This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Bike riding recaptures childhood for me. As a 50+ female travel writer, I usually focus on solo women’s wellness trips. Recently, I took a one-tank trip from Kansas City to Bentonville, Arkansas – a growing mountain bike mecca – with my husband and sons. Bentonville provided the escape we sought to shake off winter’s chill, get active and experience Bentonville’s lively arts and culture scene. A weekend getaway with something for everyone.
Biking
Bentonville is known as the mountain biking capital of the world. 80 miles of local trails allow any skill level to ride, and with many trails being parallel, bikers of differing abilities always end on the same spot. But it’s not only for mountain bikers; Bentonville also has an extensive paved trail network that allows you to experience Bentonville by bike rather than driving a vehicle.
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How to bike Bentonville
Bentonville offers a surprising amount of beginner and family-friendly routes, bike-themed cafes, and art installations. But first things first, you need gear.
- Mountain bike or e-bike (see info below if not bringing your own)
- Helmet
- Bike appropriate shoes (no sandals or flip-flops)
- Comfortable clothing that moves with your body (shopping suggestions below)
SheBuysTravel Tip: Novice and pro riders may want to invest in padded bike shorts to wear under their regular shorts or pants. If you haven’t ridden a bike for some time, your lower half will thank you later!
Where to get bikes and trail guides
Transform yourself into a confident cyclist with specialized local bike guides. From beginners learning balance to advanced trail riders, expert instructors provide age-appropriate training in a safe, fun environment across Bentonville’s world-class trail system. The pedestrian and bike friendly downtown area provides numerous bike stores to rent mountain bikes and e-bikes.
Cycling shops to rent bikes:
- YT Mill
- Phat Tire
Trails
The trail system connects right off the square at Compton Gardens (look for the big paper airplane sculpture). You can bike less than one mile to Crystal Bridges Museum of Art along the Art Trail and other longer trail systems for more extended rides connect from there. The easy paved trails run parallel to the more complex trails, allowing inexperienced riders to ride alongside more daring trails with jumps and dirt paths.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The YT Mill hooks you up with FREE two-hour mountain bike demos all year long. You can reserve these online. Nearby Fox Racing can outfit you with appropriate safety gear including helmets and racing jerseys to look the part.
Culture
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Tucked in the woods to blend with the natural landscape, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art broke ground in 2006 and a major expansion is planned soon. Built around the local waterways, every day, 500,000 gallons of Town Branch Creek water flow under the museum (situated over the water) to the Elk River. The light reflects from the water and the Arkansas pines onto the pathways, bridges and buildings which all seamlessly intertwine. The Frank Lloyd-Wright Bachman-Wilson house on the grounds has guided tours for a small fee or self-guided tours at no cost. There is no cost for regular admission to the museum. The Frank Lloyd-Wright tickets do require a reservation time when arriving.
In addition to the vast permanent collection, the museum hosts traveling shows to present different artists and experiences.
KAWS: FAMILY at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
| March 15—July 28, 2025
Since the late 1990s, KAWS artist Brian Donnelly has created iconic characters, each with a unique personality, that appear throughout his work. The “KAWS: FAMILY” exhibit at Crystal Bridges, featuring various art forms, ties the emotional connections between these characters with larger-than-life sculptures.
Walmart Museum
The Walton family, founders of Walmart, began the company in Bentonville and have remained loyal to the town. Sam Walton’s original 5 and dime storefront resides downtown off the square, and the Walmart Museum reopened in March 2025 after the company rebuilt the building as an exact replica of the original version due to it being structurally unsound. It contains Walton’s Ford F-150 that he bought when the company made its first billion dollars and other vintage memorabilia including an exact replica of his 1960’s era office and packaging and branding from past decades.
Public Art Mixes with Fitness
Art exists everywhere in Bentonville, inside and outside. The outside exhibit that mesmerized me the most shows two fish on the side of the parking garage next to the Ledger building. This exhibit could also be seen from my hotel room across the street at the Motto by
Shopping
Bentonville has a variety of locally-owned shops, boutiques and businesses. Gift shops, women’s clothing and cycling stores galore will wet the appetite of anyone. If you are an avid cyclist or want a memento from your biking weekend here, check out one of the many cycling stores for a unique find.
Suggested cycling outfitters:
- Fox Racing
- YT Mill
- Phat Tire
Where to Stay
The ultimate weekend in Bentonville includes a stay at the Motto by
A great homebase for outdoor thrills and world-class art in Northwest Arkansas, Motto’s economical and restful rooms showcase views of the first-ever six-story Ledger bikeable building. The bike valet onsite and a cool vintage vibe lobby includes a coffee bar and a new Japanese sushi restaurant.
Guest rooms are small and simplified but contain all the necessities at Motto by
Other lodging suggestions include:
- 21C Hotel and Art Museum (good option for adult-only trips)
- Compton Hotel (Opening Fall 2025)
Where to Eat
Bentonville has a number of independently owned and excellent restaurants for all budgets and tastes. The biking culture means that most eateries welcome casual attire and popping in before or after outdoor activities. Suggested dining options:
- Crepes Paulette – a local favorite opened by a French native and contains a huge selection of sweet and savory crepes, making it a top destination for breakfast or lunch.
- Ozark Mountain Bagel Company (OMB) – located on the town square one can find a hip coffee and breakfast spot. Popular flavors do sell out each weekend and they close by 2 p.m. daily or by sell out.
- Bentonville Taco & Tamale – offers a blend of cheesy Tex-Mex and Arkansas Delta flavors, including housemade sweet potato tamales and more.
- The Hive at 21C Hotel -offers breakfast and lunch options off the hotel lobby. Free art exhibits included.
- Eleven – a huge dining area inside Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Conifer – fine dining and custom cocktails and outdoor dining during warm weather
- Trash Ice Cream or Spark Cafe have an assortment of creative ice cream confections
Getting There
Located within 3-5 hours of many major Midwest U.S. cities, Bentonville is an easy weekend road trip or can be accessed from Rogers-Fayetteville Regional Airport.
When to Go
Temps remain moderate here from mid-March to late October, allowing a long season for outdoor activity with many options for indoor fun as well. This makes it a great option for all ages.
Read More
- Things to Do in Bentonville AR and Other Family Adventures in Northwest Arkansas
- Northwest Arkansas: A Foodie & Art Lover’s Paradise
- Fun Things to Do in Arkansas with Kids
- History, Hot Springs and More: The Best Places to Visit in Arkansas
- Top Hotels in Little Rock, the Arkansas State Capital
- 21C Museum Hotel in Chicago: An Unforgettable and Accessible Accommodation
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