All my family lives in N W Arkansas. Siloam springs, Rogers, etc. I go back there every 6 mnths and am waiting on some family matters to be settled and then we are moving there. It is a beautiful area with lots to do and very friendly people. Actually too friendly for me. Lol. When my cousin and I run to Walmart for some simple thing he winds up spending an hour in there because he sees every one he knows and they have to chat. Shrug. Perils of living in a small town I guess.
You can run up to Missouri or over into Oklahoma For breakfast or lunch.
My cousin and his wife are constantly driving somewhere to other states. We live in California so the idea that you can just run over a couple of states for a few days seems strange to me. Heck it takes us almost all day just to get out of California.
Look at the Siloam Springs, Gentry area. Not far from Bentonville and a very nice area to live.