Bentonville has upped its art scene in a staggering way. Crystal Bridges may have put this Northwest Arkansas town on the map when the museum debuted in 2011, but it has also inspired a creative renaissance of sorts, with a deluge of artistic expression – and not just the ones that hang on a wall.
In Bentonville, it seems the ordinary has a way of becoming extraordinary.
After all, this is the place where a dime-store owner named Sam Walton raised a family, all while building a retail empire that would make him one of the wealthiest people on the planet. But Bentonville is more than just the town that Walmart built.
In the last decade alone, this Northwest Arkansas community has done nothing but reinvent and reimagine the only-in-Bentonville possibilities its singular setting in the heart of the Ozarks can bring.
Bentonville has upped its art scene in a staggering way. Crystal Bridges may have put Bentonville on the map when it debuted in 2011, but it has also inspired a creative renaissance of sorts, with a deluge of artistic expression – and not just the ones that hang on a wall. You’ll see murals, panoramas, sculptures and other public art throughout the downtown area and in and around town. Even strip mall parking lots or a side of fencing can serve as a canvas for up-and-coming artists.
It has also become a top destination for mountain biking and outdoor adventures, just like one thinks of Aspen or Vail for skiing. It’s not unusual to see geared-up cyclists sharing space with executives during the lunch rush or co-mingling at happy hour. And the town’s penchant for creativity extends to the bike trails, where sculptures and other outdoor pieces of art peep out every so often from behind the Ozark forests.
And Bentonville stands on its own when it comes to being a dining destination. Even if you skip the art and the outdoors, the city’s culinary bounty is enough to make a trip more than satisfying and worthwhile.
SEE:
CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
Imagine a museum where the art goes beyond its four walls – and what if the walls are not really walls at all? With its one-of-a-kind setting, Crystal Bridges intertwines art, nature and architecture to create an all-encompassing experience like no other.
When Crystal Bridges welcomed its first visitors in November 2011, it was the first major art museum in the country to open in more than three decades. The museum’s jaw-dropping building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, is set in a natural ravine surrounded by two spring-fed ponds and Ozark woodland.
Inside, the museum’s world-class collection of American art spans five centuries and includes a number of iconic pieces such as Charles Willson Peale’s 1780s portrait of George Washington, Georgia O’Keeffe’s florals and landscape paintings, Normal Rockwell’s wartime “Rosie the Riveter” poster, and Kehinde Wiley’s 2018 “Portrait of a Florentine Nobleman.”
Outside, several miles of sculptures, gardens and walking trails dot 120 acres of Ozark countryside, truly engaging visitors to bask in the beauty of the outdoors.
The museum was the vision of arts patron, philanthropist and Walmart heiress Alice Walton, who saw “a deficit of art” in the Northwest Arkansas region. Since its opening, Crystal Bridges has welcomed more than 5 million people from all over the world with free admission and more than 60 exhibitions. It has also doubled its collection to 3,000-plus pieces of art, including recent acquisitions from artists who have been underrepresented in art history.
Crystal Bridges recently announced a major expansion, also overseen by Safdie and his team, that will double its size and add more galleries, educational facilities, event spaces, and indoor and outdoor gathering areas. Completion is expected in 2024. crystalbridges.org
THE MOMENTARY
While Crystal Bridges stuns with its natural setting, The Momentary, the institution’s new satellite contemporary art space in downtown Bentonville, pushes the boundaries of creativity with its visual and performing arts exhibitions.
The building’s provenance is the first sign that this is no ordinary museum. Up until 2013, it operated as a Kraft cheese processing plant. In early 2020, the former factory reopened as The Momentary, transforming 63,000 square feet of space into several venues within a venue. They include galleries, where you’ll find “unexpected happenings” and ever-changing, thought-provoking exhibits; a 70-foot-tall multi-level tower for special events and performances, as well as the Tower Bar for drinks and sightseeing from up high; a theater; coffee house; and the “Green,” for hosting movie nights and other outdoor gatherings.
A bonus: Shuttle service is offered between The Momentary and Crystal Bridges Wednesday through Sunday. themomentary.org
MUSEUM OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Perhaps one of the most unexpected stops during this trip was the Museum of Native American History (MONAH), which was named among this year’s 10 Best History Museums in the country by USA Today.
Visitors to MONAH travel through history, as seen through the eyes of the first Americans, beginning with the early Paleo period (12,000 to 8,000 B.C.) to pre-Columbian times.
Every artifact in the museum is authentic, from the 12,000-year-old woolly mammoth stationed at the door, to the largest collection of pre-historic tools and Mississippian head pots on display. Pore over arrowheads, peace pipes and rifles, as well as household and personal items such as an Osage woman’s wedding outfit and the contents of a medicine chest from the 1800s.
MONAH, which is marking its 14th year in 2021, was founded by David Bogle, a member of the Cherokee Nation who was born and raised in Bentonville. Many of the items displayed at the museum are from Bogle’s private collection. monah.us
WALMART MUSEUM
To understand Bentonville’s growth is to appreciate those who had a hand in shaping the town’s narrative, including Walmart founder Sam Walton. Regardless of whether you shop at the ubiquitous superstores, no visit to Bentonville is complete without a stop at the Walmart Museum, located at the site of Walton’s first Five and Dime, in the middle of Bentonville’s downtown square.
Walton and his wife, Helen, moved to Bentonville in 1950 to raise their four children, including their youngest, Alice. At the museum, you’ll learn the story of a man whose humble beginnings did not get in the way of work and perseverance, making him one of American’s biggest success stories and at one point, the country’s richest man.
On site at the museum is The Spark Café, a soda fountain offering one of Sam Walton’s favorite treats: butter pecan ice cream. In fact, this spot has got to be one of the biggest sweet-treat bargains in town: Score a scoop of ice cream for .99 cents, shakes and malts for $3, and a Supercenter Sundae (16 scoops, all the toppings, whipped cream and a cherry) for only $20. walmartmuseum.com
COLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PRESERVE
Not far from downtown Bentonville is the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, a backcountry refuge for those who like their adventure on two feet or on two wheels.
Mountain bikers flock here for its flow, cross-country, rock, dual slalom and flyover trails with stone, wood, metal and jump features, including the adrenaline-inducing Peak One Hub, a 20-foot-tall launching platform where bikers can choose one of three trails (with varying levels of difficulty) from a single location.
And while Coler is touted as a world-class playground for bikers, its more than 17 miles of trails – which connect to downtown Bentonville and to other trail systems in Northwest Arkansas – are designed for different skill levels and can be enjoyed by all ages for walking, running, hiking or even taking in an outdoor yoga session. Indeed, scenery and solitude abound throughout, from the natural landscape to the unconventional play areas, restored barns and modern campsites, to the unique Airship coffee shop (and beer garden) in the middle of it all.
SAVOR:
THE PREACHER’S SON
Bentonville’s latest culinary hotspot is housed in a renovated historic church built downtown at the turn of the 20th century. The Preacher’s Son is helmed by executive chef and Arkansas native Neal Gray, whose previous stops include Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia, and The French Laundry in California wine country.
The menu celebrates the harvest and sustainability of local farms, incorporating fresh dairy, meat and produce into its stellar offerings. Start with the flavor-filled Croquettes, made with pimiento cheese and potato; the seemingly simple yet elegant Grilled Asparagus heightened with gribiche sauce, ham, goat cheese and pine nuts; or the Scallop Crudo with coconut, basil, chile, ginger and quinoa. For the main entrée, you can’t go wrong with the divine Sea Trout atop fresh English peas and garnished with potato chips; the cooked-to-perfection Grilled Steak accompanied by Gulf shrimp, Brussels sprouts and pickled onions; or the tender Pork Chop drizzled with mustard vinaigrette and served with potato salad.
Be sure to take a moment to look around the dining area as you sip on an aperitif or anticipate your dinner. The enormous stained-glass windows, by regional artist George Dombek, features birds, butterflies and trees to add to the open, inviting interior. And for those of you who really want to make a night of it, the restaurant has a rooftop bar for pre-dinner drinks on warm-weather evenings. If you prefer to drink discreetly, even if it’s just pretend, there’s Undercroft, the establishment’s cozy, cool basement speakeasy that quickly became our choice spot for cocktails and conversation. thepreachersson.com
THE HIVE
Another can’t-miss dining destination is The Hive, located inside the 21c Museum Hotel just off the main square. Longtime chef Matthew McClure, who also hails from Arkansas, has been delighting patrons at this esteemed eatery since the award-winning property opened in 2013.
The Hive shines with its “High South” cuisine, refined country cooking that highlights ingredients from the Ozarks, such as black walnuts, hickory smoked hams, sweet onions and freshly milled cornmeal. Our favorite starters here include the house-made Pimiento Cheese, served with bacon jam and toasted bread; creamy Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with fresh basil; and Smoked Pork Belly. The Hive Burger, served with pimiento cheese and tomato jam, is simple, satisfying perfection. The Berkshire Hog Chop is heavenly and hearty with yellow corn grits, roasted okra and pickled peaches (or whatever’s in season). The House-Made Campanelle is a burst of flavor with watercress, Parmesan and herbed breadcrumbs. And for dessert, depending on your mood, there’s Pecan Pie paired with rich buttermilk ice cream; Chocolate Cobbler à la mode with toffee crumble; and decadent Hot Chocolate topped with cayenne marshmallows.
The Hive’s bar game is hard to beat, with a solid array of regional brews and a rotating selection of carefully crafted cocktails. Outstanding choices are the Black Dahlia with bourbon, Calvados brandy, and blackberry and red wine reduction; El Capitan, with rum, Curaçao and vermouth; and the Hot Pink Jet Ski, with lavender-infused gin, Cocchi Rosa, strawberry, apricot and lemon. thehivebentonville.com
YEYO’S EL ALMA DE MEXICO
Yeyo’s story begins with the family patriarch, Don “Yeyo” Rios, who established the Rios Family Farm in Little Rock in 2012. Two food trucks and a flagship restaurant later, the family continues to shine the spotlight on menu items laden with the just-picked ingredients from their farm, as well as fresh meats procured from a nearby ranch. Its brick-and-mortar eatery is located at the 8th Street Market, a relatively new food hub in the heart of Bentonville’s Market District.
As for the menu, everything is good – and we mean it. The classic Mexican Street Tacos, filled with your choice of meat or vegetables from 10 different options, including Carne Asada, Al Pastor Pork, Lengua (spicy simmered beef tongue) and Vegetable Chipotle, are as satisfying as they are sumptuous. The same goes for the burritos, tortas and quesadillas. The colorful Burrito Bowl – brimming with farm-fresh veggies and meats, Mexican rice and beans – is one blissful bite after another, especially when paired with an ice-cold bottle of Mexican Coke. yeyosnwa.com
LOUISE AT THADEN FIELD
LOUISE pays homage to the spirit of flying and one woman’s determination at this uber-cool destination at Thaden Field, the town’s municipal airport. Named after Iris Louise McPhetridge Thaden, a pioneering, record-setting aviatrix and proud citizen of Bentonville, the diner-style restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour and dinner.
LOUISE gives diners a front-row seat to airplanes landing and taking off on the runway. We’re told the airfield was built as close to the public areas as possible to provide that up-close feeling and make aviation more accessible to all.
In this spirit, the venue has an exhibition hangar with vintage aircraft on display, as well as miniature versions for the little ones to ride around in. Thaden Field also offers backcountry flights for small groups and flying lessons for those who want to aim higher.
For breakfast one day, we opted for the Corned Beef Hash, a filling mélange of corned beef, eggs, fried potatoes, caramelized onions and bell peppers. To sip as you watch the planes come and go, try the Cortado. There’s also an expansive selection of brunch drinks, cocktails and “Patio Pleasers.” louise.cafe
ELEVEN AT CRYSTAL BRIDGES
Crystal Bridges’ restaurant overlooks the water in one of the museum’s most enviable spots. Eleven is named in honor of the museum’s opening date, November 11, 2011, and since then, it has been serving up a culinary experience that goes beyond “museum fare.”
Just like many of Bentonville’s other notable establishments, Eleven uses local, sustainable ingredients in its dishes. The Crispy Chicken Sandwich is a winner, with a buttermilk breading, zucchini pickles, lettuce and smoked mayonnaise. The BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich on brioche is also a delight, along with the veggie- and ricotta-topped North Forest Flatbread and an assortment of paninis.
Eleven is the perfect destination to fuel up before exploring the museum inside and out, or to fill up after your visit. In need of a pick-me-up? There’s also an adjacent coffee bar from the locally based Onyx Coffee Lab for caffeine, as well as pastries and other grab-and-go items.
STAY:
DOUBLETREE SUITES HOTEL BENTONVILLE
For those who’ve stayed at a DoubleTree before, you’ll likely say the best part is that freshly baked chocolate chip cookie that greets you upon check in – such a welcome treat after a long drive! But this particular DoubleTree in Bentonville, located off I-49, just a couple of miles from the center of town, has a lot more going for it, including a friendly staff and its overall airy ambiance. Away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, it feels like a sanctuary following a full day of visiting museums, traversing trails and whatever else was on your must-see-while-in-Bentonville plate.
Our King suite was spacious and spotless, with the brand’s signature Sweet Dreams bed and two big-screen HDTVs in the bedroom and living quarters, should you feel the need set up shop with your own remote. There’s also a small area with a fridge, microwave and coffeemaker for breakfast on-the-go or a late-night snack.
The public spaces are well-appointed and tidily kept – good spots for hanging out or waiting for the free shuttle that takes you within a 5-mile radius of the hotel, including downtown, Crystal Bridges and nearby shopping.
Other amenities include free wi-fi and parking, an indoor pool and fitness room, an on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a lounge for cocktails and small bites.
For reservations, visit the property’s official website.
Driving to Bentonville from St. Louis via 1-44 takes approximately five to six hours, depending on traffic.
For more information, or to request a travel guide or plan your trip, check out the official Visit Bentonville website.
