BEST MUSEUM
MARKING its 13th anniversary, Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art embraces a mission “to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature.” It pairs those spheres well, inviting visitors to explore indoors, where they can learn about our nation’s creativity over the centuries, and outdoors, where the Ozark landscape beckons.
Established in 2011 by Alice Walton, a member of Walmart’s founding family, Crystal Bridges makes its home on 120 forested acres and offers free admission to all guests. The grounds encompass many notable features, including Crystal Spring, which gives this facility its name; a glass-enclosed bridge; a restaurant; a library containing more than 50,000 reference volumes; and about 5 miles of nature trails.
Pieces from the museum’s 3,500-item (and growing) collection can be found both inside and outside. Vibrant glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly nestle into the woods surrounding the building, while Maman, a gigantic spider by Louise Bourgeois, forms a dramatic archway. In the galleries, find noteworthy pieces that include Norman Rockwell’s illustration of Rosie the Riveter as well as paintings by artists like Amy Sherald, John Singer Sargent, and Roy Lichtenstein. Crystal Bridges is also the steward of a structure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Bachman-Wilson House, which was transported from its original home in New Jersey to Bentonville to become a key part of the collection.
Across town is The Momentary, a partner museum that’s located in a reimagined former cheese factory. In addition to showcasing stun- ning contemporary works of visual art, it also hosts live music and other experiences in the realms of performance art and educational programming. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Tower Bar provide a bird’s-eye view of Bentonville, making it an excellent place to grab a drink or a bite to eat.
—Caroline Rogers
BEST SCENIC TRAIL
MANY BEAUTIFUL ROUTES wind through Arkansas, but only one follows America’s first national river. The Buffalo River Trail (also known as the BRT), which begins in Boxley and ends in Pruitt, traces the namesake waterway as it courses through the wilderness. Established in 1972, the Buffalo’s national river designation has helped preserve its pristine natural surroundings and protect its undammed watershed. Visitors flock to the area to camp, horseback ride, and paddle the river as well as to hike its 37-mile trail. Whether you tackle the full length or choose a section of the BRT, you will encounter unforgettable sights like caves, waterfalls, wildlife, and even remnants of pioneer homesteads.
BEST BBQ JOINTS
1. Wright’s Barbecue Multiple Locations 2. McClard’s Bar-B-Q Hot Springs and Little Rock 3. Sims Bar-B-Que Little Rock 4. Count Porkula BBQ Little Rock 5. Penguin Ed’s Fayette- ville 6. The Dixie Pig BBQ Blytheville 7. Craig’s Bar-B-Que DeValls Bluff 8. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner Marianna 9. Three Sam’s BBQ Joint Mabelvale 10. Kibb’s Bar-B-Q Multiple Locations
ROBBIE CAPONETTO
