Museums, Parks, Trails for Biking Among Opportunities

By Alicia Acquistapace

Eagle View Contributing Writer

Northwest Arkansas has ranked among the 10 best places to live in the United States for eight years. Not only do the Ozarks make a great place to live, but they also make a great spring break destination or staycation for current residents. As the warm spring air comes in to wipe out the chilly winters Arkansas experiences, you can access many of the public parks, such as Osage Park in Bentonville, Wilson Park in Fayetteville, Hobbs State Park, or Devil’s Den State Park, where you can go on a hike or have a picnic, free of charge. The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, Buffalo National River, and Beaver Lake are also located in the region and are fun ways to experience nature and enjoy the weather.

Northwest Arkansas offers many different community events during spring break varying in price. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art provides an artmaking class for free, and you can explore the rest of the Crystal Bridges Museum while you are there. Crystal Bridges is bringing a new element to its visitors that opens over spring break — the Exquisite Creatures exhibit, creating an immersive environment that fosters a desire to protect and preserve the natural world. For museum members, it is free, and for adults wanting to visit, it costs $12 per person.

The Jones Center in Springdale offers many different activities, such as ice skating, for all ages Monday through Friday during spring break at a lower cost. The Arkansas Air and Military Museum will offer special hours during spring break, with the visit costing $11 for adults and $6 for kids. The Scott Family Amazeum provides fun playtime for children and adults and is conveniently located next to the trails of the Crystal Bridges Museum. The Walmart Museum, which tells the story of Sam Walton and the Walmart legacy, is undergoing renovation. However, in-person visits are available to the museum’s temporary home: The Walmart Museum Heritage Lab at 204 S. Main St. in Bentonville.

Spring break deals are appealing, but without them, there are many things you can do to occupy your time while in Northwest Arkansas. Each city in the Ozarks has a town square with an array of restaurants and shops you can explore. Alivia Wibert, a resident from Gravette, said that she loves to visit the Bentonville Square because “there are so many places to walk, like Compton Gardens … if I am not eating at a restaurant or shopping at a store, I still have a great time enjoying the heart of the city.” Bentonville, Arkansas, has also been named the mountain biking capital of the world, with more than 250 trails for bikers to ride on; it always gives visitors and residents a fun way to see the nature that the Ozarks provide and an excellent way to get their exercise in. Francisco Noboa, a resident of Lowell, stated that he is very new to mountain biking. Still, he enjoys that “anywhere I go in NWA, there is always a trail to ride on.”

Whether planning a spring break trip or a staycation, consider what Northwest Arkansas offers its visitors. It can provide you and your family with fun and educational activities at low costs.