Visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of Art
Bentonville, Arkansas is a very different kind of city. It’s home to Walmart cooperate which brings in a ton of revenue for the area thus funding a number of unique restaurants, shopping areas, museums, and the arts.
Crystal Bridges Museum of Art is one of our favorite places to visit in Northwest Arkansas year-round due to a number of rotating exhibits and permanent collections for viewing. Here’s what you can expect when visiting Crystal Bridges!
Indoor Exhibits at Crystal Bridges Museum
Inside the indoor galleries at Crystal Bridges Museum, there is a wide variety of American art. The galleries feature American masterworks from the colonial era to today. All of the permanent galleries are rotated regularly with new-to-view art pieces or collections making it fresh for viewing.
One of the more recently acquired permanent exhibits at Crystal Bridges is Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room – My Heart is Dancing into the Universe. We are huge fans of Kusama’s work, so much so we visited her hometown of Matsumoto and her museum located there while we lived in Japan. In order to visit this exhibit, you’ll need a ticket to book a time slot but it’s still included with the free museum admission!
Outdoor Exhibits at Crystal Bridges Museum
While we love the indoor art exhibits at Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, we rave about the outdoor exhibits even more. Throughout the 120 acres of natural forest that Crystal Bridges lies on, there are a number of sculptures and art pieces that can be found outside.
In addition to the outdoor artwork and sculptures, there are over four miles of free walking, biking, and running trails that are easily accessible from the museum or paths leading up to the museum.
While walking the trails you’ll find art pieces strategically placed in the woods as well as beautiful nature and scenery including wildflowers, tulip trees, and Arkansas quartz crystals.
READ MORE: Things to Do in Northwest Arkansas
Seasonal and Rotating Exhibits at Crystal Bridges
In addition to the permanent collections in Crystal Bridges Museum, there are also a number of seasonal or rotating exhibits at Crystal Bridges.
Favorite Seasonal or Rotating Exhibits
While I’m not sure if or when these exhibits will be back at Crystal Bridges, these are some of our favorites that they have hosted in the past few years. If they do return, be sure to make time for them!
- Chihuly In The Woods: Featuring a TON of blown glass works by Dale Chihuly.
- North Forest Lights: A nighttime multimedia and sensory outdoor experience blending light and sound in order to help you reconnect with nature. Our favorite part of this exhibit was the Whispering Tree which tells you the color of your voice when you sing to it.
- Color Field: A whimsical outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring large, colorful, interactive sculptures that pop in front of the lush, green forest.
- Crystals in Art: Ancient to Today: Featuring crystals dating back to ancient Egypt to today! Some of them are enormous!
- Men of Steel, Women of Wonder: Superman and Wonder Woman come together to bring an exploration through identity, American values, social politics, representation, and the concept of humanity.
Current and upcoming exhibits at Crystal Bridges
Eleven Restaurant at Crystal Bridges
If you’d like to grab something to eat while at Crystal Bridges Museum or need a drink or place to sit, Eleven is a local, High-South style restaurant bringing home cooking to your table. No reservations are required for lunch at Eleven, but it is recommended you make a reservation for dinner or for Sunday brunch.
Other Things to Know About Crystal Bridges Museum
Cost to Visit Crystal Bridges Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum is free to visit with the exception of special rotating or seasonal exhibits which may require advance purchasing and additional cost.
Crystal Bridges Museum Hours
Sunday-Monday: 10am – 6pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 10am- 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Location of Crystal Bridges Museum
600 Museum Way Bentonville AR, 72712
Comments & Reviews
Caroline says
I loooooove Chihuly’s work – it is always mind-blowing! I love the In the Woods exhibit here, looks awesome!