This post was sponsored by 21c Museum and Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas.
I got my crazy trip planning abilities from my Mama. It really does come naturally. Growing up (and still to this day), vacations weren’t relaxing trips – instead, they were coined “turbo tours” where we packed in as many activities, sight seeing places, and excursions all in our small window of total trip time. I think the craziest thing we ever did was visiting 8 European countries in 10 days. It was nuts. But enough about that. This time, my mom and I opted to take a long weekend road trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. Now, I had been there once before, but it wasn’t for very long, so I thought it might be fun to go back and see what there was to see. My mother – the always adventurous – had her bags packed seconds after I asked her if she wanted to go.
Bentonville, Arkansas really does have a little bit of something for everyone. It’s most notably the home of the Walmart corporation, but it has so much more than that to offer! Whether you’re a foodie, adrenaline junkie, or history buff – this is the place for you!
Where to Stay
21c Museum and Hotel.
If you’re looking for a super swanky hotel right in the middle of the action, 21c Museum and Hotel is the perfect place to visit! It is right in the heart of downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, so when you’re there you’re within walking distance of many restaurant, shops, boutiques, and more! This gorgeous hotel was founded by Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, contemporary art collectors and preservationists who believe in the power of contemporary art. This hotel is a 104-room boutique hotel right in the middle of the action of Bentonville, Arkansas.
The Museum.
This hotel is unique because it not only is a comfortable and stylish place to stay for the night, but it also features rotating exhibitions, commissioned site-specific installations, and regular cultural programming. The current rotating exhibit is The Future is Female. In this feature, nearly 80 different pieces are on display and offer an optimistic look everyone can connect to in varying ways. Art has an interesting way of doing that, doesn’t it?
The museum is free and open to the public 365 days a year. It was a really unique experience staying in a hotel that is so much more than a typical hotel. Every room has been carefully designed, every floor has art displayed by local artists, and the hotel lobby has a full museum in it, so you never really know where the hotel stops and the museum begins – you actually become part of the hotel when you stay here. And, of course, the green penguins can’t be missed – the morning we checked out, the elevator doors opened and we found a 4 foot tall lime green penguin staring us straight in the face – so fun!
Want to stay in one of these super cool hotels? 21c has other, equally unique hotels in Louisville, Cincinnati, Durham, Lexington, Oklahoma City, Nashville, and Kansas City – so you can see what they’re all about if you’re anywhere near one of these cities. They also have new openings coming soon in Chicago, Des Moines, and St. Louis.
Where to Eat
The best thing to do while traveling is to try out all the local eateries you can! Check out my jam-packed Bentonville “foodie list” here.
What to Do
There is absolutely no shortage of activities in Bentonville, Arkansas. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway or a family road trip, this place has a little something for everyone.
Crystal Bridges
Crystal Bridges is a completely free museum that you could easily spend an entire day at. Whether it’s checking out the permanent exhibits, The Color Field in the North Forest, or enjoying the sounds of the Summer Forest Concert Series, this amazing museum is just fantastic!
Bentonville Farmer’s Market
Lawrence Plaza
The Walmart Museum
What Bentonville, Arkansas is most known for is that this is the birthplace of Wal-Mart. When walking through the Walmart Museum, you can see just how far Walmart really has come since Sam Walton’s inception of it in 1962. Since that time, Walmart has grown to 11,368 stores and Sam’s Clubs in 27 countries and operating under 55 different names. Make sure to save some room for ice cream in the soda shop on your way out! Walmart’s headquarters are still home to this town, although they’ve acquired much bigger building than that first general store in the downtown area.
Museum of Native American History
Scott Family Amazeum
Onyx Coffee Lab
Markham & Fitz Chocolate
Skylight Cinema
Core Public House
Meteor Guitar Gallery
Do you enjoy music? Head over to the Meteor Guitar Gallery and for 50 cents you can get up close and personal with all of their unique guitars they have on display.
Shopping
Label Boutique
Remedy Road Boutique
Elysian Boutique
Nightlife
Want to let loose? Try these places for a fun night out!
Scotch and Soda
When a place has been named one of the 40 best whiskey bars in the country and they have a bar so tall and full that it requires a ladder to get to all of it, you know it’s good. This late night spot is perfect to relax and unwind from the day.
The Holler
Apparently, shuffleboard is making a comeback! And you’re in luck, because they have it here to place alongside an extensive bar, fun atmosphere, and a full menu.
Preacher’s Son Rooftop Bar
This restaurant/speakeasy/rooftop bar is possibly the coolest place ever. During the day, you can have lunch and dinner in this refinished old church and in the evenings, you can go downstairs to the speakeasy style bar (Undercroft Bar) or the rooftop bar and enjoy a beverage or two. To enter the speakeasy, go through the door near the restroom with the word “Coatroom” on it. This renovated church has a classy atmosphere, complete with high cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows What you’ll want to order when you’re there – the chicken schnitzel, roasted cauliflower, pork shank, shaved brussel salad, and huckleberry cake. And you’re in luck if you need something gluten free, because everything on the menu is gluten-less!
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