A Quick Escape to Northwest Arkansas
Sometimes the best weekends aren’t about going far, they’re about good friends, good food, and a little inspiration along the way. This trip was a girls weekend getaway to Bentonville, Arkansas, a place where art, architecture, and small-town charm meet in one of the prettiest corners of the Ozarks.
Even though I’ve lived in Arkansas my whole life, I had never truly explored Bentonville. Beyond quick work trips to Walmart Corporate and one brief visit to Crystal Bridges Museum. But downtown? That was new territory. Growing up, we had lifelong family friends in nearby Rogers, and back then it was its own quiet little town. Hard to believe when you see it now. The growth across Northwest Arkansas is incredible. You know you’ve hit full-on adulting when you drive past a shopping mall and catch yourself saying, “This used to be all woods…”
What was once a sleepy community built around a five-and-dime has become one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the South. Bentonville’s transformation began with Sam Walton, who opened his original Walton’s 5&10 on the downtown square the same spot that now houses the Walmart Museum. Over time, his daughter Alice Walton expanded that legacy in a completely different way, bringing art and nature together through the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Her vision helped reshape Bentonville from a corporate hometown into a destination for artists, foodies, and travelers alike.
Where We Stayed in Bentonville
We checked into Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown, a modern boutique-style hotel that fits perfectly with Bentonville’s creative energy. The location couldn’t be better — stylish, walkable, and just steps from coffee shops, restaurants, and the weekend farmers market.
The rooms have a sleek, minimalist design some even feature built-in bunk beds giving it that fun, urban vibe.
Hilton is one co-branded credit card I don’t have. Thankfully I was able to book our stay through the Chase Travel Portal. The cash value was $211 per night and it cost me 16,901 points. Not exactly a high-value redemption, but $211 seemed like a high cash price for a weekend getaway. I will say I do find Chase Travel Portal to be higher, but sometimes it’s not about squeezing every cent from your points. It’s about the freedom to use them when you want, where you want — and this was one of those times.
Exploring Crystal Bridges
Our first stop was the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. A masterpiece of architecture surrounded by forested trails, peaceful ponds, and a sense of calm. It makes you forget you’re just minutes from downtown Bentonville. Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the museum itself is as stunning as the art it holds. With graceful bridges that seem to float above the water and glass walls that bring the outside in.
Crystal Bridges was founded by Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. Her vision was to make world-class art accessible to everyone not just those living on the coasts. Thanks to her passion and philanthropy, Arkansas now has one of the most impressive art museums in the country, right here in the Ozarks.
Inside, every gallery feels like its own journey through American history from colonial portraits to bold modern installations that make you stop and think. The museum’s permanent collection features works by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol, while rotating exhibits ensure there’s always something new to experience.
The Wright Bachman-Wilson House
One of the highlights of our visit was touring the Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House a restored Usonian home originally built in New Jersey and painstakingly relocated to the museum grounds. Stepping inside feels like walking into a time capsule of innovation. You can see how Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture – living in harmony with nature – shaped every line, window, and beam. Even after all these years, the home feels remarkably modern, warm, and livable.
If you’ve never been to Crystal Bridges, it’s absolutely one to put on your list. The museum is free to visit, the grounds are open year-round, and the surrounding trails connect to the North Forest Trail system, perfect for a post-gallery stroll. We’re truly lucky to have such a world-class cultural treasure right here in the heart of Arkansas.
Great Seafood in Bentonville
After checking in, we headed out for dinner at Blu Fish House, a local favorite known for its fresh seafood and laid-back vibe. The restaurant has a fun coastal feel — casual enough for jeans, but with dishes that taste like you’re dining oceanside.
We sat outside to enjoy the evening, though the flies had the same idea! Thankfully, each table had small fans that helped keep them at bay — a clever touch we appreciated while digging into our shrimp tacos and grilled salmon. The portions were generous, and I even had enough left over for a late-night snack back at the hotel.
It’s the kind of place that feels both relaxed and a little special, perfect for the first night of a girls’ getaway.
Bentonville Farmers Market
Saturday started slow and simple with a walk to the Bentonville Farmers Market, where the downtown square comes alive with music, local coffee, and the smell of homemade pastries. I restocked my homemade jelly stash, picked up some CBD-infused peanut butter for the dogs (a lifesaver on stormy nights), and even found a few early Christmas gifts.
The jelly always pull me in — maybe because they remind me of my grandfather. He made homemade jam every summer, and I was well into my mid-20s before I ever tasted store-bought. He’s been gone for years now, and I’ve long since used up the last of his jars. Every time I stop by a farmers market, I think maybe it’s time I learn to make my own. There is nothing like homemade muscadine jelly
It’s the kind of market that makes you slow down and enjoy the charm of small-town life — chatting with vendors, sampling local honey, and people-watching from the shade.
Mildred B Cooper Memorial Chapel
After breakfast, we prepared for the three-hour drive home, but before leaving town, we made one last stop at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista. Designed by renowned Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, this stunning glass-and-wood chapel feels like it’s grown right out of the forest.
It looks strikingly similar to the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs — also designed by Jones. I had attended a wedding at Thorncrown years ago, but this was my first visit to Mildred B. Cooper. By contrast, the Cooper Chapel has a slightly more modern, curvilinear design with large circular windows, while Thorncrown is known for its dramatic, angular, Gothic-inspired framework and soaring arched trusses. Both are absolutely breathtaking examples of architecture in harmony with nature.
A wedding was underway, so the chapel itself was closed to the public, but we wandered the surrounding grounds instead. The wooded paths were peaceful and serene — a beautiful way to end our weekend.
And of course, in every friend group there’s always one person who manages to run into someone they know — no matter where you go. So we stopped for a quick chat, shared a few laughs, and then finally hit the road.
So that wraps up our girl’s getaway to Bentonville. Even though it was a short trip, but one that reminded me why Northwest Arkansas is always worth coming back to. Next time, I’ll plan to linger a little longer — and maybe remember to take more pictures!
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