Founded as a health resort around the numerous springs in the area, Eureka Springs has become a tourist town with fun activities for all ages. It is a great place to go with kids, but it remains a great destination for a romantic getaway. There are numerous restaurants that have a good selection of food available for a wide range of prices. Lodging, ranging from standard budget motels to romantic bed-and-breakfasts, is available for a wide range of prices. For those who prefer camping, there are several campgrounds in the area, ranging from commercial campgrounds with full hookups in town to more natural and less commercialized camping located in Corp of Engineer campgrounds on nearby Beaver Lake.
Eureka Springs is one of the area’s best-kept tourist secrets. Although it has thousands of visitors each year, it is not nearly as crowded as nearby Branson and offers many of the same types of attractions. There are music shows that are as good as many of the shows in Branson for a fraction of the cost and without the crowds. Probably the biggest draw for the area is the Great Passion Play, an impressive 2-hour live presentation of the last week in the life of Christ that runs from April until the end of October. The Passion Play grounds have shops, a Bible museum, a replica of Jerusalem in the day of Christ, and a massive statue, The Christ of the Ozarks statue that overlooks the town.
The entire downtown area has become a shopping area with hundreds of shops selling gift items and handmade crafts as well as original works of art. Items for sale include handmade quilts, paintings, and sculptures. There are also several good restaurants and nightspots downtown.
The town is known for its concentration of Victorian homes, many of which have been converted to tour homes where you can see the beautifully restored homes. Others have been converted into bed-and-breakfasts, and a few were turned into restaurants. There is also a more unique and unusual home open for tours called Quigley’s Castle that is worth one visit.
For the kids there is mini golf, game arcades, and go-carts. Nearby Beaver Lake has several marinas with boats and jet skis for rent. There are several caves in the area that offer tours. Dinosaur Land, with life-size dinosaur replicas, is supposed to be fun for the kids.
${QuickSuggestions} Eureka Springs has a wide variety of special events. Each year a Blues Festival and Jazz Festival draw thousands to the downtown clubs and venues. The events draw world-class performers to the area and visitors from around the country to listen to them. If you plan to attend one of these events, you need to book a room months in advance, because they fill quickly. Information on special events, as well as the usual shows and attractions, is available from the Chamber of Commerce and online.
Most of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions have displays of brochures for the other attractions in and around town and can be a great source for planning activities while here. Another great source of information is to simply ask the locals. The people who work in the shops are often the people who own them, and they are friendly and helpful. If you want to know what area attractions are worth the time and money, just ask; we’ve always found the people to be friendly and helpful.
Boats, jet skis, and water "toys" are available for rent at nearby Beaver Lake.
${BestWay} Getting around Eureka Springs is easy. The majority of the shops, restaurants, attractions, and hotels are located on one of the two main roads through town, so driving is a good option. Parking downtown is limited, and on a weekend day in the summer, parking can be difficult to find. Parking fees are approximately $6 for half a day. Mopeds are available for rent at several locations during the summer and can also be a great way to get around. Once you are downtown, walking is the best way to visit the shops. The downtown is located on a hillside, so some of the sidewalks are steep and walking may be difficult for people with health problems.
With the issues of parking, traffic, and steep sidewalks, the absolute best way to get around is to ride the trolley. For $4.50 per day, you get unlimited rides for the day. Leave your car at the hotel and ride the trolley; it goes to nearly all the attractions, restaurants, and hotels. Trolleys are clearly marked with color-coded routes, and route maps are available free at all hotels and most attractions. I highly recommend the trolley system as the way to get around.
From journal Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Little Switzerland of the Ozarks