Sam Walton’s truck sits outside his first store in Bentonville, Arkansas, now the Walmart Museum, and harks backs to the time before his meteoric rise to Walmart fame.

Full disclosure: I am not a museum person. Despite my age, I often see them through kids’ eyes—as repositories for dusty relics and things of the past that have no relevance to my life today. But there is hope for me yet, as I discovered on a visit to Bentonville.

There, in the main square, was a retro storefront that took me back to old TV shows, when shoppers would approach the counter with a list and the employee would do all the shopping, securing the items, bagging them, and adding the cost to the customer’s account. I wandered in, curious about what I would find, and indeedy, it was like stepping back in time.

The Walmart Museum is housed in the original Walton’s 5&10 store owned by Sam Walton, who moved to Bentonville with his new wife in 1950 and called it his home until his death. Inside the door, you are greeted with an old-timey store selling vintage candy like hard lemon drops and Sugar Babies. Then you’ll take a self-guided tour through the museum, learning the history of the Walton family and walking the timeline that illustrates the growth of Walmart.

The story of Walmart’s rise is so engaging that you’ll find yourself scrutinizing every display and reminiscing about the good old days.

The second floor transports you into the 21st century with exhibits thoughtfully designed to capture that era, seamlessly blending technology and featuring interactive elements that are both fun and captivating.

You’ll also come across Walmart’s extensive charitable efforts, including its partnership with Dolly Parton to raise millions for communities in need. One highlight is a studio-like room where visitors can ask questions to a hologram of Sam Walton and receive responses—something that’s bound to go viral on Instagram once word spreads.

A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to Sam Walton himself. You can see his office recreated just as he left it, along with the old pickup truck he never replaced with a flashier model—because, as Walton explained, a sports car wouldn’t fit his hunting dogs, guns, and fishing gear. Walton’s humility and dislike for pretension made him a symbol of Bentonville, embodying hard work, innovation, and integrity—values that make the museum an inspiring and memorable experience.

Kids of all ages can learn about Walton’s legacy through fascinating displays and placards. Did you know he pioneered the idea of “self-service shopping,” allowing customers to browse and pick their own items? Or that he commissioned a manufacturer to turn the popular hula hoop into an affordable toy by creating a plastic hose? These tidbits make exploring the museum all the more enjoyable.

It’s inspiring to witness how innovations and entrepreneurship fueled Walmart’s incredible growth from its first store in 1962 to today. The company surged in the 1970s after going public on the New York Stock Exchange, and adopted the famous slogan “everyday low prices”—a clever marketing move during a recession.

Beyond the impressive history, there’s a relatable side. As you observe the display cases, you’ll recognize many items—whether toys from your childhood, ones you bought for your own kids, or household essentials like that old, loud hairdryer or electric razor. The first floor offers a nostalgic walk through pop culture, resonating with visitors from every generation.

The story of Walmart’s ascent is so captivating that you’ll find yourself examining every display and reminiscing about the good old days.

The second floor takes you into the 21st century, with exhibits thoughtfully designed to reflect that era.

They seamlessly blend technology and feature interactive elements that are highly entertaining.

You’ll also discover Walmart’s extensive charitable initiatives, including its partnership with Dolly Parton to raise millions for communities in need. In one room designed to resemble a studio, visitors can pose questions to a hologram of Sam Walton and receive responses—something likely to go viral on Instagram once everyone hears about it.

Naturally, a large part of the museum focuses on Sam Walton himself.

You can see his office recreated exactly as he left it, along with the old pickup truck he never replaced with a flashier model. Why would he? As he explained, a sports car wouldn’t fit his hunting dogs, guns, and fishing gear. Walton never embraced pretentiousness or postured. He became synonymous with Bentonville, with hard work, innovation, and humility—lessons that are refreshingly inspiring and memorable at the Walmart Museum.