Walmart’s Birthplace Now Boasts World-Class Museums and 100+ Miles of Mountain Bike Trails

Bentonville, Arkansas

Most people know Bentonville as Walmart’s hometown, but this Northwest Arkansas city has grown into something special.

World-class art at Crystal Bridges, food that rivals big city spots, and miles of bike trails make it a surprise hit.

Here are some of the best things to do in Arkansas’s coolest small town getaway.

Get Lost in Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

The museum shows off five eras of American art in a jaw-dropping building with glass bridges over two ponds.

You can see works by big names like Georgia O’Keeffe, Asher B. Durand, and Andy Warhol—all for free.

With over 5,000 art pieces and 134 acres of land with five miles of trails, you’ll have plenty to explore.

In 2025, they’re adding new parking with shops, a café, and more art spots. You can also check out the library with over 50,000 art books or grab a bite at Eleven restaurant while you take in views of the water.

Don’t miss the Turrell ‘Skyspace’ light show, the 30-foot spider by Louise Bourgeois, or the museum shop with items made by local artists.

Hang Out in Downtown Bentonville Square

The town’s center sits at North Main Street with shops, places to eat, and green space to relax.

You’ll find Art on the Square selling local art, while Bentonville Provisions offers fun gifts and kitchen goods.

Two Friends Books has great reads, and you can take a break on one of the benches under shady trees.

Street musicians often play on weekends, and the square hosts pop-up markets on the first Friday of each month.

Best of all, the square connects to Crystal Bridges via a half-mile Art Trail that passes lots of outdoor art and lets you see both town and nature in one walk.

Walk Through The Newly Restored Walmart Museum

The freshly fixed-up Walmart Museum opened in March 2025 right on the town square.

You’ll find it in Sam Walton’s first store, the Walton’s 5 & 10 from 1950, which shows how his small shop grew into a world giant.

The museum lets you see the first store setup, Sam’s famous pickup truck, and the odd things people have tried to return to Walmart over the years.

Don’t miss the rare items like Sam’s first store sign, the actual desk where he worked, and ads from the 1950s.

Step Back 14,000 Years at the Museum of Native American History

This free museum holds over 10,000 items from tribes across North and South America, taking you back as far as 14,000 years ago.

You can see tools, clothes, pottery, and art from many native groups as you walk through time from the ice age to now.

The audio tour tells you about each piece, from the huge mammoth and bison bones to the hand-carved pipes and rare war shirts with real hair.

When you’re done, stop by the gift shop for works by living Native artists, and check out the garden with a real tipi you can enter.

Taste High South Cooking at Bentonville’s Top Spots

Tusk & Trotter, open since 2011, serves up high south cooking with tasty comfort food in a laid-back pub setting.

You can try their famous bison burger or hot fried chicken with walnut-carrot cake waffles.

For a unique meal, head to The Preacher’s Son set in one of the oldest church buildings in town, where Chef Matt Cooper makes farm-fresh dishes like heirloom carrot gnocchi.

The Hive inside 21c Museum Hotel uses local meats and veggies for true Arkansas flavors.

When you’re ready for a drink, check out Undercroft (below The Preacher’s Son) or Scotch & Soda for craft mixed drinks that use local fruits and herbs.

Pedal Through World-Class Trails at Slaughter Pen

The Slaughter Pen area offers 40+ miles of dirt trails with paths for all skill levels.

As an IMBA Silver Level Ride Center with 23+ miles of routes, you’ll find log rides, jumps, rock sections, and a free ride area with wall rides.

New riders should try All-American and Seed Tick Shuffle trails, while more skilled bikers can head to Scott Allen Alley and Medusa for tough runs.

The trails connect to a paved path, so you can mix easy and hard riding.

For a full day out, try the Bentonville-Blowing Springs tour that takes you through forests with fun downhills, rock ledges, and great views of the Ozark woods.

Marvel at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Relocated Masterpiece

This real Wright-built home was moved piece by piece from New Jersey to save it from floods.

Now you can see Wright’s ‘Usonian’ style meant for middle-class folks in the 1950s.

The house sits in its own quiet wooded spot away from the main museum.

Look for Wright’s marks like built-in shelves, large glass walls, and the use of red wood and brick throughout the space.

You’ll need to get free timed tickets at the museum desk (they often run out), and then you can join the guided tour with headsets.

Catch Modern Art at The Momentary

This old cheese factory now hosts new art, live music, and food in downtown Bentonville as part of Crystal Bridges.

It’s free to visit, and The Momentary focuses on ‘art of the moment’ with shows that change often.

You can stop by Onyx Coffee Lab in the yard or head up to Tower Bar for drinks with a view.

The site hosts both big music fests and small shows in inside spots. Unlike Crystal Bridges’ focus on past art, The Momentary shows what’s being made now.

You’ll see all sorts of art forms from video to dance to sound pieces, plus food from top chefs.

Tour an 1875 Villa at Peel Mansion Museum

Built in 1875 by Colonel Samuel West Peel, this Italian-style villa once sat on 180 acres of apple trees but is now in the middle of town.

The free tours show you how folks lived in the late 1800s with two guides—one for upstairs and one for down.

They’ll share tales of the Peel family and point out items from the 1800s as you walk through the home.

On the grounds, you can see the old Andy Lynch log cabin from before the Civil War that now works as a gift shop.

The gardens show off old rose types and native plants with winding stone paths for a lovely stroll.

Spot Street Art All Over Town

Over 130 works of art dot Bentonville’s streets, parks and paths.

You’ll want to look for the four huge Bike Towers made from old bike frames along the Razorback Greenway—they even have working tire pumps at the base.

Don’t miss Sassy the Sasquatch near Crystal Bridges, made from bike chains and fur.

The bronze pig named ‘Stella’ by the town square is a local pick for photo ops. Many murals pop up on building sides with new ones added each year.

You can get a free art map at the tourist desk so you can find all the hidden gems around town.

Fill Up at 8th Street Market Food Hub

This food hub brings chefs, growers, and makers under one roof for a true taste of Bentonville.

You can try Co-Op Ramen, Yeyo’s Mexican street food, and food trucks with ever-changing menus.

When you’re full, check out Bike Rack Brewing for local beers, Cocoon Yoga Lab for a stretch, and Hillfolk textile shop where you can buy or learn to make cloth goods.

The open yard hosts live music on warm nights, and the inside has shops selling work by area artists.