ROAD TRIPS words and photos by ANNA PETROW
Road Trip Review. Spring has sprung, we made it through the winter, and it’s the perfect time to reward yourself with a little road trip. The drive itself from Kansas City through southern Missouri and into Arkansas is breathtaking any time of year, but the bright greens of freshly growing grass will be sure to put a spring in your step as you make your way to Bentonville: home of great eats, beautiful hikes, and, of course, the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. You can’t go wrong wandering around this darling little town, where friendly locals will be happy to give recommendations– but, just in case, here are some suggestions for a fun-filled weekend itinerary: Fuel up before your museum visit at Onyx Coffee Lab, a coffee roaster that has risen to fame for its dedication to finding the finest coffees in the world with transparency of practice. Located just off the quaint town square,
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this location is the company’s first custom built shop. The 360-degree white-tiled bar is stunning, with baristas mixing up unique seasonal concoctions with on-trend ingredients like turmeric, matcha, and even chili powder. The main attraction, of course, is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which this spring will showcase Crafting America, featuring over 100 works in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass, and more unexpected materials and representing a diverse story of the American craft from the 1940s to present day. Highlighted artists will include Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson, Sonya Clark, and more. The recent acquisition Companion Species: Speech Bubble by Marie Watt (Seneca) will also be on view, as well as the breathtaking permanent collection of American art that catapulted the museum into fame.
