Crystal Bridges--a prominent staple in Northwest Arkansas effortlessly brings art, architecture, and the natural beauty of the Ozarks together. It's a hub or artistic expression for those who revel in the experience of viewing impressive, world-renowned collections. It's also a beacon for the unexpected.
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As a creative, but self-admittedly not artistic person I was a bit reluctant to embrace Crystal Bridges. In fact, it took 12 months of living in Northwest Arkansas before I even considered a quick afternoon trip (5 miles down the road) to see what all the fuss was about.
Why You Should Consider Crystal Bridges
For all of my non-artsy-type friends, here are 3 reasons you might reconsider Crystal Bridges for your next trip to the Ozarks:
1️⃣ It's more than art. There are immersive experiences like walking through a forest transformed into an interactive light show or drop-in opportunities to create art in the Crystal Bridges studio.
2️⃣ It offers 120 acres of natural Ozarks beauty. The Crystal Bridges campus is 120 acres of naturally preserved landscape. If viewing art in the gallery isn't your thing, try taking a stroll on one of the many curated art trails winding through forests and gently sloping hills.
3️⃣ There are endless (and free) opportunities to learn. First, general admission is always free. Second, there are rarely opportunities to learn so much about art, architecture, and the Ozarks without paying a hefty admission fee. Third, you'll have access to volunteer art enthusiasts and an extensive research library to learn all about it.
What is the Crystal Bridges Art Museum?
Crystal Bridges is an American art museum located in Bentonville, Arkansas. The museum focuses on where people, art, and nature intersect. Crystal Bridges boasts an impressive gallery of world renowned art collections, but it is more than that.
Permanent rotating exhibits and temporary installations highlight the work of talented artists while engaging the community far beyond art collectors and enthusiasts. The facility encompasses 120 acres of nature trails filled with art designed to evolve naturally from the surroundings.
Even the building that hosts the museums impressive art collection is designed with natural architectural influences. At Crystal Bridges, you will find art, nature trails, architecture, and special interests that honor our place as guests in the region.
Know Before You Go:
What to Expect When You Visit Crystal Bridges Art Museum
Art might be the main draw, but probably not in the way that you most expect it. We were delighted to
find a modern, fresh and ultimately very inclusive experience that felt welcoming and engaging for our whole group which included parents, grandparents, young children, and a few with special needs.
⏰Time Commitment
The time commitment here can really vary depending on how much you want to see and how participatory your group is. The minimum time commitment is probably two hours while some families will easily spend the day here. The museum is currently closed on Tuesdays.
💲Cost
General admission at Crystal Bridges is FREE, making this attraction a genuinely frugal family vacation idea. Select events and on-site amenities like coffee, dining, or the gift shop provide opportunities to spend money if you really want to. However, many of the drop-in activities, tours, and available art are totally free to access.
We chose to purchase a museum membership (I know, sort of crazy considering how reluctant I was to go in the first place) because for one reasonable fee I was able to access the lighted forest installation at a discounted price (variable cost of about $28 per adult) and score significant savings to a summer camp for my six year old adding up to valuable off-set that would also give me access to museum events for an entire year.
♿ Accessibility
The Crystal Bridges Art Museum prides itself on being fiercely committed to providing an inclusive, accessible experience for all. All indoor exhibits and meeting rooms are wheelchair accessible, as well as two hard surface nature trails. The outdoor museum app also includes audio tours along those trails, designated as mobility accessible.
Designated service animals are always welcome, indoors and out. Leashed pets may be permitted outdoors on museum grounds as long as they socialize well.
Other accessibility accommodations include:
Photosensitivity: Labeled Exhibits for Variable or Excessive Light
Hearing: Assistive Listening Device Provided by the Museum & Sign Language Interpretation Available with Advanced Notice of Visit
Vision Impairment: Audio Tours and Tactile or Multisensory Tours Available; Enchroma Colorblindness Glasses Available
Miscellaneous: Communication Aids, Sensory Maps, and Special Accommodations Available
Additionally, patrons with special needs can enjoy designated programs and events including camps, special attendance hours, and events.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit the Crystal Bridges accessibility page.
☔ Weather
There are both indoor and outdoor opportunities to experience the Crystal Bridges Art Museum. If you are planning to visit for a specific experience, especially an outdoor art walk or exhibit, the museum provides a hotline to check local weather conditions and cancellations.
Winters in Northwest Arkansas are generally mild with a few stretches of below-freezing temperatures or winter weather. However, as a southern state with mountains, virtually any amount of ice or snow will halt travel and cancel events. Everything else is about what you might expect. Spring is wet, fall is beautiful, and summers are hot.
Things to See and Do at Crystal Bridges Museum
If you're planning a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas or even anywhere in Northwest Arkansas, put Crystal Bridges on your itinerary. Get a quick look at what to expect in this video from Journey with Jen & Drew:
Art Collections & Exhibits
First and foremost, Crystal Bridges is an art museum. They feature paintings, sculptures, drawing, photography, and installation art from artists--past and present--from American artists. You can browse current exhibits at your own pace, let an audio tour guide you through the museum, or participate in a FREE museum volunteer-led tour to learn about the artists and their work.
Architecture as Art
From the building itself, which is a bit of an architectural masterpiece to an original Frank Lloyd Wright home, there is plenty of architecture to explore at the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art.
Hands-On Arts & Crafts
Crystal Bridges isn't just a place to see art. There are also drop-in opportunities to come in and make art as a family. The museum hosts special themed family days that provide a variety of hands-on activities as well as a creator space to come in and get creative with kids, including opportunities for both the neurodiverse and neurotypical.
Exhibitions & Experiences
The thing that drew us to explore the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art was actually an immersive installation called the Lighted Forest. Through a number of exhibits stationed along a paved walking path, we were able to experience art in an all new way.
Our favorite experiences in the lighted forest included a light display that mimicked your heart beat, a two-story thermal imaging dance party, an enormous robotic spotlight controlled by your movements, and a light display that visualized the sound waves of our voices to create an impressive display.