3 Museums to Explore and Escape the Summer Heat in Bentonville

Visiting a museum is not only a way to educate yourself on various matters. It’s also an escape from reality. You get to instantly travel to different times and places and temporarily leave your own world behind, getting a better perspective on life in the process. Here are some of the most interesting museums in Bentonville.

1. Museum of Native American History

Established in 2006 and initially named the Museum of Native American Artifacts, this museum does a great job of informing and educating visitors on the life, history, and culture of the first people that lived in America. It was founded by a Bentonville local with Native American origins. The museum was an instant success and kept growing beyond its founder’s personal collection of artifacts, as many other collections were either loaned or donated to the museum. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m-5 p.m. and is accessible to everyone as they do not charge admission.

2. Scott Family Amazeum

Children generally love museums, but their enormous curiosity means they won’t be satisfied by simply watching and admiring various collections and exhibits. Instead, they want an interactive experience and the Amazeum will give them exactly that. Stretching over 50,000 square feet, the museum has many exciting and interactive exhibits that are sponsored by major organizations, such as the Nickelodeon Play Lab, Walmart Market, Hershey’s Lab, Nature Valley Water Amazements, and much more. Kids under the age of 2 can enter free, while those older than 2 years old and over are charged a $10 admission fee.

3. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Taking its name from a nearby natural spring, this museum was founded in 2005 by Alice Walton, a philanthropist and heir to Walmart Inc. Its amazing architecture is a work of art on its own and includes two spring-fed ponds, a glass bridge over them, a restaurant, a museum store, and a library. The museum’s art collections take the visitor on a journey that spans over five centuries, ranging from the colonial era up to modern day. New pieces of art are being added regularly, but the museum is also often home to temporary exhibits.

Aside from showing visitors pieces of American history, the museum also aims to educate both local children and teachers. K-12 teachers can refine their skills by attending various lectures and classes hosted here, while students that would like to get educated on the history of American art have two available research fellowship programs. Not only is the museum admission free, but it also covers all costs for school trips — from transportation to kids’ lunches — all to get more local children and their teachers interested in the relatively short but rich history of American art.

With so many options for education and entertainment available nowadays, museums often take a back seat to other fun activities. However, visiting one will often open your mind and give you a new perspective on things. Visiting any of the museums on this list is more than just a way to escape the summer heat for a few hours, as it will expose you to new worlds and dimensions.

Image via Pixabay

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