Bentonville | Arkansas.com (2024)

The New Capital of Cool

A fusion of arts, culture, and the great outdoors – Bentonville, Arkansas was dubbed “a new capital of cool” by the Wall Street Journal in 2023. Known as the birthplace of Walmart and home to its brand new corporate headquarters, this city boasts a bounty for visitors and residents alike. Art, food, music, cycling, history, and forward-thinking abound in this Northwest Arkansas town. Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Bentonville is easily accessible from most major cities by air and just a short drive from Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, St Louis, and Little Rock.

While in town, be sure to check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an amazing museum that fuses art, architecture and nature. Their general admission to see the permanent collection is always free, a collection that spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the pre-Colonial era to the current day. Explore 120+ acres of Ozark woods with 5 miles of hiking trails and outdoor art on view, and experience. 21c Museum and Hotel adds another artful element to the Bentonville scene, with over 12,000 square feet of gallery space that adjoins this 104-room boutique hotel and world-class restaurant The Hive, downtown Bentonville is among one of only seven other cities to house such a unique place to stay and play.

Come and play at the Scott Family Amazeum children's museum and be wowed by the 50,000 square feet of hands-on exhibit and tinkering space. Take a walk down memory lane as you explore the Walmart Heritage Lab located in the world's first bikeable building, Ledger Bentonville. Have a soda or a milkshake at Spark Cafe located in the historic downtown square. Take time to see and explore what life was like as far back as 14,000 years ago at the Museum of Native American History, showcasing one of the most comprehensive artifact collections in the south.

If festivals are your thing, Bentonville is the place for you. The Bentonville Film Festival was founded by Academy-Award winning actress Geena Davis and focuses on promoting underrepresented voices in the film industry, such as women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ folks. The Bentonville Parks and Recreations hosts the Bentonville Half Marathon each spring and sees over 3,500 runners annually. The Momentary hosts the Live on the Green series in the summer, a celebration of live music set in the outdoor greenspace, the Momentary Green.

Bentonville is known as one of the top cycling destinations in North America. International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has ranked Bentonville a Silver-Level Ride Center. We have over 140 miles of hard and soft trails for you and your family to explore. Whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, Bentonville has something for everyone to enjoy.

With all there is to see and do, food and drink will be in order. Stop into one of the local breweries and grab a pint, or get a bite to eat at a locally-owned restaurant. Known for its High South cuisine, Bentonville is bringing southern hospitality to a whole new level, from fine dining to farm-to-table.