To the east of Hot Springs Village, are the communities of Benton and Bryant. Both communities sit on Interstate 30 and are just a stone’s throw away from Little Rock. In Benton, the picturesque town square is the focal point of the community. You simply can’t miss the Gann Museum. It’s the only house in the entire world constructed from bauxite, the natural aggregate in the area. The museum boasts of an impressive collection of Niloak Pottery, which was made in the region from 1909 to 1946. Both Benton and Bryant provide antique seekers ample opportunity to search for treasures with several antique malls on both sides of Interstate 30. For the outdoor enthusiasts, the Saline River has excellent fishing, scenery and backcountry floating.
Take a casual stroll through Downtown Benton. Here you can enjoy play productions at the Royal Theatre, and spring-summer foodstuff and other items at the Farmers’ Market. Many shops and restaurants are also found in the Downtown area. Christmas time brings many visitors to town to view the beautifully decorated Saline County Court House.
The shopping and dining scenes in Benton and Bryant are booming with choices for everyone. Established and new retail stores and restaurants offer excellent choices and services. This area of Saline County offers a wide variety of stores, including boutiques with beautiful clothes and shoes, jewelry stores with gorgeous show-stopping pieces, and gift stores to find the perfect items for that hard-to-shop-for person. There are also stores that offer items for your home such as appliances, cabinets, flooring, furniture, grills, outdoor equipment, and everything needed for those home improvement projects. An abundance of antique stores and flea markets abound in the area. Greater convenience to the shopper is available in the stores along Military Road in Benton or Highway 5 in Bryant, the Shoppes of Benton or Hurricane Creek Village along Interstate 30, or the streets in Downtown Benton.
Finding a place for delicious food is also not a problem. Whether looking for a quick bite or a full-course meal, choices abound. American, Mexican, Asian, or Italian--the choices are many in approximately seventy-five locally owned or chain restaurants.
In addition to the incredible shopping malls and unique restaurants that continue to grow in these expanding communities, Saline County is strengthened by an abundance of healthcare options. The multiplicity of care found here cannot be matched by most communities of similar size. From hospitals to an array of private practice physicians and alternative care specialists, the healthcare system in Benton and Bryant offers superior facilities and representation in nearly all medical disciplines. For over 64 years, Saline Health System has served as the major healthcare provider for Saline County. Construction of a second hospital, the Encore Medical Center, is nearing completion.