A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

We sit with Visit Bentonville CEO Kalene Griffith to trace how a destination management approach turns visitor spending into daily life upgrades: better parks, a busier library, a thriving community center, and a steady calendar of film, cycling, art, and sports events that fill rooms and keep families out playing after dark. From Phillips Park and Lawrence Plaza to Memorial Park upgrades, Kaylene lays out how small, targeted inves...

Ten years of play can change a city. We sit down with Sam Dean, CEO of the Scott Family Amazeum, to unpack how a dinner table dream grew into a 50,000-square-foot engine for curiosity. We trace the museum’s origins, the kid‑invented name that fused “amazing” and “museum,” and the surprising scale of impact: attendance leaping well past early projections, a team expanding to meet demand, and programming that reaches families, educat...

We sit down with Sweetgreen’s Amy Dominguez to explore why Bentonville is the perfect homes for a new restaurant built on real ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and warm hospitality. Amy shares how a farmer’s market origin turned into a national footprint, and why Northwest Arkansas’ blend of wellness, creativity, and growth makes this launch feel like a natural fit. Amy walks through staples like warm bowls, crisp salads, and plat...

We sit down with Nathan "Woody" Woodruff, the founder of Progressive Trail Design (PTD), to unpack how a Fayetteville landscape hustle evolved into Bentonville's Slaughter Pen trail network and set the course for designing LA28’s Olympic mountain bike venue. Woody shares the early days of being an avid rider, getting tapped to build on Walton family land, and watching those miles become a public park that helped defi...

Tired of conferences that keep everyone indoors and restless? We sat down with Wes Oliver, director of sales at Visit Bentonville, to unpack a NEW WAY:  The Unconventional Convention concept is a walkable, multi-venue model that trades hallways and windowless ballrooms for light, movement, and a sense of place. Bentonville stitches together high-quality spaces around downtown—think the Ledger, the Record, Compton Gardens, and new c...

You Belong Here—as the artwork over the Momentary Green says, to hear Jill Wagar unpack how a former cheese plant evolved into a living room where music, contemporary art, and food collide. Jill shares the backstory of the Momentary’s rise alongside Crystal Bridges, why the campus now leads with concerts, and how each venue—from the large outdoor Green to a more intimate experience indoors at the RØDE House—creates a distinct liste...

We celebrate Christopher Blevins’ historic World Cup season and explore how he resets with mindfulness, play, and creative work. From Cal Poly roots to Stilspoke, he shares why slowing down builds a stronger racer and a fuller person.

A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our news...

We sit down with Christopher Blevins in Bentonville to unpack The 2025 racing season, which finished with Christopher at the top of the sport claiming both overall titles (XCC & XCO) in the World Cup MTB. If you’re curious about sustainable high performance, athlete creativity, and the community that keeps joy in the grind, this conversation delivers.

A New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansa...

A teen concert turned into a full-on adventure when Jo Brown, co-host of Wonderland on Points, who used her points-and-miles playbook to design a Bentonville escape. Jo walks through the meals that set a new bar—Table on Sixth’s craveable BLT, Witching Hour’s shockingly great burger, and the pure joy of Buttered Biscuit sauces—plus why this small city’s culinary scene rivals bigger markets. Then it’s bikes and art: e-bikes open the...

We sat down with local food writer and curator Katie Robertson to chart Bentonville's rise as a destination for inclusive dining—with celiac-safe kitchens, vegan menus, and allergy-aware staff. Katie takes us behind the scenes of a movement powered by a growing population, deeper nutrition awareness, and Arkansas’s agricultural backbone. We spotlight fully gluten-free breweries like Stoic Brews Alternative and bakeries like Sa...

A Katrina-era detour turned a pre-med student into a chef, and her path led her to The Compton. We sit down with Chef Corrin Ellis, the executive chef behind The Compton’s food and beverage program, to unpack how design, community, and local farms shaped a three-part culinary vision: a Tuscan-style steakhouse (Sestina), an all-day cafe with an Onyx collaboration (Field Notes), and an upscale cocktail lounge with sweeping square vie...

We sit down with Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis to share how bonding over pizza led to the newest Bentonville hotspot, Townie Burgers & Bevvies. Hear about their roots and Luke's training under Alice Waters; and the influence on local, farm-to-table and seasonal sourcing. Get the scoop on your new favorite burger joint, and so much more--there's a huge patio, TVs, beer, cocktails, private room, inclusive menu for all d...

Ramo founder Laura Gheen sits down to share the journey of creating Bentonville's beloved wine bar, now celebrating its 11th year. From its origins as a cozy neighborhood gathering spot to becoming a Bentonville icon, Laura reveals what makes this gem unique.

Ramo is a charming place to enjoy wine, charcuterie, and outdoor seating with friends and was recently rebranded from "Ramo de Olivo" (Italian for &quo...

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is buzzing this fall with updates including the "Get in the Game" exhibition, the return of "Time Loop," and plans for a massive expansion doubling the museum's size by 2026.

"Get in the Game: Sports, Art and Culture" is open through January 26 and explores the intersection of sports and art with over 150 objects representing 22 sports with items lik...

Big Sugar Classic has evolved from a single gravel race to a major season-ending bike festival with world-class mountain and gravel bike racing, October 12-18 in Bentonville.  Listen in as Michelle Duffy, VP of Event Marketing at Lifetime Events, shares an inside look at Big Sugar Classic, and how it has helped transformed Bentonville into a global cycling force. 

Michelle also talks about the impact of Big Sugar Classic and other L...

Welcome to A New American Town. In this episode, we are joined by Emily Reynolds at the New Compton Hotel to give us a first look at this brand-new hospitality experience.

The Compton isn’t just a hotel — it’s a tribute to our region’s rich past and a vision for its future. It’s where fresh air meets refined design, where locals and guests come together, and where outdoor adventure is just steps away. A gateway to the Ozarks. Whethe...

Welcome to A New American Town. In this episode, we are joined by Jason Muszala, CEO of The Roost, a group based at Thaden Field in Bentonville dedicated to the operation, maintenance, and restoration of vintage WWII warbirds. The Roost supports both Steuart Walton’s private collection and the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Washington state. Their work allows our community to experience living history through special ...

What happens when you completely reimagine how a bicycle drivetrain should work? Steve Domahidy, founder of Viral Bikes, is betting that the future of cycling lies not with the 100-year-old derailleur technology we've all grown accustomed to, but with an internal gearbox system that promises to be virtually indestructible.

From his new headquarters in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, Domahidy shares the fascinating evo...

Welcome to A New American Town. In this episode, we’re talking with Adventure for All founder, Chase Pettey, about the new Bentonville adventure biking program launching in September 2025! Explore why Bentonville is the perfect place for their programs, how you can get involved, and the story behind it all.

Adventure for All is an organization on a mission to redefine the human potential for all humans with exceptionalities. To lear...