Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Reviews

We had some free time in the area and I was impressed by the architecture of this building. I enjoyed the fact that art pieces were in chronological order from oldest to newest. Lots of guides to assist you and answer questions in each room. I would have loved to walk the grounds but it was very hot that day.

Went here early and walked the Art trail and one other. The landscaping, trails and architecture are enough to satisfy you here, The art is really not to our taste- a lot of modern art and colonial portraits. Make sure you get a free timed ticket to theFrank Lloyd Wright house on the grounds. You can do a self guided audio tour. Overall, worth a visit.

A beautifully curated museum surrounded by peaceful walking trails. The building itself is worth the visit, and entry is free, which makes the experience even better.

Really great facility, design, and vibe. So pleasant. Good collection of American art with free admission excluding special events. A must see if visiting NW Arkansas.

We love coming to B’Ville several time each year to experience the walking trails during all four seasons. Our favorite Airbnb is near Compton Gardens so we usually access the Crystal Bridges Trails from that point. The Art Trail during winter is magnificent! With bare trees and little vegetation, the views into the hills, streams, nearby neighborhoods and museum grounds give you a whole new perspective than you get at other times of the year. In addition, it’s much less crowded! It’s such a refreshing joy to walk these trails with our little dog, Tess! The crews who work on the grounds are so friendly and polite, and always take time to chat. They do a great job at keeping this treasure in beautiful condition.
Tess has found her new most favorite sculpture. It’s Good Friday Walton!!

The Crystal Bridges Museum has an impressive selection of art for being free. There are so many nice works of art. They specialize in American Art and there is quite a variety. Definitely reserve a spot to see the Frank Lloyd Wright house on your visit.

Not only does the Crystal Bridges Museum have world-class American art and traveling exhibitions, the museum itself is an amazing piece of architecture! There is also stunning architecture throughout the grounds. It also has a coffee bar, fine dining restaurant, and lots of gifts at the Museum store. There is so much to see both inside and outside on the walking trail. I loved it, and will be returning again in the spring!

This museum has long been on my list of places to go, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The free tours are fabulous, and add much to the experience. The paid Frank Lloyd Wright house tour is also wonderful. Masking was strictly enforced. All employees were wonderfully helpful and friendly.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a wonderful Museum. The multiple artists whose works are on display are wonderful. Amsel Adams was the featured Artist. The Museum is simply beautiful and laid out very well. The combination of the natural beauty of the foliage combined with the creeks provides a very peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

This would probably be a great experience if you have any clue about the layout. Information was hard to find. Downloaded a map on which ch I couldn't determine where I was. Went in the art gallery. Then we found one short trail that had a bit of outdoor sculptures. None of the workers standing around were the least bit helpful. Waste of my time.

We love the actual museum at Crystal Bridges! We made multiple visits there during the pandemic, and found it to be safe and enjoyable. There was no crowding, and for the most part people made a safe and sociable distance. One reason for this was likely the absence of children during the times we visited. Admission, unbelievably, is free so we donate every time we go.

We paid $45 for the North Forest Lights exhibition. The installations themselves are excellent and beautiful, especially The Hearth.

But the crowds of people were obnoxious and unsafe. Despite the clear messages on the crystalbridges.org website, <5% of the patrons were masked. Very few of them made any effort to adhere to social distance guidelines, and mostly they physically pushed past us to see the installations. Strollers were driven into the crowds with no concern for the well-being of the unmasked children.

I'm used to this sort of behavior in mosh pits. It was irresponsible of the management to allow so many people into what became confined spaces like the bridge for the Memory of Water installation.

Go for the art in the museum - especially on weekdays when there are fewer people and children. Avoid the North Forest Lights - just walk the trails during the daytime.

Great place to stay if you’re going to Crystal bridges. It’s about a 20 minute walk down a beautiful trail. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Very comfortable rooms. The location can’t be beat. It’s close to the downtown square of Bentonville which hosts a variety of restaurants and businesses.

This is a gorgeous place. Even on a rainy day this is a great place to enjoy art and the facilities. We loved how the exhibits were displayed and laid out. Plenty of seating was provided for you to enjoy the facilities.

Suggested by friend. Entrance free thanks to Walmart. Artwork was amazing, glad I did it.

The grounds were so impressive. if you like to take short hikes. Well worth it.

This is not a huge museum but given that it is located in a small town in America, it has some very interesting paintings and art work. I particularly enjoyed the Infinity Mirrored Room

When we planned a trip to NWA, we knew we HAD to visit Crystal Bridges!

We started the day with the free art galleries. We had our tickets ahead of time, so there was no wait for us (but some were already waiting). I'm not the biggest art museum fan, but I still enjoyed the exhibits. I noticed there's a good diversity - classics, modern, textile, etc. I'm not sure if everywhere does this, but I think the wall plaques that describe the piece were actually interesting, when normally I barely read them. I was surprised how many pieces have sneaky politically or social commentary that modern viewers don't notice!

While there, we also enjoyed almost every trail. We didn't see the Night Lights because we didn't feel it would be worth $40+. The trails were good though. Definitely, again, a good variety for everyone. Some are easy/moderate with sculptures along the way, while some are challenging or have mountain biking trails alongside them. The last outdoor thing we did was Oktoberfest, which honestly was the most disappointing thing. It's on a small "lawn" in bright sunlight, with no live band. It's literally just selling brats and beer, with no other entertainment or cultural value.

We also grabbed a small lunch at the Eleven restaurant. It's okay. It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed that the only vegetarian items were a salad and a grilled cheese, even though the website said there were veggies wraps (there weren't). But, they spaced tables well, in a beautiful room, with decent food.

If you're in the area, Crystal Bridges is a must-see!

This Museum is phenomenal! The collection is amazing. The art trail is an easy walk and there are several other trails to take. Don’t miss the FLW home that has been reconstructed on the grounds. This was closed for Covid during our visit but we could see much of the main floor through the windows. The museum building is an architectural gem. Plan to spend at least 4 hours touring thus wonderful place This is a free admission museum.

IG: LLTRAVELMEL, The crystal bridges property is full of so much to do. Whether you visit inside the museum, have lunch at the café, visit the Frank Loyd Wright home, or walk through the sculpture path. It is a delight!

excellent museum in the heart of Bentonville. The trails outside are a delight and a great way to explore the area with various views of this uniquely designed building. The art inside is eclectic and impressive, featuring some lesser-known but fascinating artists with messages behind their work about social change and the routine yet hopeful lives of everyday people. We could have spent another day exploring more of the art work here. Well worth the visit.

Be sure to visit this site if you are a person capable of seeing tragedy, the images and stories are hard. It is very well organized and very nice and clean.

I had long wanted to visit the Crystal Bridges Museum for both its art collection and its architecture! Happy we were able to work this into our itinerary and make the time to visit, even during these COVID times when timed tickets are required, along with masks and social distancing. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening on the campus so we did some walking along trails to see some of the sculptures and the Moshe Safdie museum buildings from an architectural perspective before we entered the museum at our time slot. We were able to visit almost every gallery (the Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room and the Grand Hall are due to closed COVID) and explored all the open hallways to take in the historical displays as well as see the various arms of the museum across the water. The art collection is world class with works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Kehinde Wiley, John Singer Sargent, John Steuart Curry, Thomas Hart Benton, and so many more so don't miss a single gallery! And be sure to walk the grounds completely to see the Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman House and the Tulip Tree Shelter as well as the sculptures by some world-renowned sculpture that should not be missed!

This is a great museum. There is something for everyone. The design of this museum is astounding and an attraction in itself.

My husband and I took our granddaughter to visit. I absolutely loved the art! We walked the trail some but it was too hot that day and my husband was dealing with a foot problem so we didnt get to finish the trail. We will go back in the fall. A beautiful place to view nature and art inside and out. The best part is that it was free!

Recently took a long weekend with my family to Bentonville. Wasn’t expecting anything spectacular but was pleasantly surprised! The building itself is a work of art. The collection was diverse with lots of great pieces. The fact that it was free to the public was a cherry on top! They also have an art studio for kids for some free hands on projects. We want to go back when it’s not so hot to do the 4 mile art walk around the property. The small section we saw outside the Frank Lloyd Wright house was so cool! Overall it’s really neat how the integrated art into the property and visa versa.

This museum needs to be mindful of people who are sensitive to 38-degree weather. We had an appointment to see the Frank Lloyd house at 2:00 and were told by the ticket cashier to not be late and get there 10 minutes early. We spoke to the guard (?) at the desk in front of the door that leads to the Frank Lloyd House at 1:48 and stated we had 2:00 tickets. We wanted to know if we should go now and how to get there. He said go now and pointed us to the outside stairs. When we got there 10 minutes early as we were told to do, the women at the desk in the opened covered patio said we could not go in as she had just let the 1:45 group in. I asked where do we wait to get out of the cold. “I am sorry you will have to walk back downstairs and wait inside there.” The museum takes a lot of walking to get around. This seems insensitive for those with limited mobility. It was just to much to ask.

Wonderful museum in Bentonville. Walton family has done an excellent job funding the museum. The special exhibition was Diego Riviera’s collection! Price for the special exhibition was $12. Book in advance. The museum is free.

Truly enjoyed the museum itself, art, Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson house and walking the grounds that were accessible. I look forward to returning when the expansion is complete. We took breaks to dine in the cafeteria and enjoy the view.

Very interesting museum filled with priceless art...and FREE to everyone. Relaxing experience, BUT renovating right now so we only saw 2 of the 4 indoor areas of art. We could tell by the museum's gift store book that we missed seeing a lot of the key pieces. On a pretty day, the outdoor trails will be as enjoyable as the inside. All volunteers were so helpful. Just hard if you are a first-timer knowing where to begin.

The walking trails surrounding Crystal Bridges are as enjoyable as the exhibits inside. When we return, we will likely take a full day and a half to more fully enjoy it instead of trying to do it all in one day. The Diego Rivera exhibit is beautifully put together. Eleven, the cafe, is efficient and the food is quite nice. The volunteers & staff were friendly and super helpful. We were amazed to learn of the major expansion is underway and look forward to scheduling another visit.

One suggestion - for first timers, the parking facilities are a little confusing. More clear, visible signage on where you are parked would be helpful.

Architectural the place is beautiful, there is something for all tastes to look at, the library is wonderful. The restaurant for lunch is very limited but the food is good although a bit pricy. There is also a little place you get a drink or coffee and a snack. The outside grounds are a great nature experience. The art walk is very nice and leads to other options for a more rugged experience. All of this is free, of course you have to pay for the food. There are also course, workshops, lectures and a fine dining experience in the evening you have to pay for. There is unfortunately quite a bit of construction going on due to expansion at this time.

Really beautiful art museum with something for everyone. Due to the heat that day we stayed indoors and enjoyed the variety of artwork. I appreciated the museum’s thoughtful commentary about under-representation or misrepresentation of women, indigenous peoples and people of color in art. I hope to go back some day and explore the sculpture gardens and various trails.

Very organized and very friendly staff. The restaurant for lunch was also very good. Prices not over the top and food was a good value.

We’ve visited this free museum twice in four months. Love the construction of the museum, the exhibits and the grounds! We purchased their picnic lunch in August and enjoyed it in the forest. Went to the Ansel Adams special exhibit this week. Nicely done. Be sure to leave time to sit in the restaurant in the middle of the museum. Beautiful spot for photos.

Nothing disappointing here. A very nice facility, staff very helpful, easy to find/park. Meal was excellent at the restaurant.

I know the art is supposed to be the attraction, but the architecture and grounds are spectacular. The free admission makes this a can't miss experience. The North Forest Lights is a great experience and worth the price of admission. The staff here are very friendly and helpful and very proud of this institution. Don't miss this if ever in Bentonville.

I've visited museums throughout the United States, Europe and China, this is a world class experience. The lovely ravine, the architecture, and the works of art all come together to make this museum special. This is a must visit museum!

We attended the “bug museum” at the prompting of the volunteer who assisted us and are so glad we followed her advice, it was the highlight of the day. We visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house (get the free audio set). We enjoyed spending the day here (about 4 hours), even though we’re not typically a Family that likes museums. We had planned to have lunch at the museum but they closed at 2:30. Wear comfortable shoes!

I haven't been here since 2017, and wow, this place keeps growing. They have a new construction project that will finish in a couple of years, but they have managed to keep it from interfering with the museum experience. The museum and grounds are free, and there are sculptures everywhere on the grounds. I would recommend a walk on the grounds and a view of the architecture even if you don't like art museums. Special exhibits are not free, so be sure to check what is showing. I saw a Diego Rivera exhibit that was excellent and reasonably priced. The Listening Forest evening walk through lighted special effects is beautiful, not cheap, but interesting. Don't miss the Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Chihuly glass sculptures in the gardens, and the giant spider. The museum has a nice collection of American art, including early American artists. Much of the collection is modern art and fun to see. Dining in the museum's restaurant is spotty. The line may be long and prices are not cheap. I had a citrus salad that was bitter with a rather tasteless dressing. On the other hand, others enjoyed their meals including a sweet cornbread, and the view is nice.

It’s free, so don’t be confused, like I was. Also, the collection of art is more impressive than I expected.

Because I didn’t know where to begin, I looked for a place to pay admission or get information and went to a kiosk screen that let me know that I could tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house on the property. I was game, reserved my spot, and went right to it. There, I got the self-guided tour audio tool, and got started. I’m so glad I did!

I then wandered around and enjoyed the outdoor installations. When I re-entered the museum, I found my way to the gallery … which again, I was somewhat unprepared for. But I talked to the doorman who told me that it’s a loop, bringing you out by the restaurant, and “don’t miss the mirror room.” I didn’t, and again, I’m so glad!

I also saw Calder, Rothko, O’Keefe … so many wonderful paintings and sculptures that I felt truly spoiled.

I will return, next time better prepared to see more!

This place exceeds all expectations. The collection is second to none and it was easy to navigate. We had a bite to eat at the restaurant and also enjoyed the art trail outside. We took the guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright home and thoroughly enjoyed it. Let’s be honest, there is no good way to get to Bentonville. It took us 7 hours and it was out of our way - but I am so very glad we took the time.

Amazing experience with so many viewing options! Unbelievable artwork on permanent display & the current photography display was impressive!

So disappointed in the Northern Lights at Crystal Bridges. Loved the museum and have visited many times and we were so excited to experience the Northern Lights, however, the experience was a huge let down. It was most definitely not worth $22 per person. Long lines, very crowded and the lights were nothing to get excited about.

The Crystal Bridges Museum is an architectural gem. The grounds are amazing! Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman House moved from New Jersey!

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Forest trails of artwork, galleries of artwork, the Usonian Home. General Admission is FREE. We did not need the paid, escorted, tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian nor did we purchase tickets to the “Get in the game” special exhibit. We did buy lunch to enjoy in their ELEVEN Restaurant.

The art galleries are not organized formally as in many Museums. It was slightly discombobulating to have several pieces of pottery between paintings, with no connection in time period, geography, or culture. There were several seating areas throughout the galleries.

The outside exhibits are great. In the galleries there is a garden display with a unique musical concept. On the pathways the exhibits range from whimsical to thought provoking.

Lunch was good, but limited for someone with multiple food allergies. Dishes cannot be altered to remove an allergen, like cranberries on a salad. I chose their version of a Shrimp Po’Boy. It was a good shrimp sandwich, but I wouldn’t call it a Po’Boy. My husband got the Chef Salad.

The gift shop was good!

We enjoyed the museum for a couple of hours. The highlights were the infinity room, the modern collection and the outdoor sculptures. The staff was very friendly and good at answering questions because it was easy to get turned around. We used the cb outdoor app for the sculptures on the art Trial. We liked the Fly’s eye and the skyscape would have been neat if it hadn’t been 90 degrees. We got free tickets to the Frank Lloyd Wright house which was small and not the best FLW site. The museum was great and wonderful that it was free due to the Walmart sponsorship.

A variety of artwork.
Very unwelcoming feeling though. It’s hard to know where to go and how to start at first. The staff are not friendly and we felt like we were being stalked by one particular staff member.

They were relocating most of the art so there were not many displays. As a matter of fact only two rooms actually has paintings in them. Typical frank loyd wrong architecture with everything broken up and no continuity. If you are in the area it’s ok but I worked not make a special trip to see this.

Didn’t go in wrights house. His house is a few to see. Park in the remote lot and take the shuttle to the museum, little parking at the actual museum.

We planned to go to Crystal Bridges to hike the trails around the museum. Unfortunately for us, our trip coincided with the arrival of a very rainy cold front. We made the best of it before the thunder and lightning cut our hike short. We did enjoy the 45 minutes we hiked with the light rain falling through the trees vibrant with fall colors...very relaxing. Wish we could have hiked them all. The trails we hiked were not very strenuous but some did have stairs along the way. Can’t wait to return and see it on a sunny day.

This is a gem of a museum. We’ve been to many of the greatest museums in the US and around the world and can easily say this is a world class and beautifully curated museum that would be popular in NYC, LA, Chicago or Paris, but is right here in the heart of the Ozarks.

Regardless of whether you like American Art, this museum is itself an architectural piece of art located in wooded tranquility that is sure to please any viewer. This is a must-see for anyone who is anywhere near NW Ark. In addition to the unique artwork and the stunning museum building, there are inviting walking trails and a restaurant that offers excellent and substantial servings (at prices generally in the $10-$13 range) in a setting surrounded by trees and serene water.

Second visit to the museum and this time for the Northern Lights. Overall good time. Recommend going early & purchasing tickets on line. We were there around 6 and crowd wasn't large. Longer we were there the busier it got. Leaving people were having to look for parking. Seemed to be enjoyed by all ages, but is a lot of walking and trails are minimally lit, so maybe an issue for some.

This museum is gorgeous & a wonderful blend of art & architecture. The museum building itself is a work of art and the artwork inside is displayed beautifully as well. We ate lunch at the restaurant "bridge" over the flowing water and the food was delicious. No excuse to miss this splendid museum -- the admission is free!

This is an amazing museum. The building alone is worth a visit. The art is a fine representation of our country’s artists. We can’t wait to return. If possible, stay close enough to walk to the museum to avoid weekend traffic.

A wonderful gift to our nation!

Make a time reservation before visiting this attraction.

What a great museum in terms of its rather extensive collection of art over the course of American history and the fantastic architecture of the building. Outside of the museum is a wonderful walking trail and sculpture offerings with a docent near-by to help you appreciate the piece. The Frank Lloyd Wright house was closed for work, but that would be interesting to view perhaps on a latter trip through Arkansas.

We ate lunch there and the table were safely distanced from other people. There was a good selection of food items .

Love this museum! Always a pleasure seeing the exhibits in and outside of the museum. It’s a favorite stop when we can make it there. And it’s free!

The crafts exhibit was interesting but did not include a lot of current artists. Still highly recommend it. We also walked thru the permanent collection. I prefer the previous arrangement when it was more in chronological order, but I still enjoyed every minute. The views out the windows of red bud and dogwood trees were a special treat.

A wide collection of art presented with innovative perspectives. Beautiful grounds and architecture.

We were here about 1 year ago & enjoyed our visit. This time we came mainly to see the photo exhibit of Annie Leibovitz. That exhibit was very good. We enjoyed seeing the many photos & some of the stories about them. There was a flyer you got when you went into the exhibit. There were many parts of the details in that flyer that were not easy to navigate descriptions to the photos.
We did a guided tour of several rooms, which was very informative. We took a few walks outside to tour the grounds. We enjoyed seeing all that we did & also getting to meet & talk to others visiting. Everyone on the staff was super nice, friendly, & helpful.
Many parts were no charge.

Beautiful museum and it's free! There is a cost to see the special exhibits. We spent about 1.5 hours there but could have stayed longer. We'll have to go back!

One of the top museums our family has visited. Beautiful space & a great mix of art - so well done & displayed. Highly recommend!

Simply beautiful architecture and impressive collection of all types of artistic mediums.
Gracious and helpful staff. Clean and quiet.
It is well worth going out of your way for.

Crystal Bridges has an amazing collection of early American art and modern art. The exhibitions spaces are beautiful. The art is fantastic. Our highlights include: George Washington by Gilbert Stewart, Steel Mill by Thomas Hart Benton, Jimson Weed by O’Keeffe, Standing Explosion by Roy Lichtenstein, Circle of Flowers by Alma Thomas, and the Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama. If time allows, enjoy the trails. We walked the Crystal Spring trail that passes the Frank Llyod Wright house, the Tulip Tree trail that passes the Tulip Tree shelter and a portion of the Orchard trail.

This was my 5th visit since it opened, and there is always something new to see. Plus, there is lots of construction going on, which is going to enlarge the museum bo about 50%. I love the way that you can walk on the paved trail from downtown Bentonville to the museum

none of our friends could believe we were going to arkansas.
however, found that bentonville was quite a sophisticated city, with an outstanding art museum.

Very well done. We all enjoyed it. We got tickets to the craft exhibit. That was our least favorite part. But, others might enjoy. Sad we couldn’t go in the Wright house. He is our favorite architect. That’s the closest we’ve been to his work. So sad covid kept us out. I wish they could have sold tickets for us to go in o e at a time or something. I loved the art exhibits. Short and sweet. Bathrooms were all clean. The staff was Uber worried about us having mask over our nose. That got annoying, but we know they didn’t make the rule. Of course we had it on correct when we were close to people. Liked the small gift shop too. Nice place to relax.

Easy to get to and park. Wide variety of art, great presentation and it was free! Also went to a night time light exhibition that was fantastic.

Outstanding collection of artwork. This museum is one of the best art museums in the country. The layout was really pleasing as it worked with the landscape. The facilities were really top notch. Pay the extra and see the special exhibit, it is well worth it. We will be back.

A lot of art to view here. Plenty of unique installations that rotate from time to time. The frank lloyd wright home is worth the wait, just make sure you get the free tickets ahead of time so you can enter when needed. The grounds have paths with unique art installations as well.

We are on an art museum tour of the heartland and have had many outstanding experiences. We made a special provision to visit Bentonville and check out their collection as well as the revered architecture. Two of the three galleries were closed which was extremely disappointing. While works have been moved into the remaining gallery, the collection of American art is nice but far from outstanding. The walk from town is lovely, and the architecture is always in the eye of the beholder. I can only say that if you've been to the Bilbao, this is not it! Preservation of the Frank Lloyd Wright usonian home is very commendable, particularly since it came from our hometown in New Jersey, but it is not furnished and ranks last on our list of FLW properties including usonian houses. Just saying....

I have wanted to visit Northwestern Arkansas just to see this museum for years. Finally was able to visit and it lived up to expectations. This is one of the best museums I've ever been to period! Beautiful location, beautiful architecture, just amazing. Be sure to carve out plenty of time to walk a trail or two on the museum grounds. The art trail is a great shorter trail with a few exhibits and sculptures to look at. During the pandemic you will need to buy timed tickets in advance online if you are paying to see a specific exhibit. My recommendation is to choose a time earlier than later in the day. We saw the Ansel Adams exhibit on a Sunday afternoon and felt like it was a little too crowded for Covid. I still have to give this place 5/5 because it was that wonderful though.

Culture rich area, always something new around the corner!
Beaver Lake is just down the road for fun in the water as well!

Great art museum, free admission, beautiful setting, what more could you want? If you are in the area, don't miss it.

I've said it before, one of the best art museums in the US. Wonderul collection, the new exhibition the dirty south is incredible. I suggest it to anyone who is in the area.

What an amazing experience we had today at Crystal Bridges. Thank you Ms Walton for your amazing gift of this fabulous place to experience beautiful American art.

We went to see the museum in conjunction with following the eclipse to Arkansas. We knew about Alice Walton’s museum, but we thought we would never be near Bentonville. It’s hard to express the beauty of the building along or the outside nature walk. There are sculptures along the way, as well as a Frank Lloyd Wright home to view the poplar trees, and the wildlife outside are just part of the beauty of this amazing place the museum at self, the building is modern and beautiful. They are expanding it to twice its size currently. The amount of fine art and modern art that has been collected by. Alice is phenomenal. We were exhausted and we still didn’t see everything our tour guide Faye, took us on tour in the morning and later in the afternoon. She was so knowledgeable about the building, the collections, and the area it is actually worth making a special trip to Bentonville Arkansas to see this amazing museum I can’t express how well done it is, and how much attention and love went into every single detail, I’m looking forward to going back when they finish the other side that they are currently constructing. We also saw an event at the adjacent venue called the momentum. This was a wonderful trip for us and I recommend it highly.

What a lovely setting. Great exhibitions await; we delighted in the night tour that runs until Jan 2023. It was most certainly an artistic playground. The fashion exhibit was outstanding. The architecture was stunning. Don’t miss out.

Fantastic. Americas best museum. Always free. Conveniently located. Beautiful all American art and exhibits. Can’t wait for the completion of their 50% expansion. Thank you Alice.

Definitely worth the visit. We have been several times but went this time to see original prints of the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, the proposed Bill of Rights, and Articles of Confederation. There are only 11 of the original prints of the Constitution left in the world. We watched the film about the saving of the Buffalo River. It was very interesting. And also went thru the Frank Lloyd Wright house again. This place is big and they are adding on. The grounds are beautiful. If we lived closer, I am sure we would frequently visit. And it is free.

The setting was magnificent, especially in the Autumn. The architecture was stunning. We ate at the Eleven restaurant and the food was excellent.

The price was right. It was free which is unheard of these days.

The art and the art presentation was underwhelming. Part of it was the lack of cohesion and theme. Is there a difference between modern art and contemporary art? I don’t know what the difference is and the museum did little to enlighten me. And yet they have two separate wings.

Part of it was the art itself. It was less than.

Also the water surrounding the buildings was murky and took away from the setting when it should be a feature. They need to add some natural water features and filters to get that water moving instead of just sitting there.

Parking on a Thursday was daunting. I can only imagine a weekend!

What a treasure. This is exactly what successful business people should do. The Waltons have brought fantastic architecture and wonderful art to NE Arkansas, and admission is free!

Crystal bridges is an art museum, but everything about it is unique and beautiful. The art trail is a fairly easy walk. The museum is located in a forest which is also lovely. We also toured the Frank Lloyd Wright house which is on the property. We spent 4-5 hours there including lunchtime. A wonderful day.

Crystal Bridges is an awesome gift from Alice Walton to Bentonville visitors. There is no entrance fee to the museum, only special exhibits. The museum is extraordinary, food at Eleven delicious and the exhibits excellent. We enjoyed the Fashion exhibit and the $12 fee was very reasonable. Crystal Bridges is definitely a "must visit" attraction in Bentonville.

Our friends took us here as an activity to do while we were in town. We really appreciated that this was a free activity. Even though part of the museum was closed due to construction, there was still plenty to see. The museum staff were friendly and we had one knowledgeable older man that kept coming over and talking with us to give us more info on some of the pieces. It’s a beautiful museum and a nice place to spend an hour or so.

Superb for enthusiasts and casuals alike! Detailed structure with lovely sights inside and out! Also free-of-charge.

My wife and I visited on the suggestion from the proprietor of the Inn where we stayed. We could not believe such a beautiful facility full of every kind of art was FREE to attend. There is art from a plethora of famous (Charles Willson Peale, Norman Rockwell, Alexander Calder, and Dale Chihuly to name a few) as well as not so famous artists whose work is incredible. It isn't just paintings either. This is a truly unique museum and the facility itself is a work of art in its own right. If you are within 50 miles of Bentonville, Arkansas, I strongly recommend you find some time to add this to your itinerary. It is absolutely breathtaking!

We spent about two hours at Crystal Bridges and very much enjoyed it. Very informative, interesting and well-curated American art. Don't miss the outdoor pieces - we especially loved the Narcissus Garden by Yayoi Kusama. The museum itself is a marvel of architectural engineering, and it was fun to read about how it was constructed. Highly recommend visiting if you are near or in the area!

By no means am I a pretentious art snob, but viewing the Thomas Moran, "Green River, Wyoming" with a dark shadow being cast across half of the sky was really disappointing. Being told simply that the gallery lighting was stationary seemed somewhat disrespectful of such a fine collection of great artists and their works.

The staff were otherwise very accessible, friendly and helpful.

Overall, the museum and its collections are absolutely worth seeing. The presentation and interpretation of the Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House alone was worth the visit. It was the highlight for me.

We always spend a day here while traveling from Texas to Missouri. New are every time and we like to revisit the Frank Lloyd Wright house on the grounds.

This is a uniquely designed museum with awesome modern architectural details and beautiful gardens. It’s sizable, but not overwhelming. When I went there was a well done, diverse exhibit of black art and heritage in the south called “The Dirty South.” There is also a good mix of early American and modern art. There is a cafe and a coffee shop. Entry is free, though special exhibits have a fairly small fee.

This place was amazing! The trails and museum were both fascinating. We were not able to go to the Frank Lloyd Wright house because it was raining, but we are planning on going back.

This is a beautiful museum that is built in a circle, so as you move through the galleries, you are also moving around the property. It's fantastic! There is natural light where there should be, and plenty of room for additional galleries and exhibitions. I loved the way the artwork was organized and displayed!! The galleries are thematic, so you have George Washington hanging right next to a contemporary piece. If you are an art lover, this museum is a MUST-DO attraction, and it's FREE!!! The only additional expense is for the special exhibit. Outside the museum are miles of hiking and biking trails. Pack a picnic. Make a day of it. The lands are beautiful and the perfect setting for such a beautiful museum.

Beware, this is a Black Lives Matters enterprise as openly declared on their website, aka as the liberals return of trailer park trash. This is a great museum in spite of their nefarious racial agenda with the selection of a few paintings and the respectively accompanied with descriptions (see example photos with this review).

Give yourself at least a couple hours if you appreciate fine art then to review the free collections on display. No need to pay to see the special exhibit (Ansel Adams through Jan. 3) unless you have a special interest or an abundant amount of time to kill.

Wow outstanding museum and grounds! Everyone said to visit and that’s correct. We walked the art trail and enjoyed the nice leveled surface and beautiful grounds. Check out the map they have shuttles, parking lots and walking trails with many different spots of entry. Saw many on bikes.

Fabulous exhibits. Beautiful art. Covid procedures so well done. Think having people come in at assigned times is an idea to keep forever.

The architecture alone is worth a visit, but to see such a thorough anthology of American art all displayed in one place is fantastic. The Ansel Adams exhibit was very interesting, too. I especially liked how the curator integrated other artists inspire by Adams or by his subjects.

A friend of mine recommended that we visit this museum. She was worried that she had spoken so favorably about it over the years that it would seem as though she had "oversold" it. After having been here, I told her it would be impossible to oversell this. It is magnificent and totally awe inspiring.

We spent two hours in the early morning (to beat the heat) from 8 - 10 a.m. walking on the trails. The sculptures along the trails are fabulous and diverse in nature. The trails are on beautifully treed and flowered grounds. The trails are perfectly paved and kept in perfect condition. There are benches located frequently along the way. There are also bathrooms along the trails. I envy the "locals" who have this available to them, at no cost, to do their daily walks. Truly a gift for all to enjoy.

At 10 a.m. we then went inside to enjoy the architecture and art of this overwhelmingly beautiful facility. It's truly beyond my ability to describe in a way that would do it justice.

We were lucky to participate in a tour offered, for free, by docent, Sarah. We learned so much more and were able to appreciate the history, architecture, and process of Crystal Bridges more completely than if we hadn't taken her tour.

I would recommend that before you explore the building, you go to the lower level to see the architectural model of CB so that you can appreciate the layout of the building and grounds.

Also, there are two separate, informative "apps" to download to use during your visit. The "inside" app is narrated by Alice Walton, herself.

I have been to at least 100 art museums in the world and I would say that this surpasses all fo them in it's "total" impact.

In closing, you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. It's magical. What a generous heart Alice Walton has. I look forward to returning to visit from Wisconsin or Arizona.

We had a few days between destinations. Ask a friend who lived near of something to do.
She said, CRYSTAL BRIDGES.
So we went , so surprised.. We loved every minute we were there.
A very nice addition was an outside exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures . We walked around a short trail through the woods while enjoying the beautiful glass art.

Not worth the $40 per person we paid. Waited almost an hour for the whispering tree — big letdown. Way more walking than lights!! Loved the art museum.

We had never heard of the CBMof AA, so what a wonderful treat when we arrived....cannot say enough about this marvelous museum, displays, layout, etc. To know it is free is truly amazing. We did purchase tickets to the Crafters Display and it was well worth the small fee...we felt blessed to be there during this event which only occurs every few years. We took two days, about 3 hrs per day, to roam the various eras of American Art and a small amount of the outdoor museum possibilities. Truly a gem of the Ozarks.

The buildings are stunning, and the paths outside the museum to the sculpture garden are lovely. There's a Frank Lloyd Wright house on the museum campus which offers a free self-guided tour-a definite must if you visit.
But the art collection...well, let's call it eclectic and frankly a bit disappointing this visitor. Some advice: review what's on the website to see if it's for you.

So rewarding to see it all but bring your own food and eat before going in. They have a food court but the food is not something you eat everyday. Weird sandwiches and salads. You can order the kids meal which is really your only option unless you like odd food. Bathrooms are in the basement so you will have to take elevator to get to them. Need more bathrooms

Crystal Bridges’ art collection spans five centuries of American art, featuring masterworks by artists from Colonial times through today. As we walked throughout the galleries, it was intriguing to view the artwork in chronological order and learn about the different types of paintings from a variety of American artists unbeknownst to us. The Crystal Bridges Museum is one of our favorite museums now. It is free. There's so much to explore. It is beautifully designed. There is a restaurant — and one that outranked museums in the U.S. and Europe on this list of best museum cafes in the world. So visitors can take a break for lunch and get some rest. We visited the museum first time this year. Unfortunately we did not get to experience all it had to offer as we were limited on time. Next time we will plan to spend two days in the Crystal Bridges Museum exploring the museum in it's entirety, indoors and outdoors.

Amazing museum and it’s free! Enjoy a leisurely walk through this museum.. you will enjoy it inside and outside. There is something for all ages. Outside for walkers and bicyclists… or just sit and relax.

Not only a jewel in the region, but truly a jewel in our country. More people need to see this place for sure. A beautiful setting, fantastic collection of artwork that is so approachable for any age. Very well done!

Yup, we flew from California to Bentonville just to visit Crystal Bridges Museum. It is excellent! Gorgeous architecture, beautiful trails and fantastic art collection. Really, if you are an art museum person, do not miss this place. (Bentonville is great, with lots of fine restaurants and the 21c Hotel.)

To begin with, the museum is set in a super wooded area filled with walking trails and a delightful Art Trail.
The museum is filled with American art and located on the grounds is an Frank Lloyd Wright House.
We have traveled all over the world and we would consider this a museum not to miss.

This museum has art for everyone. It had a very eclectic variety of art styles and the museum itself is a wonderful work of art. The area surrounding the museum feels like art itself!

A world class american art museum. Well curated with a variety of art as well as outdoor sculptures in a beautiful setting. Try to take the self guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house (make a reservation on line or in the lobby before walking over there). Free admission so it was easy to visit twice during our visit. Don't miss the infinity room -- the line moves fairly quickly. Also, the restaurant on premises is delicious.

The facilities are a work of art in itself. Situated in an ideal wooded landscape, the Crystal Bridges Museum is a wonderful venue with a vast collection of contemporary American art. The outdoor art trail is wonderful. in the evening, we enjoyed the outdoor interactive light trail. A full day worth of viewing beautiful artwork amidst the beautifully kept grounds. A definite destination visit when in the northwest Arkansas area.

Beautiful Place, took my kids 10 & 7 they were entertained and liked the experience. Friendly staff. The eating place Eleven was a little pricey but the experience and no admission to the museum covered that.

What a joy to have world-class art exhibited in Arkansas! The restaurant was okay, the gift shop was incredibly interesting, & the art itself was absolutely amazing! The main galleries & the sculpture garden are free to enter, but there is a small charge for the rotating featured exhibit. Can't wait to return, & am SO looking forward to what new treasures the expansion will bring. Go here. Go here now! Go here now, & go here often!

Beautiful art in a unique setting of amazing architecture and nature. Definitely with the trip to see permanent and visiting collections. Highly recommend visiting.

We were told at lunch one day that visiting this museum was a must while we were in town. I had to convince my group of gnarly mountain bikers to take a leap of faith and enjoy some culture. Once we all arrived at Crystal Bridges their attitudes changed, and we all were in awe of the collections of art that were on display.

The fact that there is no barrier to entry (free) opens this museum up to anyone of any background and speaks volumes to its very existence. The museum and grounds are beautiful, and all of the staff are welcoming and knowledgeable.

I found myself looking at the architecture of the buildings almost as much as I was looking at the art. The design and setting have been carefully crafted so that it blends into nature. Currently there is construction onsite to more than double the space and artwork displayed. I cannot wait to come back when it is all finished.

If you are or are not an art enthusiast, I highly recommend that you visit. The engineering and location of this museum is worth the trip. The art displayed is phenomenal, with most pieces providing who the artist is or was, date completed, and general information on the artist and piece.

Besides the museum, there are walking paths displaying sculptures and area fauna and flora.

We spent a couple hours walking the wonderful well cared for trails. Unfortunately we did not leave enough time to visit inside the museum.
This is an easy place for handicapped people in wheel chairs to get around.
Lots of helpful staff all around, on the trails in the parking lots (they have a free shuttle to the museum). Lots of different art work on the trails.

Wow! This place is incredible. The art is amazing and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. You could easily spend an entire day on the trails. Next time, I would love to bike the trails as we saw some incredible ramps while walking. I highly recommend not missing this museum!

I had never heard of this place until yesterday. It may be my favorite museum ever. “Museum” is a slight misnomer since the grounds are extensive but there is definitely something for everyone. I’m recommend the restaurant “Eleven” as well. We plan to return to see the extension once built.

can’t hate on a free museum, especially one of this quality. excellent collection of modern and old world art, 3D, paintings, architecture you name it.

I have been to museums all over the world and this rates as one father very best! The design of the buildings and displays is spectacular. Don’t bypass this wonderful experience.

The "In American Waters" exhibit is outstanding and the permanent exhibits have been changed a bit so tour those too.

This location is easy to find and offers so much!! From all kinds of art, hands on activities, dining, hiking, architecture, and shopping. It is really a joy to spend time here. You can experience art in an Airconditioned setting, or a shaded walk, or experiencing a Frank Lloyd Wright home, or walking on a sculpture path. This gift shop is very detailed with something for everyone. The docents are very knowledgeable and quite helpful. Dinning was a little high but not so high you walked past. Hard to believe entrance to this location is free!!! If you want to see the FLW home, get your free timed tickets before you visit on line to ensure you do see the home.

Our 4 days ( during the Covid ) were very nice. The Forest Night Light show is a must see ( beautiful schulptures, Chuhuly Glass... ), beautiful architchure, good gift shop, interesting museum (lovely works of art...some too politically based for us).
It's a nice weekend visit.

We were quite excited to have been in the area and be able to experience Crystal Bridges. Wonderful museum and surrounding property.

My wife and I took two of our grandsons to view the exhibits at Crystal Bridges. I’m not sure how many visits that we have made now, but we keep coming back for special exhibits. Our grandsons enjoyed the artwork, but they should have a greater appreciation as they grow older. This is a fantastic museum of American art. We much appreciate it is within three hours driving distance.

Whatever the detour you have to take to get here, it is worth it. This museum is amazing! The art collection is impressive; the architecture and grounds are absolutely inspiring. The husband and I were truly impressed and awed. This is a Do Not Miss experience!

I had never heard of this museum and we went as a family based on the reviews here on trip advisor. The collection is decidedly small given the size of the place. The outside of the building is not much to look at, but the inside is quite neat. I actually enjoyed the look of the place more than the collection. Lighting of many of the pieces in a salon-type presentation was quite poor. Admission was free, which made it better. But all in all not much. Not sure why it has perfect reviews here on TA. Not my cup of tea.

Wonderful museum, free entrance for the permanent collection (don't miss the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa made out of thread spools!)
So sorry we missed the light show, we heard it was spectacular

This was my first visit to the museum. It’s excellent! I was pleasantly surprised. We spent several hours there, and could have stayed longer. The lunch we had in their restaurant was delicious. Will definitely go back.

Beautiful grouping of modern arts.
Great restaurant on site, very used and noisy.
Do not hesitate to come by the Art Trail and enter through the south door of the museum. It is a 20-minute walk in a park where mostly bronze works are installed. We met some non-fierce deer there.
The temporary exhibition is paid for, the rest free.

This sprawling museum offers indoor and outdoor exhibits. We enjoyed it so much we went back to see something new over the course of 3 days. Some of the exhibits require tickets in advance. They also offer a calendar of hands-on art activities, so check the times and register before you go.

Plan plenty of time. Great for a hot summer day. An incredible place to visit. The art work is world class.

Great place to spend the day wandering through the various art galleries and grounds. You can tour a reconstructed Frank Lloyd Wright of his Usonian design.
I think this Museum and grounds would be a nice place to visit when the fall leaves arrive.

This museum is nice on so many levels. First, the Art Museum itself is wonderful. Good balance of different styles of art. Since it is American art, the time frame is not as expansive as other museums, but this is not a concern, just something to be aware of.

Secondly, on top of all the great art, there is the architecture of the museum itself, which is both interesting and unique. There are numerous panels explaining the construction and the design that are also interesting.

Third, the grounds around the museum are beautiful, coupled with the interesting outdoor art pieces. The trails are beautiful to hike (or bike). Wonderfully maintained.

Fourth is the Frank Lloyd Wright house, which was also fascinating. Don't skip this if you visit.

Finally, the staff, including those at the cafe & coffee bar were extremely friendly. Kudos to the staff!!

The main museum is free (a big plus), but spend the additional $$ to see the extras.

Don't miss this one!

The snow globe experience was a huge disappointment. The pictures and description of this exhibit were NO where near reality. We were told the globes would be warm with warm faux fur blankets inside waiting on us. There were 2 very small (like 3x3) cheap blankets inside and no heater or other way to warm up. We all sat there shivering. When the food arrived it was all barely warm. We ordered chili, among other things, and the chili was served lukewarm - couldn’t even melt the cheese. It was like they opened a can of chili and put it in the microwave for all of 30 seconds. I sent it back, and although they assured us they would make it right, the chili was brought out again not even warm enough to melt the cheese. The one item that was hot when it arrived was the rice pudding, so I know it would have been possible for them to serve our food at a desirable temperature. We paid good money for this experience and actually counted down the days until our family date. To say we were disappointed is an understatement for sure.

Really one of the best museums we’ve been to in the United States. So many museums try to be everything for everyone and inevitably leave you feeling like you’re eating from a buffet. Crystal Bridges was focused and (more importantly) told an excellent narrative about The United States through the pieces. We deeply appreciated the strong representation of women and the honest context given for each of the periods and pieces. If you go (and you absolutely should if you’re anywhere nearby) make sure to download the app. The audio tours were a welcome bonus and the background audio provided by Alice Walton really made the experience even better. We couldn’t recommend the museum more. And it’s free…

It was our first visit to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. My teen daughter is an Art enthusiast and enjoyed it tremendously!

First rate museum, amazing collection of American Art, free to all, all the time. Have visited several times and keep coming back. Has a good restaurant overlooking the museum and water. Amazing art (“Rosie the Riveter”, George Washington portraits, Georgia O’Keefe Lillies, etc). Also nice walking area, including a moved Frank Lloyd Wright house (relocated from NJ. Totally free to the public.

Best Museum for American Art Free Every day it’s open except special shows. Frank Lloyd Wright house is amazing. 5 miles of concrete walk/ bike path. Lots of outdoor incredible sculptures! Hard to believe it’s in Arkansas!! Thanks Alice Walton for your patronage of the Arts and your philanthropy to the Arts!!

This made for a fun Valentine's date, but the political art is disappointing. Most exhibits are engaging, and the staff is nice.

This is a great gift to the region and in fact the country. The collection and the building itself are both awesome in their breadth. FLWright house also noteworthy. Could spend many hours here, and to my surprise, I did. And admission is free for the main collection.

Lots of beautiful art that is well curated throughout galleries in the stunning architecture of the sprawling building. The cost is free thanks to Walmart. The staff is helpful. Parking is free.

The northern lights exhibit is good but we ordered the extra cheese tray and champagne for $79.as an addition to our tickets. It was a total rip off. The cheese plates were 2 lunchables and the “box of chocolates” were 3 pieces of cheap chocolate candy. Don’t bother

I can’t really review this highly rated museum because attendance was at capacity and could not accept walk-up visitors. Timed tickets can be reserved online in advance but they were sold out on the Friday we went. We waited for an hour until an evaluation was completed, but still no room so we left. We were on vacation in Oklahoma and drove an hour and a half one way to see the museum. There was a special Ansel Adams exhibit at the museum currently, so that could be one reason it was full, as well as COVID-19 restrictions. Just a heads up if you’re planning a visit there.

Stroll among the beautiful grounds, enjoy countless works of art and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture to be inspired. It is hard to choose which is best experience. The museum is an experience of indoor and outdoor art.

Loved this wonderful collection of art. The building is a work of art in itself. Highly recommend visiting this wonderful museum.

The art museum seemed somewhat average . Perhaps I was expecting too much. The outside grounds and Frank Lloyd Wright home were great.

I saw so many paintings that I had never seen before and they were thoughtfully and creatively displayed and interpreted. Thank you, Alice Walton

Such beautiful architecture! You can walk the trails , and simply look at the curves and design of this beautiful building! The artwork is carefully hung , so each work can be viewed and appreciated! We enjoyed our walk around the Crystal.... a must see!

The art is amazing and the building itself is a work of art. Art is laid out in a unique way (telling a story) rather than grouping genres in different galleries.

We love visiting Crystal Bridges. Hadn't been in 8 years and so much had changed. We opted for the guided Frank Lloyd Wright house tour this time. It was a very educational and interesting tour. Our guide, Steve, made this a great experience.

While staying in Eureka Springs for a long weekend, we decided to take a trip to Bentonville to visit Crystal Bridges. I had never heard of it before and my guy had been there a couple of years ago and raved about how beautiful it was. And oh my, he was right.

The museum itself is a work of art. I was expecting a small little museum with a couple of exhibits. I was not prepared for the expansive, multi building campus and the extensive garden art. Since it was pretty warm out, we only visited the art within a short walking distance. Those exhibits alone were beautiful to see.

The interior of the museum was multilevel with many exhibit rooms of all kinds of art. I was surprised to see paintings from Norman Rockwell, George, O’Keefe, and grandma Moses, among many many other artists. There were also sculptures and pottery, and just about everything an art lover would like to see.

There’s a huge open café, where you can purchase refreshments or lunch. There’s also a very large gift shop, staffed with very friendly people. I should also mention that the staff who were is each section of the museum were very helpful and answered a lot of the questions that we had.

The museum is currently undergoing a huge renovation project that should be completed in summer of 2026. We plan to return once the renovation has been completed so we can see the exhibits that were boxed up and waiting for their new home.

My only suggestion is that the museum offer golf cart rides around the outside exhibit areas for people who have trouble getting around. There are bikes that you can ride, however, some of the older people may not be wanting to do that. A golf cart, perhaps with a tour guide, would be a wonderful way for senior citizens to get to enjoy the parts of the museum that they would not otherwise get to see.

Lovely museum and grounds. A quite unexpected experience in NW Arkansas. This is a world class museum in a remote area, thanks to the generosity of the Walton family. Still in its infancy, I suspect that it will continue to grow and prosper over the nest several years. Beautiful artwork! The architecture is stunning. I would hope that as their reputation improves, they will be able to have better temporary exhibits, but the base collection is extremely good.

Beautiful place especially for arts lovers. Amazing collection of arts & paintings. Beautiful trails and surrounding nature.

As a local, we heard so much about Northern Lights Exhibition and took friends from out of town. $25 per person was a little much but after seeing previous lights in the forest during the holidays, we thought it would be exciting to see. However, it was a really big disappointment as compared to previous forest light exhibitions, even though it was billed as an interactive experience. It just didn’t meet our expectations.

Beautiful museum and a great mix of American art. Several unique pieces on display but not too many. As someone who isn't an art enthusiant I can sometimes get overwhelmed in larger museums. Crystal Bridges wasn't overwhelming. It was great. Staff was friendly. We also enjoyed the museum grounds and the trails. My only complaint was the parking. It was horrendous. Maybe we were there at an unusually busy day and time. But I can't complain too much because the parking is free as the admission to the museum.

I was surprised by the large art collection. Really enjoyed the contemporary art section. There's a Frank Lloyd Wright home on the property. We paid to join a guided tour of the home. Well worth it! We also were lucky enough to catch the Annie Leibowitz exhibit, also an extra cost. The museum and grounds are free of charge. There are many trails around the museum that we enjoyed walking through.
It's busy on the weekends but there is plenty of parking. We rented a cottage nearby so we could walk to it. Trails led us right to it!
We spent two days at the museum, the first day we hiked the trails and looked at the outdoor sculptures then did the FLW Home tour. We really enjoyed Nancy, our tour guide. The second day, we looked at the art collection inside the museum and the Annie Leibowitz collection.
Simply fabulous!!

This is a beautiful museum in the middle of busy Bentonville, Arkansas. Thanks to Alice Walton and Walmart, there is no admission charge. The architecture of the buildings is very unique and is laid out in a way that makes everything easy to see. Don't miss seeing the Frank Lloyd Wright house, which was moved to Bentonville from New Jersey. You can only view the downstairs, but the house is a perfect example of FLW's unique visions.

We took the architectural tour which was quite interesting. Unfortunately, the guide talked quite fast and although she had a microphone the speaker was facing behind her so I had to step away from the front. The grounds and building is beautiful and there is a lovely cafe. We did not see as much of the art as I would have liked due to time constraints. There are walking paths around that also have art installations along the way. It has well worth a visit. The temporary exhibit that showcases American fashion was fun. It was ticketed, however the museum is free.

The place to visit in Bentonville! Beautiful 1/2 mile walk (downhill) to get there, with various sculptures along the way. The museum is architecturally unique, and offers American art from 1600s through the contemporary period. Nice cafe & coffee bar, helpful docents. A joy to visit and free to boot!

My husband and I drove from
Okc to Bentonville to see the Annie Lebovitz exhibit while it was still there. So we made a weekend of it in lovely Bentonville. It was only my second visit to the museum; his first. The exhibit was phenomenal, as is the entire museum. After seeing the exhibit, we took a free tour of museum highlights, which was also very interesting. They are currently expanding the museum by 60%. It is definitely worth the drive.

A surprising jewel in the heart of NW AR. We were incredibly impressed. I never expected the gems this museum has to offer.

What a unique museum to visit. The art work is outstanding and the diversity of the paintings make it so interesting. The grounds of the museum are beautiful with walks through nature and still enjoying the artwork along the way. Even if you aren’t artsy you will fine something that is interesting to you. Nice facility and lots of staff around if you have questions.

Crystal Bridges Museum hits all the markers to lift your spirits; creative, historical and natural! If you don't get a close up parking spot, you will enjoy the short walk through the natural setting and the outdoor art leading your way to the museum...or take the complementary cart service. Spring of 2023, there is a lot of construction, but you can still have a fulfilling experience! Now that I live in NWA, I enjoy taking out of town visitors to this jewel of a destination! I recommend finishing the trip in the outdoor area. Kids love to adventure on the trails and everyone can appreciate the Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Said they would get me back to my school bus ( I have a bad leg) and then refused to take me. I drove high school and the needed an extra chaperone. After discussing my leg and ride situation they promised to get me back to my bus ( no worries) . Then they just didn’t.

Really didn’t expect how much I would love this place. Had a great time, the customer service is outstanding and the architecture in general is incredible.

Would come back for sure. Loved the different galleries and areas. Thank you so much for the experience.

Great afternoon date; bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds. A lovely art gallery undergoing a major expansion project to make it even better. Very interesting and unique pieces display a variety of perspectives. The collections transition succinctly incorporating the flow of design of the building.

Way overpriced. Cost $22 each paid in advance, or $27 each at the entrance. Walked around among the trees in the dark and listened to music while lights flash across about five pieces of crappy "art" among some rotting stumps. I could just have stayed home, put in some earbuds for music, and paid the kids $1 to run around the house and shine flashlights in my eyes.

This is one of the most extensive collections of art I've seen and to have it in Bentonville Arkansas is amazing. What a gift for this area and visitors like me. Make sure you set aside two days and read the descriptions. A great theme is present.

You can't beat the price. Even if you are not the biggest art fan, this is well worth a visit. I always look for the history behind the art, and Crystal Bridges provides this. Currently, there is a special exhibition of Annie Leibovitz for an extra cost. I wouldn't go thumbs up or down on this one. I felt it was worth it, but just barely.

Well we returned. It was nice. Construction going on. Cold and wet. A few different pieces. Just love this place.

This place is amazing. I had no idea the level of artwork that is housed here. So glad I was able to visit with my family. Do not hesitate to visit if you are able...admission is free unless you want to go to special exhibit.

Attractive setting in woods and on water. Good overall survey of artists, different than usual lineup, in part because this is a newer museum. It is interesting to see artists that you are not familiar with.

We were told by several people that this was the best - we found the exhibits to be very random - not themed as you go through the museum. There was an abundance of modern art which is not what we prefer- so personal preference.

This museum should be visited when you have at least a full day. The building is interesting on its own. Filled with 100's paintings and other works of art. Circling a pond whith multiple levels the building give the visitor a different feeling than given by the typical box museum that display paintings. lots of construction in a around the museum.

Great place to take your family. Met one of the staff on the shuttle ride from parking area and she was one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet,I wish I could remember her name. The museum was awesome,the art and the architecture,it is a days drive from home and I already want to go back.

First class art museum. Beautiful grounds and exhibits, easy to move around at your own pace. Especially loved the Ansel Adams exhibit

Arkansas is now on the arts & culture map for all lovers of American art and iconic architecture. This northwest Arkansas gem, created by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, is a don't-miss destination. The museum's natural setting on a beautiful stream boasts several miles of landscaped walking trails on the surrounding hillsides, dotted by charming animal sculptures and other art works. The grounds also feature a Frank Lloyd Wright house and a Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome. The museum has an excellent coffee bar, cafe, and Eleven restaurant plus a great gift shop. It is now being expanded. For current exhibits, check out its website.

Fabulous! This is an incredible facility with so many beautiful pieces of art. Some are inside and some are outside. Well worth the time.

This is so educational and fun! Well worth your time. Beautiful gardens and the exhibits are great for all ages! The summer is pretty, and we would love to see it in winter.

Had a nice visit here wit the family. Interesting works of art in a beautiful setting. Definitely worth a vist while here in Arkansas. It is even free admission. Grounds well kept a nice for a stroll. Staff friendly and helpful.

Such a surprise to find a museum like this in Bentonville. From the grounds, to the architecture, to the displays themselves, this is a world class first rate art museum that is well worth the trip. And get this: it's free to get in.

IMPORTANT TIP: What I didn't know is that, due to Covid, they are limiting the number of people that are allowed inside at any given time. I found out when I got there you need to go on line and reserve a time slot to get in. They have limited walk up spots but I was there very early in the day so they were able to get me in. Otherwise, it would have been a wasted stop.

We enjoyed the original artwork and being able to see the beautiful trails etc. outside while we sat & had tea. Very nice place!!! Don’t miss it!

Worth the trip, a must-see for any art lover. It is great to see Alice Walton giving the middle finger to the art world by bringing world-class art for free to the midwest.

Everyone said to us why are you going to Bentonville - let me tell you this town has it going on and everyone should put it on their bucket list

My husband and I drove the 2 hours to Bentonville to visit the museum. The last time we did so was about 5 years ago and the road in and the signposts seemed different from that long ago.

I think HWY 412 from Tulsa to Siloam Springs through Gentry and into Bentonvile is how we went and was recommended by GOOGLE MAPS.

The approach to the museum seemed different as well, but not difficult. We recommend getting there earlier in the day as parking fills up and when that does, there is a shuttle, and I can't direct you to that either.

The iron tree located at the front entrance is quite beautiful and a wonderful landmark. The museum is making improvements to the grounds and also adding buildings. We viewed all of the permanent displays, starting with "We the People". Reading some of the commentaries was very educational and I was impressed with the wide scope of inclsive language to view the works. Afterward we viewed the installations on the walls and the Chihuly sculpture from the ceiling- it was breathtaking. We had lunch at Eleven. I had a chicken sandwich and cornbread and my husband had pork and grits. The food is mid-priced and chef curated ( I suppose 40 dollars for two). In the eating area there is a takeaway sandwich and coffee bar as well. Seating areas were generous and I think eating allowed only in this area.

I visited the bookstore and along with interesting books, children's materials, I located Japanese pens, stationery and storage containers ( Tombow pens and writing instruments). All in all a very fun trip to replicate very soon!!

I love Crystal Bridges so much. I love to just go by myself and walk around and take in nature and the beauty.

Beautiful setting. Famous artwork displayed in a outstanding surroundings. Outdoor trails are a must. The Eleven cafe was good. Worth the travel.

This museum has interested me for years. I have known about Alice Walton’s love of art and collecting. Her collection is broad with magnificent early to recent American art. I especially love her Chihuly glass sculptures and her Visionary pieces, the later rarely collected. I celebrate her theme “We the People” that includes our diverse culture of immigrants, and now sexual identity. Truly a remarkable museum in both structure and theme.

As the reason for our trip from Dallas to Bentonville, the museum did not disappoint. We say that as regular museum patrons in Dallas and Fort Worth and wherever else we go. Driving in, we thought signage and parking directions were absent or confusing, but we found our place and followed others who seemed to know where they were going. Once we descended the elevator and found a map, we were good to go until we had completed, we thought, our tour and exited, we thought, through the very noisy restaurant. A very nice lady met us back near the elevator and made sure we ventured farther, along a hallway overlooking glass sculptures in the lake and featuring a magnificent quartz crystal that lacked clear explanation. We wished for (and recommend) a second day for the grounds and trails.

The museum architecture, grounds, design and layout are simply stunning, appropriate for an amazing collection of artwork. The curation and informational placards are impeccable. The exhibited pieces themselves are magnificent in beauty and importance and scope. The crafting exhibits were especially wondrous across a wide variety of disciplines. The Walton family has certainly demonstrated enormous largesse in amassing this outstanding collection and housed it in such a beautiful manner. I hope to visit Crystal Bridges again when I can.

This museum has an amazing display of beautiful American art. It was well worth a 3 hour drive from Kansas City to get there. Their special exhibits are well worth make a trip to see. We saw the Creatures exhibit of art created using naturally dead bugs, butterflies, fish, birds, lizards, and much more. We would definitely visit again when in the area. And the main museum is FREE to visit. Also, we had a medical emergency while there and the staff person was very kind and caring and capable.

I have now been to this beautiful museum twice. My last to see the christmas display in their forest lights. I loved the forest lights and this young blooming museu. I highly recommend a visit here even if you are from a larger metro with larger museums.

Very nice museum! Nice trail walking there! Lots of things to see, even with children! Very nice and helpful staff too!

🧟‍♂️🧟 Some of the staff and subjective policies were the problem here. As other reviews mentioned. Some workers following you around like they are stalking you. It's harder to enjoy the some of the great art and scenery when you feel you are the one being stared at. I complained to the manager, Heather I believe, about it. And she seemed sincere in her apology and addressing the concern. However, after coming from outside on the nice trail, some staff members were at it again. And it was more coordinated. As if 3 different staff members were coordinating where they can magically appear or wait as if they randomly happened to be waiting for us to pass them, and then they happened to be walking behind me or around me at the same or slower pace. If you ditch a tail, another one was waiting do the same thing. Don't you all have cameras for that if it was even that painstakingly necessary to begin with? Spoiler alert, it wasn't. Just a normal person trying to enjoy some art that felt harassed for some weird biases and incorrect assumptions. Naturally, the accused after everyone found out there was no ill will or intent, is left holding the bag of the traumatic experience and the accusers go along with their day as if "oh well, I thought there was something intensely wrong. Oh well." No accountability.

That and some other things noted in the area, left some bad impressions of the exhibit, owner/managers, and Arkansas. Clearly, wasn't everyone, but some weird sentiment picked up nonetheless.

Take your time here. There's lots to see and enjoy. Highly recommend getting tickets for the evening light show in the woods.

Great exhibits. Free museum. Came when visiting the area. Various art for everyone. Place to eat a quick meal and then walking paths to enjoy.

Excellent art displays in creative collections. The unique sculptures place throughout (like a vintage oversized dandelion from a hotel) add unique touch. There is a sense of exploration that you never know what you'll discover around the next corner. There is art and nature everywhere.

The art trails are amazing also while the Frank Lloyd Wright house on the premises is an added bonus.

My only complaint would be the road signage that directs people to the trails. It was non-existent from our approach. We had to use our GPS to get to a trailhead. Once there we took off walking, not really sure how long the trail was. We did enjoy watching the bikers perform runs as we walked past.

We would like to return and see some of the other trails. Highly recommend this museum and the trails.

Bentonville is pretty but I was not impressed with Crystal Bridges and think it incredibly boring. The grounds are pretty. Frank Lloyd Wright house made of cynder blocks is a pit, the emperor's clothes. I'm glad it is free for I would not pay to see it.
Bentonville Rogers area is pretty. Town seems very safe. Bentonville and original Wallton 5&10 interesting and well landscaped. Easy parking.

Wonderful experience. Well organized during COVID to be able to make reservations. It was not crowded. The collections were fantastic. Great mix and range of American Art. The building is easy to navigate so nothing is missed. We spent a couple of leisure hours on the beautiful grounds (sadly, the Frank Lloyd Wright house was closed and we could only see the outside) and nearly 3 hours inside ( we did purchase tickets to their American Craft exhibit). One of the docents, gave us a fantastic description of Alice Walton and how the museum was built. Don't miss this if you are in the vicinity. Amazing that it is free for all to enjoy. There were people of all ages and children were engaged and well behaved.

Beautiful museum in Bentonville. The town recently had a tornado go thru and it caused A LOT OF DAMAGE so with so many trees down we were unable to walk the path to see some sculptures. The inside special attraction was amazing. One man spent 25 years collecting insects, sea life, snakes and other colorful nature and composed the most beautiful bright colorful art pieces. It is truly amazing and we loved that part of the museum the best. To look close at all the detail involved, the numbers of days and hours he spent is remarkable. I highly recommend seeing that temporary exhibition.

This is a beautiful facility with much to see. Lots og interesting works to see. It would be easy to spend most of a day here.

Great, free space. We checked out the Wright House, as well as two exhibits. They are also a lot of connecting trails and a restaurant. You could spend all day here!

I quite enjoyed the paintings. The rooms are well set up. The descriptions and information about the arrests where great. I do have to say I have a preference for the older more detailed paintings the some with a more modern/comic twist. Also I enjoyed the Frank Lloyd Wright house.

We enjoyed the walk there and walking around the grounds more than the museum itself. A lot of the exhibits had an agenda more than the actual art for arts sake. We went there to look at and enjoy art, not get preached at. The art was quite diverse and changed as you went from one area to the next. Something for everyone, if you look hard enough.

Get a free ticket to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house, which was very interesting.

Overall, worth a visit, as is the whole city. We spent a whole day wandering and enjoying this town.

Crystal Bridges is an amazing art museum, complex, and grounds. We have been there many times, we are members. We love this place. This review is more specific to this year's "Time Loop" Exhibit.

The Good: As mentioned, we love Crystal Bridges and The Momentary. We go often to exhibits, events, or just to hang out. A chance to walk the grounds on a nice evening is always a welcome trip. The first year of the interactive light/sound experience was something to behold. The place was full of people, it was a remarkable event.

The not so good: This year and last year the event is a fraction of its initial glory. The exhibits have diminished in number; and of the 6 main attractions they had this year, only 3 were memorable or awe inspiring. They have removed the large fire pit at the concession area, not sure why. That was a very nice area that added to the ambiance of the events on these cooler nights. The crowds were a small fraction of the first year's event. For the cost of the event, more is expected.

Go and support Crystal Bridges, they have so many other wonderful events, exhibits, activities, and staff.

I love the chef inspired menu items at this high end museum restaurant. And,,, devotion to vegetables and health. Notice our pickled okra!

Pictured is a shrimp po boy and a burger.

We also enjoyed a coffee from the nearby coffee shop. Delish!

Well-curated. Good explanations. We spent about 1-1/2 hours in each gallery. The volunteers and staff are very friendly. Good gift shop. Be sure to get a free ticket to the Frank Lloyd Wright house. Highly recommend!

Crystal bridges is always a highlight of visiting my parents in NW Arkansas. I was disappointed to hear that the Infinity Room, which my parents really wanted to show me, was closed due to floor issues (the subfloor collapsed or some such thing). Also several of the outdoor paths were closed due to ongoing construction for the expansion of the museum. The Buckey Ball was nowhere to be seen and when my dad and I did go out on one of the paths, we could only find one of the Chihulys was still there. Otherwise it was a good visit, they had several new pieces of art out since my last visit and it is always fun to wander around and see what American Art they are focusing on. I look forward to the new section of the museum.

I’m rating one of the best museums in the country as poor? Yes. Now is not the time to go due to construction and Covid. Unless you reserve weeks in advance you will not see any exhibits anyway. I found the museum buildings themselves to be rather ugly and though the outside trails are fine, just be careful not to get run over by a bicyclist.

Annie Leibovitz exhibit was terrific. This beautiful museum is a true gift to the public. Will return next year even though it is not near my home.

We were only able to tour the sculpture garden, but were absolutely blown away. The place is stunning, and beautifully maintained. We were there in early spring, and all the trees were blooming. Just beautiful.

Many thanks to the docents! The museum was out of printed guides to the museum in English, only available in Spanish. However, even though we read Spanish, there is insufficient detail to provide much assistance. An attempt to download a guide to our phone was unsuccessful. Fortunately a docent saw we were having trouble and helped us orient ourselves and obtain free tickets to the Frank Lloyd Wright House. She also told us about the hour-long docent-led tour, which we thoroughly enjoyed. He led us through the museum, stopping to view a number of the works, explaining about the artists and background information. We did not have enough time to explore much outdoors, but we enjoyed perusing the galleries, with many different styles of art. It it really nice that the admission is free. It will be interesting to see again after the expansion now underway is completed.

Very relaxing & lovely afternoon at Crystal Bridges. Extremely clean, well staffed & interesting displays. Absolutely something for everyone including an area for the little ones to create art. This being our third visit, I would go again in the near future.

A wonderful art museum with an impressive collection. There are also lots of sculptures on the grounds including a dome by Buckminster Fuller. Awesome!

This museum is phenomenal. We spent hours walking through it. It also has sculptures and art outside on a walk path. We went to see the Knowing the West exhibit. It has a nice restaurant as well.

Super cool grounds to walk. The buildings and water features are excellent. Really an amazing museum all the way through, and it's free. Highly, highly recommended.

This is a great museum of American art - a wide variety! So many cool pieces to see, old and new. There's something for everyone to enjoy!!

Amazing collection. Beautiful grounds. Food from the restaurant was excellent.
I would have bought a t-shirt but I didn’t see any in the gift shop. Staff and volunteers were so helpful.

Alice Walton has created a thing of beauty with the architecture and art of Crystal Bridges. Some areas are free, others have admission fee. Easy to maneuver. Large cafeteria and gift shop overlook lagoon. Take your time to enjoy the beauty!

Lovely art and friendly people nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks. The art spans centuries of American works, collected to showcase the variety of cultures and perspectives that contribute to our diversity.

We were conflicted on how to rate our experience.
The museum itself is magnificent in its architecture, and much of its artistic content. Though we are not aficionados of all modern art, there were many fascinating and engrossing pieces/installments here.
The Frank Lloyd Wright house was quite interesting, with a well-structured and informative narration.
The staff throughout the complex were friendly, helpful, accommodating and attentive.
We do gravitate to what some now consider a more passe artistic approach, eg early European "masters", early American landscape works, etc.
And, here falls are dilemma. There were many striking and impressive works in these formats, which we truly enjoyed.
The problem, for us, was much of the printed narration on the surrounding walls of these works.
We understand, and applaud, that many museums, from Williamsburg to the National Gallery, are trying to put our artistic heritage in a more honest and inclusive perspective. Much of the narration here, however, seemed more like
pandering to a woke coastal elite; than a reasoned and measured look at much of the art that chronicled our national development.
Maybe the curators here believe they need to spew this narrative to gain respect and legitimacy for their fly-over-country creation. If that's the case, it would be a shame; as this is already such a wonderful achievement.
Avoid the distraction of the latest coddled elitist self-loathing; and simply let the art speak for itself, as its done for decades/centuries.

Excellent collection of (mostly) American art in a spectacular building and campus. High points were the temporary Diego Rivera exhibit and the architecture/setting of the museum (though the latter was a bit compromised by the adjacent construction sites for a museum expansion and other projects). Worth a half-day at least. We visited in winter but expect it would be even better in spring or summer. General admission is Free! Definitely a high point of our brief visit to western Arkansas.

There is no other word than fabulous to describe the museum. Our 4th time there was just as delightful as the first because the exhibits change. The docents are friendly and helpful (except one that preached the virtues of anti-vaxxing to us). The museum includes many outdoor exhibits as well as what is inside.

We purchased tickets to the American Craftsman exhibit and started there. Amazing creativity and skill was displayed through pottery, textiles, furniture, sculpture and more. Worth the price of the ticket for sure.

The artwork displayed in the permanent exhibit was truly wonderful. Now my appreciation for art is varied and I definitely likes some more than others, bit all around it it a great slice of American art and creativity. This was my second time to visit and it was wonderful.

Then we went outside! The dogwoods and red buds were in full bloom and we walked
All through the gardens on most of the paths
They have laid out. Truly truly a great day!

Art museum in a beautiful setting. We had a drink and looked out over the water for a while; very relaxing. Make sure to get a free ticket to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright house.

This is a beautiful area with lots to see. If you are into art, then you would love this. I like the outdoors, so I really liked the outdoor walking around and seeing the sculptures more than the inside. The building itself is very beautiful.

I have to say that Time Loop was very disappointing compared to The North Forest Lights we went to in 2020 - which was an absolutely amazing experience. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. They definitely need to bring back all of the exhibits that were in the North Forest Lights of 2020. North Forest Lights was a 10 star. Time Loop - 1 star.

What a great place and such a good mixture of things to do and see. Very well planned put and looks to be expanding. Disappointed the Frank Lloyd house was closed but understand why.

This is a must see if you are in the area. Beautiful setting, art museum, great walking/biking trails with labeled flowers, trees. Mixed in walks are sculpture and other unique art displays. Great dining area, reasonable prices. Good for children, many things to do, surrounding area has many children focused exhibits also. Build around water features. Frank Lloyd Wright house on site with audio tours. Great day activity don't miss this. All free via Walmart family. Ideal visit would be a little later in spring when more blooming but good any time!

Crystal Bridges Museum is fabulous!! I love this place and have been several times when I'm in the area. You can't believe it's tucked in here in this part of Arkansas. The grounds around it are beautiful! This has to be on your bucket list! It will not disappoint!

Such an incredible venue supported entirely by the Walmart, family and other donors. It is free to the public except for special engagements. This museum is a must one visit Bentonville.

Incredible gift of a museum with free admission to the general public. Art and architecture amazing, inside and out. The building itself is a piece of art. We walked the grounds and paid for the special photography exhibit of Annie Leibovitz. It was a beautiful day to soak it all in.

What was our favorite experience at this magnificent museum? Hard to define. We value that all the art work, the architecture, the walking trails, the Bachman-Wilson House are all free of charge to everyone. There really is something for everyone--ages and tastes. Inside and outside experiences even in the dreary March weather reward the visitor.

We arrived a few minutes before opening time on a Saturday. Parking was easy close to the entrance but that area quickly filled up and the other parking area was used. The stainless steel tree sculpture outside let us know we were in for a treat. Once inside -- paying no admission; thank you, Walmart!-- we were captivated by the wide openness of the museum and the view of trees changing color just outside. The artwork on display was top quality from the original painting of Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell to the marble sculpture of Sappho's with unbelievable texture. The Infinity Room was fun to spend our allotted 60 seconds in seeing Japanese lanterns reflected in numerous mirrors. We very much enjoyed the America on the Seas exhibit that opened the day we visited ( this required an admission fee that was easily handled when we were ready to enter). We enjoyed a nice lunch at their restaurant Eleven looking out onto water and woods. Overall we were there for five hours exploring inside the museum. There are so many nature trails outside that we did not take advantage of. We highly recommend that you visit.

Museum and grounds are beautiful, but art collection is underwhelming and laden with woke admonishing of white privilege, colonialism and critical race theory. Restaurant is good as is the tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house. The sounds and light evening forest show is a little lame.

There's lots to see here. We spent a half day in the special exhibit. Then came back the next day for the regular exhibits. And some time strolling the grounds and took in an evening outdoor concert. The regular exhibit does a good job of incorporating materials from and about the many peoples of the area. I liked the way contrasting pieces were set next to each other so you could view them together.

This was an unexpected jewel on our recent trip. Due to my husband's health, we were unable to fully enjoy what all the museum offered but enjoyed what we could. I'll start with just getting to the property, especially for handicapped visitors since this is a concern for my husband. I thought the parking areas were well marked, especially for handicapped parking. Handicapped parking, with permit, is located in a covered area just by the elevators that take you directly to the main part of the museum. We planned to arrive a bit early to secure good parking and by luck, a couple of museum employees were placing some wheelchairs just outside of the elevators for folks to borrow. My hubby is a recent cancer survivor and fatigues easily so the use of a wheelchair was so helpful.

Once off the elevator, we were met with a very helpful person that provided a map and gave us some good general information. They did mention going to the Frank Lloyd Wright property on the grounds there but we had been unable to secure online reservations ahead of time for our day to visit. While on the subject of staff and volunteers, everyone there was exceptional and made our visit great!

There were plenty of benches throughout the exhibits and also easy to find bathrooms. We didn't have time to enjoy the outdoor trails or art outside but would love to come back another time. We also didn't try out Eleven for food or drink due to timing on our trip. I guess our only complaint was that on the day we visited, Thursday. the museum doesn't open until 11am. But that is a very minor complaint, especially since this is a free museum except for certain special exhibitions. If you're ever in or near Bentonville, this is a must see!!

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this museum? It's hard to believe that a museum of this quality is in northern Arkansas. They had several interesting pieces of art - you can tell that they have a focus on more modern art. Take a walk on their trails if the weather is nice. We didn't eat in the restaurant but it had a great view of the water so you might try that if you're hungry. Overall, it was a wonderful experience!

Beautiful, well designed museum of American art. Many American masterpieces are exhibited with many docents to direct and answer questions. I was surprised at the absence, or I missed art by Andy Warhol, Andrew Wyeth, and Norman Rockwell.

When Alice Walton used her wealth and influence to build an art museum in North-West Arkansas she created a treasure that millions of people will benefit from. The art is magnificent, but even more beautiful is the surrounding Ozark forest with outdoor art and outdoor beauty. If you are an art lover or an outdoor lover, you should not pass this up. There is no fee to visit Museum and you should plan to spend as much time walking outside and inside as you can. It really is an amazing art museum.

This place offers stunning architecture and fabulous pieces of art both indoor and outdoor. And it has free entrance!

Large multi-gallery art museum. Saw many paintings that were quite famous. Busy on a Wednesday afternoon, so quite popular place. Grounds are beautiful and had nice walking trails.

Spectacular architecture on beautiful grounds. Impressive and wide ranging collection of American art. All the staff we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. Yes, America has past that included slavery and mistreatment of Native Americans, but the art commentary laid a very thick helping of guilt on the current generation that had nothing to do with those wrongs.

Enjoy the art and marvel at the talent and creativity of the artists.

A jewel for NWA. Lovely space indoors, outdoors and the building. Free parking free entry except for special displays. They have a studio for people to make their own art for free as well. Mostly for kids but my friend sat in there for over a hour making art. If I lived in the area I would be here monthly. Highly recommend.

This was a great experience when I visited. It was very diverse and great to see in a small city. I would love to visit again. My kids loved it.

This awesome architecture has a lady staff who welcomed us with such warmth. Free admission to roam the indoor and outdoor art exhibits. The latter are along verdant trails.
The cafe located in a glass walled bridge is reasonably priced.

This is a gem in the midst of the Ozark Forest courtesy of the Walmart family’s generosity.

Long on my bucket list, we finally arrived here due to an unexpected cross-country auto trip, most of which was in desolate I-40 territory. This is not an easy place to get to!
However, Crystal Bridges exceeded my very high expectations. Like LA’s Getty Museum, this is a soothing, unforgettable experience. Unlike the Getty, CB is in a lovely 130-acre park setting, with a myriad of lovely trails and it’s free! We enjoyed the galleries at leisure and had lunch in the excellent “Eleven” Cafe. Only wish this museum was closer to major population centers so more could enjoy it. It’s now in the midst of a 50% expansion.

Phenomenal experience. The architecture was stunning, beautiful, clean, simple and uncluttered. Lovely tree art sculpture at entrance. Lovely pond with Chihuly glass floating balls that were stunning and enjoyable to observe. The lunch cafe, though pricey, accommodated our vegetarian order close to the cafe closing for a private event. We enjoyed the modest, transported Frank Lloyd Wright house, but would not go out of your way to see it. There is a large sculpture garden, paved walking/biking trails, lots of benchs, balconies, lookout spots throughout the structure.

I moved steadily through the museum with my tween age son who found a lot to be interested in. The gift shop was amazing and I enjoyed and learned a lot from simple browsing. Did you know that a dandelion sends up 12 flowers per year?

The experience offered a lot of loveliness in the most unexpected place.

We came for the North Forest lights and were not disappointed! The lights were magical and parking was easy. Food truck and beverages available. Good for all ages. Face masks were required outdoors although didn't seem like it was strictly enforced.

This was the most unexpected, fantastic, beautiful art experience that my husband and I are so thankful that we got to experience! Alice Walton truly is one amazing woman to develop this art museum/experience!

There is, of course, lots of great art inside. Since the pieces of art are basically arranged by the date created, it is easy to find specific pieces of interest. The building itself and the landscaping is very interesting, and worth taking time to carefully gaze. Although we were excited to see some specific pieces by Hopper, Rothko, Rockwell, and Warhol , we were most interested in the trails and outdoor sculpture, but unfortunately it was cold and raining when we visited. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and masks were required (and everyone complied).

Really glad to have gotten to see the North Forest Lights exhibit. The outdoor light and music installations are serene and technical at the same time and there are several that are interactive. Went with my daughter and mother and we all had a great time.

Why only 2 stars? The interpretive placards in the galleries. It felt like half of the permanent exhibits were described with depressing statements on the ills of history, and little else. Opportunities to discuss the various schools of art, brushwork, the history of the sitter, the artist's contemporaries, materials used... generally overlooked to cram in another statement about the evils of the past. It felt like I wore a hairshirt going through many of the galleries. If you're hanging a John Singer Sargent and a Maxfield Parrish, mixed among other works with no signage, you're missing opportunities to educate viewers about the commodification of art, ties to advertising, and scandalous histories. And stating a still-life of bananas is nostalgic for a time that never was is just... odd. Obviously, I'm disappointed. The grounds are beautiful, the building is amazing, and there is excellent art throughout. To the curators - if you want to educate your guests, young and old, then do it - on a wide variety of topics that will engage and sometimes even elevate.

Well worth the time to visit. The exhibits encompass different eras of the development of the U.S. , and acknowledge different cultural contributions.

Beautiful architecture with an unexpected modern arts collection. Must visit in Northwest Arkansas. Crystal Bridges also has a nice café and a restaurant on site, and a few short outside trails sprinkled with sculptures. Best of all - it’s free!

So much to see and do, you need at least two days to take it all in. And to think it is all free, thanks to the Walton Family. We first found out about it on an episode of "Sunday Morning" with Jane Pauley interviewing Alice Walton, founder of Crystal Bridges. It is every bit as beautiful as they said it was. There is a great restaurant inside called "Eleven", so we didn't even have to leave to go find lunch somewhere. The only problem was trying to find the Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House that it located at Crystal Bridges. We had tickets for 10 a.m. and we asked several employees where it was and we were sent in different directions. We finally happened upon the trail that led to it and made it just in time for our tour. The young girl taking the tickets wouldn't let us run back to the car to get something we left inside. She said 10 o'clock means 10 o'clock and we didn't have time to walk to the parking lot to get anything.

The staff are extremely rude and accusatory. After accidentally lightly bumping into something, a staff member continued to accuse me of intentionally doing it. We had spent a good 5 minutes telling our child not to touch anything before went we in the museum. Then when I accidentally bumped into something, they essentially claimed I was lying when I told then it was an unintentional accident. None of the art was harmed, but the staff was extremely rude. I would not recommend going there and would definitely not spend any money at the museum since their staff is so rude. They need to train the staff to have customer service and believe guests if they say something is unintentional if their follow up actions support their words. The attitude of the staff is disgusting and entitled. Stay away at all cost!

World class collection. Exquisite and fun art in every media that won’t disappoint. Check out the easily hiked outdoor artwalk paths appropriate for all ages. Nice coffee and gift shop and great special exhibitions. The one only criticism is the surrounding waterways immediately around the center - too much floating debris/garbage in the very muddy water detracts from the otherwise near perfectly beautiful environment. Kinda felt bad for the wedding happening there that day.

This museum was such a pleasant surprise. First, I did not expect parking and admission to be free. The special exhibit and the Frank Lloyd Wright House required a purchased ticket, but there is plenty to see if you don't go to those. The collection of America art is very diverse and interesting, with works from the early 19th century to the present. The infinity mirror room is fun. The trails are beautiful and also include works of art along the way. The restaurant has beautiful views. Don't miss this museum!!

Visited here to see Ansel Adams exhibit. Timed entry to museum and exhibit. Great photography well done. The grounds are beautiful with walking trails and sculptures. Don't miss this place when in NW Arkansas.

It’s a gorgeous place especially the architecture. We were there when there was hardly anyone visiting and the outdoor gardens and walkways combined with art were beautiful abd serene.

This rating is a combination of a 5 for the beautiful structure, a 5 for the wonderful art collection, and a ZERO for the captioning of the exhibits. I always read captions with paintings to enhance my understanding of what I’m viewing, but the people who wrote the captions in this museum have obviously been marinating in some woke witches brew made from a stock of Social Justice Fundamentalism. Barely an opportunity is missed to take a shot at the American Founders or white immigrants in general. There are repeated references to members of the “In Crowd” painting pictures of themselves as though no one else mattered, yet any painting of indigenous population is criticized as either unrealistic, condescending, or deliberately misleading. The writers also repeatedly inject references to American slavery into paintings that have nothing to do with slavery. It’s distracting and disgusting. I don’t come to an art museum to be lectured about White Guilt.

If the indigenous population is so under-represented, or represented improperly, where is the Crystal Bridges gallery full of paintings created by indigenous painters? Um, well, there aren't any. So is Crystal Bridges deliberately excluding all those indigenous masterpieces, or is there an inconvenient absence of quality paintings from that population? And, if the latter, is the best solution simply to criticize and tear down the European painters who were doing what they excelled at? Is the meritocracy so annoying to caption writers? And if the European art is so crappy and racist, why build a monument to it?

So, definitely go to Crystal Bridges. It’s a jaw-dropping experience. Enjoy the building and immerse yourself in the art, but skip the condescending, scolding captions unless you want to feel like you’re sitting in some Ivy League revisionist sociology class. I have to wonder if Alice Walton is aware of how these people defacing and insulting her beautiful collection. They should be fired. Or at least given one-way airline tickets to a country that they think is better than the United States with its "racist" and "colonialist" history.

P.S. If anyone from the museum is reading this, you might be shocked to learn that Americans did not invent slavery. In fact, they were the only people to go to war to end, losing 600,000 lives in the process. Heres'a shocker: even the American indigenous population frequently engaged in slavery before and after Europeans arrived here. Also, you'd be surprised to learn than many indigenous tribes were warlike and brutal to each other. And they violated agreements with each other, too. White settlers were hardly the first people to invade tribal territories. Your selective outrage would be comical if it you weren't given such influence at this amazing museum and its beautiful collection.

If you like art you will like this museum. Best of all it is FREE. There is all types of art here. You will find pottery, paintings, sculpture, and other medias. They are from all different time periods. It is all housed in a beautiful, interesting building. The grounds are beautiful also and is used as an extension of the museum. The art outside is just as interesting. The trails on the grounds are beautiful and paved. I was with someone in a wheelchair so it was nice he could enjoy the outdoor art, too. That being said if you aren't in shape you may have problems. They say it is an incline is an understatement. It is a hill. You have to push uphill for a little under a 1/2 mile. I did it but it was hard. I am not in shape. I don't think I would do it again. walking it was ok. But not pushing a wheelchair. I look forward to going again. Next time I would l like to spend a little more time to just stare. Some of the art was fascinating.

I heard great things about this museum and our experience exceeded expectations. Both the architecture and collections were great. It's just a great venue to walk around to take it all in. It's a bonus that there's a FLW house onsite and admission is free. We did reserve our time for the house and get tickets from home.

Why is the Infinity Room closed every time that I visit? This is always incredibly disappointing. It seems that there could possibly be a better way to keep it up and running for guests.

Indoors has a varied selection of art; easy to walk through in a short amount of time but set up so you can linger - including some nice seating areas. The museum is in a Beautiful natural setting and has a series of short trails with art along the path. You can walk a little or a lot.

Their collection of American Art, from early art to now, is remarkable! Displays included well-known artists as well as others. We regularly visit the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art, and the Crystal Bridges collection is equal to them on quality, if not quantity…
Like those other great museums, admission is free!
Having a Frank Lloyd Wright house on the grounds was a special treat!

What a wonderful way to spend the day. My friend heard about Crystal Bridge, and made it a point to visit here. I'm glad he did. We spent the entire morning and some afternoon there. What a beautiful and peaceful place. Alice sure knows how to pick beautiful artwork. A must stopover if you are near Bentonville, Arkansas.

This is an amazing place. The art museum is free!!! There is a rotating exhibit that costs, but you can see the rest of the museum for free. There is a Frank Lloyd Wright house there that you can also go in for free. There are several beautiful trails around the museum. It is a wonderful place to visit.

Absolutely outstanding! Impressive American art arranged in chronological order. The architecture of the building itself and the integration with the surrounding grounds is amazing. Set on 35 acres of mostly woodland, the trails with sculptures afforded an easy walk. Also, obtain at the museum entry your complimentary but timed tickets to the Frank Lloyd Wright home. We spent two full days at Crystal Bridges and would be excited to return.

We had the most amazing time at Crystal Bridges. The museum is spectacular and the art and lovely grounds were a pleasant surprise! The FLW house on the property was an added bonus. We can't wait to go back and visit again.

A wonderfully done facility…from the grounds and trails, outdoor sculptures, the architecture of the buildings to the art exhibits themselves. Just go!

We are museum groupies and have visited them all over the world. This is one of the best art museums I have seen, rivaling those in major cities but more approachable. The Exquisite Creatures exhibit was exquisite.

As a new resident to Northwest Arkansas, my husband and I decided to experience all the touristy things this area has to offer. We never got the chance to do that in the previous places we lived, and ended up regretting it later.

Our first stop was the Crystal Bridges Northern Lights display. It was $22 per adult which, in my opinion is not a bad price for a date-night outing. Crystal Bridges did an outstanding job creating a "living art" exhibit. The lights beating to the music, and highlighting the beauty of nature was something to truly be appreciated. It brought back memories of taking long walks in the woods by myself as a teenager.

I do think that you should visit if you have any appreciation for art- or pretty things for that matter. If you don't, then you won't "get it."

Before entering the displays there's a museum employee that gives you a synopsis of what the premise of the show is. So, you don't have to be an art expression expert to enjoy what is going on around you. I should also mention there's also kiosks with adult beverages, and snacks half way through the trail.

My only complaint would have to be the fact that I couldn't stop my glasses from fogging up, due to the required face-mask. It was a struggle to see at times. However, this is a fact of life now thanks to COVID-19. Personally, I don't think I'll ever understand how wearing a mask in the open-outdoors is being helpful. Fresh air and all.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting this event. It's something different compared to a stuffy museum visit.

This place did not disappoint! Definitely one of my favorite art museums that I have gotten to visit! Once you see all of the pieces inside venture outside to take in the sculptures on the grounds. There are several trails for those who love to hike. While the museum is free, I decided to buy a ticket to the additional exquisite creatures exhibit which was worth the price of admission. I will be back in the future!

This was a highlight of our trip to the area. Very will maintained. The exhibits were outstanding. Much better than I was looking for. A pleasure to visit. We look forward to our next visit.

BEAUTIFUL!! The building itself is a work is art. It feels like you're walking in nature. You must walk the trail from 21C to the museum. It's breathtaking! The art is exquisite. Simply beautiful!

This museum offers an exciting premise for visitors - a museum of American art in a region that lacks access to world class art. How sad that its founder and benefactor Ms. Walton would chose to proudly honor the currently popular anti-American progessive idealogies that are infiltrating so many of this great country's institutions. She must have an enormous anount of guilt over her family's success over mom and pop businesses coupled with a desire to be accepted by the coastal elites who might otherwise look down upon her pet project. However beautiful architecture and landscaping can be found here along with some monumental pieces of artwork. Just ignore the banal woke narratives scribled on the wall placards. And thank goodness for the European art museums that remind us how it should be done.

Beautiful museum from the art to the building to the grounds. Diego Rivera exhibit was fantastic, a must see. The museum does not disaapoint, do not miss it. We look forward to our next vivit.

Where to begin?? This museum had been on my bucket list for a few years and I had read about it, but I was still so blown away. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. If you don’t even appreciate art or architecture, but you like to be in nature and hike, you need to go there. The grounds are beautiful. There is an infectious joy and happiness in every person who works there that is inspiring. I felt like I had had a religious experience. The art collection is outstanding. We actually only got to see a small portion of it because the museum is adding rooms to be able to exhibit more. The cafe called Eleven serves delicious and healthy meals. Don’t expect typical food because it’s not. Crystal Bridges is an American treasure.

First Class, premiere Art Museum of American Art, covers early American art to current contemporary art. Don't miss the "Infinity Mirror Room" or the outdoor sculptures on the walking paths around the Museum. One of the finest Art Museums in the United States and well respected internationally.

The building itself is stunning, set against this beautiful backdrop of nature, which made exploring the outdoor trails just as enjoyable as the art inside. I loved seeing pieces from famous artists like Norman Rockwell and Georgia O’Keeffe, and the contemporary installations were really thought-provoking. The museum also has a great café where I grabbed a quick bite—definitely recommend the apple crisp for dessert!

Really enjoyed the Museum’s collection of early American Art, the Ansel Adams Special Exhibit, the beautiful Architecture of the modern Buildings and Lunch at the Museum’s “Eleven” restaurant!! Not a fan of the “Modern Art” collection but overall a fantastic Museum to visit. Highly Recommend!

We had heard such amazing things about this museum. And it totally lived up to the hype. World-class art in an architecturally gorgeous building that makes the most of its beautiful surroundings. The trails that wind out in every direction from the museum hold their own delights with sculpture and natural beauty at every turn. We requested the free, timed admission tickets to the Frank Lloyd Wright house that is on the property. That was a special treat. It’s not large, and you can only tour the first floor. And yet, how often do you get to tour one? The staff was friendly and helpful. Just top notch!

Always enjoy the galleries. This trip added the North Forest Lights - and it was worth it! Amazing technology and beautiful music - absolutely mesmerizing! Tip for those complaining about the wait at the Whispering Tree - sign up for one of the earliest times (we had the first session of the night) - there’s only about a 5 minute wait for everyone to participate early in the night.

What a beautiful museum - and it’s free!

Staff was helpful and friendly.

Beautifully maintained. So much to see and do.

The grounds are beautiful - well maintained paths to walk.

Restaurant was located in a beautiful section and food was delicious!

FYI - there is construction, so several paths were closed.

Tip: get there early! We got there at 10, and when we left at 1 it was packed.

Frank Lloyd Wright house tickets are free, but must get right away at front desk due to timed entry, or you might miss out. Don’t miss it - spectacular!

We enjoyed our visit very much even our 13 year old grandson. We probably went through a little faster than if he hadn't been with us but he certainly didn't fuss about our time there. We walked some of the outdoor trails and he really enjoyed those. I felt some of the outdoor exhibits could have used a little cleaning but were still very appealing. The price was fantastic...FREE!

So much beauty; you will love this we did the Ansel Adams exhibit, all the other
galleries plus did most outdoor Art Walks, also had lunch in the "Eleven"
All of it was so beautiful and you still had your Fall Colors on the trees
Look forward to a return visit when your construction i s finished.

This is a beautiful museum with excellent exhibitions and stunning design. We had the opportunity to explore both the temporary and permanent exhibits, each offering unique and captivating displays. The architectural design of the museum itself is amazing, adding to the overall experience. Unfortunately, the outdoor trail was closed due to the recent storm, which was a bit disappointing. Despite this, our visit was thoroughly enjoyable, and we will definitely be returning in the future to see more.

We planned a whole trip 10 day of museuming to Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas around visiting Crystal Bridges. This is the last day of the trip and it was a highlight. Not enough good things to say. I will not waste your time except with key advise.

1) Make sure you get tickets well in advance.
2) Get the ticket as early as possible in the day.
3) Spend 90 minutes looking then take a lunch break in ELEVEN, the restaurant in the museum.
4) Go for another 60 - 90 minutes and then take a coffee break.
5) Spend some time outdoors on the trails.
6) IF open and you can get a ticket, also visit the Bachman-Wilson (Frank Lloyd Wright) House which is part of the museum but another ticket is needed. Currently the house is closed for renovations.

Finally, a big thank you to the Walton Family and their foundation for this amazing gift to the American people.

Very interesting, nice museum. would have liked to have seen the Frank Lloyd House but ran out of time. Plan a visit if in that area. We drove over from Eureka Springs and worth the experiene

Crystal Bridges is well-regarded for its unique design. Nestled in a ravine above a lagoon, it’s comprised of 8 domed buildings connected by bridges across the lagoon. Combined with the several miles of nature and art trails around the property, the museum feels immersed in and integrated with its natural environment.

The collection is small but focused on American art. There are some standout paintings by Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keefe and Alexander Calder mobiles and sculptures. Whimsical pieces by Chihuly and Kusama on the trails are well-located.

There is also a Frank Lloyd Wright house on the property that can be toured. Everything except for a special exhibit is free.

Unfortunately, the museum is marred by pervasive progressive curation. It starts with the eye-rolling land acknowledgment. But then it continues into the artwork. Rather than explain the painting or the artist or the technique, the buzzwords - “structural racism,”
“Settler colonialism” - are applied to every work. One painting invents “restrictions on moving freely in society” that Mary Cassatt faced in Paris, but when given the opportunity to discuss a quilt made by another woman artist, the card instead noted that her husband owned 10 slaves. Every piece in the museum either is oppressive or about oppression. The curators refuse to celebrate anything about America. All art in the museum is described as a commentary on racial, gender, class or sexual struggle. It’s tiresome and it’s unwarranted and it’s time to return to using museums to educate and explain, not to propagandize.

Interesting museum architecture. Nice American art collection. Outstanding Wright Usonian house moved from New Jersey. Worth the trip

You can even take your bike here and ride on the art trail to the square! I didn't but would like to when the weather is nicer.

Wow! What a nice museum in Bentonville. There was a lot of wonderful art pieces; a lot more than I had expected and much higher quality. I would say that this museum has “world class” exhibits, thanks to the generosity of the Walton family. There was no admission fee which is amazing. It is very well staffed and laid out. The staff were all so, so helpful. You can tell that they are trained well. There is a wonderful store that has a great selection of books and gifts. The parking was nearly full both days we attended, but we found a parking spot. The cafe 11 was a wonderful place to have lunch. Splendid lunch location!

I really enjoyed looking at the art and visiting the museum during the day. HOWEVER! The North Forest Lights event we went to at the museum was amazing!! We had so much fun! I want to go back with just myself and the husband. The kids did enjoy it but were quick to grow bored at some shows.

This place is unbelievable. Architecture is out of this world, grounds, walking paths, and sculptures throughout are terrific.

We toured the Frank Lloyd Wright House which was yet another unbelievable amenity in this amazing place. There are extensive art collections throughout, although we expected more “wow” modern art pieces.

An absolute must visit place in Bentonville.

Crystal Bridges is a must visit when in Northwest Arkansas. American master painters from early America to later periods. Cost probably over $500+MM to build and more to curate. Give yourself at least 1-2 hours. Free nearly parking, note that restaurant inside museum had sold out of main entrees the afternoon when I was there (lunch seems to stop at 2:30pm). ADA OK. Tours. Museum Gift store.

Teenager liked the building and grounds more than the art. It’s a beautiful place with lots of variety of art which most can enjoy.

Such a cool place! "The Last Supper" exhibit is one of the most amazing things I've seen. We went back just for it!. Such a terrific addition to northwest Arkansas.

Very over-rated in my opinion. Huge waste of space and time. FREE. It is basically, an art museum. I saw no "CRYSTAL GARDENS" only a green pond.

We visited here several years ago and knew we needed to come back. We arrived one evening and stopped to see the Buckyball. We found that they were having a lights show in the forest. The entry fee was $27 and it was worth every penny. They have installed multiple light shows along the forest path and each one is unique. We spent about 2 hours strolling and enjoying this fantastic experience.

The following day we visited the Ansel Adams exhibit - oh my oh my- was it a show stopper. We then visited the other galleries and strolled around the woods for a daytime treat this place is wonderful. Thank you Alice Walton!