A New American Town - Bentonville, Arkansas

Visit Bentonville
  • 4.8 (22)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

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.  

  1. 2d ago

    How Wolfgang Puck Catering Is Shaping Crystal Bridges Dining with Lauren Eck

    You don’t usually walk into an art museum wondering what you’ll eat but once you’ve spent a full day at Crystal Bridges, food becomes part of the adventure. We’re joined by Lauren Eck, Regional Vice President of Sales for Wolfgang Puck Catering, to talk about the new partnership at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and what it means for museum dining in Bentonville, Arkansas as the campus grows and visitor expectations keep rising. We get into the ethos behind Wolfgang Puck Catering and why it lines up so naturally with Crystal Bridges and The Momentary: accessibility without lowering the standard. Lauren shares how “elevated” doesn’t have to mean expensive, how thoughtful hospitality starts long before someone sits down to eat, and why great people matter even more than great recipes. We also talk about designing food and beverage that complements exhibits, supports all-day exploration, and welcomes everyone including guests with dietary restrictions. If you care about farm-to-table dining, local Arkansas ingredients, and the future of hospitality in Northwest Arkansas, you’ll love the behind-the-scenes details, including how the team sourced farmers market strawberries for the Crystal Bridges gala. Lauren also teases what’s ahead as experience-driven dining grows, from roaming small plates to big plans leading into 2027. Subscribe for more stories about Bentonville, share this with a friend planning a visit, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    20 min

  2. Jun 26

    More Than a Market: Cultivating Community in Downtown Bentonville

    In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Nolan from Downtown Bentonville Inc to explore how the Bentonville Farmers Market has grown into something much bigger than a place to shop. From local chefs shopping that day's produce, to grabbing a coffee and pastry, it’s a space where local flavor and community connection meet. Aaron shares how the market draws both residents and visitors, why investing in third spaces matters, and what makes a simple Saturday morning feel like a full experience. Grab a coffee and take your time, because around every corner, there’s something new to discover! 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    26 min

  3. Jun 19

    The Hub 2.0- Building Community by Giving Riders A Place To Land

    We sit down with Josh and Sean from The Hub to talk about Hub 2.0. It’s designed for everything that happens around the ride, from a good cup of coffee to start the day to swapping stories after a bike ride. The goal is a space that feels easy and welcoming, where visitors start to feel like regulars pretty quickly. They’ve recently expanded both their menu and their space, and partnered with Santa Cruz Bikes to offer rentals as well. We get specific about what makes the Hub a true cycling experience center in Northwest Arkansas. Josh explains how the bike shop side works, from the Santa Cruz demo experience and rental fleet to the “white-glove” setup that helps you find the right ride, whether you’re brand new or chasing bigger lines. Sean shares how the original vision started as a community gathering place and why growth was unavoidable once the lounge became more popular. Then we dig into the parts that turn a cycling trip into a full itinerary: live music, DJs, group rides, and partnerships with local organizations that keep the community connected. You’ll also hear the practical details people actually need, like how to book rentals ahead, how the greenway leads you in, and what to order when you’re refueling, from happy hour deals to brunch favorites. Make sure you subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find it. 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    14 min

  4. Jun 12

    Getting Kids Back on Bikes with Scott Fitzgerald, owner of Pedal Kids USA

    In this episode, Scott Fitzgerald shares the story behind Pedal Kids USA and his mission to get more kids off screens and onto bikes. From running bike shops in Jackson Hole to building a national model for youth cycling education, Scott has been helping kids become confident and connected for years. In this episode, we discuss the importance of community, coaching, and why the experience of riding a bike goes beyond skill-building to support mental and emotional well-being for the next generation. 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    27 min

  5. Jun 5

    WUF World: Pets Bringing People Together

    Loneliness doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a town full of people who never quite talk to each other. That’s why I loved sitting down with Joe Petrillo and Clint Misamore, co-founders of WUF World, to unpack a surprisingly effective community-building tool: pets. They call animals “Chief Icebreaking Officers,” and once you hear their stories, it’s hard to unsee how a simple “Do you have any pets?” can flip a stranger moment into a real connection. We trace WUF World’s origin to the pandemic era and the growing concern around isolation, then widen the lens to what happens when you design gatherings around the human animal bond. Joe and Clint explain why pets fit naturally with culture and storytelling, especially film, and how their work aligns with Bentonville Film Festival’s focus on stories that connect us all. We also get practical about the modern family and the workplace: even if most companies can’t allow pets on site, every employer can build pet supportive culture, policies, and benefits that recognize how people actually live. Then we get into the fun part: what to expect at the Momentary during Bentonville Film Festival. Think pet friendly screenings, food and drinks, local and national brand activations, and Best Friends on site with adoptable animals. They also share fresh updates like an ELF Beauty glam studio for you and your pet, plus a Saturday community hike with AllTrails. If you love Bentonville, love film, or just want an easy way to meet one new friend, this is your entry point. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a fellow pet lover, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What’s one way a pet has helped you feel at home somewhere new? 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    16 min

  6. May 29

    Inside Bentonville Film Festival 2026: Premieres, Panels, And Previews!

    We catch up with Wendy Guerrero to break down what makes Bentonville Film Festival 2026 feel big, buzzy, and still welcoming. We share the biggest premieres, the new experiences beyond screenings, and the simplest way to plan your first trip to Festival Village at the Momentary.  • how Bentonville Film Festival stands out through programming, conversations, networking, and community events  • how the festival mission elevates underrepresented voices and authentic storytelling  • what festival week feels like in Bentonville, including red carpets, outdoor screenings, and family activations  • highlights from the 2026 lineup, including Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick plus Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie premiere  • why world premieres matter for filmmakers, press, and distribution momentum  • what to watch for in documentaries and audience favorites like Cookie Queens  • new programming focused on the creator economy, Coffee Talk, microdramas, and STEAM sessions on AI and technology  • how tickets, passes, and free Impact Day programming fit different budgets and schedules  • first-timer tips for planning, picking must-see events, and using Festival Village as your hub  So go to our website www.bentonvillefilm.org, and you can find the lineup.  Check the show notes for links to our website, social channels, and our newsletter. 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    20 min

  7. May 22

    Introducing the Oz Trails Bike Park with Gary Vernon and Brandon Kelly

    A chairlift bike park in the Ozarks sounds like a wild idea until you hear how Oz Trails Bike Park was actually built: carefully, deliberately, and for everyone. We’re joined by Brandon Kelly, director of Bella Vista, and Gary Vernon, who runs the bike park day to day, to share the story behind the park’s long path from rumor to ribbon cutting, with the grand opening set for June 12. We get practical about what a day looks like at the park, from rolling into the base area to loading your bike on the lift, cruising to the top, and choosing trails by skill level. Gary explains how they focused on families and first-timers without watering down the experience for serious riders, including a standout beginner trail called Firestarter that’s designed to build confidence fast. We also talk about what makes this a true destination beyond riding: the Oz Trails HQ building, Ozzy’s Ride and Dine restaurant, and a full setup for bike rentals, retail, and bike school, so you can arrive with almost nothing and still have a great day. Not a rider? You’re still invited. We dig into lift rides for sightseeing, ADA accessibility, patio views of the action, and the way the park preserves the natural beauty of Bella Vista’s old-growth forest, limestone bluffs, and deep ravines. We also touch on the Whistler connection through Gravity Logic, why the trails will keep evolving, and how Bella Vista vacation rentals plus Bentonville’s downtown make trip planning easy across both towns. If you’re curious about Northwest Arkansas mountain biking, family-friendly bike parks, or the next big outdoor attraction in Bella Vista, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a riding buddy, and leave a review so more people can find the show!  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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    22 min

  8. May 15

    Bikefest: How Bentonville Turned Bike Culture Into A Festival with Kenny Belaey

    Bentonville Bikefest didn’t get big by only talking to bike people. We’re joined by Kenny Belaey, world champion trials athlete, Red Bull athlete, and the founder of Bentonville Bikefest, to explain how a week of riding in Northwest Arkansas turns into something closer to a true festival: races, exhibits, demos, kids zones, and a constant nudge to stop spectating and start participating. We dig into what Kenny saw early on that made Bentonville different from other mountain bike destinations. The trails and the Razorback Greenway matter, but so does the unique concentration of corporate brands and suppliers in the region. Kenny shares how that sponsor ecosystem can fuel action sports the way mainstream brands fuel major leagues, helping Bikefest grow in production, reach, and ambition while still feeling welcoming and local. Then we get into what’s new for year six, including Red Bull Double Down. Kenny breaks down the format: a BMX rider and a mountain biker drop in together, time their speed, cross mid-air, and bet it all on one jaw-dropping trick. We also talk about why e-bikes and cargo bikes belong at a bike festival, how coaching helps beginners get comfortable fast, and what we hope you take home: the sense that you might not need your car for every trip, plus the excitement of finding the right bike for your life. If you’re planning a Bentonville trip, searching for a mountain bike festival, or just curious how a town becomes “bike-centered,” this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe for more stories from our new American town, and if you enjoyed this one, share it with a friend and leave a review. 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 LinkedIn.   You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

    23 min
See All (259)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

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.  

Information

You Might Also Like