As travelers increasingly seek meaningful domestic experiences during this milestone 250th year for the United States, 21c Museum Hotels is inviting guests to rediscover some of the country’s most creative and undiscovered cities through its new limited-time Hidden Gems package
Each Hidden Gems stay includes a $50 dining credit to the hotel’s signature restaurant, along with a printed city guide curated by the local artists featured through 21c Museum Hotels’ Elevate program, which showcases regional contemporary artists at each museum hotel. Available now through September 30, 2026, the package will be available to book at four 21c locations: Bentonville, Arkansas; Durham, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; and St. Louis, Missouri
“More than ever, travelers are seeking experiences that feel personal and deeply connected to the places they visit,” said Lauren Kwiatkowski, VP Brand Marketing – North America at Ennismore. “Our new Hidden Gems package invites guests to discover each 21c destination through the eyes of the artists who live and create there, revealing a side of these cities they might not otherwise explore.”
Unlike traditional destination guides, each map reveals the neighborhoods, cafés, galleries, bookstores, parks and local institutions that inspire the featured artists. The recommendations below offer a glimpse into each artist’s curated guide, with even more local discoveries awaiting guests upon check-in
Artist-curated recommendations include:
Bentonville, Arkansas – Interdisciplinary artist Caite Mae Ramos, whose work explores the relationship between land, plants and place, points guests toward Matkins Flowers & Greenhouse, a beloved local institution that she describes as feeling like “your great-grandma’s greenhouse.”
Durham, North Carolina – Textile artist Aliyah Bonnette highlights Golden Belt, a hub for working artist studios where visitors can meet local creatives, browse galleries and gain insight into artists’ practices.
Louisville, Kentucky – Multidisciplinary artist Stan Squirewell recommends Mayan Cafe, a neighborhood favorite that famously changed his mind about lima beans and celebrates the flavors of the Yucatán.
St. Louis, Missouri – Photographer Tiffany J. Sutton sends guests to Blueprint Coffee, a longtime favorite for fresh-roasted coffee sourced from independent farmers and a place she’s frequented for years to work, read, and meet friends.
Together, the four participating hotels showcase why America’s most compelling travel experiences aren’t always found in its biggest cities. At 21c Bentonville, guests can pair newly renovated accommodations and dinner at The Hive with a visit to neighboring Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which unveiled its highly anticipated expansion this summer. In Louisville, the original 21c Museum Hotel location celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, continuing to anchor the city’s thriving arts and culinary scene alongside its acclaimed restaurant, Proof on Main. In St. Louis, the brand’s most recent opening has breathed new life into a historic YMCA building, that is turning 100 this year, where contemporary art and Spanish-inspired dining at Idol Wolf have transformed the landmark into a destination of its own. Meanwhile, 21c Durham offers a stay inside the city’s iconic Hill Building, where Counting House and the property’s museum spaces reflect Durham’s evolution into one of the South’s most creative hubs.
The Hidden Gems package includes:
Overnight accommodations at participating 21c Museum Hotels
$50 dining credit per stay, redeemable at the hotel’s signature restaurant or through in-room dining
An exclusive, artist-curated Hidden Gems city guide upon check-in
Available through September 30, 2026 at 21c Bentonville, 21c Durham, 21c Louisville, and 21c St. Louis
For more information or to book, visit 21cmuseumhotels.com
