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Bentonville, Arkansas, is a town of fast trails, locally brewed beers, award-winning cuisine, priceless artifacts, and the destination of your next adventure. This New American Town is located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, providing a stunning backdrop to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where you will find a collection of American art spanning five centuries. To call this town of 49,000 unique is an understatement. In Bentonville, you will find big city amenities with small town charm.
When you visit Bentonville, come ready to play. In 2013, Bentonville was named a Silver-Level Ride Center by The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). With more than 140 miles of hard and soft trails, you are guaranteed to find a trail that fits your ability. From cross-country to downhill, the Bentonville mountain biking scene has something for everyone.
While in town, be sure to check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation. Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. 21c Museum Hotel adds another artful element to the downtown Bentonville scene, with more than 12,000 square feet of gallery space adjoining this 104-room boutique hotel and world-class restaurant, The Hive. Bentonville is among one of only seven other cities to house such a unique place to stay and play.
For family time, head to the Scott Family Amazeum, a children’s museum that offers 50,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits and tinkering space. Take a walk down memory lane at the Walmart Museum inside the original 5&10 opened in downtown Bentonville in 1950. Have a soda or a milkshake at Spark Café located right next door.
If festivals are your thing, look no further. The Bentonville Film Festival, which happens annually, and is founded by Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis, focuses on women and inclusion in film. The city of Bentonville hosts the Bentonville Half Marathon each spring and sees more than 3,500 runners annually. The Downtown Market District is home to an ever-growing list of new festivals and events including the two-day Bite NWA food festival and the World Champion Squirrel Cook-off, held annually.
Foodies have also come to love Bentonville. In 2013, Bentonville’s “High-South Cuisine” drew the attention of the James Beard Foundation when a group of four Bentonville chefs wowed a sold-out crowd at New York’s famed Beard house. Since then, Bentonville has had the honor of hosting the Beard Boot Camp on Policy and Change and several Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinners, and in 2014 The Wall Street Journal named Bentonville as one of its up and coming culinary scenes.
Seasonality speaks to our chefs, as menus adjust to the harvest changes. The Bentonville Farm-to-Table culture is a large influence of Bentonville’s unique offerings. Come experience Bentonville’s collaborative culinary scene; it is sure to stimulate your senses.
In 2016, 8th Street Market opened, and with it, a diverse food scene followed. 8th Street Market is home to Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, as well as a shuffleboard bar and eatery, a brewery, a taqueria, a Columbian restaurant, a ramen bar, and a Filipino restaurant, among many other culinary offerings.
Visiting Bentonville is not the same without staying overnight and experiencing true southern hospitality. From boutique hotels to the chain hotels you recognize and love, Bentonville offers comfort for all walks of life. You can even experience Bentonville like a local by renting a vacation rental downtown.
Your adventure is waiting in Bentonville. You won’t find another town quite like this!
