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Tourism in Eureka Springs
Are you a vacation planner or pantser?
A planner schedules every moment after researching tried-and-true recommendations. A pantser “flies by the seat of their pants”, following where desire leads.
Eureka Springs rewards both, but even planners should leave time to walk around, chat with whomever you meet, and chase the unexpected. Serendipity is the city’s greatest attraction.
See further below for specific suggestions, but you can explore these links for all the city has to offer:
Your ‘Reka
Are you a biker? Pony up to the bar at the Cathouse Lounge. Try the chicken-fried filet mignon at the Rockin’ Pig. Stop by the Harley store, and ride the Pig Trail. Come in spring for the Spring Fling Rally or Ozark Mountain Rumble Rally, or in fall for Bike Fest or Bikes Blues & BBQ.
A foodie? You’ll find heaven at Bombadil’s, Ermilio’s, Le Stick Nouveau, Local Flavor, Nibbles, Three Bird Cafe, and many more. End the night at the Stone House wine bar or Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar. Come anytime but winter, when many restaurants close down.
Looking for family fun? Take the kids to Onyx Cave, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and Intrigue Theater. Ride the train at the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway and go-karts at Turtle Back Ridge. Have pancakes at the Mud Street Cafe Annex (see an underground creek through glass in the floor!) and treats at Two Dumb Dames Fudge Factory or Pineapple Paradise ice cream truck. Chow down at the Filling Station, Red’s Pizzeria, or Bubba’s Barbecue (where kids eat free on Thursdays). Come in spring for the kite festival, in summer to catch a parade almost any weekend, or in September for the antique auto parade followed by a goofy 1920s bank robbery reenactment.
A romantic getaway? Stay in one of the city’s many bed and breakfasts. Take a trolley tour. Visit Blue Spring Heritage Center. Do date night at the Grand, the Grotto, or Rogue’s Manor. Come in spring for the Chocolate Lovers’ Festival, in fall for the foliage, or in December for a Victorian holiday village come to life.
A girls trip? Stroll down Spring Street with its many boutiques and Victorian charm, take a watercolor class at Adventure Art, and get pampered at the Crescent Hotel’s New Moon Spa. Make side trips to La Grange Lavender Farm and War Eagle Mill. Come during May’s monthlong arts festival.
Are you more into the great outdoors? Stay in a mountain cabin, or pull the RV into Wanderlust to be close to town or The Farm for the views and events. Hike the city’s many parks, especially Lake Leatherwood and Black Bass Lake. Take a summer float trip on Beaver Lake or the Kings River. Hit the trails for some top-notch mountain biking, especially during fall’s Fat Tire Festival. Take a side trip to the million-acre Ozark National Forest.
Want to live like a local? Grab tacos at Carmen’s food truck, curry at Thai House, or fried chicken at Myrtie Mae’s. Visit the Thursday morning farmers’ market. Catch live music at the Gravel Bar or Chelsea’s. Enjoy karaoke or trivia at Brews. Have a beer at Missy’s White Rabbit Lounge or Gotahold Brewing. Go to Drumming in the Park on first Saturdays from April through October, or come in May for the White Street Studio Walk.
Are you drawn by the town’s famed quirkiness? Stay in a treehouse cottage, wizard village, or hobbit cave. Visit Quigley’s Castle and the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Park by the Music Park so you can bang on the instruments, then wander aimlessly through downtown shops, stairways, and streets. Take selfies by the rainbow stairs, Palace Hotel sign, and Lake Leatherwood Bigfoot. Take the Downtown-N-Underground Tour and the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour. Catch a drag show at Eureka Live. Come in May for the Artrageous Parade, or at Halloween for the Zombie Crawl and Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival.
Looking for something deeper? Perhaps you’re interested in visiting the Great Passion Play with its Christ of the Ozarks statue and Bible museum, or the city’s historic churches. Experience the majesty of Thorncrown Chapel. Take a contemplative hike at the Open Air Meditation Sanctuary. Or maybe you’d be interested in a sound healing or metaphysical discussion at Heart of Many Ways.
There’s no way I could list everything! Those are just a few examples. Discover your Eureka Springs.