Benton: History, River and Outdoor Experiences

Benton combines historic theater and commercial architecture with river activities, trails and seasonal events.

Historic Perspectives: Theater, Commercial District and Museum

The Royal Theatre was built in 1920 under the name IMP (Independent Motion Pictures) and remodeled and expanded in 1948–1949. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and is also part of Benton’s historic district. The Royal Players perform there. If a performance is part of your itinerary, check the schedule for your visit.

The Benton Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 for its connection to Benton’s development and its commercial architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Gann Museum offers another historic perspective: it is housed in a building constructed in 1893 that is considered the only known surviving building made of bauxite. The collections include Niloak pottery and other ceramics, Indigenous artifacts, memorabilia and the history of Saline County, as well as artifacts and memorabilia from Dr. Gann Sr. and Jr. Together, these sites span historic themes from theater and commercial architecture to ceramics and regional history.

River, Cycling Routes and Bridge

The Saline River Water Trail stretches for 14 miles through forests and agricultural landscapes. Activities on the water include kayaking, swimming, fishing and leisurely floating. Check the water level before setting out. Lyle Park at 2 Rivercrest Circle offers access to the Saline River, along with an ADA-accessible ramp, a boat ramp and a kayak ramp.

Benton Mountain Bike Park has more than four miles of trails professionally designed by Progressive Trail Design. They include beginner-friendly green trails, challenging jump lines, a dual slalom course and a wall-ride section. Since the park’s layout may change, check the current trail map before riding.

The restored Old River Bridge is an iron arch bridge originally built in 1889. It is part of the 60-mile Southwest Trail, which connects Hot Springs with Little Rock, and is open to cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge thus links a specific structure with a long-distance trail whose endpoints are Hot Springs and Little Rock.

Walking Trails and Recreation Parks

Sunset Lake is a stocked fishing lake in the heart of Benton. It has a one-mile loop trail and a footbridge over the water. The walking trail in Tyndall Park is 0.75 miles long and loops around the playground and other park facilities. The details allow you to directly compare the trail lengths and their respective surroundings. Tyndall Skate Park has ramps, grind rails and boxes; skating is free.

Events as a Reason to Visit

Third Thursday is a downtown Benton street festival featuring live music, food trucks, vendor booths, a children’s area and other seasonal activities. Old Fashioned Day takes place every year on the second Saturday in October. The arts and crafts festival celebrates local heritage with craft booths, live music, food trucks and activities for children. Old Fashioned Day is considered a tradition that has been going on for more than 50 years. Dates and programming may vary from year to year.

A Small Town Christmas is a month-long Christmas event in Benton featuring millions of lights, a 34-foot Christmas tree and horse-drawn carriages; programming may vary from year to year. Another seasonal event is the Saline River Canoe Race. It takes place annually, typically in May, on the Saline River at Lyle Park. The approximately four-mile course starts at Peeler Bend and ends at Lyle Park. Event dates vary from year to year, so check the date for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Bryant.

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