Insider’s Guide to the Outdoors: 36 Hours in Bentonville this Fall

“Having lived in Northwest Arkansas most of my life, I can say with confidence that fall is objectively the best time to visit,” says author Beth Bobbitt "There’s a scurrying around to soak up the fall events, daylight, and color, preparing for a quieter season ahead. This fall, if you’re hosting family or passing through Bentonville and want to cram in a lot of fun in a short amount of time, let this guide be an inspiration for a kid-friendly itinerary that includes Bentonville mainstays and places a little less trodden. And yes, you CAN do it all in this 36-hour itinerary with the right amount of planning and caffeine."

Day 1: Saturday Itinerary  

10 am: Stroll through the Bentonville Farmer’s Market. Enjoy the downtown charm and support the local community. The market offers local baked goods, collectibles, textiles, fresh, locally-grown produce, Arkansas-made art, hand-made toys, and everything else you didn’t know you needed, like a beautiful bundle of wildflowers for just $20.  Face painting is from 7:30 am-1 pm, and the Kids Club is open 9 am-12 pm every second Saturday of the month for scavenger hunts. Remember, the last outdoor Farmer’s Market is Saturday, October 25, 2025.

"No weekend is complete without a visit to the Bentonville Farmers Market. It’s the perfect spot to shop for organic produce, enjoy live music, and experience the local community spirit. Kids love it too." - Nupur Goel, Benotnville based photographer & mom

Pro Tips: Get there early to beat the crowds and tell your kids to count the number of dogs they see at the Farmer’s Market– this provides hours of entertaining dog-watching (and encourages sibling teamwork). We counted 72 dogs on our most recent Farmer’s Market outing!

12 pm: Fuel Up at Bentonville Brewery with food trucks, football, and more! Located just a couple of miles south of the Square, Bentonville Brewery has a large patio with a pump track and fenced bark park for your dogs right next door. And if you’re into college football, they have big screens and a small kids' area inside. The brewery offers lots of IPAs, lagers, and seasonal beer. There are kids' food options on the main menu and on the food trucks that are on site: Wok N Roll, Senor Shreddy’s, Meauz Beignet, and Nosh Nola.   

1:30 pm: Take in History and Arrowhead Hunting at MONAH  – the Museum of Native American History offers FREE ADMISSION and over 10,000 artifacts in their collection, which is a 24,000-year journey through art, culture, and people of the Americas. The museum provides tour wands (EN/ES) which are self-guided and help empower kids to learn about native culture at their own pace. And there are digging tools up front for little ones to hunt for arrowheads in the rocks around the tipi. (Kids under 15 keep one for free!)  

3:30 pm Grab a Pumpkin (and a Photo for the Gram) at Turnbuckle Farm. This is the cutest little outdoor space located on the north side of Bentonville with a self-serve, honor system farmstand. They’re open daily, with fresh bread on Thursday and Friday and a pumpkin patch on the grounds. They have a food truck on site and even do pizza nights on Thursday with live music!  

4:00 pm: Grab a Bev and Play Baggo at the Bend – Get your retro, off-the-greenway, astro turf vibe fix at The Bend! Fun afternoon hangout space for a drink and lawn games like Baggo and Connect Four. The Bend has picnic tables and a great selection of beverages and a food truck with classic sandwiches and small bites!

Pro Tips: Try the Sangria Slushie (for adults) and then scoot over to the creek to dip your toes in the water!

 5:30 pm: Dine at Peddler’s Pub—One of our favorite places to eat in downtown Bentonville, Peddler’s Pub has a casual atmosphere with wood-fired pizzas, patio seating, a golf simulator, billiards, darts, and live music. It’s also very cycling-friendly and has gluten-free and vegan options for families with restrictions. 

7:30 pm: Take in the Sights and Sounds of Time Loop at Crystal Bridges—A unique,  nighttime experience for all ages, Time Loop is about a mile-long sound and light installation set in the North Forest at Crystal Bridges. There are six immersive areas to explore, all inspired by the natural setting and created with projection mapping. It’s very family-friendly, and you can spend as much or as little time as you’d like at each installation. Time Loop is open through January 4– and you do need to reserve your tickets in advance. 

Pro Tips: Great for holiday family memory-making–and bring a wagon as those little legs can get tired, especially if this is an after-bedtime experience!

Photo courtesy of BLK ELK

“Time Loop was not an experience I was expecting in the best way. The light show at the beginning is seriously entrancing with the music, sounds, and lights. It’s like going through a portal in time without even moving. I’d recommend going and watching it, not just glancing through the exhibition. Stay still for a few minutes watching the art and feel it move you. It’s a full body experience.” - Veronica Odum, Northwest Arkansas resident + Mom

Day 2: Sunday Itinerary  

10 am: Brunch and Plane Watching at Louise at Thaden Field -This is great way to blend a delicious brunch with aviation. Louise, (named after the pioneering American pilot born in Bentonville) is located inside Thaden Fieldhouse next to the Bentonville Municipal Airport and features panoramic views of the planes taking off and landing over Lake Bentonville. Yes, it’s as magical as it sounds! The Lil’ Cadets menu makes it easy for families, with smaller portion sizes and family favorites, including the buttermilk pancakes. 

11:30 am: Walk Around the Boardwalk at Osage Park - Right next to Louise is a full-on wetland ecosystem with a boardwalk that winds through 12-acres, offering nature, wildlife, a playground, and nearby activities like The Quiver Archery Range, Pickleball Courts, art, food trucks, and more! 

Pro Tip: Stop along the way and check out the interpretive signage that helps identify plant species, explains ecological roles, and inspires stewardship and sustainable practices. 

1:00 pm: Discover the Scott Family Amazeum - Located near the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Amazeum is a learning space that evokes curiosity and discovery through hands-on activities. There’s so much to do and learn including an adorable Walmart market where kids can shop and ring up their items, a Hershey’s Chocolate Lab, water play area, and outdoor playscape, and temporary exhibitions, like the new Namaste India exhibit (open through January 15, 2026) which offers families immersive cultural experiences including Bollywood photo ops, a tuk tuk to drive with your imagination, and hands-on activities in traditional Indian settings like a marketplace, school, and dhaba restaurant. 

Pro Tip: Amazeum offers “priceless” admission most Wednesdays from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm with pay-as-you-wish admission. *Ask about reciprocal memberships if you’re an out-of-towner. 

3:00 pm: TAKE A NAP AND THEN START PLANNING YOUR NEXT BENTONVILLE ADVENTURE!