DiscoverA New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas
A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas
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A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

Author: Visit Bentonville

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Tune into Visit Bentonville’s podcast series for a weekly update on all things Bentonville, Arkansas. You’ll hear captivating stories and updates from our city—connecting you with the locals that make this town worth visiting.  

239 Episodes
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Craig Zedeker with Scott Adventure Lab joins us to chart how a college curiosity became a career shaping how riders buy, build, and belong. We talk about the scrappy early days of Competitive Cyclist, from eBay listings and Rubbermaid parts tubs to pioneering online for riders across the country. Scott Adventure Lab, a welcoming hub where anyone can walk in, rent a cruiser for the Razorback Greenway, or dial in a race machine with pro-level service. We get into what makes the shop tick: Crai...
This conversation with 21C Bentonville reveals how access to contemporary art can redefine everyday life. We welcome General Manager Claire Thompson and Marketing Manager Micheala Boyd to share how a Louisville-born vision took root in Northwest Arkansas and became a living, walkable hub where galleries, great food, and community intersect. We explore the origin of 21C Museum Hotels and why Bentonville’s downtown location—steps from Lawrence Plaza, the Slaughter Pen trailhead, and the Crysta...
We sit down with Alison Nation, CMO of Visit Bentonville, to trace how a small city stitched together art, trails, wellness, and hospitality into a destination that keeps turning editors’ heads from New York to London. Crystal Bridges fuels the cultural surge with a major expansion that doubles gallery space. The Compton brings fresh momentum to the downtown hotel scene, while 8th Street Gateway Park strengthens a car-light loop that moves from Razorback Greenway to Applegate Trail and up to...
Dive into the natural beauty of Bentonville this fall with guests Samantha Best from Crystal Bridges Museum + Arboredum and Megan Love from Compton Gardens. Discover the wonders of fall in Northwest Arkansas, from changing foliage to wildlife preparation for winter. Learn about arboretums, native plants, and how to be a good steward of outdoor spaces. Whether you're a local or planning a visit, this episode of "A New American Town" offers insider tips on experiencing the best ...
What happens when art, cycling, and sustainability intersect? Meet Elysia and Zach Springer, the dynamic duo behind Gnargo Bike Co., a Bentonville-based bike manufacturing company that's redefining the cargo bike industry. Listen to how passionate artists and cycling advocates became successful startup founders. They share how their early encounters with cargo bikes in urban environments led them to tinker in their garage, crafting custom bikes from repurposed materials. Their journey from ...
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 define Bentonville. That spark spread, inspiring crews who learned in Bentonville...
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 capacity at The Heartland Whole Health Institute and The 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 listening experience that artists love and fans remember. We dive ...
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 newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and Link...
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 trails to casual riders, Crystal Bridges blends world-class c...
Blevins’ Big Year

Blevins’ Big Year

2025-11-1425:47

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, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all t...
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 Sandi Sue's; and shout out to vegetarians with a variety of Southeast...
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 views (The Eddie). The Compton and all its spaces open in Novembe...
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 diets and a welcoming spirt. "Come a stranger, leave a townie"! Fol...
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 "olive branch") to just "Ramo." Hear more about Laura's famous Monday night spaghetti din...
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 like the iconic Air Jordan 1 sneakers, USA Cycling Olympic bikes, and more. "Time Loop" returns for a second...
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 Lifetime events like the Gravel Rave at the Momentar...
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. Whether you’re planning your next visit or just curious about what’...
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 events, flyovers, and one-of-a-kind restorations. We tal...
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 evolution of Viral Bikes—a boutique titanium bike brand that's spent nine year...
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