Back to Media Index
EUREKA SPRINGS,
ARKANSAS
From
BedandBreakfast.com,
Sandy Soule
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Photo
courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
Whether you’re interested in a
romantic getaway, a celebration of Ozark arts and culture, shopping
in distinctive boutiques and craft shops, or the chance to enjoy
great hiking, biking, and all water sports, you’re guaranteed a
great escape to Eureka Springs, a Victorian village located in the
northwest corner of Arkansas.
B&Bs and Inns
Eureka Springs climbs up and down countless ravines, making for
shady glens and scenic vistas, as well as plenty of steep staircases
and limited parking. If you have difficulties with stairs and/or
walking, be sure to let the innkeeper know when making reservations.
In general, B&B rates are an excellent value; most guest rooms have
whirlpool tubs, and many have fireplaces, plus refrigerators stocked
with soda and bottled water; light snacks and free wireless
Internet, all included in the price. Although few (if any)
innkeepers are native to the city, they love their adopted home town
and are delighted to recommend its many features, from great
restaurants to intriguing shops and galleries, to a plethora of area
outdoor activities.
Richard
and Jan Grinnell are the gracious hosts and hard-working innkeepers
of 5 Ojo Inn.
One of the top values in Eureka is the Honeymoon Hideaway, newly
redone in blue, white, and yellow – crisp, sunny, and inviting, with
a queen-size bed, whirlpool tub, and primitive antiques. Our tasty
breakfast included fresh fruit with cream and a blueberry muffin,
followed by spiced pancakes with peppered bacon.
Getting Around
Eureka Springs is about 50 miles northeast of the Northwest Arkansas
Regional Airport (XNA); thanks to Wal-Mart, headquartered in nearby
Bentonville, service is good, reasonably priced, and frequent. It’s
about 53 miles southwest of Branson, MO; combine these two
destinations for an appealing getaway.
You’ll need a car to get to Eureka Springs, but parking is limited
in season. Leave your car at your B&B, then either stroll or take
advantage of the
trolley
system, with stops at almost every B&B; unlimited travel costs
about $4 daily, plus $1 extra for a narrated tour.
When to Go
With an elevation of 1,200 feet, Eureka Springs enjoys four distinct
but mild seasons, neither too cold in winter nor too hot in summer.
Best of all are the flowers in spring and the colorful fall foliage.
As always, midweek visits are the best for avoiding crowds and
congestion.
Sights
& Activities
Spiritual: The
Great
Passion Play, depicting Christ’s last days on earth, His death
and resurrection, has attracted crowds for the past 35 years; the
seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue on its grounds is visible
for miles around.
Thorncrown
Chapel is an architectural masterpiece, with 425 windows and
over 6,000 square feet of glass.
Nature: An old Ozark folk saying explains that, "It's not
that the mountains are so high, it's just that the valleys are so
deep." This deeply eroded limestone plateau has created a
recreational wonderland of caves, rivers, lakes, and forested
trails, perfect for caving, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking.
About 10 miles west of Eureka Springs is
Beaver Lake, a 28,000-acre lake, created by the Army Corps of
Engineers in the 1960s, offering all water sports and extensive
hiking trails.
More information…
If you’d like to experience fauna along with the flora, take time to
visit
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Foundation, a refuge for
abandoned, abused and neglected “big cats,” especially tigers,
lions, leopards and cougars.
For more information on shopping, crafts, festivals, nightlife, and
much more, visit the
Eureka
Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Restaurants: Check with your innkeeper for local favorites,
but we especially enjoyed
Gaskin’s
Cabin, about three miles north of town on Highway 23. A log
cabin built in 1864, Gaskin’s is famous for steaks (with vegetarian
alternatives), great atmosphere, and affordable prices on their
specials. In town,
Café
Soleil features international and contemporary American cuisine
with creative vegetarian offerings; we enjoyed lunch so much that we
returned to dinner. Another long-time favorite is
Ermilio’s Italian
Home Cooking, located in a restored Victorian house.
Back to Media Index
