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One of my very favorite places in Northwest Arkansas is Bentonville Square. It holds many memories tied to farmers’ market Saturdays, Octoberfest First Fridays, Christmas tree lightings and celebrity sightings, and it’s where I got engaged. I love eating at the restaurants, sitting on a fountain bench, shopping, and sipping coffee!
So, what is it about the Bentonville downtown square?
Arkansas received her statehood in 1836, and Benton County was the first recognized county. Named for Senator Thomas Hart Benton from Missouri, a critical leader in establishing the state, Bentonville took on a variant of the county name and immediately became the county seat.
Part of the initial planning for the city included a park at its city center, and the current town square was used initially as a needed watering hole for livestock. However, the town grew with streets on all four sides of the park, and a centralized town square developed. Over time, actual trees were planted to make it a park, and sidewalks replaced the concrete watering troughs.
Historically significant businesses and attractions
- Benton County Courthouse – a historic landmark that has served the county from the same spot for nearly 100 years.
- Walton’s 5 and 10 – opened in May 1950 on the square and changed everything for this small town. As the Walmart company grew, other stores opened around Northwest Arkansas, neighboring states, and the globe. Today this original site serves as a visitor center, which opened in 1990.
- Terry Block Building – original home to Col. William A Terry’s dry goods business and the Benton County Bank. The Spark Café and South Gallery of the Walmart Museum opened in 2011, and occupy this space today.
- At the beginning of the 1900s, Benton County had more apple-producing trees than any other spot in the country, with the 1900 census noting “2.5 million bushels of apples shipped from Benton County.” The town square served as an agricultural center for the fruit industry, with distribution centers and mercantile occupying most of the structures around the square.
- An opera house – served as an artillery assembly site during WWII and housed traveling vaudevilles, minstrels, and other performers.
- Massey Hotel – a hotel has continually occupied this spot since 1840. The Eagle Hotel, an overnight stay for Union Officers before the Battle of Pea Ridge, later housed a monument company and then came down for R.D. Massey to build his hotel in 1909. Today it houses the Phat Tire Bike shop, a popular destination for the growing world-class cycling community.
Beautification was always a plan for the Bentonville part, turned Town Square. Today it remains a gathering spot for the community through seasonal events, racing experiences, Film Festivals, Walmart shareholders’ meetings, and a weekly farmer’s market from late spring to early fall.
Fun Highlights around the Bentonville Square
- 21C Hotel – boutique hotel, contemporary art museum, cultural center, and green penguins
- Walton 5 and 10 and Museum and Spark Cafe – the site of the original Walton 5 and 10 is now the Walmart museum with Mr. Sam’s office and old truck
- Lawrence Plaza – a summer splash pad, outdoor movie spot, and winter ice skating rink
- Compton Gardens entrance – a Todd Sanders art piece leads the way connecting the square and Compton Gardens to the Crystal Bridges art trail
- Strider Bikes – custom seat fitting for children
- Kyya Chocolate – bean to bar chocolatiers making candy bars and coffee syrups
- First Fridays – monthly block party with a focus on gathering community
- Saturday Farmers’ Market – fresh, local fruits and crafts on Saturday mornings
- Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade – a cornerstone event of the NWA holiday season
- Phat Tire – a local bike shop for the growing cyclist community offering bike service and rentals
- Dave Peel Park – one of NWA’s premier family park destinations
- So many art installations and Instagrammable spots!
Where to Eat
- The Spark Cafe – proudly serving Yarnell’s ice cream. Sam Walton’s favorite was Butter Pecan!
- Tavola Trattoria – casual, modern Italian dining
- Table Mesa Bistro – modern Latin cuisine
- The Hive – elevated, locally-sourced, Arkansas food inside the 21C hotel
- Bentonville Taco & Tamale Co. – Ark-Mex, Tex-Mex favorites with local and seasonal Arkansas culture in mind
- Yeyo’s – award-winning Mexican street food with area-sourced ingredients
- Flying Fish – fish market seafood – fried, grilled, always fresh
- Olly Makes Bakery – clean, gluten-free baked goods
- Ozark Mountain Bagel – made from scratch, water-bath, NY style bagels
- Preacher Son – sustainably sourced dinner experience with an underground bar and secret menu
- Onyx Coffee Lab – FOMO and delight are two favorites but do not miss the seasonal menu items and bakery treats
- Bar Cleeta – neighborhood gathering spot serving shared plates and charcuterie
- Pressroom – seasonal American bistro with an NYC feel
Where to Shop
- Remedy Road – socially conscious boutique with a mission to make a difference and sell beautiful things
- Three Dog Bakery – small-batch canine pastry treats
- Once Upon a Time Books – saving and selling gently used books
- Overstreet’s Jewelry – started by a WWII veteran and watch college graduate, three generations later, they are still repairing watches and selling jewelry on the north side of the square
- Bentonville Mercantile – one of our favorite collaborative shopping experiences supporting multiple artists
- Southern Style – unique children’s clothing boutique
- Art on the Square – bringing together various artists under one roof
- Moosejaw – outdoor and sports gear with entrances on two city blocks
As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, don’t miss the growing number of experiences across Bentonville.
Like this story? Read more from Keisha Pittman McKinney
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