Benton, AR Summary

Turning off I-40 at the city of Benton, visitors will get a sense of yesteryear America, with its Ma and Pa-style Royal Theater, Candy Shop, and Old Fashioned Soda Shoppe—all owned by actor Jerry Van Dyke. Only 20 minutes from Little Rock, Benton also has a burgeoning manufacturing industry that sustains its economy.

This city of 21,009 people largely fashions itself around outdoor lifestyle and events including the folksy Saline County Fair during September and the Annual Old Fashion Days, held at the historic town square in October.

There’s even a rodeo for the cowboys in May. Benton also has three unspoiled rivers (Arkansas, Ouachita, and Saline) along with several lakes that all suffer overload from anglers and numerous recreational boats.

Very close to the famed spas of Hot Springs, Benton is an alternative rest stop if you want to enjoy the Ozarks and its surroundings without spending too much money.

The nearest commercial airport is east in the city of Little Rock.