Downtown Bentonville
Brimming with culture and history, charming downtown Bentonville is a fun choice for a day trip from Joplin.
The heart of downtown Bentonville is its square, surrounded by brick buildings that were erected in the 1800s. Originally called Osage (after the Osage Indians who hunted in the area), the town was renamed Bentonville in 1841 in honor of the Missouri senator Thomas Hart Benton, who was instrumental in the movement to make the territory of Arkansas become a state, and whose nephew (by the same name) became a famous artist (his Regionalism paintings can be seen at the nearby Crystal Bridges Museum).
MUSEUMS
In addition to the Bentons, another famous family has ties to this town: the Waltons. That’s right, retail giant Sam Walton opened his first 5 & 10 store on Bentonville’s square in 1950, and that original store is now the home of the Walmart Museum (101 N. Main St.).
The museum details the history of Walton’s successful journey, which adults will find interesting. Since I visited the museum with three rambunctious kids and couldn’t stop and read much, I’d like to make another trip there to learn more about Walton’s achievements.
That said, the museum offers several interactive exhibits that captured the attention of my kids, like the bar code name maker. Basically, you type your name on a keyboard and it is translated into bar code and then a label prints out so that you can wear your bar code name tag. Why didn’t I think of selling the kids once they were properly labeled?
Walton’s famous 1979 Ford half-ton truck is also on display in the museum. This truck has come to symbolize the humility that Walton possessed, even at the height of his financial success. When once asked why he drove a pick-up truck, Walton replied, “What am I supposed to haul my dogs around in, a Rolls Royce?”
The exit of the museum leads into The Spark Cafe Soda Fountain, a 1950s-style soda shop which is an ideal place for a sweet treat.
Another must-see museum in downtown Bentonville is the 21C Museum Hotel (200 NE A Street). You read that right – it’s a museum hotel. This innovative way of making contemporary art accessible to the public was the idea of art collectors Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson. The space in the hotel lobby and adjacent rooms is dedicated to exhibiting various pieces of 21st century art.
This is part of an exhibit – made entirely of clothing – that depicts the four seasons:
Outside, there are several whimsical sculptures, including the Orange Tree,
a vintage auto supported by legs instead of wheels,
and a concrete pile of suitcases that makes a nice resting spot.
RESTAURANTS
Hungry from all that walking? Try one of these downtown Bentonville restaurants:
Flying Fish: Fresh seafood in a casual setting. Enjoy catfish, oysters, po-boys and more. (109A NW 2nd Street)
Onyx Coffee Labs: One of the best coffee roasters in the region; several coffee houses in Joplin serve Onyx. (100 NW 2nd Street, #106)
Press Room: Delicious deli sandwiches and excellent coffee (which I definitely needed in order to keep up with the kids during our visit to Bentonville!). (100 NW 2nd Street, #100)
The Station Cafe:Bring the family here and enjoy a variety of sandwiches. (111 N. Main Street)
Tusk & Trotter:Farm-to-table restaurant with a gourmet menu that changes seasonally. (110 SE A Street)
Enjoy the beautiful drive south from Joplin and spend a day exploring downtown Bentonville.
WANT MORE?
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Living Life to The Fullest!
I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.
