Things to Do in Bentonville, AR: A Bentonville Travel Guide

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I traveled to Bentonville for a super quick trip to see, mostly eat, and do all the things—well, at least all the things I could fit into what turned out to be a whirlwind 30 hour trip! Some unexpected life shenanigans forced me to cut my trip short from three days to about a day and half, but I was super lucky and even more strategic about experiencing some of the best parts of the city. Bentonville has a special place in my heart and was some of the first featured content here and here, so I was ecstatic when I won a giveaway from the kind folks at Visit Bentonville that included some must-visit stops on my itinerary!

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re looking for a hotel that’s right in the middle of the action, you must stay at the 21c Museum Hotel. The hotel is located just past the center of the Bentonville Town Square and has so many awesome amenities that you might find it hard to leave. This boutique hotel features a contemporary art museum, a fabulous dining option at The Hive, their iconic green penguins, and a short walk to most of the places you will want to visit on your trip. Stay tuned for a full review!

THINGS TO DO

• Shopping in Downtown Bentonville – I found some fun, unique, and quality pieces while shopping on this trip and my last one. Shopping for clothing and accessories? You absolutely need to stop into Lola and Label! They have a gorgeous selection of both on-trend and classic pieces. Remedy Road has some amazing fashion that’s backed by an even better mission, which you can read more about on their site. Blue Moon on the Square also has an eclectic vibe where you are sure to relax and find something you didn’t know you needed.
• Bike/ Hit the Trails – On top of having highly visible and heavily used bike lanes, Bentonville has miles of paved bike trails! Grab a bike at one of the many bike shops around town and get rolling. If biking isn’t your thing, Crystal Bridges also has some gorgeous trails that are perfect for long walks.
• Spend Time in Bentonville Town Square – If you’re lucky, you might be out and about on day when a local musician is performing in the square. Either way, you’ll want to slow down and spend a little time here. The square is relaxing, has access to lots of food and shopping, regularly hosts a farmers market that includes a yoga session, and is home to quite a few stops on the Downtown Bentonville Art Stroll. More on art experiences later in this post!

WHERE TO EAT

• Crepes Paulette – What started as a fan favorite food truck has expanded to the most adorable crêpe shop. Grab the savory le Jardin with jalapeño and the sweet la Tortue with one of their la Lem-Pom juice. You’ll walk away happy and wanting to bring more home with you.
• The Buttered Biscuit – After learning that we were visiting on the first day BB had started to serve mimosas, we knew we were in the right place. The fresh squeezed orange juice made the experience and so did the incredibly welcoming decor. I had the biscuit beignets with raspberry melba and honey marmalade then swapped the bacon for a black bean patty in quite possibly the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever eaten.
• Onyx Coffee – I stopped into Onyx three times within a day and a half trip. One sip of their coffee and you’ll understand why! Their baristas know their stuff. The coffee shop also has all the cool kid vibes and includes everything from incredible design, Onyx branded gifts, and avocado toast.
• MOD – The MOD team has a special place in my heart. I nearly missed out on the experience after glancing at the menu and seeing lots of meat options. What’s a vegetarian foodie to do? Well, show up and let MOD wow you with their offers to customize dishes without meat! The food and ambiance at MOD can’t be beat.
• Pressroom – Gorgeous food, space, and people! Their seasonal menu is packed with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and is a powerhouse of flavor. Stop in for dinner and cocktails.
• The Hive – Looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails, and any meal between? The Hive has you covered. Their house-made black bean burger is out of this world. The service can’t be beat and it’s all just as amazing if you have it delivered as room service.
• Tusk & Trotter – A meat lovers dream with some surprising vegetarian options? Yes, please! You absolutely need the pomme frites with truffle oil, peach whisky Manhattan, and the Big Cheesy.

PLACES TO GET YOUR ART ON

• 21C Museum Hotel – Labor and Materials is on view through November 2018! The exhibition shows the incredible and often ignored connection between how items are made, the environmental costs, the mental and physical costs to those who labor to create it, and the dangerous ways we routinely dispose of mass consumed products. I highly recommend spending some time checking out this exhibition.
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – The permanent collection, rotating contemporary art exhibitions, and the Bachman-Wilson house by Frank Lloyd Wright are worth a trip to Bentonville alone! I had the pleasure of visiting the museum twice and was blown away by my experience each time. The powerful Soul of Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power was on view during my visit. Check out their exhibitions schedule to plan your trip.
• Bentonville Arts Community – there were three arts events happening the weekend of my visit and I’m sure there were more that I missed! Keep up with arts events around NWA like the Bentonville Art Stroll, Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week, and the Bentonville Film Festival by following Visit Bentonville on Instagram.

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