Head South for a Chic Stop in Bentonville, Arkansas

The best getaway is an easy getaway. We’re talking about the kind that requires little planning and effort but offers maximum relaxation. Bentonville, that personality-packed Arkansas town just 2 hours south of Springfield, offers a vacation vibe with a staycation level of ease—and fall is the perfect time to visit for special art exhibitions, excellent cycling weather and lots more.

Sparkle and Glow

Time Loop: A Forest Light Experience
It’s always a good idea to plan time to explore the grounds outside Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where forest, trails and art come together in the open air. Starting this month and running through early January, you have a bonus reason to go. The North Forest at Crystal Bridges becomes a glowing nighttime wonderland during the Time Loop by Klip Collective exhibition. As you wander the trails in the dark, you’ll get to view multiple installations that use  “light, sound and state-of-the-art projection mapping” to bring the landscape to glowy life. And of course, if you get to Crystal Bridges before nightfall, you can stroll the grounds during daylight and explore inside the museum. Be sure to plan ahead and book a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed house that is tucked away in the woods beside Crystal Bridges.

Eat Up

Conifer
Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico
When it’s time for a meal, head to one of the two Bentonville restaurants that had James Beard Award nods in 2025. Matthew Cooper of Conifer and Rafael Rios of Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico were both finalists in the Best Chef: South category.

At Conifer, you’ll find a menu focused on entirely gluten-free farm-to-table cuisine, using ingredients from local farms presented beautifully for an upscale experience.

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico, on the other hand, offers flavors from numerous regions of Mexico and recipes that had been passed down from Rios’s mother and grandmother.

Hit the Trail

Slaughter Pen
You can’t visit Bentonville without exploring the city’s vast and interconnected trail systems. Whether you want to wheel around the city or zip downhill on a mountain bike, there is a trail for you. We recommend starting your adventure at Slaughter Pen. It’s popular for a reason: It’s located in town (no trekking needed), and there are trails for multiple skill levels, including mountain biking beginners.

Make It Easy

E-Bike Bentonville
OZ E-Bike Rentals & Tours
If you want to glide along with ease, consider renting an e-bike. E-Bike Bentonville offers both street and mountain options, and they’ll deliver the bike to wherever you’re staying. OZ E-Bike Rentals & Tours offers both types of bikes as well, and they offer guided tour options if you prefer to hit the trails with a pro.

Stop for Sips

Loveless Cocktail Club
Scotch & Soda
Callisto
For a fun 417-land connection, visit Loveless Cocktail Club, owned by the crew from Springfield-based Good Spirits & Co. At Loveless Cocktail Club, the menu is a mix of sophisticated cocktails and funky hot dogs (a banh mi hot dog? yes, please!), and you can even find some zero-proof drinks that don’t skimp on creative ingredients. And Springfieldians might also enjoy a trip down memory lane to Good Spirits & Co’s Bentonville whiskey bar Scotch & Soda that used to have a location in the Queen City.

After sampling the cocktails at Loveless, hop over to Callisto, a speakeasy-style spot that offers super-chic tiki bar vibes and an impressive food menu.

Rest for the Night

Motto
Just under a year old, Motto is still buzzy. Although it’s a Hilton property, it has the feeling of a boutique hotel, with stylishly designed spaces that evoke the artsy personality of Bentonville. As for food and drink, you can grab dinner at Junto Sushi or a drink at the beautiful Junto Bar. The hotel also offers bike storage, so you have a place to keep your wheels when you aren’t exploring the trails.