Spectator FAQs for planning a great visit!

How much are tickets?

• Advance tickets are $15 ($16.01 after sales tax) for a single day (Saturday or Sunday) or $25 ($26.69 after sales tax) for a two-day combination ticket. Tickets sold at the gate (if available) will be $20 per day (price includes tax). Children 10 and under attend free and do not need a ticket.

Do I need tickets?

• The tickets are for general admission to the battle scenarios. You will need a ticket for each day. Ticket prices are for one ticket per day (except the two-day combo). All other activities are free of charge.

Can I use a ticket purchased for a previous event?

• No, tickets purchased for previous events, including the 2020/2021 155^th Anniversary reenactment, will not be valid.

Should I bring anything?

• The terrain of the reenactment field makes viewing all parts of the battle scenario very difficult. As such, the viewing areas will be divided into three rows:

1. Front rows must sit on the ground (bring a blanket!)
2. Middle rows may sit in chairs or on the ground (chairs not provided but welcomed)
3. Back rows standing only.

• All three rows are general admission and spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Is there a group rate? 

• Advanced tickets for groups of 20 or more will receive a 10% discount. Please contact us at (910) 594-0789 for the group rate.

Can I get a refund?

• Refunds are not available for this event.

When should I buy tickets?

• This is an extremely popular event, we highly recommend purchasing tickets as soon as you make a plan to come.

How do I get my tickets?

• If purchased online before March 1^st, your tickets will be mailed to the address listed when you purchase tickets. If purchased after March 1^st, your tickets will be available at Will Call the day of the event. If purchased in person at the Visitor Center, your tickets will be handed directly to you.

What if it rains?

• This is a rain or shine event.

What else can I do?

• Tickets only grant access to the reenactment scenarios, all other activities on site are free and open to the public, including living history camps, historical lectures, the visitor center, living history displays in and around the Harper House, and music stage.
• The site’s gift shop and multiple Civil War sutlers will be open for souvenir shoppers.

How can I plan my visit?

• Prepare for crowds and traffic. A Schedule of Events is mailed to you with your tickets and one is posted at www.bentonvillereenactment.com. Plan to arrive at least three hours or more before the scheduled battles to allow yourself enough time.

Where does my money go?

• The event is sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports preservation and education at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site!

Will there be food available?

• There will be multiple food trucks available on site to purchase food throughout the weekend, including concessions from the Bentonville Volunteer Fire Department. You can also bring a picnic lunch. Limited picnic tables are available on a first come, first serve basis (bring a blanket!). Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

How can I be a part of the event?

• To register as a reenactor, find more information at www.bentonvillereenactment.com.   If you’re not a reenactor or living historian and would like to volunteer to help support the event, contact Colby Lipscomb at colby.lipscomb@dncr.nc.gov

Where is the reenactment?

• All activities occur within walking distance from the Bentonville Battlefield Visitor Center at 5466 Harper House Rd. Four Oaks, NC 27520. The battle scenarios occur on areas of the original battlefield. Please plan to walk at least one mile.

Can I see the Harper House?

• The Harper House will be open daily for tours and feature living history Civil War medical displays.

Is parking free? 

• Yes! Battlefield and/or its affiliates are not responsible for any damages to personal vehicles and the property therein. Please secure your valuables and lock your doors. No overnight parking allowed!

Will there be handicapped parking?

• Handicapped parking will be at the visitor center parking lot while space allows. There will be limited shuttle access from the handicapped parking area/Visitors Center to the battlefield. T

Is the battlefield ADA accessible?

• No. The battlefield is not ADA compliant. The area of the battle scenarios is preserved battlefield land, prohibiting changes to the landscape. The ground is flat but anticipate sandy terrain that can present mobility challenges.

Can I camp on site?

• No. The site does not allow for modern camping. There are campgrounds in Johnston County. For more information on amenities visit johnstoncountync.org.

Where can I get a hotel room?

• We suggest that you contact the Johnston County Visitors Bureau at www.johnstoncountync.org or (800)-441-7829. They will be more than happy to assist you in planning your trip to the event.

Where are you located?

• On a normal day we are approximately 45 minutes southeast of Raleigh, 30 minutes west of Goldsboro, and approximately 20-30 minutes south of Smithfield. We are located 17 miles south of I-95 at exit 90 and 7 miles northeast of I-40 at exits 343-341. Anticipate heavy traffic that will increase these travel times.