36 Awesome Hours in Bentonville Arkansas
What is all the buzz about regarding Bentonville Arkansas? Many things actually… Bentonville is a delightful mix of culture, business, shopping and chef driven restaurant options.
Friday
4:00 p.m.
1) DOWNTOWN SQUARE
The Walmart Museum is a wonderful interactive museum covering the fascinating history of Walmart and the life of Sam Walton and other Walton family members. While you’re there, check out the replica five and dime store and the delightful old-time ice cream parlor next door. If you’re up for a bit of adventure, rent a bike at Phat Tire right off the square. Rentals include all you will need for a safe, comfortable ride, or you can BYOB (Bike). Take a ride around some of the amazing trails around the city proper.
If biking is not your thing, visit the recently restored Meteor Guitar Gallery or shop the wonderful little art galleries, specialty stores & trendy boutiques around the square including Remedy Road, In Season, Label and many others. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy Bleachers (right on the square), the place to find sports memorabilia of every conceivable sort.
7:00 p.m.
2) LIBATIONS EXTRAORDINAIRE
Scotch and Soda, Oven & Tap, Pedaler’s Pub and the Undercroft located below The Preacher’s Son are all places to sample the delightful creations of the area’s top mixologists. If beer is your thing, make a pit stop at Bike Rack Brewing located in the 8th Street Market. They have an excellent selection of craft brews, and the customers and staff are welcoming and helpful.
8:00 p.m.
3) CULINARY HEAVEN
The Hive at 21C, Oven & Tap, Preacher’s Son, Pressroom, Tusk & Trotter (on the square or just off the square) are all favorite places to experience the unique chef driven cuisine found only in Northwest Arkansas.
10:30 p.m.
4) KICK BACK TIME
Head on over to Scotch and Soda serving with open wall, sidewalk seating or The Undercroft with its speakeasy atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable bartenders and creative delicious libations.
Saturday
9:30 a.m.
5) MORNING IN NWA
Saturday Farmers’ Market has coffee, sweet rolls, every sort of organic produce you might want, live music and a lively, fun atmosphere. Or you could start your morning off with a short bike ride, run, walk or jog through nearby Compton Gardens, a 6.5-acre stunningly beautiful nature/woodland. If you’ve worked up an appetite, the Pressroom is the place to go for breakfast. Just want a coffee? Onyx Coffee, just off the square, delights in creating the coffee of your dreams.
11:00 a.m.
6) ART MECCA
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the 1.2 billion dollar museum founded by Alice Walton, youngest of Sam Walton’s children, is the crown jewel of art in NWA. Save time to visit this breathtaking museum and its beautiful surrounding grounds with its many lovely landscaped trails and amazing sculptures. 21C Museum Hotel also displays awesome art on a rotating basis.
1:00 p.m.
7) LUNCH FOR FOODIES
While you’re at Crystal Bridges, enjoy a farm-to-table fresh lunch at Eleven, or wait until you get back to the square and stop by Crepes Paulette, a food truck across the street from 21c, and sample the best crepe you’ve ever put in your mouth. Yeyo’s, a new brick and mortar restaurant in the 8th Street Market, has delicious authentic Mexican flavors made from only farm fresh ingredients.
3:00 p.m.
8) CHICEST SHOPPING
Shop the wonderful art galleries and specialty stores and boutiques on the square and up and down the adjoining side streets. Remedy Road specializes in gifts that give back. You’ll find clothing, purses, exotic gifts and more at this delightful boutique located just off the square.
8:30 p.m.
9) FOODIES
Treat yourself to some of the most amazing food to be found in Northwest Arkansas. Table Mesa Bistro, a boutique style restaurant, features multicultural offerings that include the perfect blend of delicious seasonal ingredients. Regardless of which dish you order, your taste buds will rejoice and thank you for it. Table Mesa is a great place to relax with friends after enjoying a fabulous meal. The drinks are out-of-this-world, and the service is friendly and efficient. Blu Fish House specializes in fresh-from-the-docks seafood. This unique fresh market and restaurant features tantalizingly delicious seafood and sushi, a casual friendly atmosphere, great service, indoor and outdoor seating and an overall dining experience that you will never forget.
10) HANGING COOL
The Undercroft, the speakeasy-like bar in the basement of the Preacher’s Son or Scotch & Soda are the places to finish off your evening. Both are lively local favorites.
For additional information regarding the Best of Northwest Arkansas, check out our website. Going to nearby Rogers Arkansas? Check out Things To Do in Rogers Arkansas .
