Life + Culture

The Bentonville Way

Mayor Stephanie Orman and Velocity NWA Founder Kourtney Barrett Celebrate Bentonville's Bikeable Way of Life Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Ellison Bynum-Hyman & Claire McFarland Traffic is a growing pain. We see evidence of this bittersweet ache throughout Bentonville, whether we’re running errands on Walton or navigating Downtown around mealtimes. Thankfully, our one-of-a-kind biking culture helps break up the saltiness of packed parking garages and lengthy commutes.  ...

Sports + Recreation

Get To Know Gnargo

The Bentonville-Based Cargo Bike Brand Customizing Cruisers For A Richly Diverse Community of Riders Article by Andi Darling | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Claire McFarland Gnargo Bikes began as a COVID project for Zach Springer and Elysia Contreras Springer, which grew into something much bigger than either of them expected.  While the business officially opened in 2022, the idea of Gnargo began long before that, sparked by Elysia's long morning commute in the Twin Cities. With a toddler...

Travel

The Road Trip Experience

Smith's 'Sugar Bear' Removes Burden of RV Ownership So More Can Enjoy Open Road Adventures Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis Owned and operated by Tracey and Michelle Smith, Sugar Bear Express RVs is a Northwest Arkansas brand that deals in open road exploration. A concept born from the Smith's favorite excursions and developed into an opportunity for other families to create the same core memories. Tracey and Michelle met at the University of Arkansas where she played volleyball and...

Arts + Culture

America's Art Museum

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Celebrates Landmark Expansion Article and Photography by Michelle Bazis Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened the doors to its highly anticipated expansion project in early June 2026. Designed by Safdie Architects, the addition seamlessly extends the iconic "bridge" motif, weaving an architectural figure-eight through the Ozark forest, deepening the museum's famed integration of art, architecture, and nature.  According to Safdie Architects’...

Sports + Recreation

Northwest Arkansas’ Pastime

Inside the Community and Traditions of Naturals Baseball Article by Bo Simpson | Photography by Michelle Bazis Ritual is the charm of America’s Pastime. All the senses are activated. The crack of the bat, the murmur of the crowd, the nostalgic ballpark smell. The mythology of the game—stats, stories, and superstitions—turns the atmosphere into an entire ecosystem of experience. In Northwest Arkansas, a Naturals game blends small-town Americana with the energy of one of the country’s fastest...

Home + Design

Inside Campfire Ranch Little Sugar

The Iconic Bella Vista Property Reimagined For Travelers and Locals Looking for Gorgeous Views and Genuine Connection Article by Blake Garrison | Photography by Michelle Bazis & Claire McFarland The History: 101 Chelsea Road Built in the 1970s as a private family home for George and Boyce Billingsley, 101 Chelsea Road–now home to Campfire Ranch Little Sugar–has deep roots in the story of Bella Vista. Boyce was the stepdaughter of John Cooper Sr., the visionary behind Bella Vista Village...

Life + Culture

Bentonville's Greatest Cheerleaders

With A New Welcome Center and Master Plan, Visit Bentonville Is Amped For Community Development Article by Violet Bloomfield | Photography by Violet Bloomfield & Ellison Bynum-Hyman Exciting changes are underway at Visit Bentonville, the organization connected to every hotel, restaurant, and activity in the city. If you’ve ever needed help staycation planning, chances are a friendly face at the Visit Bentonville has supported your search. With an emphasis on community engagement while...

Life + Culture

The Undervalued Art of Being Uncool

Creating a culture of participation where people are connected enough to engage, supported enough to grow, and invested enough to stay. Article by Graham Cobb | Photography by Michelle Bazis Authentic, honest, vulnerable human connection is more valuable than credit. The tough part is, well, it’s tough to do. Right and selfless acts for the greater good get overlooked. Those efforts aren’t cool. But they’re critical. And those actions are the foundations upon which leaders are built. ...

Travel

Duck Hunting is Hard Work

Trading the hustle for time, memories, and the simple love of being afield Article by Wyatt Layman | Photography by Garret Layman Growing up in the rural, Missouri Ozarks, duck hunting was a labor of love—heavy emphasis on labor. It meant beyond early mornings, driving hours to stand in the draw line, breaking ice and, on more than one occasion, finding out the hard way that there was a leak in my waders.  Those were the days when I was still somewhere between hunter stage 2 and 3—caring more...

Entertainment

Bentonville Bike Fest Launches Red Bull Double Down

An Event Blending Pro BMX and MTB for Epic Entertainment Article by Michelle Bazis | Photography by Kate Austin Bentonville Bike Fest is back at it, bringing all biking formats together for a unique annual festival, now in its sixth season. Founder and Red Bull Athlete, Kenny Belaey, works year-round to develop fresh programming and partnerships for Bike Fest. This year, visitors will experience an all-new contest that Belaey says has “never been done before.” Red Bull Double Down will...