Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas is home to many amazing things. There you will find incredible cultural institutions, world’s greatest mountain bike trail system, diverse culinary experiences, and natural beauty. Throughout the region, nature, art and the sciences integrate in the landscape, culture and economy in one of the fastest growing areas of the United States.
One amazing place to discover the integration of the arts, sciences and nature is the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville. Opened on July 15, 2015, the Amazeum features hands-on, interactive exhibits inspired by the landscape, culture and innovative spirit of Northwest Arkansas.
About the Amazeum
Designed and built as a place for a creative, curious community to learn, play, explore and gather, the Amazeum invites guests to physically interact with exhibits, discover real-world connections, and question how and why things appear the way they do, work how they work, and connect to form complex systems.
A Canopy Climber rises high above the exhibit floor at the Scott Family Amazeum.
Inside the museum, a climbable tree canopy rises 35 feet above the museum floor allowing for a 360-degree view of the museum’s experiences. From the top leaves, the sounds of running water in Nature Valley Water Amazements invite guests to experiment with controlling the flow of water by creating dams and reservoirs. The climber ends in a nest structure perched on top of a Karst bluff populated by life-size replica birds common to the area and a live video feed of nesting. The nest overlooks an authentic Ozark Mountain Cabin that anchors a homestead area complete with an apple orchard representing the history of Benton County as the largest producer of apples in the nation in 1910.
Hands-on Experiences
Transportation, logistics, material handling and retail are integral to the Northwest Arkansas economy. Experience ways to move products and materials in the General Mills Lift, Load and Haul exhibit, which includes a full-size, actual 18-wheeler ready for people to jump in for the long haul. The truck truly is the centerpiece of the museum as it was the first thing on site during construction. Imagining the vehicle loaded with protein, fruits, vegetables and other items found in grocery stores is easy to do in the Market sponsored by Walmart. Often the most popular experience in the Amazeum for children (grownups, not so much) the Market is stocked with items that provide the opportunity to take on the roles of shopper, stocker, cashier and cook and learn valuable social skills.
Creativity is key to the Amazeum experience. The Nickelodeon PlayLab, Art Studio, and 3M Tinkering Hub are home to messy, creative fun. In Nickelodeon, there are multiple ways to create animated videos on a small and large scale. Guests become characters in their own productions in one area, while small scale props are used in another. This area also contains a collection of simple machines that animate a well-known yellow character. Painting on the walls is encouraged in the Art Studio. Take creativity to new levels In the Tinkering Hub by exploring materials, tools and techniques of making. In the Hub, the creative process is celebrated and fueled with self-directed and facilitated activities.
Discovering science and chemistry is sweet when lessons are learned in the Hershey’s Lab. The Amazeum is home to one of the few Hershey’s Labs in the country. Varieties of experiments are conducted in the Lab providing a different experience on each visit.
Outside the Amazeum is ample space for free-range adventures as new experiences pop-up frequently throughout the day. Visit the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville and let our team of play facilitators make your day amazing.
Hours & Additional Information
The Amazeum is open Mondays, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Admission is $10 for adults and children 2 and older. Children under 2 and Amazeum members visit free every day. The Amazeum is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and offers reciprocal admission benefits to members of affiliated organizations. For information on reservations, exhibits, and current programs visit amazeum.org.
