Lodging
The Graduate
Phone: (479)442-5555
Address: 70 N East Ave Fayetteville, AR 72701
This is the conference hotel. If you wish to stay there, you can book the conference rate here. That link includes our reservation information, and you should see “We’re showing Celtic Studies Assoc Rates.” The conference rate is $139; there is a limited number of rooms. If they are full, or you are having problems with the website, please reach out to Josh Smith (jbs016@uark.edu) or Emmy Aguayo (ebachma@uark.edu).
You can probably find cheaper hotels, but they won’t be downtown and you won’t be able to walk to campus or to restaurants, bars, etc. And while Fayetteville has a modest and free bus service, you’ll probably want to rent a car if you don’t stay downtown.
The conference will take place at The Student Union and The Honors College, so if you are trying to find a place to stay (e.g. an AirBnB ), you can use these maps to see how far a walk will be.
Airports/Transportation
There are about 600,000 people who live here, but in essence it is four major towns that have grown together. Frustratingly, the airlines sometimes call our destination different names, depending on which “town” they choose: some say Fayetteville (please don’t confuse us with Fayetteville, North Carolina, as has happened in the past!), some Bentonville, some Bentonville/Rogers. But the airport code is always the same: XNA, Northwest Arkansas National Airport.
[Please note that the university is about three hours away from the capitol of Arkansas, Little Rock, so if you do fly there, you’ll have a drive to make. The next closest airport is Tulsa, which is about a two hour drive away.]
It is about a 35-minute cab ride from XNA airport to downtown Fayetteville in good traffic. This conference hits the unsweet spot where it is too small to arrange a shuttle service that doesn’t destroy our budget and too large for us to arrange individual pick-ups. If you are not renting a car, a cab or Uber or Lyft is what everyone generally uses, and it should cost you about $50 (here is the airport’s transportation page).
Once at the Graduate Hotel, you can walk to the Student Union (it’s approximately a mile), or there is a bus stop a block or so away that will take you right to the Union in 10 minutes or so. If you require any transportation accommodations, please don’t hesitate to let us know and we will be happy to arrange them.
Restaurants
Arsaga’s Mill District
Coffee, cocktails, and unique eats with a spacious industrial coffee-house-style atmosphere in south Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: www.arsagas.com/mill-district
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegetarian & GF options throughout menu, clearly marked
Breakfast, lunch, dinner – open 7am-9pm
Atlas
Oysters, steak & other elevated seasonal fare, plus a robust wine list in sophisticated surrounds. Located downtown Fayetteville on Block Avenue.
Website/Menu: atlastherestaurant.com
Veg/Gluten Free: menu appears GF-friendly with a few vegetarian options (mostly salads)
Dinner only – open 5-9:30
Bocca
Stylish Italian spot with an open kitchen serving wood-fired pizza & housemade pata with full bar.
Website/Menu: boccanwa.com
Veg/Gluten Free: GF options available upon request; Vegetarian pasta dishes, salad, and pizzas available on the menu
Dinner only – open 5-9pm
Bordino’s
A sleek venue for refined Italian dishes, desserts, and wine flights located in downtown Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: bordinos.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegan-by-default marked on menu, and pastas can be substituted for GF or Risotto.
Dinner only – open 4:30-10:30pm
Cafe Rue Orleans Cajun & Seafood
Easygoing restaurant specializing in ample portions of classic New Orleans-style seafood dishes. Located on College Ave just north-east of University of Arkansas campus.
Website/Menu: www.caferueorleans.com
Veg/Gluten Free: GF menu available upon request
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-8:30pm
Cheers at the OPO
Southern comfort food & grilled steaks in a historic building. Located in downtown Fayetteville on the Square.
Website/Menu: cheersopo.com
Veg/Gluten Free: A few vegetarian options highlighted on menu & entrees that appear to be GF (like steak!)
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-11pm
Feed & Folly
Sharing plates, salads, and mans dished up in a trendy next to the square in downtown Fayetteville with a rooftop bar & beer list.
Website/Menu: feedandfolly.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegetarian substitutes like mushrooms and black bean burgers available on menu; GF options appear to be mostly salads and charcuterie boards.
Lunch & Dinner – open 11am-10/11pm
Geraldi’s
Casual Italian joint serving hot subs, pata & classic pizzas, plus wine & craft beers on tap.
Website/Menu: www.geraldis.org
Veg/Gluten Free: GF pizza options & vegetarian options
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-9pm
Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese
Innovative versions of grilled cheese sandwiches & hot dogs, plus a bar in a casual setting.
Website/Menu: www.hammontreescheese.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegetarian sandwiches and GF salads
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-10pm
Hugo’s
Basement den with a funky vibe supplying burger & casual American eats with a big beer selection. Located in downtown Fayetteville near the Square.
Website/Menu: www.hugosfayetteville.com
Veg/Gluten Free: based on menu, does not appear to vegetarian and GF friendly
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-10pm
Khana Indian Grill
Modern option for Indian dishes served in a sunny space with large windows & ornate fixtures. Located on College Ave just north-east of University of Arkansas campus.
Website/Menu: www.khanaindiangrill.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Keto options, GF & vegetarian options are clearly marked on the menu
Lunch & dinner – open 11:30am-9pm
Original A Taste of Thai
Casual option serving curries, noodles & other Thai standards, including vegetarian options. Located in downtown Fayetteville on the Square.
Website/Menu: originalatasteofthai.com
Veg/Gluten Free: GF & vegetarian options available on menu
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm
Thai Spice
Enjoy the taste of Thai food in the heart of NWA. Family-owned restaurants bringing you home-style dishes. Located in west Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: thaispicenwa.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegetarian options and salads for GF options
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-10pm
Theo’s
Upscale New American plates served in a clubby atmosphere, plus a cocktail lounge and outdoor patio in downtown Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: www.theosfayetteville.com
Veg/Gluten Free: clearly marked GF options on the menu with a handful of vegetarian options.
Dinner only – open 5-10pm
TULA
Refined dining with traditional Mexican cuisine in downtown Fayetteville’s Square.
Website/Menu: www.tulamx.com
Veg/Gluten Free: A few GF & vegetarian options
Dinner only – open 5-10pm
TyPHOon Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
Vietnamese cuisine in south Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: www.typhoonvietnamesecuisine.com
Veg/Gluten Free: based on menu, not particularly vegetarian or GF friendly
Lunch & dinner – open 10:30am-8pm
Vetro
Refined Italian cuisine & wine served in a chic, renovated old building with exposed brick. Located on the square in downtown Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: vetro1925.com
Veg/Gluten Free: pasta dishes can be made GF! Vegetarian options are also available.
Dinner only – open 5-9pm
Woodstone Pizza
Wood fired, artisan pizza restaurant in downtown Fayetteville.
Website/Menu: www.woodstonecraftpizza.com
Veg/Gluten Free: Vegetarian options abound and GF crusts are available when building your own pizza.
Lunch & dinner – open 11am-10pm