Bentonville is one of the most interesting cities in Arkansas. It has changed from a cute little town to a hip and fashionable small city that is named on “best places to live” lists.
Most people know that Walmart started here, but Bentonville today is also known for world-class art, mountain biking, live music, museums, a great downtown square, and an ever-growing list of places to eat and things to do.
And it really is still growing. Like…really growing. Every time we visit there is something new. But, somehow, even with all the growth, Bentonville has maintained its small-town feel.
Here is a list of the best things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Experience Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
If you only have time to do one thing in Bentonville, go to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. People visit this amazing museum from all over the world and it really is not to be missed!
I have been to Crystal Bridges many times and still think it is one of the very best places to visit in Arkansas.
The museum was founded by Alice Walton and is filled with American art from different time periods and styles. You will see famous names like Norman Rockwell, Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol, but there is plenty here even if you don’t know much about art.
Crystal Bridges became even bigger in 2026 with the opening of a major new expansion that added more gallery space, creative areas, places for families, and even more ways to enjoy the museum.
Crystal Bridges also has one of the most beautiful museum settings I have ever seen. It sits in a wooded ravine surrounded by ponds, walking trails, native plants and outdoor sculpture.
It is also free to enter!
I suggest that you plan on spending at least a few hours here, but if you are an art lover you could spend most of a day!
Read our complete guide to visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Experience the Bentonville Town Square
The Bentonville Town Square feels like a southern Stars Hollow. (Gilmore Girls reference!) Seriously, this is one of the prettiest town squares that you will ever see.
I would describe it as the heart of Bentonville. It is definitely the best place to go to experience the small-town feel and friendly atmosphere in Bentonville, AR.
The center features a shaded lawn and flower beds with a fountain in the middle. The surrounding streets are filled with boutiques, amazing restaurants, bookstores, bike stores, and coffee shops.
This is a “feel good” place!
Attend the Saturday Farmers Market on the Square
The seasonal Saturday farmers market shuts down the streets around the square and features wonderful vendors. This is a fun community experience.
Visit the Walmart Museum
The Walmart Museum is right on the Bentonville square in the same building where Sam Walton opened his first Walton’s 5&10.
In many ways, you don’t know Bentonville if you don’t know Walmart. The two are inextricably tied together.
Today, this charming museum tells the story of Sam Walton and the Walmart empire which was, of course, started in Bentonville and is still headquartered in the city.
This is way more interesting than it sounds. My favorite parts were seeing the recreation of Sam Walton’s office and the wall of returns. Be sure to grab a scoop of ice cream at the attached Spark Café before you leave.
Shop and Eat Around the Square
You won’t go hungry here! There are plenty of restaurants on and near the square.
It is also lined with locally owned boutiques, bike shops, bookstores, coffee shops, and gift shops. It’s an easy place to spend an hour browsing…maybe between meals!
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Pop into the 21c Hotel
You don’t have to be staying at the 21c Museum Hotel to want to make a stop here.
The hotel is also a contemporary art museum and you can walk through the galleries even if you aren’t a guest. You might even see one of their famous green penguins hanging around.
See the Square at Christmas
The Bentonville town square is great any time of year, but it really shines during the holiday season!
With thousands of twinkling lights, a giant tree, holiday music and events…it is the most festive place in town.
Take a Golf Cart Tour of Bentonville
One fun way to get an overview of Bentonville is on a golf cart tour. We actually took a Big on Bentonville golf cart tour and really enjoyed it.
You ride around downtown and through some of the nearby neighborhoods while learning about Bentonville history, the Walton family, local landmarks, public art and some of the homes you may recognize from the HGTV show Fixer to Fabulous.
We were even taken through some of the parks and to a hidden spot with an amazing view of Crystal Bridges.
I think this is especially fun if it is your first time in Bentonville. You see quite a bit in about 90 minutes and get a much better feel for how everything fits together.
It also gives you ideas for places you might want to go back and explore on your own.
Check prices and availability for the Bentonville golf cart tour.
Try Bentoville Food Theater
This one is brand new and I haven’t personally experienced it yet, but it is unusual enough that I think it belongs on this list.
Bentoville Food Theater opened in downtown Bentonville in 2026 in the former Pressroom location.
It is designed more like a food experience than a traditional restaurant. There are three culinary stages where diners sit and watch the chefs prepare the food in front of them.
The concepts and menus change, and Bentoville also brings in visiting chefs for limited Food Concert experiences.
I haven’t been yet, so I can’t personally tell you what the experience is like. But I definitely want to try it!
Check the current schedule and see what is “showing” while you are in town.
Go Mountain Biking
You don’t have to be in Bentonville very long before you realize that biking is a big, big, BIG deal here. Bikes are everywhere: on cars, outside coffee shops, rolling through downtown, and always flying through the woods somewhere nearby.
Bentonville has become one of the best-known mountain biking destinations in the country.
There are trails for everyone from beginners to experienced mountain bikers, and one of the things that makes Bentonville unusual is how connected the trails are to the city.
You can literally ride from downtown into the woods. Or you can hop on the paved Razorback Greenway, which connects Bentonville with several other Northwest Arkansas cities.
If you are coming specifically to mountain bike, you could easily make an entire trip out of riding Bentonville and the surrounding area.
One side note is that when you are driving in the area you do have to be cautious and watch for cyclists.
Explore Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
Even if you aren’t a mountain biker, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is worth a visit. The preserve is just a few minutes from downtown Bentonville, but once you are in the woods it feels like you are completely out of the city.
There are miles of mountain biking trails, but what I love is the paved path that is perfect for walking, jogging, or pushing a stroller and leads to…coffee! Yes, Airship Coffee is tucked right into the middle of the woods.
Only in Bentonville would you be walking through the woods and suddenly come upon a coffee shop.
See a Concert or Contemporary Art at The Momentary
The Momentary started as the contemporary art sister to Crystal Bridges, but these days I think of it just as much as a live music and event venue.
Maybe even more so.
The Momentary is housed in a former cheese factory that has been completely transformed.
There is still contemporary art here, along with changing exhibits and installations, but the Momentary has also become one of the major concert venues in Northwest Arkansas.
They bring in some surprisingly big-name performers.
Concerts are held both indoors and outside on the Momentary Green, and there are also festivals, special events and smaller performances throughout the year.
So definitely check the calendar before your trip. You might discover that someone you love is playing while you are in Bentonville.
General admission to the art spaces is free, although concerts and some special events require tickets.
Wander Around 8th Street Market
The Momentary sits right next to another interesting Bentonville development, 8th Street Market.
The market occupies a former food-processing facility that has been turned into a community gathering place, and the Razorback Greenway runs right through this area.
There are local shops and restaurants, outdoor spaces, events, Bike Rack Brewing, Brightwater Culinary School, and other things to explore.
My personal favorite is Markham & Fitz Chocolate.
It is definitely worth wandering around while you are visiting the Momentary.
Take a Cooking Class at Brightwater
The Brightwater Center for the Study of Food is a school for the culinary arts located at 8th Street Market, but it also offers classes for home cooks and food lovers.
Classes change throughout the year and might include baking, cooking techniques, specialty foods or other culinary topics.
This is one of those activities I would check before a trip because you never know what might be offered while you are in town.
Learn at the Museum of Native American History
The Museum of Native American History, or MONAH, is an interesting small museum.
It is a great stop, especially for those who love history or are interested in learning more about the lives of Native Americans who lived not only in Arkansas, but throughout North America.
The museum started with the collection of David Bogle, a registered member of the Cherokee Nation who was born and raised in Bentonville. Today, the museum features more than 10,000 Native American artifacts.
There was so much more to see than I was expecting! I especially enjoyed seeing the Native American dolls and the elaborate headdresses.
The museum is free, but donations are accepted.
Things to Do in Bentonville With Kids
Bentonville has plenty to do with children, and several of the best family attractions are close to downtown and Crystal Bridges.
We have a guide to the best things to do in NWA with kids that you might enjoy.
Scott Family Amazeum
If you are visiting Bentonville with children you will definitely want to go to the Scott Family Amazeum.
This is an interactive children’s museum that is the place to go for creativity, discovery, and just plain fun.
We have visited with our daughter many times and she never tired of all the exciting and educational exhibits.
Lawrence Plaza
Lawrence Plaza is another fun stop with children.
During the summer it operates as a splash pad where kids can cool off. In the winter it turns into an outdoor ice skating rink.
It is close to the downtown square, which makes it easy to add to a day downtown.
Osage Park
Osage Park is another good family option.
There are wetlands, walking paths and a boardwalk, along with open green space, pickleball courts and a dog park.
Because it sits beside Thaden Field, you can walk around while watching small planes take off and land nearby.
Step Back in Time at the Peel Mansion Museum and Gardens
Want to see how some of the earliest Bentonville residents lived? If so, you will definitely want to visit the Peel Mansion Museum and Gardens. It will give you a look at a very different time in Bentonville.
The Italianate-style home was built in 1875 for Samuel West Peel and his family.
Today you can tour the house and see period furnishings, architectural details and artifacts while learning about life in Bentonville in the late 1800s.
There are also beautiful gardens surrounding the home, including the remains of an apple orchard.
One interesting little fact is that northern Arkansas used to be one of the largest apple-producing areas in the country.
Admission is free and guided tours are available.
I like visiting places like this in Bentonville because the city has changed so quickly that it can be easy to forget there was a whole community here long before Walmart, Crystal Bridges and mountain biking.
Watch the Planes Land at Thaden Field
Thaden Field is a gathering place for anyone of any age who loves airplanes.
Although it is a small municipal airport, it was designed as a place where visitors can experience aviation. There is a Fieldhouse, exhibition hangar, flight school, and opportunities for scenic and discovery flights.
Thaden Field sits right beside Osage Park, so the two are easy to combine.
Have a Cocktail or a Local Beer
Northwest Arkansas is becoming known for some amazing craft breweries and some really fun cocktail bars.
One of the great Bentonville activities is to relax on an outdoor patio with a local brew after a long bike ride.
The Bentonville Brewing Company not only has great beer but is a fun place to gather. It is very family friendly with expansive outdoor spaces. You can also bring your dog!
Bike Rack Brewing is on the Greenway at 8th Street Market.
Then later in the evening you can try Callisto, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, or Undercroft, which is located in an old church basement.
I’m not going to try to name all the places to enjoy a drink, but I’m sure you will have fun making all kinds of new discoveries.
Stroll Compton Gardens and Arboretum
Compton Gardens and Arboretum is a peaceful garden and wooded area right in downtown Bentonville.
There are walking paths, native plants, large trees and public art.
The trails also connect to Crystal Bridges, which makes this a pretty way to walk between downtown and the museum.
The gardens honor Dr. Neil Compton, one of the people who helped lead the effort to save the Buffalo River and eventually have it designated as America’s first national river.
Compton Gardens is free.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Bentonville
How many days do you need in Bentonville?
I think you need at least two days for a first visit to Bentonville.
You can see some of the highlights in one day, but two days gives you time to enjoy Crystal Bridges, walk around downtown, visit a couple of museums, and still have time for places like Coler, the Momentary or 8th Street Market without feeling like you are rushing from one attraction to the next.
If you are coming specifically for mountain biking, you could easily stay longer.
What should you do if you only have one day in Bentonville?
If you only have one day, I would make Crystal Bridges your first priority.
After that, spend some time around the Bentonville Town Square and visit the Walmart Museum. Depending on your interests and how much time you have left, you could add the Momentary, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, or a golf cart tour.
Don’t try to do everything. Bentonville is much more enjoyable when you have time to actually experience it.
Are there free things to do in Bentonville?
Yes! One of the great things about Bentonville is that quite a few of the best attractions are free.
General admission to Crystal Bridges is free, as are the Walmart Museum, Museum of Native American History, Compton Gardens and the Peel Museum. The Momentary also offers free general admission to its art spaces.
Of course, special exhibits, concerts, tours and some other activities will have a fee.
Is downtown Bentonville walkable?
Yes. Downtown Bentonville is very walkable.
You can easily walk around the square, visit the Walmart Museum, browse the shops, stop into 21c Museum Hotel and explore nearby restaurants and coffee shops.
Crystal Bridges is also within walking or biking distance from downtown, although some of the other attractions around Bentonville are spread out enough that you will probably want a car.
Is Bentonville worth visiting if you don’t mountain bike?
Absolutely!
Mountain biking is a huge part of Bentonville, but you definitely don’t have to ride a bike to enjoy the city.
There are museums, live music, shopping, gardens, history, food experiences, public art, walking trails and plenty of other things to do.
I don’t mountain bike and still always find plenty to enjoy in Bentonville.
Where should you stay in Bentonville?
For a first visit, I would stay as close to downtown Bentonville as your budget allows.
That puts you close to the square, Walmart Museum, shops, restaurants and coffee shops while still keeping you within a short drive of Crystal Bridges and many of the other major attractions.
The 21c Museum Hotel is right downtown and is one of the most convenient options if you want to be able to walk out your hotel door and immediately start exploring. Here’s where you can check rates and availability at 21C.
There are also plenty of hotels and vacation rentals farther from the square if you would rather save some money or want more space.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Bentonville
Bentonville is one of those places that seems different every time we visit.
There is always a new restaurant, trail, shop, exhibit or even an entire development that wasn’t there the last time.
But I still love that you can walk around the old town square, visit a world-class museum, or disappear into the woods just a few minutes from downtown.
I hope that you enjoy this list of the best things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas.
We also have a guide to all of Northwest Arkansas if you are looking for more great things to do in the area.
