Crystal Bridges expands operating hours

A high attendance and requests from visitors to access the museum earlier has prompted Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to expand its hours beginning Nov. 23.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., which is one hour earlier. On weekdays, the lobby, library and coffee bar will open at 10 a.m., with the remainder of the museum opening at 11 a.m. as usual.

“We opted to expand our weekend hours due to the number of guests arriving early on Saturdays and Sundays and waiting for the galleries to open,” explained Crystal Bridges Executive Director Rod Bigelow. “Clearly there was an interest in earlier weekend hours, and we are happy to accommodate. Similarly, guests arriving early during the week can now visit the library or enjoy a cup of coffee before venturing into the galleries.”

New Museum Hours:
Monday, Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Lobby, library, coffee bar open at 10 a.m.)
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday, Friday: 11 a.m. to  9 p.m. (Lobby, library, coffee bar open at 10 a.m.)
Saturday, Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Trails and Grounds are open from sunrise to sunset daily.
 
Holiday Programs
In November, Crystal Bridges is offering extended Drop-in Studio programming on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to create their own artwork between noon and 3 p.m. 

Guided tours of the museum’s permanent collection are available daily at 2:30 p.m., with an additional tour especially for families at 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and an architecture-focused tour at 4:30 p.m. on Sundays.

In addition, a Fall Forage Trail Tour is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29 at 11:30 a.m. There is no fee for these programs.

The museum’s restaurant, Eleven, will also accommodate additional visitors with a satellite site for sandwiches and lunch offerings set up in the museum’s Great Hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1. 

In December, more holiday programming is set for the week when children are out of school. From Dec. 21 through Jan. 5, the museum will offer Winter Break Wonders with daily drop-in activities for visitors, ranging from family-friendly performances by the StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Mr. Stinky Feet, and Storybook Strings, to artmaking activities, tours, and pop-up playgrounds hosted by Marie Vukin of Project Play Every Day. 

For adults, Crystal Bridges is hosting  its first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration, New 365, featuring music, dancing, food and drink, and more. Paired with a special package at 21c Museum Hotel, the evening offers a fun and festive way to ring in the new year.