything imaginable in between. Shoppers can browse row after row of sellers to uncover great deals on clothing, toys, décor, tools, plants, jewelry and collectibles. Don’t miss the petting zoo where kids can feed and brush chickens, piglets, goats, donkeys and more.
When you work up an appetite, grab a bite from the array of snack bars and food vendors on site cooking up funnel cakes, corn dogs, kettle corn, grilled sandwiches and more. With affordably priced finds, Rogers Flea Market promises a full day of shopping and eating fun for bargain hunters.
Conclusion
From world-renowned art collections to quirky experimental architecture, Rogers offers visitors plenty of things to see and experience. Learn about the city’s pioneering founders at the Hawkins House historic site and Rogers Historical Museum. See how American art evolved over centuries at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s stunning campus.
Let the kids roll, glide and play at The Rink Skating center. Outdoor enthusiasts will love miles of trails for hiking and cycling along the River Rails pathway and through pristine Hobbs State Park. Catch a show at Rogers Little Theater or enjoy a sunset dinner overlooking Lake Atalanta. Whether you love history, art, architecture, performance or the great outdoors, Rogers delivers memorable attractions guaranteed to delight.