About the Area
Situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Bentonville is a place like no other, a bustling center of commerce with an innovative, pioneering spirit and a place of ideas, innovation and inspiration. No longer known just as the corporate headquarters for Walmart, it offers the very best in small town living. Art, food, music, cycling, history and forward thinking abound in this Northwest Arkansas town of 49,000.
Founded by the Walton Family Foundation, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art attracts art lovers from all over, boasting a permanent collection spanning five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. 21c Museum and Hotel adds another artful element to the Bentonville scene, with over 12,000 square feet of gallery space that adjoins the 104-room boutique hotel and world class restaurant The Hive.
The Scott Family Amazeum children’s museum will wow the entire family with its 50,000 square feet of hands on exhibit and tinkering space. Take a walk down memory lane learning about Sam Walton and the history of the world’s largest retailer at the Walmart Museum inside the original 5&10 opened in downtown Bentonville in 1950. Afterwards, enjoy a soda ice cream or milkshake at Spark Cafe located right next door. Take time to explore what life was like as far back as 14,000 years ago at the Museum of Native American History showcasing one of the most comprehensive artifact collections in the south.
Bentonville also hosts an array of festivals throughout the year. The Bentonville Film Festival, founded by Academy-Award winning actress Geena Davis, focuses on women and inclusion in film. The Bentonville Running Festival hosts the Bentonville Half Marathon each spring and sees over 3,500 runners annually. The newly opened 8th Street Market, located in the Downtown Market District, is home to an ever-growing list of new festivals and events including the two-day Bite NWA food festival and the annual World Champion Squirrel Cook-off.
Bentonville is widely known as one of the top cycling destinations in North America. The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has ranked Bentonville a Silver-Level Ride Center. With over 140 miles of hard and soft trails for you and your family to explore, whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner, Bentonville has something for everyone to enjoy.
There is no shortage of locally owned restaurants and breweries to grab a pint or a bite to eat. Known for its High South cuisine, Bentonville is bringing southern hospitality to a whole new level, from fine dining to farm to table.
Ranked by GoodCall as the nation’s best city for K-12 teachers in 2017. (https://www.goodcall.com/data-center/2017-best-cities-k-12-teachers/ )
