Oct 18, 2011 BENTONVILLE, Ark., October 18, 2011 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is anticipating a large number of visitors on its opening day, 11-11-11. To assure entry for all, reserved, timed tickets will be required to enter the museum from Friday, Nov. 11 through Monday, Jan. 2. Museum officials recommend reserving timed tickets well in advance. There is no fee to view the Museum’s permanent collection. Admission to Crystal Bridges is sponsored by Walmart. To reserve tickets online (preferred): Visit shop.crystalbridges.org To reserve tickets by phone: Call 479.418.5700 (select “9” for ticketing) between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday. The museum’s opening ceremony will take place at the Bentonville Town Square the morning of Nov. 11. This is a free public event. The first group of timed-ticket holders will be able to enter the Museum at 12:30 p.m. following the ceremony. Timed tickets will be available for entry at half-hour intervals from 12:30 through 9 p.m. on Nov. 11. Once inside the museum, visitors may stay as long as they like. All visitors, age one and up, will need a reserved ticket to enter the museum. Infants need not be ticketed. Visitors should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the entry time on the ticket. Parking for opening day will be at Orchards Park, across Northeast J Street from the entrance to the museum grounds. Complimentary shuttles will be provided to carry visitors to and from the museum entrance. Eleven, the museum’s restaurant, will be open from 12:30 to 10 p.m. on Opening Day. To ensure quicker service and accommodate the large number of guests expected, Eleven will be offering a limited menu selection. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Crystal Bridges trails and grounds also will be open to the public on Nov. 11. No ticket or prior reservation is necessary to explore the trails.
