Walmart History & Heritage

AHOY FRIENDS!

Prepare to journey through the legacy, leadership, and local landmarks that shaped the world’s largest retailer. From humble beginnings on Bentonville’s town square to a global tech-driven enterprise, this tour highlights the people, places, and pivotal moments that continue to drive the Walmart story.

🚏 TOUR ITINERARY

🏠 Walton 5&10 / Walmart Museum

Kick things off where it all began: Sam Walton’s original 5&10, preserved as a museum and time capsule. Explore early artifacts, interactive exhibits, and personal mementos that tell the story of Walmart’s founding values. Don’t miss the Spark Café next door for a scoop of nostalgia.

🍦 Spark Café

Cool off with a treat at this charming old-fashioned soda fountain. Operated by the Walmart Museum, it offers local flavors, classic shakes, and the favorite ice cream of Sam Walton himself.

🏡 Bud Walton Home

Drive by the home of Bud Walton, Sam’s brother and co-founder, whose support helped turn a single store into a retail empire. A quiet residential stop with a story worth hearing.

🏞 Walton Family Estate (No longer visible to the public)

Explore the residential area where Sam and Helen Walton raised their family. Though not open to the public, its presence offers insight into the family’s deep roots in Bentonville.

🏢 Original Walmart Home Office

A glimpse of where it all grew — the modest offices that once oversaw one of the fastest retail expansions in U.S. history. The building still stands as a symbol of lean operations and big ideas.

🛍 Walmart Neighborhood Market #2741 (World's Original!)

Visit the very first Neighborhood Market, opened in 1998 just a few miles from the Bentonville square. This store piloted a new grocery-focused format and launched a nationwide model still thriving today.

🛒 Bentonville Sam’s Club

Stop at Sam’s Club #4969 — a full-scale example of Sam Walton’s vision for helping small businesses and families save by buying in bulk. A great place to shop or observe the warehouse model in action.

💼 David Glass Technology Center

Welcome to Walmart’s tech command center — the “brain” of the operation. Named after former CEO David Glass, this high-security facility powers real-time data, global logistics, e-commerce tools, and much more.

🌎 New Walmart Global Campus

See the future of Walmart in motion. The new 350-acre campus blends innovation, sustainability, and community design to house the next generation of Walmart leadership and technology teams.

🏫 Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies

Located on the NWACC campus, this center reflects Walmart’s long-standing commitment to education and workforce development. Hear how it helps train the talent that powers regional and national growth.

⚰️ Walton Burial Site – Bentonville Cemetery

Pay your respects at the resting place of Sam and Helen Walton, along with other notable Arkansas figures. A quiet, meaningful pause to reflect on the legacy left behind.

⚠️ Friendly Reminder

PLEASE NOTE: The landmarks on this itinerary are primarily sightseeing points of interest ONLY.

Of those you are allowed to enter (primarily retail locations), the operating hours provided are a general overview. Hours can vary by business and day, and are subject to change without notice due to special events or seasonal updates. While Soul Compass has provided a handy overview of current hours here, we encourage guests to confirm availability prior to arrival.

LET'S GO!!! 🚐

Your journey through Walmart’s past and present ends where it began — in Bentonville, where vision met community and grew into a global movement. Whether you came for the business story, the human story, or a bit of both, we hope you leave inspired.