Arkansas Amazeum: Beer, wine and ‘Shine in NC; Oklahoma Spa

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ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

It’s a science museum. It’s a children’s museum. It’s the Scott Family Amazeum.

The 50,000-square-foot Amazeum opened in July in Bentonville, Arkansas, where Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in 2011. The city in northwest Arkansas is also home to the headquarters of Wal-Mart. Crystal Bridges was founded by Wal-Mart heir Alice Walton.

The Amazeum offers hands-on activities and interactive exhibits with a variety of themes ranging from pop culture to science. Exhibits include a mock neighborhood market, a water play center, a pioneer-style cabin and farm, a chocolate learning lab sponsored by Hershey’s, a play area with Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and a “Tinkering Hub” sponsored by 3M where kids can explore technology and create art. Details at http://www.amazeum.org/ .

Admission to the Amazeum is $9.50 for visitors age 2 and over.

The Scott family for whom the Amazeum is named includes former Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott.

The region is also home to the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 36-mile bike-pedestrian trail running through seven Northwest Arkansas cities that opened in May.

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BEER, WINE AND `SHINE TRAIL IN NORTH CAROLINA

Here’s a catchy name for a themed trail in North Carolina: the Beer, Wine and `Shine Trail.

It’s located southeast of Raleigh in Johnston County, which is home to the largest number of working farms in North Carolina.

The term “`shine” refers to moonshine – legal, of course.

For wine, head to Gregory Vineyards, 275 Bowling Springs Drive, in Angier, and Hinnant Family Vineyards, 826 Pine Level-Micro Road, in Pine Level. For craft beer, check out Deep River Brewing Co., 700 W. Main St., in Clayton, and Double Barley Brewing, 3174 Highway 70 West, in Smithfield. And for the `shine, there’s Broadslab Distillery, 4682 NC Highway 50 South, in Benson, which offers tours and tastings.

Details at http://beerwineshinetrail.com/ .

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OKLAHOMA SPA

An Oklahoma ranch that’s now a hotel and Ayurvedic spa has just completed a $2 million expansion.

The Canebrake in Wagoner, Oklahoma, added 9,000 square feet for spa rooms, pool and other amenities.

The Canebrake is also the first hotel property in the state to receive the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s gold-level certification for environmental sustainability. The expansion reused materials from the property’s original structure and former riding arena and also uses LED lighting and low-energy appliances.

Also onsite are a yoga barn, conference facilities, a restaurant, hiking trails, fishing pond and a FEMA-approved storm shelter.

The Canebrake is located about 45 minutes from Tulsa.

Details at http://www.thecanebrake.com .

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