Go on an adventure. Can your family find these 21 gems? Discover what Bentonville is all about when you locate a green penguin, Buckyball sculpture, and find all of the city's most popular attractions. Pick a few or try them all. It's your vacation!
A scavenger hunt is a great way to purposefully explore a new area. Whether you're a Northwest Arkansas local or just in town for a few days, this hunt is designed for all ages (and budgets) with options for local attractions with free admission.
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Explore Bentonville, Arkansas
🌿A leaf from Compton Gardens and Conference Center: Explore the gardens (free admission) and identify three plants that are native to the Ozarks region. This tranquil garden is located near the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
📸 A picture of the Buckyball sculpture: Find a unique art structure near the Crystal Bridges Museum. Then, take a stroll through the area's premier art museum (free admission) with a must-see stop in the infinity room.
🍧 Enjoy a Treat at the Spark Cafe & Walmart Museum: This fixture of the Bentonville Square showcases the history of the largest retailer in the world. Note: The museum is currently under construction; however, you can still enjoy a treat at the streetside Spark cafe van. Or, snap a picture of a delivery drone launch at a participating Walmart store.
🖼️ A brochure from the Museum of Native American History: This museum contains an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and offers free admission. Traditional stories are a significant part of Native American culture. MONAH sometimes hosts storytelling events where you can listen to these fascinating stories.
📸 A picture of a green penguin at 21c Museum Hotel: Make sure to find one of the staple green penguin sculptures in at the 21c museum and take a picture with a unique pose. Known for its rotating collection of contemporary art.
⛸️ A picture at Lawrence Plaza: In the summer, enjoy a movie in the park or splash around in the impromptu splash pad. And in the winter, strap on some skates for some old-fashioned outdoor ice skating. Also nearby is the trailhead to the All American MTB Trail.
🏫 Explore Bentonville Square: The heart of the city, often the venue for various city events. Stop in and take a family photo on the steps of the courthouse. Shop a curated selection of locally-made goods and pick up a souvenir (or two). See who can find the most unique or outrageous souvenir.
🎨 A picture with any street art mural in town: Bentonville has various street murals throughout the city. See how many unique art pieces your group can find and take selfies with each one. 🗺️Here is a map ↗
🐤 A picture of a bird from the Slaughter Pen Hollow Multi-Use Trail System: A great place for birdwatching. Make it a little more fun by participating in a bird count like the Great Backyard Bird Count or the Christmas Bird Count.
🏡 A picture of a historic home in downtown Bentonville: There are many historic homes in the area. See if you can find examples of different types of architecture like Greek Revival, Italianate, Colonial, Craftsman, Victorian, or Mid-Century Modern.
🌿Collect leaves at Coler Mountain & try to identify the trees they came from: Spend time in a quaint mountain bike preserve, grab a cup of coffee or a treat from Airship, and get to work trying to identify at least 5 different species of trees that grow here. Then, make sure to snap a picture of your group on the stairs.
🛝 A selfie on a Playground: Even if you don't have any littles in your group, try to reconnect with your younger self. Snap a picture on a playground at Osage Park, Dave Peel Park, or Orchards Park.
🍉 A picture of a unique find at the local farmers market: The farmers market often has a range of interesting items. There are seasonal farmers markets on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings on the Bentonville square. See the Calendar of Events
🖼️ A picture of any art installation at The Momentary: A new contemporary art space in Bentonville. This extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art is housed in an old cheese factory. See if your group can find any traces of its former life.
🌿 An interesting rock or stick from Park Springs Park: This park is a beautiful natural spot in Bentonville. Hike the nature trail and snap a selfie with an unusual sculpture. Then, make sure that you take time out to play. Maybe grab a kite or a frisbee and spend some time having some good old-fashioned fun.
✈️ A picture of a plane at Thaden Field House: Always fun to watch planes taking off and landing. Enjoy the view from the Bentonville Municipal Airport where you will also find a gift shop, upscale dining, nature trails, a climbing playground, and a pond.
🛝 A picture of the entrance to the Scott Family Amazeum: A museum with interactive exhibits for children. If you plan to stay and play, admission is reasonable. If you're traveling with kids 6&U, make time to make the Amazeum part of your day!
🐕 A picture with a dog at the Bentonville Bark Park: This paradise for dog lovers is where locals take their pups to play. And, good news, most of them are eager for your affection. However, please be safe. Always ask the dog's owner for permission before approaching an unfamiliar animal.
🚲 A picture of a bike: Take notice of the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, offering a variety of opportunities to snap a pic of someone on a bike (on the trails, in a bike store, or on the road). Bonus points for the most unique shot!
🌳 A picture of the Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens: Visit this historic mansion with beautiful gardens. Take a free tour and experience life in the 1800s. Then head outdoors to the Botanical Gardens.
📗 A picture of a unique book from the Bentonville Public Library: Always a good place to find an interesting read. Next, look for the clown fish and snap a picture of your group under the sea.
Remember, the goal of the scavenger hunt is not just to find the items but also to enjoy exploring Bentonville, learn about its history, and appreciate its beauty. Have fun!