There’s a lot to see during a visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Check out this list of not to miss highlights!
The Building
The building itself is as unique as the art inside. Enjoy the contrast of hard concrete against warm, rich wood and shimmering glass…all nestled over a rippling stream.
Main Collection
The museum’s main collection, which includes a diverse selection of American art from classic to contemporary, is free to visit. Though, during these times of COVID, you’ll need a (free) timed ticket to enter.
Special Exhibits
The museum hosts regular special exhibits. When I visited, an exhibit of Ansel Adam’s photography was on display. While most of these special exhibits are not included in your free ticket, they’re reasonably priced and worth a look. You can find a schedule of upcoming special exhibits here.
Infinity Room
Crystal Bridges is home to one of Yayoi Kusama’s mirrored infinity rooms: My Heart is Dancing into the Universe. While there is a fee to enter, it is minimal ($1). Though there are strict guidelines for visiting and only a certain number of tickets are available per day. For a sneak peak, you can preview the room here.
Frank Lloyd Wright House
Originally located in New Jersey, the Bachman-Wilson house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was moved to Crystal Bridges due to risks of flooding. You can purchase tickets to tour the home during your visit to Crystal Bridges.
Sculpture Trails
Crystal Bridges has over 4 miles of trails winding through the museum’s grounds for walking (dogs welcome!) and biking. You’ll find lots of natural beauty as well as a wide variety of sculptures along the way. Find information about all the different trails here.
Skyspace
A unique experience, The Way of Color plays with colors and light at the rising and setting of the sun each day.
Other Museums
There’s a handy shuttle that can take you to The Momentary…the nearby contemporary art museum.
