Viziting Rogers/Bentonville/Springdale area in February (Little Rock, Fort Smith: home, property taxes)

[fltud]

Will be in Rogers/Bentonville/Springdale area in February, first visit in this area.
Being from Canada we have never been to this part of the USA. We will be there for 3 days I was wondering if anyone could help us out by recommending scenic drives and things to do & see in this area.
What is the cost of living, property taxes in this area, what it is to know about this area (we are looking to relocate to NW Arkansas), what is the weather like????

[Stormcrow73]

February is kind of a tough time to visit, IMO but since that's when you'll be in town, we'll deal with that! February can vary between downright springlike for brief periods to modest snowstorms. It will typically be fairly cool.

For scenic drives, I would recommend:

1) Pig Trail South to I-40 and back to Fayetteville via either old US71 or I540. The Pig Trail is Highway 23 and runs across the Boston Plateau (the highest part of the Ozark Mountains). You can reach it by taking Highway 16 east from Fayetteville. The Pig Trail is routinely used by motorcyclists as a scenic getaway and also a common method for Little Rockers to get to Fayetteville for Razorback football games. When you reach I-40, go west towards Fort Smith. US 71 is a semi-scenic route back north to Fayetteville. I'd however recommend the more expedient but still fairly scenic I540. Total round trip time- about 2.5 hours

2)Visit War Eagle Mill: Whole grain recipe, Cornmeal and Corn Flour While you're out there, head on out Highway 12 East to hit Highway 23 north and visit Eureka Springs: Eureka Springs, The Extraordinary Escape. Plan to get to Eureka fairly early in the day. Even though it'll be the offseason there's still plenty to see in town. The Mud Street Cafe is a great place for a coffee and/or lunch: Eureka Springs, Arkansas Restaurant - Mud Street Cafe However, if it's espresso you're in the mood for, stick to lunch only at Mud Street and head up the hill about a block to the Eureka Coffee Company! Eureka Coffee Company & Cafe- Eureka Springs, AR (unfortunately, I'm not 100% sure they stay open year around so check in on them first).

3)Take in a bit of civil war history at either Prairie Grove or Pea Ridge Battlefields

4)Go ice skating at the Jones Center. Sounds mundane...but not when you consider that this ice rink is quite probably the ONLY free public ice in the United States...

[fltud]

Thank you for all replies!

[Stormcrow73]

Meant to put this in there earlier but forgot:

5) Visit the current temporary home of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (Crystal Bridges - Museum of American Art - Bentonville, Arkansas) at the Massey Building in Bentonville Crystal Bridges at the Massey Building.

[USAwanderer]

Don't forget the Wal-Mart museum in Bentonville!!