12 Best Things to Do in Bentonville, Arkansas
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I knew Bentonville had Walmart roots, but I was not prepared for how much this Northwest Arkansas city would surprise me. There are so many amazing things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas that I left feeling like this place is still somehow underrated, especially if you love art, trails, coffee shops, great restaurants, and free activities.
Before this trip, Bentonville was one of those places I mostly associated with Walmart. And yes, that history is a huge part of the city! Sam Walton opened his Walton’s 5&10 on the downtown square in 1950, and that small storefront eventually grew into one of the biggest companies in the world. But what I did not realize is how much Bentonville has transformed over the last decade or so into this creative, outdoorsy, polished, food-filled destination.
One minute you are learning about Walmart history downtown, the next you are walking through a free world-class art museum, hiking to a coffee shop inside a mountain bike preserve, or sipping cocktails behind a hidden door in an art gallery. It was honestly so much cooler than I expected.
Whether you are planning a weekend getaway, a Northwest Arkansas road trip, or a biking/art/food-focused escape, these are the best things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas, plus where to eat and where I would stay next time!
Best Things to Do in Bentonville, Arkansas
1. Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
Even if you are not into mountain biking, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is still such a fun stop. We went here to walk the trails, and I was honestly obsessed with how pretty and peaceful it was! It feels tucked away from everything, even though you are just a short drive from downtown Bentonville.
The preserve sits on around 300 acres just west of downtown and has roughly 20 miles of trails. Mountain bikers will find everything from beginner-friendly routes to advanced technical sections, jumps, rocky features, and downhill runs. The Westside is generally better for beginner and intermediate riders, while the Eastside is more advanced.
For us, the best part was getting to walk to Airship Coffee at Coler. This location is tucked inside the preserve, and you can only reach it on foot or by bike. All of the parking lots are about a mile from the cafe, so grabbing coffee becomes this cute little adventure instead of a regular coffee run.
Coler itself is free to explore, and if you love the idea of pairing a pretty walk with a unique coffee stop, this is one of my favorite things to do in Bentonville!
2. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Hands down, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is the best art museum I have ever been to. I could not believe it was free, and even after spending hours here, we still did not get through everything.
Founded by Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges was created to bring major American art to the middle of the country, and it really feels like such a gift to the area. The museum has such a good mix of art too, which is part of why I loved it so much. You will see classic paintings, contemporary pieces, sculpture, immersive installations, and works that feel approachable even if you are not usually an art museum person (I’m honestly typically not!).
The building itself is stunning, with architecture that blends into the wooded setting around it. Outside, the museum campus has around 134 acres and several miles of trails with sculptures, outdoor art, and quiet nature moments.
During our visit, the new expansion that opened in June 2026 ended up being my favorite area. It added about 114,000 square feet of new galleries, studios, and gathering spaces!
3. Compton Gardens and Arboretum
For something peaceful and easy, Compton Gardens and Arboretum fits so naturally into a Bentonville itinerary. It is free, close to Crystal Bridges, and you can even reach it from one of the museum trails.
Expect native plants, shaded walking paths, and a quiet little reset from the busier downtown/museum parts of the day. I would not necessarily plan your whole day around it, but if you are already nearby, it is absolutely worth weaving in.
This is also a nice option if you want something outdoorsy but low-effort. Bentonville has plenty of bigger adventure moments, but sometimes a simple garden walk is exactly what you need between coffee, museums, and dinner reservations.
It’s right by Wrights Barbecue, so we stopped at the garden before lunch.
4. The Walmart Museum
You cannot really understand Bentonville without at least acknowledging the Walmart connection, and The Walmart Museum makes that history easy to explore. It is right on the downtown square, so it is simple to pop in while you are already walking around.
The museum is located at the site of Sam Walton’s original Walton’s 5&10, and it walks through the story of Walmart from one small Arkansas store to a global company. It is free to visit, and while I would not block off half a day for it, I do think it is worth checking out if you are curious about the city’s roots.
There is also the Spark Cafe if you want to grab ice cream after. It has that nostalgic soda fountain feel.
5. Onyx Coffee Lab
If there is one thing I am always going to work into a trip, it is a cute coffee stop, and Bentonville has a surprisingly strong coffee scene. Onyx Coffee Lab is the big one here, and for good reason.
And this is not just me being dramatic. Not only is this one of the best coffee shops in Bentonville, but Onyx was ranked #1 on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list, so it is literally globally recognized for what it does. The downtown Bentonville location is polished, design-forward, and such an easy stop if you are already exploring the square.
6. Blue Hole
Finding Blue Hole made me feel like I had unlocked a local secret. Locals were surprised and impressed that I found this swimming spot, which immediately made me feel like, okay, yes, this is potentially one of the most underrated things to do in Bentonville.
Blue Hole is near Bella Vista, not far from Bentonville, and it is one of those natural swimming holes that feels perfect on a hot Arkansas day. And when we were there, boy was it hot! The water level can change depending on the season and recent rain, but it is a fun little local escape if you want to cool off.
Please learn from us and bring water shoes (if you don’t care about looks, this is a great cheap pair; if you are more into aesthetics, this pair may be a better option!). The rocks are rough, and we ended up running to Walmart after being there for a few minutes to buy some. Save yourself the extra errand and come prepared with water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and anything else you want for a low-key swim stop.
This is a free, more local/natural spot, so just be respectful, pack out anything you bring in, and double-check current access before heading over.
7. Bentonville Farmers Market
A Saturday morning farmers market is always an easy yes for me, and the Bentonville Farmers Market is such a cute way to experience downtown. Expect fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, local makers, prepared foods, and plenty of small-town community energy.
The Saturday market usually runs from mid-April through the end of October from 7:30 AM to 1 PM. There is also a Wednesday Market from early May through the end of September from 11 AM to 3 PM on A Street Promenade.
I ended up grabbing a gorgeous necklace from a local maker that came home with me as the perfect Bentonville souvenir.
8. Visit a Speakeasy
Two things I always prioritize when I visit a new place are coffee shops and speakeasies, and Bentonville really understood the assignment. There are a couple of fun cocktail spots worth knowing about!
Undercroft is hidden underneath The Preacher’s Son, one of Bentonville’s most popular restaurants. It has that dim, cozy, classic speakeasy feel, and it is a great option before or after dinner downtown.
My favorite was Callisto, a tiki-style speakeasy hidden inside Midnight Gallery. The entrance is part of the fun, the drinks were amazing, and the food was genuinely top-notch too. Definitely go hungry! I love when a cocktail bar takes the food just as seriously as the drinks, and Callisto nailed that.
9. The Momentary
Another place I could not believe was free? The Momentary. This contemporary art space is connected to Crystal Bridges, but it has a totally different feel. It is housed in a former industrial building and brings in rotating exhibitions, events, performances, and modern art experiences.
During our visit, Lucy Sparrow’s felt grocery/convenience-store-style exhibition was happening, and it was so cool. The Beginning of Convenience opened in July 2026 and is filled with thousands of handmade felt pieces that turn everyday grocery items into art. It was playful, colorful, super detailed, and honestly one of those exhibits that makes contemporary art feel really fun and accessible.
General admission is free, but some events or performances may require tickets.
10. Big on Bentonville Golf Cart Tour
Our Big on Bentonville golf cart tour was the only Bentonville activity we paid for, and it was totally worth it. Bentonville has changed so much, and hearing about that transformation from a local made the city feel even more interesting.
The tour was informative without being boring, fun without being cheesy, and a great way to see a lot without having to plan every stop yourself!
11. Tanyard Creek Nature Trail
Tanyard Creek Nature Trail is technically in Bella Vista, but it is an easy drive, and the main loop is about 2.2 miles. Expect a family-friendly, beginner-friendly trail with creek views, bridges, wooded sections, and a waterfall.
We went after weeks of heat and very little rain, so the waterfall was not anything too crazy. But coming from Florida, I am always looking for an excuse to do a nature trail and get my hiking fix in, so I still enjoyed it.
If you want the waterfall to be more impressive, you will probably have better luck after recent rain. Either way, this free trail is a great add-on if you want something outdoorsy without committing to a strenuous hike.
12. 8th Street Market
8th Street Market is a cute outdoor social district with restaurants, breweries, cafes, shops, food trucks, and casual hangout spots.
We loved stopping into Two Friends Books, which has the dreamiest bookstore/cafe energy. You will also find spots like Bike Rack Brewing, restaurants and food vendors, chocolate, coffee, and Parlay on 8th for shuffleboard.
Must-Visit Restaurants in Bentonville
The food scene was another part of Bentonville that really surprised me. I expected to find a few good meals, but there were so many restaurants I wanted to try that I was actively annoyed we did not have more time. These are the Bentonville restaurants I would prioritize.
- The Preacher’s Son – For a more elevated dinner downtown, this is one of the most well-known restaurants in Bentonville. The setting alone makes it memorable, since it is located in a restored historic church with Undercroft underneath and rooftop bar Celeste above.
- Callisto – I already mentioned Callisto as a speakeasy, but it deserves to be on the restaurant list too. The cocktails were excellent, but the food is the reason I would tell you to go hungry. Fun, hidden, tiki-inspired, and one of my favorite stops from the trip.
- Sestina – For one of our favorite nice dinners of the trip, Sestina absolutely delivered. This Tuscan steakhouse is inside The Compton Hotel; the pasta was perfection, the steak was amazing, and the whole space was beautiful. If you want one splurge dinner in Bentonville, this is a strong contender.
- Wright’s Barbecue – When you want something casual, filling, and very Northwest-Arkansas-feeling, this is the move. It is a Bentonville staple for smoked meats and hearty sides. I loved the brisket, mac and cheese, and ranch potato salad!
- Table on 6th – We only had time to grab onion rings to go, but they were so unbelievable I had to include them. Truly, if the onion rings alone made this list, that should tell you everything you need to know.
- Junto – For sushi, Junto was delicious. It is a modern Japanese restaurant inside Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown. The space is chic, and the sushi was great!
Where to Stay in Bentonville
We stayed at the AC Hotel Bentonville, and it was absolutely gorgeous and very new. We could easily walk to places like The Momentary and 8th Street Market, and downtown parking was free when we visited, so getting around was simple. We mostly booked it because we had points, and I would stay there again, but these are the places I would prioritize if location is your main focus:
- The Compton: My number one pick for next time. It is stunning, right in the heart of downtown, and Sestina is inside the hotel.
- Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown: Another great downtown location with a stylish feel, plus Junto is inside the hotel.
- 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville: A beautiful boutique hotel right downtown with contemporary art woven into the experience. We walked by it, and it looked stunning.
Check out all available options with pricing for your dates here!
Are you ready to experience the best things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas?
Bentonville completely took me by surprise. I loved that one trip could include free world-class museums, gorgeous trails, local coffee shops, speakeasies, swimming holes, restaurants, and so much walkable downtown exploring.
I hope this guide helps you experience the best things to do in Bentonville, Arkansas and see why this city has become such a fun, unexpected destination. I already know I would go back because there were still restaurants, trails, and cute corners I did not have time to fully explore!
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other US travel blog posts:
Amazing Coffee Shops in Bentonville, Arkansas
Fun Things to Do in Oklahoma City
