Bentonville Travel Guide

City Corporate city, headquarters of Walmart and art museum

Northwest Arkansas became art country: visitors come to Bentonville for Crystal Bridges Museum, the Walton Museum, farm-to-table restaurants and a fast-growing network of mountain-bike trails. Downtown galleries and public art make for easy afternoons between rides and plates of Southern food.

Costs

Typical daily budget: $120-$250

Upscale amenities and dining push costs higher than average Arkansas towns.

Safety

Generally safe

Low violent crime; usual precautions advised in busy areas.

Best Time

Best months: Apr-Oct

Spring to fall offers pleasant weather and outdoor activity access.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

3:40 PM

GMT-5

Weather

65°F

Clear

Population

44,499

Infrastructure & Convenience

Compact downtown and bike trails; rental car useful for wider Northwest Arkansas.

Popularity

Draws museum-goers, business travelers and outdoor-activity tourists.

Known For

Walmart headquarters,Crystal Bridges Museum,art scene,Historic downtown,trail network,food scene,Walmart Museum,annual festivals,outdoor recreation,rapid growth

Bentonville hosts Walmart's global headquarters and the Crystal Bridges Museum, founded by Alice Walton in 2011.

Why Visit Bentonville? #

Bentonville combines small-town charm with a surprising art and outdoor pedigree, anchored by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walmart Museum downtown. Bike-friendly trails weave through the Razorback Greenway and wooded parks, and the revitalized town square hosts farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries. The mix of world-class art, inventive dining and easy access to miles of cycling makes it a compelling stop in northwest Arkansas.

Best Things to Do in Bentonville

All Attractions ›

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Civil War battlefield park preserving Pea Ridge engagements

Park

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Modern art museum set around forested ponds

Museum

Bentonville Bucket List

Don't Miss

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Renowned museum set in forested trails, with American art and rotating exhibits.
Bentonville Square & Downtown - Historic town square with boutiques, restaurants, and weekly community events.
Walmart Museum (Bentonville) - Museum chronicling Walmart's origins with retro displays and shopping history exhibits.
Scott Family Amazeum - Hands-on children's museum offering interactive science, art, and discovery exhibits.

Hidden Gems

Compton Gardens & Crystal Bridges Trail - Quiet arboretum and walking trails linking the museum to wooded wetlands.
Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens - Historic house museum with period rooms and landscaped heritage gardens to explore.
8th Street Market & Local Breweries - Neighborhood market and nearby craft breweries serving seasonal food and local beers.

Day Trips

Hobbs State Park - Short drive to Arkansas's largest state park for hiking, lakes, and wildlife viewing.
Eureka Springs - Scenic Victorian town with galleries, springs, and winding historic streets on a mountainside.

Best Time to Visit Bentonville #

Aim for spring or early fall in northwest Arkansas for comfortable hiking and outdoor dining. Summers are warm and humid but full of events; winters bring occasional snow.

Winter

December - February · -2-10°C (28-50°F)

Cold snaps and occasional snow make trails crunchy but pretty; downtown is quieter, and cozy cafés buzz.

Spring

March - May · 6-24°C (43-75°F)

One of the best times - flowers, comfortable hiking in Ozark foothills, and outdoor dining in town squares abound.

Summer

June - August · 20-33°C (68-91°F)

Warm, humid and lively with festivals; mornings are great for trails, afternoons best spent near streams or indoor attractions.

Best Time to Visit Bentonville #

Climate

Bentonville's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1169 mm/year), wettest in May.

Air Quality: AQI 32 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

-21°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-5° – 7°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

-2° – 10°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

61 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

2° – 15°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

106 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

7° – 21°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

113 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

13.0h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

12° – 25°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

128 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

14.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

17° – 29°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

123 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.5h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).

83 Excellent

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

20° – 32°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.2h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).

83 Excellent

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 32°

66%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

88 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

15° – 28°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

124 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm).

72 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

8° – 22°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

11.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

2° – 14°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

112 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-3° – 9°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

80 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.6h daylight

How to Get to Bentonville

Bentonville's air gateway is Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), a short drive from downtown. The region is car-oriented: flights to XNA plus a taxi, rideshare or rental car are the most practical ways to arrive.

By Air

Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA): XNA is the primary airport for Bentonville and the broader Northwest Arkansas region. The airport is about a 15-20 minute drive to central Bentonville; taxis and rideshares typically cost US$20-40 depending on exact drop-off, and rental cars are available on-site (drive time ≈15-20 min).

Bill and Fayetteville (regional options): Fayetteville and Springdale area are also served by XNA; if you fly into a nearby larger airport (e.g., Tulsa or Little Rock) expect a 2+ hour drive into Bentonville. Rental cars or private shuttles are the usual options on those longer transfers.

By Train & Bus

Train: Bentonville is not served by Amtrak. The nearest intercity rail and some intercity bus connections are in Fayetteville/Rogers; most long-distance passengers use XNA plus road transport.

Bus: Intercity bus services such as Jefferson Lines and regional carriers stop in nearby communities (Fayetteville, Rogers). Local public transit and on-demand shuttles operate within Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas metro; fares vary but short local trips are inexpensive.

How to Get Around Bentonville #

Bentonville’s downtown is very walkable and has extensive bike lanes and trails, making it easy to move around without a car for short trips. Regional bus services connect Bentonville to nearby towns.

A car is still handy for exploring the wider region, but many visitors rely on walking and biking within the city and for reaching Crystal Bridges and downtown restaurants.

Where to Stay in Bentonville #

Budget

Downtown / Crystal Bridges - $60-120/night

Bentonville has budget chain options and small inns near downtown and the Crystal Bridges area. Affordable choices fill quickly during peak museum weekends.

21c Museum Hotel Bentonville (small take) - Boutique property near downtown.

Mid-Range

Downtown / Crystal Bridges - $100-220/night

Strong mid-range and boutique scene around downtown and Crystal Bridges Museum. Good restaurants and walkable streets make these stays pleasant and convenient.

21c Museum Hotel Bentonville - Boutique modern hotel and museum.

Luxury

Downtown / near Crystal Bridges - $180-350+/night

Bentonville's top-tier stays are boutique and design-focused rather than large luxury resorts. Expect thoughtful details and proximity to museums and galleries.

21c Museum Hotel Bentonville - High-end boutique near cultural sites.

Where to Eat in Bentonville #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Bentonville's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger

Sandwich

Chicken

Mexican

Pizza

American

Tex Mex

Ice Cream

Seafood

Barbecue

Steak House

Chinese

Breakfast

Asian

Donut

Juice

Salad

Indian

Italian

Coffee Shop

Nightlife in Bentonville #

Nightlife is focused around downtown restaurants, breweries and a few lively bars. Evenings are busiest near the museum district and Main Street eateries.

Shopping in Bentonville #

Shopping concentrates around downtown Main Street and the museum campus, with independent boutiques, galleries and museum shops. Outlet-style shopping is limited compared with larger metro areas.