Things to Do in Bentonville, Arkansas: A Weekend Guide to Food, Outdoors & More
Bentonville, Arkansas is one of those places that packs way more into a weekend than you might expect. Between incredible art, miles of trails, unique coffee shops, great places to eat, and a downtown that’s easy to spend an afternoon exploring, there’s a little bit of everything here.
One of my favorite things about Bentonville is how easily you can mix outdoor adventures with food, art, and more laid-back stops. You can spend the morning on the trails, walk through a park for your coffee, explore a world-class art museum, and still have plenty of time for dinner and drinks downtown.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or adding Bentonville to a bigger Northwest Arkansas trip, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite things to do, places to eat, and stops worth adding to your itinerary.
Walk to Airship Coffee at Coler
This might be one of the most unique coffee stops in Bentonville! Airship Coffee at Coler is tucked inside Coler Mountain Bike Preserve and is only accessible by trail, so instead of pulling into a parking lot and grabbing your coffee, you’ll have to walk or bike to get there.
The open-air coffee shop is surrounded by the preserve and has plenty of places to hang out, including swings, outdoor seating, and a rooftop terrace. Grab a coffee, relax for a bit, and watch the mountain bikers make their way through the trails.
Know before you go: Airship Coffee at Coler is located at 1300 Applegate Trail, but you can’t drive directly to the café. Park at one of the designated Coler Mountain Bike Preserve parking areas and walk or bike in. If you’re visiting on a busy weekend, Visit Bentonville recommends trying the Coler Grove parking area, as the lots can fill up.
You definitely don’t have to be a mountain biker to enjoy this stop. We went for the experience of walking through the preserve and having coffee in the middle of nature, and it ended up being one of my favorite stops in the Bentonville area.
Go for a Bike Ride
You can’t visit Bentonville without experiencing at least a little of its biking culture! The area is packed with trails for all skill levels, whether you want a leisurely paved ride or a true mountain biking adventure.
For an iconic Bentonville ride, check out Slaughter Pen Trails, which has miles of trails ranging from beginner-friendly routes to more technical jumps and features. Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is another must, combining wooded scenery with trails for a variety of experience levels. You can even make a pit stop at Airship Coffee right along the trails!
If mountain biking isn’t your thing, hop onto the Razorback Greenway for a more relaxed paved ride that connects through Bentonville and makes it easy to experience the city on two wheels.
Spend Saturday Morning at the Bentonville Farmers Market
If you’re visiting Bentonville over a weekend, spend a slower Saturday morning at the Bentonville Farmers Market! The downtown square fills with local farmers, makers and food vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to handmade items and prepared food. My fiancé found a really cool Arkansas hat, while I left with fresh bread and tacos from one of the food trucks.
It’s such a fun way to support local businesses while getting a feel for the community before heading out to explore for the day.
The outdoor market runs every Saturday from 7:30 AM–1 PM, April through October.
Check Out Bentonville’s Brewery Scene
After a day of exploring, biking or hiking, slow things down with a stop at one of Bentonville’s local breweries. We visited Bentonville Brewing Company, which has a huge outdoor patio, plenty of room to hang out and a really family-friendly atmosphere. They have food available onsite, rotating food trucks and even a small kids’ play area and pump track.
We also stopped by Social Project Brewing Co., a smaller local brewery known for its rotating selection of creative, small-batch beers.
Another spot worth adding to your list is Bike Rack Brewing Co. at 8th Street Market. Its biking-inspired atmosphere fits perfectly with Bentonville’s trail culture, making it an easy place to grab a beer after a day spent exploring on two wheels.
Dinner at Bentonville Tacos & Tamales
After a full day of exploring Bentonville Tacos & Tamales is a great downtown spot to refuel. The tamales are incredibly fresh, and the menu has several taco and tamale options that make it easy to try a little bit of everything. It’s casual but still fun enough for a date night or girls’ night, and the downtown location makes it especially convenient if you’re visiting and want a meal that really hits the spot.
Bentonville is an easy destination to turn into a weekend getaway, but there’s enough happening around Northwest Arkansas that you could easily stay longer and keep exploring.
What I love most about the area is the mix. It doesn’t feel like you have to choose between an outdoorsy trip, a food weekend, or exploring art and local attractions—you can experience a little bit of everything in the same trip.
If you’re planning a visit, save this guide and use it to start building your Bentonville itinerary. And if you have a favorite stop I should check out the next time I’m in Northwest Arkansas, send it my way!
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