Thanks to the deep pockets of its founder, Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the permanent collection at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR, is always free. And, yes, that includes ticketed, self-guided tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, a stunning example of his stubbornly sleek approach to architecture.

You don’t have to love or even look at every painting, installation, and sculpture to lose an entire day here, either. Walton’s sprawling celebration of American creativity over the past five centuries is best enjoyed with a mind as open as your afternoon. That way you’ll stumble upon striking works like Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ pile of green, cellphone-wrapped candy—which you’re apparently encouraged to take—and John Baldessari’s massive ear piece. Museumgoers clap, speak, and shout into “Beethoven’s Trumpet (with Ear) Opus #132” all day long because the sound triggers the Ludwig track in question—a little bit of interactive fun amidst all this heady art.

Even the grounds here are magical: Crystal Bridges is set on 120 acres of prime Ozark woodlands. Public trails wind around babbling streams, natural quartz formations, and lush forest.

600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR; 479-418-5700.