Eureka Springs in Arkansas has a mysterious effect on people. No one seems to be able to explain quite why they love the place, secluded and peaceful with winding mountainside streets; the city has flair like no other. Chosen as one of America’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this Victorian village boasts the country’s only entire downtown on the National Register of Historic Places. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas are painstakingly preserved Victorian homes that hug the slides of cliffs and hillsides. The city has block after block of one of a kind shops, boutiques, fine art galleries, craft emporiums, spas and restaurants.
More than 20 million have seen the Great Passion Play, America’s largest-attended outdoor drama, a depiction of Jesus’s last days on earth. One of the country’s largest sanctuaries for big cats, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, rescues large felines and places them in natural habitats. Visitors can enjoy nightly music shows, annual jazz, blues and bluegrass festivals opera and the country’s oldest folk festival. There are free outdoor concerts every 2nd Saturday, shows at the city auditorium and colorful parades for every occasion! Other attractions include zip lines, a steam train, ghost tours, carriage rides and a show with an illusionist and medium.
Eureka Springs is a shopper’s paradise. Boutiques, antiques, handcrafted jewelry, eclectic gifts and world-renowned arts can be found anywhere in town. From vendors in the park to each lovely shop, you’ll find uniquely Eureka treasures and gifts for any occasion and not a mall in sight.
Eureka Springs has lodging options that include something for everyone. From RV and camping, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, unique or familiar brand hotels, historic hotels to lush treehouses with all the amenities. There are even safari cabins for your special event. Many of our lodging establishments provide on-site dining, gift shops, spas, workout rooms, swimming pools and are in walking distance to downtown.
Eureka Springs can satisfy anyone’s appetite for everything from down-home southern food to romantic, candlelit dinners. Award-winning restaurants serve savory Czech-German dishes, authentic Italian cuisine and spicy East Indian fare. You’ll find Mediterranean, Chinese, Irish, Mexican, Cajun and Thai as well. You can also dine on a dining car at Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.
Despite Eureka Springs’s small population, more than 300 residents are working artists, helping the town make the list of “Top 25 Arts Destination” by American Style Magazine for the past several years. The entire month of May is proclaimed May Festival of the Arts—dedicated to all the arts including theater, performing arts and music. Other events like a monthly gallery stroll and artists’ studio tours celebrate these artists’ works on a regular basis. For those who wish to expand their own personal creative art expression, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts offers a variety of art workshops for adults and children throughout the year.
Outdoor adventures abound. The city is surrounded by 2 rivers and 3 lakes. On Table Rock Lake or Beaver Lake there is great fishing, smooth water for canoe/kayak float trips, take a guided cruise, rent a boat or jet ski, or even paddleboard! The 1600-acre Lake Leatherwood City Park is crisscrossed with hiking and biking trails and the 85-acre spring-fed lake is perfect for a day of swimming, boating or fishing. Nearby caves and caverns are perfect for exploring on a hot summer day.
While in Eureka Springs, let us take you through town. Take a tram, van or walking tour and learn about our historic buildings and unique past. Trolleys are a preferred way to get around the winding, crisscrossed streets. Trolleys run year-round, though fewer days and hours during the winter months and there are over 115 stops around town making it convenient for everyone.
The town’s history is colorful and lengthy. Artifacts of Eureka Springs’ rich past are displayed in the Historical Museum. Eureka Springs first drew visitors in the late 1800s because of the healing powers believed to be present in over 60 natural springs there. The healing tradition spawned by the springs in the early days lives on today in the abundance of day spas, massage therapists, herbalists and alternative healers. While the springs today are not potable, they are wonderfully landscaped & lushly gardened. They provide excellent picnic and rest areas as well as giving a beautiful arboretum-like feel.
This is decidedly not an ordinary town. Attractions, shopping, arts and entertainment, fine dining, sports and recreation, unique architecture, amazing history, there’s a town full of engaging residents and merchants who care for you while you are here and will always welcome you back.