A Cozy Weekend Guide to Bentonville, Arkansas
Romantic, Family-Friendly & Full of Art, Food, and Scenic Drives
Hey travel besties 💛
If you’ve been craving a weekend getaway that blends romance, culture, great food, and family-friendly fun, let me introduce you to Bentonville, Arkansas — one of the most charming and unexpectedly cool destinations in the state.
My husband and I spent a long weekend in Bentonville celebrating our anniversary in November… with a toddler and a dog in tow. ( And…yeah, I’m just now writing about it) But honestly? It was perfect. From scenic mountain drives to world-class museums, cozy restaurants, and walkable green spaces, Bentonville delivered on every level.
The Scenic Drive: North Little Rock to Bentonville
Boston Mountains Scenic Route (Hwy 71 / I-49)
We kicked off our weekend on Friday, driving up from North Little Rock to Bentonville and opted for the Boston Mountains scenic route along Highway 71 instead of the fastest option, I-49.
If you love a road trip with winding curves, forested hills, and mountain views, this drive is worth the extra time. Later, we took the famous Pig Trail Scenic Byway home — and hot take? The Boston Mountains route was actually more scenic and less stressful. If you’re looking for the best scenic drive to Northwest Arkansas, I definitely recommend the Boston Mountains one. I think it’s less crowded too, since it’s not as popular as the Pig Trail. But really either are perfect for a fall drive in NWA.
Where We Stayed: Wingate by Wyndham Bentonville AR
Convenient, Comfortable & Airport-Friendly
We stayed at the Wingate by Wyndham Bentonville AR, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Bentonville. While it’s not walkable to the square, it’s an excellent option if you’re flying in or out of Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) — it’s right next door.
The hotel was clean, comfortable, and family- and pet-friendly, and the continental breakfast was surprisingly solid: eggs, sausage, potatoes, DIY waffles, bagels, toast — everything you need to start a day of exploring. We hit up the breakfast both mornings we were there to start our days. I love an included breakfast option when choosing a hotel, especially when it’s a budget hotel.
Friday Night Dinner: Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie
Elevated Comfort Food in Downtown Bentonville
For our first night, we had dinner at Tusk & Trotter American Brasserie in downtown Bentonville, and it set the tone for the whole weekend. This local restaurant offers ” farm-to-table high south cuisine” located right off the Bentonville square in Sam Walton’s original warehouse.
- I ordered the duck with seasonal vegetables (butternut squash, endives. very fall-coded 🍂)
- My husband had the steak frites
- And the toddler had his own kids steak frites
Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was rustic and welcoming without feeling stuffy. It was the perfect start for our romantic-but-family-friendly weekend in Bentonville. The also had pet-friendly seating on the patio.
Saturday Morning: The Momentary Art Museum
Free Admission, Big Energy
Saturday morning started at The Momentary, one of Bentonville’s crown jewels. Housed in a decommissioned cheese factory, this contemporary art space is an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and best of all — general admission is always free. Though they did have some activities that you had to pay for, with a toddler, we had fun doing all the free activites.
Plus, we happened to visit during a House Party event, which meant:
- Hands-on art activities
- A DJ and live music
- Kids dancing, playing, and creating
We spent the morning wandered through the exhibits, making art, and soaked up the creative energy. Before making our way to the dance party, we stopped at Onyx Coffee Lab (located inside The Momentary). I grabbed a fancy coffee, and the toddler and I split a couple of macarons, a perfect little mid-morning treat for some the dance party energy.
The Onyx Coffee Lab is an experience of its own, with a cute, retro aesthetic. The coffee bar is clear to reveal the pink espresso machines underneath. They default to oat milk and upcharge for dairy, and even had an almond milk option for a grain-free option.
Lunch was casual and easy from a BBQ food truck parked on-site, which was perfect when we got hungry but weren’t ready to leave the venue.
Saturday Afternoon: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Art, Nature & One of the Best Museums in the Country
After lunch, we headed to Crystal Bridges! Like The Momentary, admission is free, and the museum blends art, architecture, and nature in the most beautiful way. If you’ve never been; it’s truly something special.
There were activities happening throughout the museum that day as well, and we spent the afternoon wandering galleries and taking in the artwork. There was a bubble man outside creating giant bubbles to music for the kids to dance with and chase around the courtyard by the water. And there were some artmaking activities that were perfect for kids of all ages. By around 3 pm, the toddler energy dipped, so we headed back to the hotel for a nap (toddler pro tip: always plan for a reset).
Saturday Evening: Bentonville Square & Bar Cleeta
Lights, Tapas & Anniversary Magic
That evening, we made our way to Bentonville Square, for the Lighting of the Square, an annual holiday kickoff event held in late November.
By the time we arrived (post-nap delays), the square was fully lit with thousands of lights, a massive Christmas tree, vendors, Santa photo ops, and a festive buzz. It was crowded, joyful, and incredibly charming; even though the ice skating performance was canceled due to weather.
They had a broadway-style show but we didn’t make it in time for it. And they event said they would have a “Santa’s Workshop” that I was not prepared for. The entire square was surrounded by vendors giving out FREE items. Everything from coffee and sodas to toy cars and full-size board games. The toddler was more interested in the lights and looking around than collecting free toys, but there were a lot of older kids and even adults collecting items from each booth with large bags.
There are year-round events in and around the Bentonville Square. So if you aren’t planning on visiting at Christmastime, be sure to check out their website to see what kind of fun you can get up to there.
The Lighting of the Square event ended at 8pm. And with no dinner plans, we wandered downtown until we stumbled upon Bar Cleeta, and honestly, this spontaneous choice ended up being the best food we had on this trip.
Dinner at Bar Cleeta
An intimate tapas-style restaurant, Bar Cleeta felt perfect for an anniversary night.
We ordered:
- Marinated olives (a toddler favorite)
- Raw and roasted oysters
- Spanish octopus (so good we ordered a second, because the toddler almost ate all of the first)
- Roasted heirloom carrots
- Charred broccoli rabe
I started with a Ma Dai! cocktail (gin-based and delicious) and later switched to Archer Roose sparkling canned wine, which paired beautifully with the food. Even my beer-loving husband made the switch to the canned wine.
Yes, it was a bit pricey…but for our romantic anniversary dinner in Bentonville, it was absolutely worth it. I will totally be going back the next time we are there.
Sunday: Nature, Play & One Last Museum
Crystal Bridges Trails + Scott Family Amazeum
Sunday morning began with breakfast at the hotel again before checking out. Since the Scott Family Amazeum didn’t open until 1 pm, we headed back to Crystal Bridges since it’s just a couple minutes from the Amazeum. We decided to explore the walking trails and outdoor art exhibits since we skipped them the day before due to weather.
This turned out to be a highlight of the entire weekend. The weather was perfect, the trails were peaceful, and the combination of nature and art reminded me so much of Denver with green spaces woven seamlessly into the city.
Lunch at Eleven
We had lunch at Eleven, the restaurant inside Crystal Bridges. The views are stunning, with windows overlooking the water surrounding the museum.
- My son and I shared the Warm Root Vegetables
- My husband ordered the Spicy Shrimp Po’Boy
Everything tasted great, though portions were a bit small for the price (especially when a toddler steals a shrimp or two).
Scott Family Amazeum
Perfect for Toddlers & Families
After lunch, we headed to the Scott Family Amazeum, and bonus win — we were able to use our Little Rock Discovery Museum membership for free admission (normally $17/person). Kids under 2 are always free!
The Amazeum is packed with hands-on exhibits, including:
- Interactive science and art stations
- An outdoor play area
- A water play section
It’s bright, engaging, and thoughtfully designed for kids. Us adults also had fun being kids too. It was a great way to end a family weekend in Bentonville.
Final Thoughts: Why Bentonville Is the Perfect Northwest Arkansas Weekend Getaway
By the time we headed home, we were all a little tired and very happy. Bentonville surprised us in the best way. It felt like a larger city getaway (similar to Denver) but with Arkansas’ warmth, friendliness, and charm.
Between the art museums, walkable green spaces, excellent food scene, and family-friendly attractions, Bentonville checks so many boxes whether you’re traveling as a couple, with kids, or both.
If you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway in Arkansas, a family-friendly trip to Northwest Arkansas, or just a place that feels creative, outdoorsy, and welcoming — Bentonville deserves a spot at the top of your list.
✨ Let’s keep Chasing Arkansas together.
