New to Arkansas? Here Are 10 Ways to Get Connected
Find out how to meet friends and become rooted in your new community.
Cushioned between gorgeous natural features like the Mississippi River and the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita national forests, Arkansas surrounds its residents with the peaceful embrace of nature. While locals are quick to boast about the breathtaking scenery, Arkansas is also undoubtedly rich in arts and culture, diverse cuisine, great jobs and caring people. In fact, the state is full of helpful nonprofits, spirited events and friendly social groups that work to ensure newcomers have countless opportunities to meet friends and become rooted in their community. Here are 10 ways to get connected once you arrive.
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1. Get outside.
Arkansas isn’t known as The Natural State for nothing. With 52 state parks, outdoor lovers are in their prime here. Grab your bike or hiking boots and wander the woodsy Ozark trails and mythical hot springs hiding in Arkansas’ sprawling outdoors.
Jenny Straub, director of strategic partnerships at cap and headwear manufacturer Outdoor Cap, relocated from Cincinnati to Bentonville in 2020.
“The trails in Arkansas are absolutely amazing,” she says. “My family’s favorite trail is only 10 minutes from our house. It takes you to this beautiful waterfall where people can swim and explore. We usually see multiple families there at a time.”
2. Join the biking community.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) designated several Arkansas regions IMBA Ride Centers, celebrating their illustrious trails and active communities. Plus, a catalog of mountain biking clubs, like Hot Springs Bicycle Association, and trail-developing organizations, like Trailblazers + ETHIC, await your participation.
Even if you aren’t an avid biker, consider a mild voyage to one of Arkansas’ rare trail-side restaurants, like Airship, an open-air cafe and beer garden cozied between the hillsides of the Ozarks. Not accessible by car, venues like Airship accomplish something major – drawing people with similar interests together (and supplying them with delicious food and drinks, of course).
3. Visit your local farmers market.
Read your community’s newspaper or keep up with the Arkansas Farmers Market Association to be in the know on harvest season. Farmers markets are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the community and meet and support local farmers and artisans. You are sure to see a flood of local faces each market day, and you just might make a long-time friend while perusing the fresh fruits and veggies.
4. Check out Arkansas’ music scene.
The legacies of famous entertainers like Johnny Cash, Al Green and Glen Campbell keep Arkansas echoing with soulful sound. Organizations like the Ozark Folk Center and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra organize phenomenal concerts that you won’t want to miss. These are the perfect place to take a new friend – or even meet folks who share the same taste in music.
To indulge in the state’s bluesy roots, you can also become one with the head-bobbing crowds at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, a three-day concert series held each October in Helena.
5. Join the stands at a sporting event.
Each season, football fans flood the University of Arkansas’ 72,000-seat stadium in Fayetteville, which is clad in Razorback red. Mingle with those seated around you and feel part of the community as you and the crowd of fans roar in excitement over another touchdown.
Looking for a sporting event to attend when it’s a little warmer outside? The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, a minor league team in Springdale, and Arkansas Travelers, a minor league team in North Little Rock, attract baseball enthusiasts every spring and summer.
6. Join a social club.
“This is an area where it feels like everyone is a transplant,” Straub says. “You don’t meet a ton of people that have lived here their whole life.”
Straub joined the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) Ladies Social Club shortly after relocating to the state, and since then, she has found a cherished community of friends.
“Now that I’ve found my own footing, I go to NWA events to try to connect people and act as the friendly face that keeps people coming back.”
Other organizations in the state that you might consider joining include a local Rotary Club, the Latin Art Organization of Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas Black Heritage.
7. Join a local board or commission.
Interested in fire protection services? Economic development? Keeping Arkansas beautiful? The state is home to plenty of niche boards and commissions that are sure to benefit from your expertise. While it might not be the first thing newcomers consider, joining public boards and commissions is a surefire way to get involved in the community and meet a diverse network of people along the way.
8. Sign up for classes at your local library.
Applying for a public library card is one of the most productive things you can do upon relocating to a new area. Not only can you access a wealth of information and resources, but you can sign up for free classes. Depending on the library, classes might range from youth story times to computer basics and even crocheting.
9. Travel within the state.
Compared to other larger states, Arkansas is fairly easy to travel, and you should take advantage of it. Explore Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, which is also home to miles of natural trails. The city of Eureka Springs allows you to admire Victorian architecture while stepping into small-town Ozark charm. Bigger cities, like Fayetteville and Little Rock, tap into urban life, offering a catalog of trendy shops and restaurants.
10. Get involved with a nonprofit.
Nonprofits across the state work toward creating a brighter future. Statewide organizations like the Arkansas Community Foundation and Accessibility Across Arkansas reach far and wide, while local nonprofits operate in the heart of each town and city.
If you have a free Saturday, consider spending it at a local food bank, like the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, or your community animal shelter. You’ll be sure to meet people in your area, and you’ll be working to help others who live in your new city.
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.