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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and the local businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Kid-Friendly

Even though we travel without any younger members in our party, we still like to see what a city has in store for families. Bentonville is a city filled with all age groups, so they have seen the growth of businesses that are geared toward the young and young at heart. Our first stop in town landed us at the Scott Family Amazeum. This place may be designed to be appealing to the youngest group, but we had a blast exploring all of the interactive opportunities. If you are traveling with children, this is a great destination to allow them to burn off some excess energy.

Let’s Get Physical

Perhaps your family is into mountain biking. If that’s the case, then Bentonville will be a perfect match. They are the self-proclaimed “Mountain Biking Capital of America” and we believe the title is appropriate. Not only did we discover a myriad of trails and pathways through the city, but they also have created an entire park filled with biking challenges. The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is designed to get participants off-road and into nature. While we chose not to do any biking, we didn’t feel left out. They have a pleasant paved path that leads through the park. A shady stroll was the perfect way to burn off some of the calories from our many delectable meals.

Fantastic Feasts

Speaking of fantastic feasts, we found lots of culinary options during our stay in Bentonville. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices ranged from casual to fine dining. At each one, we discovered friendly staff that helped guide us through the menus and offered some amazing suggestions. It’s safe to say that the restaurant scene in Bentonville is vibrant and eclectic. Whether you are looking to explore an art-filled space or just relaxing after a morning of mountain biking, there is something to fit the bill.

Fly-in Dining

Once in a while, we happen upon a dining experience that is something completely new for us. During our research, we were in regular contact with the staff at Visit Bentonville. We find the local tourism bureaus are an excellent resource for trip planning. After all, they are living the local experiences every day. Our contact suggested a meal at an airport, which definitely captured our attention. Let’s face it, most airport meals are done out of necessity, instead of being a destination. When we visited Thaden Field, we were treated to a delicious breakfast served up in an exciting atmosphere. After all, how often do you get a chance to dine and watch small aircraft coming and going?

Familiar Names

It is likely that you are aware that Bentonville is the home to Walmart. The Walton family has invested heavily into the city and helped bring in a ton of amenities. In the heart of the downtown, guests can make a visit to the original Walton’s Five & Dime. It was here that Sam Walton began down the path of creating the mega-business that we all recognize today. It wouldn’t be a real visit to Bentonville if it didn’t include a tour of this FREE attraction.

Art-Centric

While Walmart has grown to be an example of a successful business plan, the Walton family has reinvested back into the city in a variety of ways. One that we really appreciate is the inclusion of art. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is another FREE attraction that offers visitors a chance for interactive opportunities. After touring the interior galleries, we headed outdoors to explore their many artwalks. We also discovered that they have a newer art installation, called The Momentary, which highlights traveling exhibits.

Facing the Past

For us, visiting new destinations requires learning some of the city’s history. Bentonville has some unique chances to do just that. One of our stops was at the Museum of Native American History. Here we had a chance to learn about the earliest residents of the area. This FREE attraction welcomes guests to learn about a wide range of Native Tribes who occupied or traveled through northwest Arkansas. If you plan a visit to this interesting site, be sure to set aside plenty of time to truly explore their exhibits.

Interactive Opportunities Abound

It’s always difficult to really capture the various experiences in one overview article. Bentonville is a city filled with interactive opportunities and we only scratched the surface during our visit. We know that a return trip will have to happen for us to gain more perspective about the variety found there. Our hope is that we offered up plenty of reasons for you to plan your own Bentonville vacation. No matter the age range of your group, we know you’ll find plenty to keep everyone occupied and satisfied. So with all that we did, tell us what we missed. We need to begin making a list for our next visit.

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and The Buttered Biscuit for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

#1 – Visit Like a Local

We have read many tips about how to predict the quality of a restaurant. While the theories are vast in number, we usually find that seeing a throng of locals is a pretty good indicator. When we arrived at The Buttered Biscuit, we found a gathering of locals that hinted at the goodness found inside. During blogging outings, we will sometimes have reservations that help us streamline our schedule. Since this was our last morning in Bentonville, we decided to just go with the flow. Even with a large gathering, the wait wasn’t too long. We actually enjoy this type of opportunity to mingle with the locals and hear their stories.

#2 – Southern Style

Once we were seated, our server arrived to welcome us. You know that coffee was a must, but we were pleasantly surprised when he dropped off a plate of Biscuit Beignets. There are only a few appetizers on the menu and this one is the local favorite. You can imagine that we would not turn up our nose to a sweet treat and beignets are one of our favorite southern delights. Of our 4 reasons to visit The Buttered Biscuit, this one definitely ranks at the top of the food items. The fried pillows were golden brown and drizzled with powdered sugar and raspberry melba. A scoop of honey marmalade added another layer of flavor and just like that, they disappeared.

#3 – Take a Healthy Turn

Our only other stop for the day was a visit to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. With an uncertain amount of physical exercise in our near future, we knew that we should keep it light. Crystal decided that the Avocado Grove Toast was her best option. While I have never ordered this dish, she seems to seek it out more often than not. This version included sourdough bread as a base and a slice of melted Swiss cheese. A pair of eggs and a fresh spring mix salad rounded out the meal. It was obvious from her smile that this version was delightful.

#4 – Something New to Taste

I was ready to step out of the normal and try something new. The shortlist of biscuit sandwiches caught my attention, but we had already experienced this type of dish at a restaurant in Kansas City. Instead, I went with the Seafood Omelet, which brought the flavors of the Pacific coast to my plate. It comes stuffed with fresh vegetables, as well as shrimp and lump crab meat. It was undeniably the most unique egg dish I had experienced. Each bite brought a wave of flavors crashing down on my taste buds. The meal includes one of their signature biscuits and a serving of Orange Honey Butter.

More than 4 Reasons to Visit

During our visit to The Buttered Biscuit, we fell in love with this local eatery. While we have provided 4 reasons to visit, there are many more. The friendly staff serves patrons with a smile, even though they face a steady flow of customers. After speaking with a few of them, it is obvious that they love working at The Buttered Biscuit. This resonates with the locals who flock to the restaurant to get their fix of southern cuisine. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it the best that it can be?

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Making New Friends

It was no accident that we planned our arrival for lunchtime. This was the perfect opportunity to meet our hosts from Visit Bentonville. Crystal Bridges features a scenic eatery named Eleven, which is the perfect location for a gathering. Laid out on a bridge, which spans a natural spring, we had amazing views in a tranquil setting. While the goal was to dine, we weren’t about to pass up this chance to show our appreciation. Our hosts filled us in on some background on the places we would be experiencing over the next couple of days. Armed with this information and full bellies, we were ready to explore.

American Art

We love checking out the local art scenes in the cities we visit. Crystal Bridges has amassed a collection that spans five centuries of American Art. While many of the pieces are paintings by recognizable artists, there are also many contemporary statues and mixed media pieces. By blending these in galleries, they keep the atmosphere light and playful. That allows the museum to be appealing to a wider range of ages.

Art for the People

Crystal Bridges has adopted a “no charge” approach for sharing its catalog of artwork. This makes it accessible to everyone, much like one of our local art museums in Kansas City. Bentonville is a huge draw for mountain bikers, who would usually be an unlikely audience. By adding bike paths and ample bike parking, the museum has expanded the groups that add this space to their itinerary. As we made our way through the galleries, we could sense the relaxed atmosphere that is prevalent throughout the museum.

Immersing Ourselves in Art

In most art museums, we find ourselves moving from gallery to gallery to see the artwork. Crystal Bridges has taken it a bit further, by incorporating art installations in the corridors that move guests between galleries. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase how the museum is embracing nature even on the inside.

Embracing Nature

While we found a variety of familiar artists’ pieces in the galleries, we were anxious to check out the outdoors. Spring had sprung and everything was so green. Crystal Bridges is embracing nature by providing eight trails throughout their property. We headed up the 1.4 mile North Forest Loop, which is packed with outdoor art. In the still of midday, we happened upon this oversized deer sculpture. Much to our surprise, we caught sight of a real deer just a short distance away. These outdoor trails really highlight how the museum is embracing nature throughout its various spaces.

Heading Outdoors

With a gentle breeze cooling us off, we continued our exploration. There are so many art pieces that we couldn’t include them all. It seemed like each turn opened our eyes to a new “favorite”. While many of the pieces are open to interpretation, a few are just plain fun. Who would have imagined an assembly of canoes bursting from the ground? What about a huge spider that visitors can walk under? Crystal Bridges challenges the norm by spreading these unique pieces around the landscape.

Playing Off the Colors of Nature

As we wandered the grounds, we would happen upon various staff members. Most were busy maintaining the grounds to keep the installations pristine. Often, we would stop and chat with them and they all made time to make us feel welcome. The artwork that is embedded in the landscape really made us think. While many of the pieces forced us to ponder the meaning, others caused other questions to pop up. This Fiori Boat, by artist Dale Chihuly, had us wondering how it could survive the ever-changing weather that passes through Northwest Arkansas. Clearly, these pieces are sturdier than they appear.

Our Love of Art

Having a chance to enjoy and explore Crystal Bridges was so much fun. With so much art, scattered through various settings, there is certainly something for everyone. These are the types of attractions that quickly gain world-class status. We were still early in our visit to Bentonville, but we were already seeing the draw it has for visitors. The combination of relaxation and interaction made us eager to explore more of the city. As we made our way to our next stop, we let the moments at Crystal Bridges replay in our minds. What art museum has given you the biggest surprise?

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and The Preacher’s Son for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Familiar Territory

Just a block off the square, we discovered this restored historic church. The glass and brick building looks pristine, in comparison to its age. Stepping through the door, we found an interior filled with light streaming through the oversized stained glass windows. The hostess greeted us and showed us to our table. Seated along the perimeter, we had a great view of the whole space. While the structure still held the aura of a church, the redesign brought a modern vibe into play.

First Bites

Our server arrived to discuss the evening menu. Having no preconceived meal direction, we let him guide us toward our choices. We decided to begin with a couple of light plates to whet our appetites. A light salad included berries, cucumber, almonds, and Fromage. A light oil and honey coating added a sweet punch. From the appetizer menu, we selected a plate of Steak Carpaccio. Their thinly sliced beef tenderloin paired well with the herb and bulgur salad and radishes. These dishes were enough to entice our desire for even more flavors.

Layers of Flavor

For my main course, our server directed my attention toward the Sea Trout. It’s nice that modern shipping allows for restaurants in the middle of the nation to serve fresh-caught dishes. Seared to a perfect level, the filet was served up on a bed of peas. Kettle chips added a kick of fun to this artistic dish. It was a departure from the beefy meals that I tend to choose. The flavors were amazing and I enjoyed this rare excursion into seafood. I had been looking for something that would rival the flavors we discovered in a Quebec City smokehouse, and this place has them.

Italian Clucker

Crystal tends to be a little less adventurous when it comes to meal selection. When faced with too many unknown choices, she often gravitates toward her fail-safe protein, chicken. When she spotted the Parisian Gnocchi, she realized that she had found something a little familiar. The bird was roasted and seasoned with truffled Gouda. It was served with a helping of handmade gnocchi. These light dumplings are a slight diversion from the standard potato-based dish. It uses a double-cooked dough called pâté à choux. It’s the same dough often used for eclairs or churros.

Down Under

While the restaurant is on the main floor, the building offered additional spaces. With our pangs of hunger satisfied, it was time to do a little exploring. Downstairs we discovered a basement door marked “coatroom”. Behind this door is a hidden cocktail bar named Under Croft. This upscale space offers a calm, comfortable place to enjoy an after-dinner drink and conversation. Guests can also order some select dishes from the restaurant menu. Heading out the opposite side of this space, we found an archway on the outside of the building that was simply marked “bar”.

The Sky’s the Limit

Our server had clued us in on another spot for socializing at The Preacher’s Son. For those wanting to take in some fresh air, and maybe a sunset, there is the Rooftop Bar. We popped up to see what it has and found a stylish space filled with comfortable seating. Since we had more exploring to do, we passed on their long list of delectable drinks. This spot will be on our list for our next Bentonville visit. After all, everyone needs a little downtime to rest from a busy day of adventures.

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Lay of the Land

An institution as large as Walmart has a lot of moving pieces. To get a little background, we met up with Karen Singleton, Tours Manager for the Walmart Museum. She is a perfect fit for the position, as her bubbly spirit makes her a great cheerleader for the company’s progress. After explaining how the museum was laid out, she wished us the best and headed off to oversee an evening of music that was planned for later that day. Having some background made it easier to know how to work our way through the exhibits.

Going Back in Time

The name Sam Walton is familiar to most, but we never knew much about his beginnings. Much like this display of hidden objects found during renovation, Sam had plenty of history before his move to Arkansas. Born in Oklahoma, he married his wife Helen while serving in the military. After his time in the service, Sam worked in retail. The couple relocated to Iowa and finally made their way to Arkansas. In 1950, they landed in Bentonville where Sam opened his first 5 & 10 store. The location was perfect as it provided Helen with the small town living she desired. Sam liked the idea that the location put him close to hunting spots around a four-state region.

A New Direction

It didn’t take long for Sam to see that there was plenty of competition in the retail sector. Not to be disheartened, he came up with an idea that would revolutionize the marketplace. By offering products at a low-profit margin, he would be able to entice a broader range of customers. Other companies felt like his business model was a setup for failure. His plan to succeed by volume sales was about to be tested. Using targeted sales ads and a concentrated distribution system, the company grew to 24 stores by 1967. The retail experiment was paying off big for the Walton family.

Walk Through Time

After passing through the early days of Walmart history, we made our way into the main exhibit gallery. Here we found an extensive timeline that shows some of the key moments in the company’s past. Many of the displays reminded us of times gone by with the use of familiar images. It was obvious to us that the other visitors were experiencing the same moments of nostalgia. As we continued our walk through time, we learned about Walmart’s rise to domination in the retail sector.

Ground Zero

The display that appears to take the central spot is a recreation of Sam’s office. The staff has taken care to painstakingly duplicate the space just as he left it. It contains a collection of books that were helpful in guiding Sam’s business philosophy.  There are also some personal photos of Sam with special friends.

A Familiar Face

Moving into the next section of the Walmart Museum, we found ourselves learning about the later days of Sam’s life. While his competition attempted to gain ground, Sam was taking to the air. He embraced the idea of flying in the mid-1950s. He would often scout out new potential locations by air and would sometimes be accompanied by his hunting dog, Ol’ Roy. Yes, the dog’s name would be used for the Walmart line of pet food and treats. While reading about his love for aviation, we found a familiar name. A previous stop had introduced us to Bentonville’s most famous aviator, Louise Thaden. Sam passed in April of 1992, and the world remembers him for his retail legacy.

Building a Legacy

We have to admit that before our visit to Bentonville, our opinion of Walmart was one of a business bent on eliminating competition. Their business model has certainly made other retailers rethink their approach. Walmart has created an impressive legacy by filling a void in the supply chain of America for low-cost goods. Bentonville, Arkansas has seen the benefit of being home to the corporation. The Walton family has invested vast amounts back into the community and made the city a cultural mecca. For this northwest Arkansas city, the Walton family have helped lead their hometown into prosperity.

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and The Hive for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Cool Down

Bentonville, Arkansas lies in the northwest corner of the state. Summer in the Ozark territory can bring with it some hot weather. Sure enough, our visit was falling smack dab in the midst of a heatwave. We try to be prepared for any circumstances, so this was not unexpected. Even knowing the temps would be soaring, there is only so much that can be done to cool down. On the advice of our server, we decided a cooling cocktail would hit the spot. Pouring over the menu, we saw one that seemed extremely promising as a cooling agent. The Miami Vice is concocted with Plantation rum, pineapple, coconut, lime, almond, bitters, and blue curacao. When it arrived at our table, the Caribbean Sea-colored beverage was as beautiful as it was refreshing.

Familiar Classic

When we pick a restaurant for refined country cuisine, we go in with high expectations. This was not going to be a fried chicken and mashed taters meal. Crystal was looking forward to sampling some home-style cooking. Their Roasted Chicken Breast is served up in a bed of grits and accompanied by baby carrots, red onion, and fennel. The mixture of flavors wraps your taste buds like a cozy country quilt. You can bet that Crystal fell in love with this dish.

Pork Chop Heaven

How many times have you ordered a pork chop only to be disappointed in the results? Delivering this cut as a delicious and moist dish is a challenging proposition. The Hive has a menu item called Berkshire Hog Chop. When I spied it, I was immediately tempted. Our server assured me that it is an excellent choice and one of the most popular menu items. That was enough for me to jump on this opportunity. What arrived at our table was a tender, juicy, and absolutely filling plate filled with goodness. The chop comes accompanied by yellow corn grits, broccoli, and grilled peaches. Each bite was a bouquet of flavor that reminded me of the pork chops served up by my grandmother. I was in pork chop heaven.

A Sweet Surprise

Even though we were full from our main courses, the idea of passing up dessert was out of the question. The refined country cuisine we were experiencing required us to sample one of their sweet treats. Our server was helpful in directing our attention to their Pecan Pie. What could be more southern than this classic goody? The Hive’s version takes this delicacy and enrobes it with a shortbread crust, and tops it with a scoop of buttermilk ice cream. To take it to the next level, the bar sent over a couple of glasses of port wine to accompany our dessert. There was no possible way that we were going to let a single bite of this treat go to waste.

Refined Country Cuisine

When we think about dinners we have had in hotels, the results have been a mixed bag. The Hive is definitely one of the experiences that stand out as a real winner. While we did not stay at the 21C Museum Hotel, we still took some time to examine some of the artwork that can be found scattered throughout the hotel. With all of their unique pieces, it really made our refined country cuisine dinner all the more special. With our bodies cooled and our appetites satisfied, it was time to do some more exploring in downtown Bentonville.

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville and the 8th Street Market businesses for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Welcoming All Visitors

Backed by substantial investments, from the Walton family, this northwest Arkansas city has become a destination that embraces non-traditional means of travel. Throughout town, we would see tons of mountain bikers. Many of them were traversing the trails that have been laid out to entice them. The natural terrain of the city is perfect for this type of transportation. The city has gone all-in at becoming the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World“. While there are a plethora of fun bike parks, city planners didn’t forget to connect the urban core. For a couple of pedestrians, seeing all of these bikers made us wish we had brought our own two-wheeled vehicles.

Getting Our Lunch On

The 8th Street Market is a food lovers paradise. A variety of cuisines means there are lots of reasons to partake in a cultural chow down. After examining our choices, we decided to sample the menu at Yeyo’s Mexican Grill. Like many of the other restaurants, Yeyo’s focuses on bringing farms to the table in a fun fashion. Created by the Rios family, this urban cantina draws in a steady stream of hungry diners. The simplistic décor reminded us of our visits south-of-the-border. We wanted to sample a variety of their flavors, so we ordered up a sampler of their Street Tacos. This ended up being a delicious way to experience a collection of the tastes found at this taqueria.

Momentary Spaces

A common theme we found in Bentonville is the use of art to engage residents and visitors alike. While not part of the 8th Street Market, The Momentary serves as the local contemporary art space and is easily walkable from the market. Being a satellite site for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, this space was created from an old cheese factory. One of the newer places to enjoy regional artwork, The Momentary opened in 2020.

Artful Pause

This new museum is primarily filled with rotating exhibits. These allow for locals to explore new displays on a regular basis. Our visit took place on what could be described as a normal “hot” summer day. Stepping inside, we found that others had discovered this cool space to escape from Mother Nature’s fury. The gallery was in process of a change to some of the rotating exhibits, but they still had one available for viewing. We found this place to be a nice addition to the nearby food hub.

Sweet Retreat

After cooling off with our artistic cultural chow down, we decided to head back to the marketplace. While the majority of the shops were restaurants, there were a couple of others that we wanted to explore. One of these, that caught our attention, was Markham & Fitz. This chocolate shop is the brainchild of two University of Arkansas alumni. Following their passion for food, they have grown this small business into a flourishing enterprise. Their delectable chocolate delights are so good that they have even been featured in Oprah magazine. After sampling a wide variety of their flavors, we can attest to the creamy richness of their products.

Cultural Chow Down

Finding the 8th Street Market was definitely a pleasure for us. Once again, Bentonville was showing us how an engaged community can create a destination that is attractive to all ages. Our cultural chow down was satisfying our appetite for new experiences on a grand scale. The idea that they include a local radio station into the landscape added another fun note to our visit. Designing it like a boombox was truly a fun twist. We realized that time was passing faster than we expected, so we had to prepare to move on down the road. This was one of the times that traveling by car would help us make up some time. Of course, we still want to return and explore by bike.

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Stretching Our Legs

Many people have asked us how can we maintain any type of healthy lifestyle with all of the fantastic food we consume during travel. To be absolutely frank, it can be a challenge. You may have read how we like to focus our itineraries on walkable paths. We strive to squeeze in as many steps as possible, so that we can enjoy that last bite of food guilt-free. When we learned that Coler Mountain has a series of walking trails, we knew a stop was in order. On the west side of the city, we found wide open trails designed to handle foot and bike traffic.

Commune with Nature

It didn’t take us long to realize that the folks who designed Coler Mountain Bike Preserve were focused on blending it with the landscape. As we strolled along the main pathway, we could hear bikers riding along the trails in the surrounding woods. There are actually over 17 miles of trails crisscrossing the nearby hillsides and dales. A babbling stream runs alongside the path and periodically we would see groups cooling themselves in the flowing waters. It was clear that this was much more than just a simple trail network.

Coffee in the Woods

As we moved further along our walk, we began to notice more people walking toward us with cups of coffee. This certainly caught our attention, as we felt ourselves delving deeper into the park. Perhaps we had walked farther than I realized, or else we had entered some alternate universe where coffee comes as a reward for exercise. Much to our delight, we rounded a curve in the path and came upon a large area filled with people resting and relaxing. Sitting on an elevated grade we spotted Airship Coffee.

Trail Break

If you have followed our Instagram account, then you know how passionate we are about coffee. It’s a morning ritual for us and we have enjoyed a cup of java in every city and town we have visited. In fact, we have ordered up a cup in some interesting settings, like a converted blacksmith shop in Lindsborg, Kansas. It’s hard to quantify what the most unique location would be, but you have to admit that finding one in the woods is quite unexpected. This coffee shop is designed to offer visitors an unplugged experience by framing the park while you relax over a refreshing break.

Nature Break at Coler Mountain

We ordered our caffeinated drinks and a couple of baked treats. Sitting there watching everyone enjoying a nature break was refreshing. While we have never been mountain bikers, we were feeling the urge to try it out. It may not have happened on this trip, but who knows what future visits may hold for us. In the meantime, we were happy to watch others pedaling through the park-like setting of Coler Mountain. Strolling back to our car, we knew that this short excursion had burnt off some calories that we could bank for a later treat. After all, it’s all about balance. How do you squeeze in exercise on the road?

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We want to thank Visit Bentonville for hosting our stay. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Not Your Standard Breakfast Stop

Arriving at Thaden Field, we felt as though we discovered a hidden entertainment gem. The exterior is a mix of options that include a play area for the younger set. It also incorporates a wetlands area that attracts native wildlife. Large decks allow visitors to commune with nature even as the activity of the airport takes place nearby. Inside we found plenty of space to relax in their upscale “terminal”. This is definitely not what we were expecting when we heard we were dining at an airport.

Hungry Hosts

Our visits to cities are not random events. Most are well-planned occurrences that take weeks or months of scheduling. Working with the tourism bureau aids us in assuring that we experience a wide range of what the city has to offer. We also like to meet our hosts, whenever possible, so that we can engage in an up-close and personal fashion. Sharing a meal is always a welcome way to fellowship and learn more about the city and the locals. For this breakfast, we were joined by Kalene and Aaron from Visit Bentonville. After the customary introductions, we were soon swapping stories about the experiences to be found in this area. It’s a great way to get some last-minute pointers on making the most of our time.

Assorted Eats

Having the extra people with us meant that we were able to see more of the menu at Louise. It worked out that we all ordered different items, so there was plenty of eye candy on the table. I chose the Captain’s Omelet, which is packed with the chef’s choice of ingredients, so you never know what you will get. You can be sure it will be tasty. Kalene loves the Hippy Hash and told us she orders this vegetable-packed dish frequently. Aaron selected the Breakfast Burrito that ended up being a protein-filled marvel. Crystal rounded out our order with a Short Stack of pancakes accompanied by some fresh fruit.  With everyone’s meals in place, it was time to dig in.

Take to the Skies

As we dined and conversed, the scenes around us were abuzz with activity. Small planes were being prepared for flight. Periodically, one would taxi down the runway for takeoff. The seating at Louise offers diners front-row views of the action. It didn’t matter how many we had seen, we were always amazed to watch the next one take flight. There is something mesmerizing about this engineering marvel. This is probably what inspired Louise McPhetridge Thaden to pursue a career in aviation. This Bentonville native set the world on its ear with her daring and courageous approach to flight. Her escapades would rival that of the noteworthy Kansas aviator, Amelia Earhart.

Airborne Inspiration

We can only imagine the criticism and disbelief Louise Thaden must have faced in the early 1900s. Female pilots were not common and in fact, she was the fourth woman to receive a pilot’s license in the United States. That did not stop her from becoming the first woman to win a national air race. Her love for flying became her lifelong obsession and she stuck with it throughout her career. The record books still retain her accolades and achievements. Louise Thaden provided plenty of airborne inspiration for others to follow.

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