The Bentonville Square is the heart of downtown — a picture-perfect historic town square ringed by acclaimed restaurants, bars, boutiques, bakeries, and coffee shops, and buzzing with public art and year-round events. Add the nearby 8th Street Market and the free-to-explore 21c Museum Hotel, and downtown Bentonville is a destination all its own.
Dining, Coffee & Nightlife
Downtown Bentonville is one of the best food scenes in the region, from upscale restaurants and craft-cocktail bars to bakeries and specialty coffee. Because the lineup is always evolving, we keep the current spots on our sister sites: browse NWA Food (Bentonville) and NWA Brew (Bentonville).
Bentonville Farmers Market
The Bentonville Farmers Market fills the square on Saturday mornings (around 7:30am–1pm) from the second weekend of April through late October, with roughly 80 farmers and makers selling produce, flowers, food, and artisan goods. It’s free and one of the best ways to experience local life downtown.
8th Street Market
Just south of the square, the 8th Street Market is a lively food-and-culture hub set in a repurposed Tyson processing plant at 801 SE 8th St. It’s home to around a dozen local shops and kitchens, colorful murals and sculpture, and an outdoor social district — a fun place to eat, drink, and wander.
21c Museum Hotel & Free Art
On the northeast corner of the square, the 21c Museum Hotel is a boutique hotel and a free contemporary art museum open to the public. Wander the galleries any time, and keep an eye out for the 15 green penguins scattered around the property — movable art you’re encouraged to reposition. Its restaurant, The Hive, anchors the corner.
Public Art & the A Street Promenade
Downtown Bentonville is dotted with murals, sculptures, and unique public artwork. The A Street Promenade — with garden nooks, café seating, play areas, and food trucks — connects key downtown spots as part of the city’s “Quilt of Parks,” tying together Compton Gardens, the Razorback Greenway, Lawrence Plaza, and the square.
Events
The square hosts year-round programming, including First Fridays, art markets, running and cycling races, and festive holiday events. There’s almost always something happening downtown, especially spring through fall.
Parking
Downtown has public parking lots and decks around the square; arrive a little early on Farmers Market Saturdays and event days, when spots fill quickly.
More in Bentonville: explore museums, mountain biking & trails, and the full Things to Do in Bentonville guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bentonville Farmers Market?
Saturday mornings (about 7:30am–1pm) from the second weekend of April through late October, on the downtown square. It’s free.
Is the 21c Museum Hotel free to visit?
Yes. The 21c is a boutique hotel and a free contemporary art museum open to the public, known for its movable green penguin sculptures.
What is the 8th Street Market?
A food-and-culture hub in a repurposed Tyson plant just south of the square, with about a dozen local kitchens and shops, murals, and an outdoor social district.
Location & Directions
📍 Open the Bentonville Square in Google Maps · downtownbentonville.org