Bentonville, Arkansas

I first heard of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art through a gallerist friend, who in turn was singing its praises after being introduced to it through a couple of the artists he worked with. A number of our mutual friends and acquaintances have work in the museum’s collection. My only reference point for art in Arkansas otherwise was via the state university in Fayetteville, but I’d never been.

Crystal Bridges, along with its sibling art and performance venue The Momentary, are in Bentonville, and 100 percent related to the fact that Walmart was founded and is headquartered there. As it turns out, Alice Walton—billionaire heiress, arts patron, and philanthropist—has pretty much everything to do with how this small Northwest Arkansas company town has utterly transformed over the past decade into a frankly mindbogglingly thoughtful, dare I say progressive tourist destination.

In my role as editor with Colossal, I was invited to preview the 114,000-square-foot expansion of Crystal Bridges and its new exhibitions, including a complete re-hang of the entire permanent collection across both existing and new spaces. In the meantime, I wandered the wooded parkland and arboretum around the museum, which is dotted with public artworks by acclaimed artists including Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, and more. The town is connected by bike paths, which increasingly connect literally to the rooftops of new buildings, including Walton’s latest addition to the Crystal Bridges campus, the state-of-the-art Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.

Between exhibition tours, I was introduced to some great places to eat and scouted out some others. Bentonville’s lodging and dining scenes are as creative and communal as the arts campus, and although it may seem out of the way, a visit here is well worth it for a weekend jaunt. Here’s what to explore during your visit.

Where is Bentonville?

Bentonville is nestled less than 10 miles south of the Missouri border and about 25 miles east of Oklahoma in Northwest Arkansas. The college town of Fayetteville is located about 30 miles south.

How to get to Bentonville

If you’re driving, Bentonville is situated right off of Interstate 49.

Driving distances to Bentonville from nearby major cities:

• From Tulsa: 2 hours
• From Little Rock: 3 hours, 15 minutes
• From Memphis: 5 hours
• From St. Louis: 5 hours, 45 minutes
• From Dallas: 6 hours

Flying is a great option, as Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) has nonstop flights to nearly two dozen locations. The airport even has a pleasant lounge and a small gallery presented by Crystal Bridges and The Momentary.

These are the closest airports to Bentonville:

• Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA): 25 minutes
• Tulsa International Airport (TUL): 2 hours
• Clinton National Airport (LIT): 3 hours, 15 minutes

How do I get around?

While having a car will come in handy if you plan to explore outside of Bentonville, such as day-tripping to the Ozarks, it’s very easy to walk or bike around Bentonville. In fact, I’d recommend ditching four wheels for two while in town. There are bike rental places everywhere and wide, paved trails for biking that make it easy no matter if you’re wanting to head down to Fayetteville on the beautiful Razorback Greenway or dip around some mountain bike passes. It’s also very easy to book a rideshare using an app, as there are plenty of drivers in the area.

When is the best time of year to visit Bentonville?

Northwest Arkansas is relatively mild in the winter. There might be a bit of snow, but it doesn’t usually last too long. The average high in January is 47 degrees, while the low is 28. In the summer, it’s hot and humid, with averages in July and August sitting around 89 degrees and lows around 69. If you prefer relatively cool evenings and warm days that don’t get too hot, aim for March through May or September through November — the latter of which is ideal if you plan to go leaf-peeping.

Where to stay in Bentonville

You’ll find a number of great options in town, including artsy and foodie destinations—sometimes all in one! A number of great hotels are located right in the middle of town, making it easy to walk or bike anywhere you want to go.

Motto

This concept by Hilton is where I stayed for two nights. I loved the communal lobby concept, which is small but genuinely buzzing with energy, as the local community is welcome to visit and work at a series of large tables, comfy chairs, and the cozy bar. There’s also a Japanese-inspired restaurant called Junto Sushi and a coffee shop called Koshii, which serves beans roasted by Onyx Coffee Labs.

21C Museum Hotel

Located just a stone’s throw from Bentonville’s town square and about a 1o-minute walk to Crystal Bridges, 21C is the spot for art lovers. Rooms feature original art, and there’s a gallery on the ground floor, with sculptures outside. Its restaurant, The Hive, celebrates Arkansas cuisine and features outdoor seating.

The Compton

Situated just kitty-corner to the town square, The Compton is an upscale hotel with a design focus and emphasis on nature and outdoor activities. There’s even a bike valet.

The Victoria Bed & Breakfast

For a more intimate, history-focused stay, The Victoria B&B is located inside of a historic Victorian mansion and features elegant antique furnishings and unique decor.

AC Hotel

This concept by Marriott is located about halfway between downtown and I-49, making it easy to access both. Rooms are contemporary and calming, and the hotel is home to the Falfurrias Rooftop Lounge for great views.

What to do in Bentonville

You’ll find a number of great options in town, including artsy and foodie destinations — sometimes all in one! A number of great hotels are located right in the middle of town, making it easy to walk or bike anywhere you want to go.

Bike around “The Mountain Biking Capital of the World”

Bentonville may have proclaimed itself the above, but that doesn’t mean it’s not! More than 80 miles of trails criss-cross the city, and they connect to hundreds of miles of further stretches in Northwest Arkansas

Visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

With a brand new expansion opening in June 2026, Crystal Bridges is a world-class art museum that has gotten even better. You’ll find two major temporary exhibition spaces, permanent collection galleries, two coffee shops, and a cafe. It also sits in a ravine full of trails that are dotted with art. And aside from ticketed exhibitions and special events, it’s free!

Take in a show at The Momentary

A former Kraft cheese factory was reimagined into an offshoot of Crystal Bridges called The Momentary, just a short walk from downtown. It’s home to an invitational residency program, coffee shop, exhibition spaces, indoor and outdoor music venues, and a large gift shop. Some exhibitions are free, while others are ticketed.

Tuck in for a farm-to-table dinner

You’ll find a number of ambitious chefs in Bentonville, and the culinary scene is growing quickly.

• The Preacher’s Son is an upscale spot in a former church.
• Conifer is entirely gluten-free, but you’d never guess!
• Written by the Seasons is a Dallas concept expanded to Bentonville that features seasonal ingredients.
• Tusk and Trotter is a go-to for refined American classics.
• Table Mesa brings the Mexican influence for great tacos, enchiladas, and more.

Visit the Walmart Museum

Located right on the town square and including the unmissable original Walton’s 5-10 store, the Walmart Museum has exhibits about the earliest days of the company. Its Spark Cafe on the corner is also a great spot to stop in for ice cream on a warm evening.

Head to the Saturday morning farmer’s market

USA Today’s 10BEST rated Bentonville’s farmer’s market #4 in the country. It runs from mid-April to the end of October every year and takes over the town square on Saturdays between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., emphasizing local produce and artisan foods.

Walk through Compton Gardens & Arboretum

A seven-acre botanical oasis just north of the town square, Compton Gardens is criss-crossed with bike trails and pedestrian paths for exploring charming bridges, water features, and a wide range of plants and trees.

Catch sunrise or sunset in James Turrell’s Skyspace

Just north of Compton Gardens, on your way to Crystal Bridges, you’ll encounter a contemporary-looking structure set into the hillside. This is one of artist James Turrell’s Skyspace works titled “The Way of Color,” completed in 2009. It’s free and open from daybreak to dusk, and those times are when it’s particularly interesting to visit. For about 45 minutes as the sun rises and sets, a brilliant LED display changes the interior, prompting viewers to contemplate how we perceive color—especially the sky. Is it always blue?

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House

Continuing just a few minutes’ walk further north past Turrell’s Skyspace and you encounter the entrance to renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, which is managed by Crystal Bridges. You’ll need a ticket to enter, but it’s free and the experience is self-guided.

Visit the Museum of Native American History

Featuring more than 10,000 artifacts and displays that tell the story of 26,000 years of human history in North America, the Museum of Native American History explores a wide range of Indigenous cultures.

Explore the Peel Museum + Botanical Garden

If you’re a fan of a preserved historical house, the Peel Museum is the spot for you. The late-19th-century Italianate home glimpses what life was like in Northwest Arkansas during that time, and the gardens are maintained in a Victorian style.

Get a nature fix at Osage Park

Southwest of downtown is a recreational oasis with pickleball courts, fishing, trails, an archery range, and much more.

Grab a pint at Bentonville Brewing Company

With easy access right off the bike trail, Bentonville Brewing Company is a great spot to head for a locally crafted Space Goose Hazy IPA, Soulshine Kolsch, or Red Headed Stranger. They also host a number of food trucks at their outdoor patio, making it a great warm-weather foodie spot.

All images by Kate Mothes unless otherwise noted.

Header image: Louise Bourgeois, Maman, 1999. Bronze, stainless steel, and marble