• Question: What is Bentonville best known for?
    Answer: Bentonville is best known as the birthplace of the Walmart chain.
  • Question: What attractions can visitors enjoy in Bentonville?
    Answer: Despite its small size, Bentonville offers beautiful parks and trails, world-class art and history museums, and various cultural and culinary attractions.
  • Question: What are two must-visit museums in Bentonville?
    Answer: Visitors should not miss the iconic Walmart Museum and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
  • Question: What types of visitors does Bentonville cater to?
    Answer: Bentonville caters to visitors whether they are there for business or pleasure.

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1. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

© Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is set on a beautiful 120-acre property that features two creek-fed ponds and a network of peaceful walking trails. The museum's permanent collection boasts a variety of American art created from the colonial era to the contemporary period, including paintings and sculptures. General admission is free of charge, but a small fee is sometimes charged to view special exhibitions. The trails and grounds are open to visitors every day of the year between sunset and sunrise, but the museum itself is closed on Tuesdays and select holidays.

600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-418-5700, Video

2. Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House


Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House

© Courtesy of peshkov - Fotolia.com

Built in 1956, the Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House is an iconic piece of mid-century residential architecture designed in Wright's unique Usonian style. The home was originally constructed in New Jersey on the bank of the Millstone River, but unfortunately, its location meant that it was threatened by periodic flooding. The building was carefully restored by architects Lawrence and Sharon Tarantino in the late 1980s, and in 2013 it was purchased by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and relocated to Arkansas. It now sits on the museum grounds beside the beautiful Crystal Spring, and most of the interior is open to the public.

600 Museum Way, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-657-2335

3. Hobbs State Park


Hobbs State Park

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Encompassing 12,055 acres on the shores of Beaver Lake, Hobbs State Park is the largest state park in Arkansas. There are almost 33 miles of multi-use trails available to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, including the 8.5-mile Pigeon Roost Trail, which has five primitive campsites that make it perfect for an easy overnight trip. Picnic areas are available for day-use guests, and the state-of-the-art visitors center features interactive exhibits, classroom space, a small retail boutique, and free Wi-Fi. The park also offers a 100-yard public shooting range, and regulated hunting is permitted on a seasonal basis.

20201 E Highway 12, Rogers, AR 72756-7530, Phone: 479-789-5000

4. Museum of Native American History

Museum of Native American History

© Museum of Native American History

Home to an incredible collection of artifacts found in both North and South America, theMuseum of Native American History takes visitors on a fascinating journey through 14,000 years of America's past. The exhibits are arranged in chronological order, beginning with the Paleo period and ending with the European influence of the late 19th century. Highlights include a complete mammoth skeleton, a small arrowhead scavenger hunt for children, and the Sweetwater Biface, which is believed to be the thinnest flint artifact ever discovered. There is no admission fee, and audio wands are available for self-guided tours.

202 SW O St, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-273-2456

5. Scott Family Amazeum

Scott Family Amazeum

© Scott Family Amazeum

Designed to engage families in hands-on discovery, the Scott Family Amazeum consists of roughly 50,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space and 1 acre of outdoor property with an interactive "playscape." Exhibits cater to all ages and interests; highlights include a tinkering hub, an art studio, and a science lab where children can do experiments with Hershey's candy. Special events and programs are offered on a regular basis, and the museum is open every day except for Tuesdays and select holidays. Children under two receive free admission, and admission on Wednesday evenings is done on a pay-as-you-like basis thanks to a grant from Tyson Foods.

1009 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-696-9280

6. Slaughter Pen Hollow Trail


Slaughter Pen Hollow Trail

© Courtesy of fottoo - Fotolia.com

Easily accessible from downtown Bentonville, the Slaughter Pen Hollow Trail is a multi-use trail designed with mountain bikers in mind. There's something here for bikers of every ability and interest; special features include log drops, skinnies, and a free ride area with jumps and a wall ride. The well-maintained trails span approximately 20 miles, and they connect to the Blowing Springs mountain bike trail system via Lake Bella Vista. There is plenty of parking nearby.

7. The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens

The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens

© The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens

Built in 1875 for Colonel Samuel West Peel, The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens is a gorgeous Italianate villa furnished with authentic antiques. Tours of the home are available for free Tuesday – Saturday, from 10am to 3pm. The beautiful gardens are open to the public free of charge as well. The museum hosts a number of galas and other special events throughout the year, and a special event space can be rented out for weddings and other private events.

400 S Walton Blvd, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-254-3870

8. The Walmart Museum

The Walmart Museum

© The Walmart Museum

Bentonville is known worldwide as the birthplace of the Walmart chain, and The Walmart Museum allows visitors to relive the dime store experience of Walton's original 5&10. The museum is located inside Sam Walton's second store, and highlights include interactive exhibits with period music and children's discovery drawers, authentic memorabilia such as Sam Walton's iconic 1979 Ford F150 pickup truck, and his original office, which remains as it was on the day he died. After visiting the museum, visitors can sit down in the Spark Café Soda Fountain to enjoy an ice cream treat in a retro 1950s setting.

105 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-273-1329

9. 21c Museum Hotel

21c Museum Hotel

© 21c Museum Hotel

Opened in 2013, the 21c Museum Hotel is a unique contemporary art museum that also houses a boutique 104-room hotel and an upscale restaurant. More than 12,000 square feet of exhibition space is spread out across the property; exhibitions change regularly, but highlights include a Cadillac limousine covered in coins and a giant sculpture of a tree that sprouts basketball hoops instead of leaves. No admission fee is charged, and the museum is open to visitors every day of the year. Cultural events are held regularly throughout the year, and guided tours are offered every Wednesday and Friday evening.

200 NE A St, Bentonville, AR 72712, Phone: 479-286-6500

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