Arkansas Travel Answers

WHY SHOULDN'T ARKANAS be as safe or safer than California?. I believe that a woman that have been here for the past five years should have no problem traveling alone with common sense. Certain area that might feel dangerous, you just move on just like parts of California. have fun traveling and be safe. Plenty to doin Arkanas cheers tommy x

The Official Spousal Unit and I have driven through northwest Arkansas and never felt any problem at all...but, of course, we are from Texas, so the people aren't that much different. Ever since your Museum opened, the OSU has been dropping not so subtle hints about going to see it, but I bet you'll get there first ;-) I assume that you'll fly to Bentonville (probably through DFW), then rent a car. This is no problem. Then I assume that you'll stay at a business-class hotel like Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt, etc. That is, those hotels with a 24-hour front desk, interior doors, and all that stuff. I haven't researched (yet) but I have to assume that the international headquarters of Walmart has got to have a lot of those facilities. If you think about it, more and more single women are traveling as sales and sales support people, and a location like Bentonville has got to have its share. So if you do what normal businesswomen do, and act like you've done this for years, I don't see a problem. Bill

Will be flying into XNA (Fayetteville Airport). Found one hotel that is less than 3 miles from airport that also provides shuttle services. Not sure about renting cars. I am a new driver also. Only familiar getting around in the city I live and work. But, thanks for your reply though. I get the feeling that there is nothing for me to be overly concerned about.

I'm also a little confused as to why the OP thinks that Bentonville, AR would be more dangerous than LA, a place where it's a lot easier to get into trouble. Anyway, don't worry about safety--really, you are going to a small town, and not only that, a town that is very, very familiar with outside visitors (due to the fact that Wal-Mart's HQ is there and people all over the world have to go see them.) The driving question is more of a real issue. If you're a new driver, or a nervous driver, or just feel like you'd get confused trying to follow a map or GPS, then it would make sense for you to take public transit. I just looked at XNA's website and there are plenty of options for shared van services and taxis that can get you to Bentonville cheaply. The fact that Wal-Mart is there means that there will be plenty of resources for visitors. I'm also quite sure your hotel will be able to get you a taxi to get to the museum.

> Never had a chance to travel much within USA as much as I would like to. Have you considered some place in the U.S. other than Arkansas that you could visit? A place with more to see, and greater access to public transit? I'm sure this museum is fine, but would it be BETTER than other places you could visit for less money and less need of a car? I can think of half a dozen places in the U.S. that would have a better art museum than Crystal Bridges, dozens of things to visit that beat anything in Arkansas (a state I love to visit), and in which you wouldn't need a car. If you've already gone to these places, fine. But, if you haven't yet, why not?

XNA is actually Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, which is really closer to Bentonville than Fayetteville (it's between the two). Hmmmn, just how uncomfortable are you in driving? As you have seen in LA, most of the US was built for the car, and in most places, it's difficult to get around without one. I've not been to Bentonville but I have been to Fayetteville, and as someone noted above, these are not large cities, but are barely large towns. It would be much less stressful to drive in northwest Arkansas than in LA (I've done both). Besides, having your own car would increase your security, rather than having to wait places for taxis to pick you up. Really, rent a car at the airport, then drive around a bit to get the feel of the place. It really will be more relaxing than driving or even living in LA... Bill

Thanks much for all your responses. I will go ahead and plan my trip that also includes renting a car. :-)