A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville, Arkansas was recently spotlighted in The New York Times for its transformation from a business hub to a world-class cycling destination. In this episode, host Nat welcomes local leaders in the cycling industry to reflect on the national attention and share a deeper look into how we got here.

Together, they explore what makes Bentonville’s trail system unique, how the shift to a leisure destination is fueling economic de...

Join host Nat Ross, Mountain Bike Hall of Famer, as he welcomes 9x World Champion Kenny Belaey, founder of the Bentonville Bike Fest, for an inside look at one of the most exciting cycling events in North America. 🎉🚴‍♂️

Now in its fifth year, Bike Fest has grown from a grassroots event into a global celebration of all things biking, featuring:

✅ Action-packed stunt shows and jaw-dropping trial competitions
 ✅ World-class brands...

Join Visit Bentonville as we share expert local insights on how to make the most of your time in Bentonville, Arkansas! Whether you're a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler to the MTB Capital of the World, this episode is packed with insider tips on top attractions, outdoor adventures, and must-visit spots around town.

From biking downtown and exploring world-class trails to discovering hidden gems and indulging in unforg...

Spring is one of the best times to experience Bentonville’s vibrant arts and outdoor scene! In this episode, we’re joined by an expert from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary to talk about the ultimate ways to enjoy the season—from art-filled nature trails to live music performances, seasonal exhibits like "KAWS:FAMILY," and immersive experiences. Whether you're a local or planning a visit, this...

Join Visit Bentonville with travel creator and influencer Amy Eastin of Everyday Outdoor Family about the best family road trip to Bentonville, Arkansas! 

Amy shares her expert tips on biking downtown, exploring scenic trails, and visiting top family-friendly spots like the Amazeum and Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. From unforgettable meals to outdoor adventures, Amy discusses how her family made the most of Bentonville’s unique attr...

Discover how Northwest Arkansas Community College here in Bentonville is shaping the future of outdoor recreation! In this episode, we dive into the Trail Tech program with a current student and instructor to learn about how they are transforming trail-building with cutting-edge technology, hands-on learning, and more. 

Learn how you can get involved in creating the next generation of trails and outdoor experiences here: https:...

Looking for outdoor adventures in Bentonville? In this episode of A New American Town, we chat with Kyla Templeton from Bike School Bentonville Whitney Selk and Lane Berrey from the Peel Compton Foundation about the exciting spring and summer camps happening in town! From mountain bike skills classes to guided rides, archery, and wetland tours, there’s something for everyone—kids and adults alike! 

Start planning your next outdoor e...

Join host Nat Ross and special guest Matt Timboe as they dive into everything you need to know about visiting Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville, AR. 

From world-class mountain biking and scenic trails to unique camping experiences and the hidden gems of this outdoor oasis—this episode is your guide to experiencing Coler like a local! 🌲☕🚴

Learn more about Coler Mountain Bike Preserve here: https://www.visitbentonville.com/...

Bentonville is known for its world-class trails, vibrant arts scene, and family-friendly attractions—and at the heart of it all is the Scott Family Amazeum, an interactive museum designed to inspire curiosity, learning, and creativity in visitors of all ages.

Join us as we talk to Holland Hayden about how the Amazeum brings hands-on learning to life through innovative exhibits, STEAM programming, and immersive experiences that make ...

Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, with three Fortune 500 companies, plus numerous businesses and startups eager to contribute to the local innovation scene.

Join us as we talk to Nelson Peacock, President/CEO of the NWA Council—a private, nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure, health care, and quality of life.

Did you know that the Walton Design Excellence Program promotes the highest level of design and belonging in Northwest Arkansas? This week you'll find out all of the projects, how to throw your hat in the ring, on and some favorite Bentonville architectural moments including these Design Excellence Projects:

Thaden School
Helen Walton Children's Enrichment Center
Quilt of Parks
Crystal Bridges Museum...

Meet Coach Kyle Lem, head softball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and champion behind the return of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic Softball tournament.  He and Visit Bentonville CEO, Kalene Griffith, joined us to talk about softball, women's sports, and the amazing amenities here in Bentonville. From the economic impact of sports on a destination and why Visit Bentonville continues to host successful softba...

Meet Lauren Pickman, businesswoman, race director, cancer survivor, wife, mother, and voice behind OZ Trails and Will Eubanks, experienced arts leader in bringing world-class, community-oriented experiences to Northwest Arkansas. They give us a general overview of the Send it South Bike and Music Festival coming to Bentonville, AR this February 7-9, 2025.

Find more information about Send it South via our website here and ...

Join us for a look into Bentonville's cultural hotspot, as we chat with the Momentary about the upcoming season of indoor and outdoor concerts, the nightclub series, art, and more. We'll unveil the 2025 lineup featuring artists like Megan Maroney, Real Estate, and Shemedia Copeland. Discover the family-friendly FreshGrass Festival, a celebration of American global roots and folk music, complete with art and music experien...

What happens when two passionate cyclists with backgrounds in racing come together to create a life-changing camp and initiative? Ryan Petry and Alexey Vermeulen, founders of From the Ground Up, share their inspiring journey that began during the pandemic. Their unique program started with a massive bike tour in Colorado, focusing initially on the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, and has since expanded to Bentonville and beyond. D...

Meet Joseph Nguyen, a manicurist by day and influencer by night. Discover how he channels his passion for food and cycling into the Instagram sensation, the Hangry Pedaler NWA. Listen as he shares the story behind the catchy name, and how it perfectly reflects his dual loves—cycling + food. 

Joseph gives us a behind-the-scenes look, sharing how he manages to keep his content fresh and engaging. And he opens up about the th...

Curious about what it takes to run a half marathon? Join us as we chat with Christian Moore from Bentonville Parks and Recreation about Run Bentonville. Celebrating its 15th year, this event has it all— a half marathon, a 5k, and a two-person relay, fun atmosphere, live music, and a supportive community. Christian shares his journey from Fayetteville to California and back and stories like the 92-year-old who completed the Bentonvi...

AJ Baird and Chef Rob Nelson share stories of the opening of Brother's Meethouse—a place for community, good food and live music. 

AJ takes us through his culinary evolution from fast-food to the dynamic world of Good Gravy Group and Chef Rob reflects on the success of Tusk and Trotter, and how its growth opened the doors for a broader hospitality adventure. Together, they share the challenges and joys as they build n...

Step behind the curtain into Bentonville's newest secret, Callisto-- a speakeasy that combines modern flair with a tropical twist, tucked away through the Midnight Gallery. Dive into our engaging chat with the curator at Midnight Gallery and discover how Callisto's vibrant menu of 31 innovative cocktails, complemented by off-menu surprises and boozy ice creams, has captured the hearts of locals. 

The current menu...