A distinctive place brimming with natural beauty, culture, outdoor recreation and a strong sense of community, Bentonville offers both the charm of small-town life and the modern must-have amenities found in most urban centers. Cyclists and hikers can enjoy more than 70 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails interconnected with parks, hotels, bars, restaurants, and more. Around town, you’ll notice plenty of public art, including eye-catching murals. For more art and culture, check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, the Scott Family Amazeum, The Walmart Museum and the 21c Museum Hotel.
Hidden Gems in Bentonville
Northwest Arkansas is full of surprises—if you know where to look. So here are some unexpected surprises that make a vacation to Northwest Arkansas unforgettable.
Legends Air Center
In addition to being an airport for private aircraft, Legends Air Center also offers flight tours of the region. The expansive Fieldhouse building houses a flight school, an exhibition hangar, canoe rentals for use on the adjacent Lake Bentonville, lawn games and the all-day Louise café, where you can eat on the patio and watch takeoffs and landings.
Trip Ideas & Things to Do in Bentonville
Every city in Northwest Arkansas has its own story, and the best way to experience it is to dive in. Whether you’re into outdoor adventures, local flavors, arts and culture, hidden gems or fun events, there’s a trip idea in Bentonville with your name on it.
Culture on Display
Bentonville’s museums offer fun and inspiration for all ages, making them one of the best things to do for families. Explore American masterpieces at Crystal Bridges, hands-on contemporary art at The Momentary, and vintage charm at The Walmart Museum. Kids will love seeing ancient tools and fossils at the Museum of Native American History. It’s a museum day the whole family will enjoy!
Annual Events in Bentonville
Plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, around these events and annual happenings in Northwest Arkansas.
May: Bentonville Bike Fest
The Mountain Biking Capital of the World hosts a half-dozen bike races over a week with family-friendly activities, demos, food, art and live music.
May: Freshgrass Festival at The Momentary
Freshgrass Festival at The Momentary, Bentonville – themomentary.org. This two-day, all-ages festival features bluegrass and progressive roots music, as well as a film festival and local food and drink.
October: Little Sugar MTB & Big Sugar Classic
These annual mountain bike and gravel races feature some of the toughest courses and biggest prizes of the U.S. cycling season.
December: Sapthaswara
The region’s Indian community comes together each December for a celebration of diversity, showcasing music from the subcontinent, including classical and folk music.
Getting to Bentonville
We’ve got your how-to for traveling to and around Northwest Arkansas.
Flying to Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), located between Fayetteville and Bentonville, is the primary airport in the area, offering nonstop service to more than 23 cities across the country.
More regional airports are found throughout Northwest Arkansas, including:
- Bentonville Municipal Airport
- Eureka Springs/Carroll County Municipal Airport
- Fayetteville Airport at Drake Field
- Huntsville Municipal Airport
- Rogers Municipal Airport
- Siloam Springs Municipal Airport
- Springdale Municipal Airport
Drive Time To & From Northwest Arkansas National Airport
Bentonville is approximately 13 miles from Northwest Arkansas National Airport, with an average drive time of about 25 minutes, depending on your location in the city.
Real-Time Driving Information
Check out iDriveArkansas.com or download the iDrive Arkansas app to find the latest traffic conditions across the state. The site also provides updates on construction projects, traveler information reports, and more. You can even use iDrive to:
- Report litter
- Submit issues
- Find Adopt-a-Highway information
- Share feedback
- Stay informed on road-related programs
Drive Time Around Northwest Arkansas
Bentonville to Eureka Springs: 40 miles / 60 minutes
Bentonville to Rogers: 7 miles / 18 minutes
Fayetteville to Bentonville: 30 miles / 40 minutes
Approximate Drive Time to Northwest Arkansas
- From Joplin: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- From Branson: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- From Tulsa: 2 hours
- From Springfield: 2 hours, 20 minutes
- From Little Rock: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- From Oklahoma City: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- From Kansas City: 3 hours, 35 minutes
Stop by and Say Hi at our Visitor Information Center
VISIT BENTONVILLE
406 SE 5th St., Ste. 6, Bentonville
479-271-9153