Chain retailer with a vast selection including groceries, apparel, home goods & electronics.
The Walmart Museum is also a must-see, even if you’re not a Walmart fan, as it’s a great walk down memory lane. Although the first Walmart was opened in nearby Rogers, Bentonville is considered the birthplace by many, as it was home to Walton’s 5 & 10, which inspired Sam Walton to launch the now famous retail chain. And although the five-and-dime has long since closed its doors, the Walmart Museum now occupies the former Main Street retail space.
The Walmart Museum is as much a part of Walmart’s history as the exhibits and artifacts that it houses. First opened in 1990, the museum was known as the Walmart Visitor Center. But as times changed and the term "Visitor Center" came to refer more to regional, state, and local tourism offices, it became apparent that a name change was needed. And so, today, The Walmart Museum carries on the mission it always has: To inspire, engage, and educate our visitors about Walmart’s heritage – our culture, history, and brand.
The museum is open 10am - 8pm Monday through Saturday, Sunday noon - 6pm. We are requesting all visitors wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.
There’s level access to the visitor center, with accessible street parking located nearby at Main and Central Streets, and Main and 2nd Streets. Inside there’s plenty of room to wheel around the re-created old store, filled with retro toys, candies and souvenirs. It will either evoke memories, or bring on bouts of hearty laughter.
The adjacent exhibit gallery tells the history of Walmart, from the 1940s to today; with lots of Walton family photos, mementos and film clips. They even have Sam Walton’s 1970 Ford pickup truck on display.
