Bentonville
Bentonville is packed with family-friendly adventures, offering plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and engaged plus some of the highest-rated coffee shops in the world. I was shocked how much FREE fun we had -- spending hours at their playgrounds, bike trails and creeks!
Bentonville: A Family Fun Weekend
Bentonville, Ark., has grown from a small Ozark town to a bustling hub of innovation and culture. This is largely due to the influence of Sam Walton. In 1950, Walton opened Walton’s 5&10—which would eventually grow into Walmart—in Bentonville’s town square. Walton’s influence transformed Bentonville’s economy and identity, bringing business, jobs and attention to the area. His legacy is evident in the Walmart Museum and in Bentonville’s growth into a thriving town that attracts visitors from all over the country.
Known today as the “Mountain Biking Capital of the Midwest,” Bentonville boasts hundreds of miles of expertly designed bike trails, making it a premier destination for cycling enthusiasts and families. So, we loaded the van with the boys’ bikes and set off for a weekend trip. With my sister’s family and the grandparents joining, it turned into a mini family reunion at the Airbnb, which added even more fun and special memories! Here’s a detailed itinerary featuring some of our favorite spots:
Friday
Our Bentonville adventure began Friday night in Downtown Bentonville at the Walmart Museum. My boys were fascinated by the exhibits, especially when they got to interact with the hologram of Sam Walton. The 3D image brought the company’s founder to life as he shared stories and insights about Walmart’s history and values. It was amazing to watch it in action, and my engineer husband was just as impressed as the kids were. After the museum, we stopped next door for a sweet treat at The Spark Cafe. The ice cream was a huge hit with my boys, and it was inexpensive, which was great for my pocketbook.
Bentonville
Saturday
Our Saturday began with a trip to the Bentonville Walmart Supercenter, which is one of the launch locations for the company’s grocery delivery drone operations. Our three young boys, along with their cousins, watched with wide-eyed excitement as the drone soared into the sky, buzzing with high-tech precision. The adults were just as captivated, especially my engineer husband, who was thoroughly impressed with the setup and coordination of the operation.
Bentonville Drone
We then headed for a family bike ride to The Ledger. This building, designed with cyclists in mind, has ramps and paths that make it an exciting and unique place for kids. The views are impressive, and the structure itself is worth exploring. From there, we biked by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which has amazing indoor exhibits and outdoor sculptures. It was a great way to blend fun and learning, and the fact that Crystal Bridges is free made the experience even sweeter. Next, we biked over to Airship Coffee, a coffee shop tucked away near a creek and barn. My husband and I savored our coffee while the boys played in the open barn area and splashed around by the creek. The kids literally could have played there all day! This shop is a hidden gem, offering a blend of relaxation and exploration for both parents and kids.
Bentonville
After our coffee and barn adventures, we biked a quarter mile down the trail to see The Rise, a metal structure with 11 flights of stairs. The architecture was incredible, seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape. It wasn’t an easy climb up those stairs, but the experience was truly unique. Our boys made it to the top faster than we did!
After an action-packed day of biking, we headed back to Bentonville Square for some much-deserved ice cream. My boys, still full of energy, had a blast riding around the square and taking in the lively atmosphere. We also stopped by Strider Bikes, where our twins absolutely loved testing out balance bikes on the indoor track!
Bentonville
That evening, we opted for a laid-back dinner at our Airbnb with delivery from Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza. The boys devoured the cheese and pepperoni, while the adults savored the delicious white pizza. If our kids were a bit older, we would’ve tried Tavola Trattoria in Bentonville Square—friends recommended it and raved about the pastas. It’s definitely a “next time” spot for us!
Sunday
Sunday morning, we headed to the Bentonville Bike Playground in Rogers, Ark. This beginner-friendly park features ramps and trails that were perfect for my boys’ energy levels, and they had an absolute blast practicing their bike skills. For even more cycling fun, we headed over to The Railyard Bike Park. This park is a bit more challenging, with jumps and dirt trails, making it perfect for kids who love to push their limits. Seeing the boys’ excitement as they rode up and down the ramps was the highlight of the day. On the way to the bike park, we drove past Railyard Park, which featured a playground and splash pad—we definitely want to explore that on our next trip.
On our way home to Kansas City, we made a final stop at Onyx Coffee Lab. Known for its high-quality coffee and beautiful design, Onyx has a huge presence in northwest Arkansas, and recently came in 2nd place for best coffee shop worldwide. The shop’s atmosphere is perfect for families—there were spaces for the kids to relax while my husband and I enjoyed our expertly brewed coffee. It was the ideal end to our trip.
Bentonville
Wrapping Up
Bentonville exceeded our expectations as a family-friendly destination. Between the art, cycling, local food spots and charming public spaces, there was something for each of us. With everything from hands-on museum exhibits to thrilling bike trails, Bentonville combines small-town charm with big-city attractions, making it an ideal getaway for families with young kids. Whether you go for the outdoor activities or the chance to explore the local culture, Bentonville will leave your family with wonderful memories. Happy exploring!
A transplant from Minnesota, Gracia Larson is enjoying all things Kansas City with her husband and four kids in Overland Park.