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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville

No. 98 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 802,382 visitors in 2025

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Bentonville, United States · City guide: Bentonville

Five centuries of American art in pavilions over ponds in the Arkansas Ozarks, free to visit.

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Photo: Alan Islas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is No. 98 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 802,382 visitors in 2025, up 14% on 2024. Founded by Alice Walton, it opened in 2011 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Its galleries, designed by Moshe Safdie, are pavilions built across two spring-fed ponds in a wooded ravine, with walking trails and outdoor sculpture all around. Entry to the collection is free.

The main hall of Crystal Bridges
The main hall of Crystal Bridges. Photo: EEJCC, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn are best for the trails. The museum is closed on Tuesdays; check the official website for hours.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    American art

    Works from colonial portraits to Georgia O'Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and contemporary artists.

  • 2

    Frank Lloyd Wright house

    The Bachman-Wilson House, moved from New Jersey and rebuilt on the grounds.

  • 3

    Trails and sculpture

    Miles of forest trails with outdoor art.

  • 4

    The Momentary

    The museum's contemporary art space in a former cheese factory nearby.

Getting there

Crystal Bridges is at 600 Museum Way, a short walk from downtown Bentonville. Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) is about 30 minutes away by car.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Entry to the collection is free; some exhibitions charge. Check the official website for hours.
Time needed
Three hours or more, including the trails.
Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is customary: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink in bars.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most EU countries, Australia and Japan) need an approved ESTA before they travel; most other visitors need a visa. Canadian citizens generally need neither for a short visit. Apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for the current rules.

Official information: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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