

| Flights to Bentonville | |
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Bentonville is a small city in the state of Arkansas, situated in the far north west corner of the state. Though there are some things of interest to visitors to this city, Bentonville is not really renowned as a tourist destination.
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Bentonville is a small city, with a population of around 34,000 people, making it the 11th largest city in the state of Arkansas. In terms of tourism Bentonville is fairly unremarkable with nothing in particular to distinguish it from so many other small American towns and cities. The only real claim to fame is that Bentonville is the home of the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, a fact that has led to the fast expansion of the city over recent years.
Wal-Mart You can of course shop in Wal-Mart in Bentonville, as well as a number of other large stores that have moved in to the area over the past few years, but it’s Wal-Mart that’s most famous here. Wal-Mart began in Bentonville when the company’s creator, Sam Walton opened a store called Walton’s Five and Dime in downtown Bentonville. This was the birth of Wal-Mart although the first store to open with that name didn’t do so until 1962 in the town of Rogers, Arkansas. Walton’s Five and Dime still exists in downtown Bentonville today, though instead of being a store it acts as the Wal-Mart Visitor’s Center; a kind of museum dedicated to this huge company. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art An attraction that is set to help attract tourists to Bentonville is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, though at present (end of 2009) this museum is not yet open or completed. The museum was established by the daughter of Wal-Mart founder, Alice Walton, and is said to cost $50 million to complete. Once completed, it will house a large gallery space, an auditorium, and grounds with walking trails and gardens to enjoy. The museum will be within walking distance of downtown Bentonville. Town Square Monument In the town square, just opposite the Wal-Mart Visitor’s Center, is a memorial that pays homage to James H. Berry, a senator and governor, as well as the Confederacy, and the Southern Soldier. The monument stands raised and contained inside a circle of small water fountains, making this a pleasant place to sit on a sunny afternoon. |