The Ultimate 12 Hour Road Trip
By: Ben Brown
Are you bursting at the seams with restless energy as summer is just a few weeks away and looking to hit the ground running as soon as the last bell rings? A great way to let out all that energy is a road trip. The road trip. The ultimate 12 hour road trip to be specific. Follow me as I take you to the coolest spots in Oklahoma and over yonder into the land of Arkansas, all in 12 action packed hours.
To successfully make the spots on this tour you’ll need to hit the road at 9:00am or earlier.
Woolaroc
Our first stop is 3,700 acre Woolaroc Ranch. Founded by Frank Phillips with the intent of preserving the west he knew from the 1800s before it was ravaged by man. You have the opportunity to see and photograph American bison, longhorn cattle, elk, and more than 30 other species of native and exotic birds and animals that room the wildlife reserve.
The Woolaroc Museum is known as one of the most outstanding Western Art collections in the world. The museum features Western art and artifacts as well as Native American art, pottery, and basketry. That’s not even mentioning that this museum features one of the most complete collections of Colt firearms if that’s something you’re into.
See the Woolaroc website for more info: www.woolaroc.org
To maintain an optimal schedule I would recommend leaving for the next spot somewhere between 12:00 and 1:00.
Crystal Bridges- Benonville, Arkansas
The last leg of the ultimate road trip takes us east to the famous Crystal Bridges art museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. Thanks to a Walmart sponsorship, there are no admission costs for the gallery. As the name suggests Crystal Bridges is an art museum residing in a large bridge across a pond the museum is built around. The architecture by Moshe Safdie is almost more interesting than the museum itself.
The collection at Crystal Bridges is truly spectacular, spanning five centuries with works by famous artists such as Asher B. Durand, Andy Warhol, and Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter. There is also an extensive contemporary collection from artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, John Baldessari, and James Turrell.
Crystal bridges sits on a 120 acre property, so the fun doesn’t end once you leave the museum. Walk on one of the trails featuring sculptures as you’re led to downtown Bentonville which is an attraction in it of itself.
If you spent a lot of time in the museum it should be around dinner time so take some time to walk around downtown Bentonville and find something to eat. Bentonville is renowned for its restaurant options and famous Walmart museum.
-For more information about Crystal Bridges: https://crystalbridges.org/
-For more information about Bentonville: https://www.visitbentonville.com/
The drive from Bentonville to Tulsa is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, so keep that in mind when deciding how much time you want to spend in Bentonville.
This has been the ultimate 12 hour road trip. If you’re ever bored this summer or have a free weekend, this trip is an action packed experience that only costs you 12 hours.