NWATravelGuide.com and The Best of NWA Top 10 bring you the very best of what Northwest Arkansas has to offer — from Bentonville, Bella Vista, Rogers, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Siloam Springs to smaller communities like Centerton, Johnson, Farmington, Gravette, Gentry, and Prairie Grove.
Meet the Co-Founder: Lynn West
Lynn West, Co-Founder of The Northwest Arkansas Travel Guide
Lynn West, Co-Founder of Best of NWA Top 10
Lynn West is a Northwest Arkansas native and the co-founder of the Northwest Arkansas Travel Guide and The Best of NWA, Top 10, two platforms dedicated to highlighting the most exceptional experiences across the region. With deep roots in the area and a passion for storytelling, Lynn has spent years curating honest, insider-driven content that celebrates the vibrant communities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Eureka Springs, Springdale, and beyond.
What began as a small, independent effort to help visitors and locals navigate the best of Northwest Arkansas has grown into one of the most trusted voices in regional travel — thanks to the work of a dedicated editorial team, a boots-on-the-ground research crew, and a network of passionate locals who help shape every recommendation.
Behind the scenes, the NWA Travel Guide team brings together writers, photographers, editors, designers, and community advisors who live and breathe Northwest Arkansas. Our team evaluates restaurants, trails, events, shops, and more — ensuring that every feature is not only curated with care, but earned with quality.
Our proprietary “Top 10” algorithm blends community recommendations, in-person visits, and careful research to spotlight the best of the best. No paid placements. No vote stuffing. Just real experiences, shared with integrity.
Together, we’re more than a travel guide — we’re a living, evolving reflection of what makes Northwest Arkansas remarkable. From fine dining and outdoor adventures to emerging neighborhoods and hidden gems, our team works daily to elevate the region as a destination worth discovering, again and again.
What Makes Our Lists Different
We’ve developed a trusted, proven method to determine the best of Northwest Arkansas — and we don’t accept payment for placement on our Top 10 lists.
Our approach includes:
- A proprietary algorithm using a mix of online reviews, direct feedback, and community sentiment
- A local “street team” that visits anonymously, like secret shoppers
- An emphasis on quality over hype — businesses with big marketing budgets don’t automatically rise to the top
No paid placements. No vote stuffing. No favoritism.
Just real results based on real experiences.
What You’ll Find
Whether you’re looking for:
- The best burgers or upscale dining in Bentonville
- Boutique hotels and local Airbnbs
- Scenic hikes or hidden gems across the region
- Events, coffee shops, craft breweries, or family-friendly stops…
You’ll find it here — fast, curated, and trustworthy.
How Do We Find The Best?
So how do we go about determining the best of NWA, to really showcase it? As an example, here’s how we develop our popular Top 10 lists:
First, we established some important guidelines:
#1 Businesses should not be able to pay to be on a Top 10 Lists
#2 No membership fees or club dues would be paid in order to be considered
#2 No public voting is used. While it is fun, it doesn’t yield accurate results.
#3 Anonymous reviews that are given without regard to rhyme or reason will not count as reviews
#3 Big marketing budgets shouldn’t drown out the voice of quality, smaller, independent restaurants that aren’t owned by corporate entities.
Then, we created a proprietary formula, an algorithm that includes online polls and reviews and a street team (kind of like mystery shoppers). This three pronged strategy allows us to pinpoint businesses that are doing it right, and this approach is an excellent way to make sure we select the Top 10 candidates in any particular category.
“The list businesses can’t pay to be on” is much more than a catchy tagline, it succinctly says what our mission is all about.
How To Access This Information
So, just how does it work?
Are you hungry for a great hamburger? Check out our Top 10 Burgers list to find a top-notch hamburger joint near you. It’s as easy as one, two, three! Try it yourself!
Top 10 Restaurants
Top 10 Things To Do
Top 10 Hotels, Airbnb’s and Resorts
Advisory Board
We’re proud to collaborate with an incredible advisory board of community leaders, creatives, and tourism experts:
Mike Abb – Creative Director, Ropeswing Hospitality Group
Karen Wagaman – VP of Downtown Development, Rogers-Lowell Chamber
Amy Lindsey – General Manager, XNA Airport Services
Amber Perrodin – Co-Founder, Team Springdale & Little Craft Show
Scott Schroen – Owner, Timbernak | Former Director, OZ Trails
Roger Thomas – President, Thomas Investments Inc. | Founder, TeleComp
Kat Wilson – Artist, KatWilsonArtist.com
Sherry Thomas – President, Sea Ya LLC | VP, Retail Discover
We’re proud to be a trusted local resource for more than a million NWA visitors and residents each month — through our website, books, newsletter, and social media channels.
Want to explore Northwest Arkansas like a local? You’re in the right place.