What’s New for 2016 in North Central & Northwest Arkansas

Bachman-Wilson House
A rare Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house, known as the Bachman-Wilson House, originally located in the Borough of Millstone in Somerset County, N.J., has been acquired by Crystal Bridges of American Art in Bentonville. Built in 1954 along the Millstone River, it was moved to keep it prevent further damage from repeated flooding. The museum disassembled the home and reassembled it on its 120-acre grounds. The house will available for study as well as for limited programming and tours.
CONTACT: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, 479-418-5700, www.CrystalBridges.org.

Bentonville Brewing Co.
A production craft micro-brewery in the industrial part of town, Bentonville Brewing Co. wants to transform typical light-lager beer drinkers–and non-beer drinkers–into craft beer enthusiasts. In addition to their tasting room, owners hope to have seasonal and other specialty beers available in bars and restaurants throughout Benton and Washington County.
CONTACT: 1000 SE 5th St, Suite A, Bentonville, AR 72712, 479-464-0150, www.BentonvilleBrewing.com.

Black Apple Crossing
Hand-crafted hard cider is now available in downtown Springdale at Arkansas’s first cidery, close to the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway.
CONTACT: 321 E. Emma Ave., Springdale, AR 72764, 479-751-0337, www.facebook.com/Black-Apple-Crossing-700067573408344.

Columbus House Brewery
CHB is a brewery and taproom owned and operated by two loyal Fayettevillians who love local culture and great beer. The brewery is located along the Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway, so you can easily hike or bike to it as well.
CONTACT: 701 W North St., Fayetteville, AR 72701, 479-935-3753, ColumbusHouseBrewery@gmail.com.

Dionysus Wine & Brew
New to Altus and Arkansas Wine Country is Dionysus with its wine tasting room, gift shop, wine and beer making supplies, rustic camping and special events. It also has spaces for self-contained RVs.
CONTACT: 9017 AR 186, Altus, AR 72821, 479-209-1234, DionysusWineBrew@gmail.com.
Eureka Springs Ale House
A nanobrewery and craft distillery, this ale house has a huge deck and large beer garden. Twelve taps feature craft beer from other local and national breweries, plus it has a full bar and food.
CONTACT: 426 West Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, 479-363-6039, www.EurekaSpringsAleHouse.com.

IMBA Regional Ride Center
International Mountain Bicycling Association’s 2015 Model Trails recognition includes the Northwest Arkansas Regional Ride Center. With the Bentonville (silver-level) and Fayetteville (bronze-level) Ride Centers located less than 30 miles apart, the two towns have formed the first and only region-wide Ride Center designation. Mountain bikers visiting the Ozarks can double-down, with a wide range of riding to choose from and two cycling-crazed communities hosting some of the nation’s finest trails.
CONTACT: www.NWATrails.org.

New Province Brewing Company
At New Province in Rogers, brewing isn’t simply a craft, it’s an obsession. Brewing is a delicate blend of art and science. Each drop is meticulously crafted, without compromise, resulting in a quality pint every time. Here the process is as important as the pour. Visit the taproom and become a citizen with special privileges.
CONTACT: 1310 W. Hudson, Rogers, AR 72756, 479-531-3233, www.NewProvinceBrewing.com.

NWA Escape Room
NWA Escape Room offers two different rooms, each with a different scenario. It’s a place to free your inner sleuth and come face to face with a plethora of clues that will lead you on a live action adventure like no other. Your detective side will be activated as you solve intellectual puzzles, piece together small tidbits of intelligence, uncover secret mysteries, and race against the hourglass. Designed for small groups of 2-10 people.
CONTACT: 2140 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72703, 479-466-3555, NWAEscapeRoom@gmail.com, www.NWAEscapeRoom.com.

Oneal Outfitters
Batesville-based business offers canoe and kayak rentals. Float packages include life jackets, paddles and free shuttle.
CONTACT: Stadium Drive, Batesville, AR 72501, 870-698-2222, www.OnealOutfitters.com.

Ozark Escape
Ozark Escape includes three rooms of various sizes, each with its own theme, and a Game Master tracking your progress. You and your team of players are locked in a room for one hour to figure out how to escape. You must find hidden objects or special compartments, solve puzzles, figure out clues, and other challenging, hands-on experiences. There might be math, music, or logic puzzles but more importantly, you must work together. Located just off Dickson Street in the Metro District. Designed for small groups of 2-10 people.
CONTACT: 509 W. Spring Street, Suite 140, Fayetteville, AR 72701, 479-841-0013, www.OzarkEscape.com.

Railyard Bike Park
The Railyard Bike Park in downtown Rogers is the newest off-road offering for Northwest Arkansas, which is fast becoming an excellent cycling destination. It’s named “The Railyard” because it is located only blocks from the Arkansas-Missouri railroad and some obstacles are made from recycled trains. Its signature piece is a full-scale rail car set on real railroad tracks that bikers ride through. This dirt jump bike park features wall rides, “whale tales” and concrete lips. The park is designed to accommodate riders of all different skill-levels, beginner to expert, and different types of bicycles, striders to full suspension bikes and dirt jumpers to BMX. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., has lights, a pavilion, restrooms, water fountains, bike wash station, observation decks, dog park, and a large parking lot.
CONTACT: 299 E. Cherry St., 479-621-1117; www.RogersAR.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/The-Railyard-57.

64/6 Unexpected Project
This mural project in Fort Smith took place as a week-long festival in the fall of 2015 that produced six large and three small murals by international artists now on view for the public on buildings in the downtown area. The collective focus of 64/6 Downtown is to be an ongoing catalyst for the redevelopment of downtown Fort Smith and the Riverfront, meaning watch for more to come.
CONTACT: www.646Downtown.com.

Steele Stevens Heritage Park
This living history park in Elm Springs is now home to reenactors and a variety of events. Don’t just imagine what it was like to live back in the 1860s, visit the park on weekends in the spring, summer and fall to see reenactments, demonstrations, and real camp life for Civil War soldiers and civilians. See the springs, the minnow farm and enjoy the picnic areas. Admission is free.
CONTACT: 479-601-3803, www.HistoricElmSprings.com.

Taco Tour
It’s no secret that Springdale has the best and most authentic taquerias in Northwest Arkansas, but what you might not know is that Springdale is home to the state’s first self-guided taco tour. Eight of the city’s tastiest taquerias are featured on the tour and a few of the locations are accessible from the Razorback Greenway Trail making it easy for you to re-fuel after a long ride. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce to grab a Taco Tour Map and don’t forget to tag #SpringdaleTacoTour on social media for a chance to be entered to win some great prizes.
CONTACT: www.TeamSpringdale.com/TacoTour.