Visit Bentonville Travel Guide 2026

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• Travel GuideBENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS
• Page 2Welcome to Bentonville! Welcome to Bentonville, Arkansas. A unique destination filled with culture and a strong sense of community. A place brimming with arts, cycling, and natural beauty. A new American town.
• Table of ContentsBENTONVILLE 101 Welcome History of Bentonville Bentonville by the Numbers Stay
• Page 4BENTONVILLE 101
• Page 5We’re here to help! The Visit Bentonville team is here to help you get the most out of your visit. Browse visitbentonville.com for information about area events and festivals, shopping and dining from casual to formal, and accommodations and attractions. Need some expert advice? Stop by for free maps and brochures, local tips on must-see stops around the city, and a few Bentonville keepsakes to take home. In addition to news and information about Bentonville, we also offer visitor information for other communities throughout Northwest Arkansas and the state.
• Images Courtesy of Vintage Bentonville/Randy McCroryBrief History of Bentonville Founded in 1837 and named in honor of Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Nicknamed “The Fruit City” because of the abundance of apple orchards—over 300 varieties originating from Bentonville. Sam Walton opened his Ben Franklin variety store in May 1950 in downtown Bentonville. This site soon became Walton’s 5 & 10. The original Bentonville Walton’s 5 & 10 is now The Walmart Museum. Walmart Stores, Inc. incorporated in 1969. Dr. Compton became known as the savior of the Buffalo National River and is the namesake of Compton Gardens & Arboretum as well as the hotel The Compton. SlaughterPenTrail’sfirstfivemileswereopenedin2007anddeededtotheCityofBentonville. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened November 11, 2011 and expanded on June 6,2026. The Scott Family Amazeum opened on July 15, 2015. Coler Mountain Bike Preserve opened in November 2016. 8th Street Market opened June 22, 2017. The Momentary opened February 20, 2020. The new Walmart Home Office opened January 17, 2025.
• Bentonville by the NumbersPopulation County Area Code Postal Zip Codes Area GPS Coordinates Elevation Average Annual Rainfall Average Temperatures Frost Dates
• WHERE TO STAYHotels 21c Museum Hotel AC Hotel Bentonville Avid Best Western Plus Castlerock Inn & Suites Comfort Inn Comfort Suites Courtyard by Marriott Days Inn & Suites DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Element Four Points by Sheraton Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Inn Express Home2 Suites by Hilton Home Towne Studios & Suites La Quinta Inn & Suites Motto by Hilton My Place Hotel Spark by Hilton Springhill Suites by Marriott Super 8 by Wyndham The Bike Inn The Block Hotel The Compton Towneplace Suites by Marriott Wingate by Wyndham Woodspring Suites
• Page 9479-286-6500 479-552-5225 479-364-0450 479-845-7707 479-254-7800 479-254-9099 · 800-4CHOICE 479-273-3333 · 800-321-2211 479-271-7900 479-845-7770 479-268-5010 479-715-6388 479-464-7300 · 877-782-9444 479-271-2222 · 800-465-4329 479-278-2525 479-268-4400 479-275-0405 · 800-753-3757 479-433-5001 479-552-7501 479-250-9944 479-464-4777 479-319-2675 479-339-9401 479-326-7623 479-696-4500 479-621-0202 · 800-257-3000 479-418-5400 · 800-228-1000 479-254-1002 479-273-3232
• Page 10ENJOY
• CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ARTA museum that welcomes all in a setting that unites art, nature, and architecture. Open Wednesday-Monday, Closed Tuesday 600 Museum Way, Bentonville 479-418-5700 • crystalbridges.org
• THE MOMENTARYNew, communal art space that brings together contemporary visual, performing, and culinary arts. Open Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Monday 507 SE E St, Bentonville 479-367-7500 • themomentary.org
• SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUMInteractive family museum that brings learning to life. Open Tuesday-Sunday, Closed Monday 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville 479-696-9280 • amazeum.org
• THE WALMART MUSEUMWorld-class exhibit gallery honoring and celebrating Walmart’s legacy. Open daily 105 N Main Street, Bentonville 479-273-1329 • walmartmuseum.com
• MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORYConnecting tradition and history with present-day perspectives. Open Tuesday-Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday 202 SW O St, Bentonville 479-273-2456 • monah.org
• 21C MUSEUM HOTELNorth America’s first museum devoted solely to the art of the 21st century. Open daily 200 NE A St, Bentonville 479-286-6500 • 21cmuseumhotels.com/bentonville
• THE PEEL MUSEUM & BOTANICAL GARDENA restored 1875 mansion at the heart of Bentonville’s history. Open Tuesday-Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday 400 S Walton Blvd, Bentonville 479-273-3636 • peelcompton.org
• SLAUGHTER PEN TRAILSUnique urban mountain biking experience. Open 24 hours 203 NE 3rd St, Bentonville oztrails.com
• COLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PRESERVEA living Ozark ecosystem built for outdoor recreation. Open sunrise to 11 pm 2500 NW 3rd St, Bentonville, AR 72712 479-364-0168 • peelcompton.org
• COMPTON GARDENS & ARBORETUMA peaceful oasis of trees and native plants in the heart of Downtown Bentonville. Open daily, office closed Saturday and Sunday 312 N Main St, Bentonville 479-254-3870 • peelcompton.org
• LEGENDS AIR CENTER AT THADEN FIELDA full-service aviation center connecting airport to community. Open daily 2205 SW I Street, Bentonville 479-254-0817 • legendsaircenter.com
• BEST FRIENDS PET RESOURCE CENTERA place for pets—and the people who love them. Open daily, 11am - 7pm 1312 Melissa Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712 479-974-1363 • bestfriends.org/northwest-arkansas
• PUBLIC ART / OZ ARTPublic art can be found throughout the city, as well as on the hiking and cycling trails The art includes stunning murals, sculptures, museums, galleries, and neon New public art pieces are added on a regular basis Several pieces throughout the city are commissioned by Oz Art, which was founded in Bentonville in 2017 Oz Art displays its collection throughout the city and also collaborates with area arts organizations to support the regional arts scene To pinpoint the exact location of a public art piece, visit the public art portion of our website. Click on the art piece you want to find. Then use the What3Words app to obtain a map to the specific location of the art. Scan to explore the full public art map on our website.
• FIXER TO FABULOUS, HGTVDAVE & JENNY MARRS Bentonville’s beloved builders — design inspired by home, history, and hospitality.
• Page 25Fans of Fixer to Fabulous can pick up a complimentary home tour guide from Visit Bentonville and explore some of the area’s most recognizable renovation projects.
• Page 26EVENTS
• ANNUAL FESTIVALSRUN BENTONVILLE HALF MARATHON runbentonville.com Kicks off each spring season on a Saturday Award-winning event features a fun run, 5K, half marathon and relay Points accrue throughout the series based on participation and chip timing Downtown square fills up with food and fitness vendors Inflatables and other entertainment for the little ones Half marathon event voted “Top Race Worth Traveling For” in the state of Arkansas by Flipkey.com, and “Best Half Marathon” by Competitor.com
• ANNUAL FESTIVALS CONTINUEDTINKERFEST amazeum.org One-day festival hosted by the Scott Family Amazeum Celebrates the creative, curious, and innovative spirit in all of us Brings together makers, artists, and tinkerers to showcase their work Invites attendees of all ages to join in the do-it-yourself fun Typically held in early October
• MONTHLY FESTIVALS & WEEKLY EVENTSFARMERS MARKET downtownbentonville.org/events/farmers-market Area farmers, ranchers, and artisans gather for a producers-only market on the downtown square Visitors can purchase local produce, meats, and arts & crafts items Named “USA Today’s Readers’ Choice“, “#4 Best Farmer Market in 2026“ Held every Saturday from 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m. mid-April through October Fun activities for families and children
• Page 30OUTDOORS
• PARKS bentonville.ar.gov/436/ParksBentonville Parks and Recreation manages 24 public parks and more than 100 miles of trails — all free and open year-round. Trails 50 miles of hard-surface trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and downtown 80 miles of mountain bike single track within city limits Paved trails link seamlessly to the broader regional trail network
• CYCLING visitbentonville.com/bikeFeatured in Outside Magazine’s 2026 top mountain bike towns in the U.S. and the official home of USA Cycling’s National Mountain Bike Team since 2022, Bentonville is the Mountain Bike Capital of the World With 80+ miles of purpose-built single track mountain bike trail within city limits, 500+ miles of single track across the region, and the Razorback Greenway multi-use trail connecting the region north to south, riders of every skill level find their rhythm here. Bentonville holds a Silver-Level Ride Center designation from IMBA, and the trails are free and publicly accessible year-round
• FISHING, BOATING & WATER SPORTSBEAVER LAKE Nestled high in the Ozarks and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers A short drive from Bentonville Completed in 1966, the 28,370-acre lake offers some of the best bass fishing in the area Summer lake activities include water-skiing and wakeboarding Pontoon boats and party barges are available for rent OSAGE PARK See page 39 for a list of amenities offered
• Page 34GOLF The greens beckon avid golfers throughout the region to the area’s many golf courses Choose from private and semi-private courses in the nearby city of Bella Vista, just north of Bentonville Tee off in nearby Rogers, home to the LPGA Walmart NWA Championship hosted by Pinnacle Hills Country Club
• HIKING & TREKKING20 miles of urban trails meander through the town while the lush Ozark forest surrounds its borders Nearby Hobbs State Park offers 52 miles of trails for hiking through its 12,056 acres DiscoveramazingscenictrailsatDevil’sDenStatePark,justafewmilessouthofFayetteville Enjoy unique caves,crevices,and bluff overlooks surrounded by the Ozark National Forest SEMI-PRO BASEBALL
• Page 36LOCAL FLAVOR
• EAT visitbentonville.com/food-and-drink/HIGH SOUTH CUISINE Bentonville is home to James Beard Award-nominated chefs, whose acclaimed restaurants have helped put the city’s dining scene on the national map Integral to the area’s culinary scene, with its deep tradition of using locally-sourced, in-season foods Dishes retain the original flavor profiles of local Ozark ingredients and transform simple Southern staples into sophisticated offerings– i.e., bacon jam, Arkansas black apple butter, and rye whiskey-glazed pork belly Bentonville’s culinary pioneers have hosted the Beard Boot Camp on Policy and Change plus several Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinners RESTAURANTS & FOOD TRUCKS Diversity in food offerings and flavor profiles – American, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Latin Fusion, Italian, French, Mediterranean, and many, many more For a full list of Bentonville restaurants go to visitbentonville.com
• DRINK visitbentonville.com/food-and-drink/breweries/BREWERIES & WINE BARS Local breweries found in and around the town serve a variety of unique brews Bike Rack Brewery and Bentonville Brewing Company are known for their interesting flavors and fun, laid-back atmospheres Wine bars provide relaxing environments to complement the area’s energetic restaurant and bustling entertainment scenes Pause for a glass of wine at Ramo d’Olivo Wine Bar Enjoy live music, rooftop experiences such as Falfurrias, or The Momentary Tower Bar, and modern-day speakeasies such as Undercroft Wander into Muselet Champagne Bar for curated selections of champagne, sparkling wine and caviar Stoic Brews Alternative is the state’s first gluten-free brewery with a taproom serving sustainably sourced gluten-free bites & bar fare 36
• Page 3937
• Page 40PLAY ZONES & FUN PARKS
• OSAGE PARKOpen daily, sunrise to sunset 700 SW 16th St, Bentonville, AR (479) 254-3870 • peelcompton.org Centrally located on SE 14th and I Street in Bentonville, Osage Park offers recreation and a peaceful nature retreat. Floating boardwalks lead visitors through the park’s 12- acre wetland ecosystem, affording views of a variety of plants and wildlife. Recreation amenities include archery at The Quiver, a 2-acre dog park, an 8-court pickleball facility, and an aviation-themed play area, as well as kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and fishing access on Lake Bentonville. Find food trucks in the parking lot on SE 16th Street.
• CLIMB BENTONVILLE479-326-8521 | Bentonville | theclimbgyms.com Climb Bentonville is a premier destination for climbing, fitness, and yoga, which boasts more than 16k square feet of bouldering, lead, top rope, and kid’s climbing areas with more than 25 auto belays. They offer classes, group events, memberships, and plenty BENTONVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER
• GREAT DAY SKATE PLACE479-273-1800 | Bentonville | greatdayskate.com Indoor skating fun for the entire family. FAST LANES
• Page 44STAY
• Page 45WHEN SHOULD YOU VISIT BENTONVILLE? Bentonville is a great place to visit year-round due to excellent weather conditions in the Northwest Arkansas area. Each season provides unique opportunities for visitors to experience enjoyable outdoor and indoor activities. As the home of Walmart, Inc., corporate travel is typically bustling throughout the week, with weekend lodging and transportation rates more affordable to the leisure traveler due to the absence of business travel. However, we encourage visitors to check availability throughout the week, with many Bentonville lodging establishments offering great deals and rates each month.
• LOCAL AIRPORTSNorthwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is served by American Airlines, Breeze and Frontier, Delta Global Services, United Airlines and Allegiant Airlines, with non-stop services to multiple metropolitan areas. Customers from northwest Arkansas, northeast Oklahoma, and southwest Missouri call XNA their airport of choice. Legends Air Center at Thaden Field (KVBT) is Bentonville’s Municipal Airport. This public airport has a maximum runway length of 4426 ft (1349 m).
• ESTIMATED DRIVE TIMESBranson Springfield Tulsa Little Rock Kansas City Hot Springs Oklahoma City Wichita 2 Hours 2 Hours 2 Hours 3 Hours 3 Hours 3.75 Hours 4 Hours 4 Hours
• ON THE ROADNAVIGATING AROUND TOWN Buses, shuttles, car services, and taxis are available, including Ambassador Transportation Services, Pinnacle Limo & Car Service, Lyft, and Uber.
• ON THE ROADESTIMATED DRIVE TIMES With its central location, Bentonville is also an easy destination to get to by car. Springfield, Tulsa, Little Rock, and Kansas City are some of the larger cities all within a three-hour range. Check the drive time from your location. Bentonville might be closer than you think.