Bentonville - city and county seat of Benton, Arkansas, United States

For other places with the same name, see Bentonville (disambiguation).

Bentonville is a city of 51,000 people (2018) in the Northwest region of Arkansas. Widely known as the home to the corporate headquarters of retail giant Walmart, the city was noted by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012".

Understand

Tourism is the area is booming, thanks to the corporate traveler during the week and families on the weekends. If you are looking for things to do while in town, visit the local Chamber of Commerce's website, or stop by the Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is on the Bentonville square.

Because the majority of the population are "transplants" from other areas of the country (moved here for business), people are open to visitors and very friendly. There is also an air of "southern hospitality."

Get in

There is excellent highway connections to Bentonville from Kansas City, Tulsa, or Little Rock. If driving in is not an option, fly directly into the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA). If airline ticket cost is a factor, consider flying into one of the international airports within a short driving distance, such as Tulsa or Kansas City.

By plane

• Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA), 36.281667°, -94.307778°. The closest airport with regular commercial flights. 2020-04-28
• Bentonville Municipal Airport (VBT), 36.3458°, -94.2194°. A small General aviation airport. Its other name, Louise Thaden Field, comes from a local aviation pioneer. 2020-04-28

By bicycle

• Razorback Regional Greenway. Bike trail that connects Bentonville with other major Arkansas destinations. 2020-04-28

Get around

By car

The city is easy to navigate and finding your way around is simple. While there is an abundance of taxi services available in Bentonville, they are expensive. Rent a car if you are going to be in town more than a day.

By bus

• Ozark Regional Transit. Provides very limited transit options around the Bentonville-Rogers area. 2020-04-28

See

• Compton Gardens and Conference Center, 312 N Main St, 36.3765895°, -94.2081609°, +1 479 254-3870. 2018-02-14

Museums

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, 36.3825°, -94.2036°, +1 479 418-5700. 50,000-sq-ft museum showcasing works valued in many millions of dollars. Free 2020-04-28
  • The Momentary, 507 Se E St, +1 479 367-7500. Su Tu W 10AM-7PM; Th F Sa 10AM-10PM. A contemporary art museum, and Satellite campus of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Free 2020-04-28
• The Walmart Museum (Walton's 5 & 10 Museum/Walmart Visitor Center), 105 N Main St, 36.3726°, -94.2090°, +1 479 273-1329, museumtours@walmart.com. M-Th 8AM-9PM, F Sa 8AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Free 2020-09-08
• Museum of Native American History (MONAH), 202 SW "O" St, 36.371475°, -94.231156°, +1 479 273-2456. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Free 2020-04-28
• Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens, 400 S Walton Blvd, 36.3692°, -94.2217°, +1 479 254-3870. Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM (tours start every hour on the hour). Adults $5 plus tax, children (6-12) $2 plus tax, Under 6 free 2020-04-28
• Scott Family Amazeum, 1099 Museum Way, 36.379162°, -94.197643°, +1 479 696-9280. Adults & kids $9.50, under 2 free 2020-04-28

Do

Websites include details about Bentonville trails and Bentonville parks.

Eat

Among the dozens of fast food and national chain restaurants in Bentonville, there are also many excellent local restaurants to try.

• Table Mesa Bistro, 108 E Central Ave, +1 479 715-6706.
• Doe's Eat Place, 2806 S Walton Blvd, +1 479 254-8081.
• The River Grille, 2005 Beau Terre Dr, +1 479 271-4141.
• Petit Bistro, 2702 N Walton Blvd, +1 479 464-9278.
• Tavola, 108 SE A St.
• Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie, 110 SE A St, +1 479 268-4494, info@tuskandtrotter.com. 2020-05-07
• Gusano's Pizzeria, 2905 S Walton Blvd #9, +1 479 271 8242, gusanos.bentonville@gusanospizza.com. 11AM-11PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 11AM-10PM every other day.. Chicago-style pizzeria and sports bar with the self-proclaimed "best Chicago-style pizza in the world". Part of a tiny chain of 8 restaurants in and around Arkansas. 2020-09-08

Drink

Bentonville does not have a bar/club scene (Bentonville was in a dry county until November 2012), but there are many great places to have a drink. Here are some suggestions that have consistent good service and pricing:

• Bentley's Beach Bar (formerly the Celtic Grill), 911 Southeast 28th Street, +1 479 876-8060.
• Bentonville Brewing Co, 901 SW 14th St, +1 479-903-7330, info@bentonvillebrewing.com. 2021-06-01

Sleep

There are diverse hotels in Bentonville, depending on the service quality and/or the amount you want to pay. Midweek room rates are on the high end because of the corporate traveler demand. You will be able to find up to 50% or more off Bentonville hotel rooms on the weekends.

• Best Western Plus Castlerock Inn & Suites, 501 SE Walton Blvd, +1 479-845-7707.
• Courtyard Bentonville, Beau Terre Office Park, 1001 McClain Rd., +1 479 273-3333.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2205 SE Walton Blvd, 36.3358°, -94.1883°, +1 479 271-2222.
• La Quinta, SE Walton Blvd, 36.3360°, -94.1992°. 2020-04-28
• Simmons Suites, 3001 NE 11th St, +1 479 254-7800.
• SpringHill Suites Bentonville, 2304 SE Walton Blvd, 36.3346°, -94.1866°, +1 479 464-4777.
• TownePlace Suites Bentonville/ Rogers, 3100 SE 14th St, +1 479 621-0202.
• 21c Museum Hotel, 200 NE A St, 36.3738°, -94.2078°, +1 479 286-6500. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 2017-03-19

Connect

• Bentonville Public Library, 405 S Main St, 36.3678°, -94.2084°, +1 479 271-3192, library@bentonvillear.com. M-Th 9AM-8PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM. 2020-04-28

Go next

It is a great central starting place for day trips throughout the region, including Eureka Springs, Tulsa, Branson, the Buffalo River, and the Ozark Mountains.