Cruises By Linda

If you love interesting buildings I put together some ideas that I know about that are within a driving loop. Picking up a car at XNA near Bentonville Arkansas would be easy and a little known airline, Allegiant Air, has direct non stop flights from several secondary markets but with a very limited schedule.  The new airport in Hollister/Branson is also a good choice depending on what other activities you have in mind for the area.

If arriving after 11-11-11 then certainly plan a trip to the new museum Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, advance reports are breathtaking.  Continue on to Eureka Springs for a visit to Thorncrown Chapel designed by architect E. Fay Jones.  Eureka Spring Arkansas is a quirky artist community full of B&B’s and spas, the best known historic hotel is the Crescent Hotel (pictured below).

Winding up to Bartlesville Oklahoma takes you from the Ozark Mountains to the edge of the plains where the only skyscraper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is now a hotel.

Driving across the plains will take you to another quirky spot with round stones, Medicine Park is a really different little wide place in the road.  Meander back to Arkansas and stop by the Post Winery or stop for a meal at Wiederkerh’s then wind up National Scenic Byway 7 to Harrison and stay at the historic and recently renovated Hotel Seville.   

Best time to visit would be spring and fall as winters can be very cold and summers very hot.  Find drive times here and weather here.

It’s hard to say how many days to allow for this trip as there are so many possible distractions from the Buffalo National River to the call of old Route 66.