Why You Should Visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs has a rich history and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. It was the first Historic District in Arkansas. Eureka Springs has also been established at a Nationally Significant District with the approval of the National Park Service.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a charming little town nestled in the Ozark Mountains. It is adorned with numerous mineral springs, specialty shops, a vast array of arts and culture, quaint cottages, Victorian Manors, spas, and an abundance of things to do.

Travel and tourism to this little town was started by the healing qualities of its natural mineral springs. Many people coming to the area claimed that the waters had healed their maladies creating the trade of "medicinal" waters. The Ozarka Water Company was established in the early years.

Historic Down Town is packed full of small local shops with a diverse variety of styles and offerings. You can find coffee shops, ice cream parlors, art shops showcasing local artists, antique shops, craft shops of local craftsman and much more.

The streets of Eureka Springs are lined with many cottages resembling the Victorian era and some of Swiss and German descent. Most of these are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Eureka Springs is also home to many historic hotels, bed and breakfasts, cozy cottages, and rustic cabins. With such a diverse array of places to stay something will appeal to everyone. Eureka Springs even has national chain hotels on the outskirts of the historic district, for those who prefer a modern stay.

Eureka Springs is a very small town ranging only a few miles around the whole area. The streets in the downtown district are very small and if you prefer not to drive, Eureka Springs offers a Trolley Service. A trolley passes every location in and around town about every thirty minutes. The trolleys are color-coded making navigation easy.

Eureka Springs is also home to "The Great Passion Play", a re-creation of the last days of Christ. This is a live performance featuring hundreds of actors and live animals portraying the final days of Christ's life. It is America's #1 live, outdoor drama. The Passion Play area is also home to a bible museum, the "Christ of the Ozarks", a 67 foot tall statue of Christ atop Magnetic Mountain overlooking the city of Eureka Springs, and a re-creation of the Holy Land has been in progress for many years.

Annual events in Eureka Springs include motorcycle and biker rallies, antique auto shows, UFO enthusiasts, blues, jazz and folk festivals as well as a poetry festival.

2006 marked the second annual "Books in Bloom, A Garden Party Celebration for Writers and Readers". Eureka Springs has long been a haven for writers, artists, intellectuals and other creative minds. This event is held at the historic Crescent Hotel. The Crescent Hotel is said to be "haunted" and the appeal of so many mystery writers attending this annual event.

Outside the city are many cave tours, an old working grist mill, natural rock formations, lakes and streams. One natural point of interest is the "Blue Springs Heritage Center", a 33 acre garden and natural spring. The spring is said to have been a stopping point for the Cherokee on the "Trail of Tears", making it a historical landmark. It is also said that when fighting tribes of Indians came to the spring at the same time, they would cease fighting because the spring was sacred.
Blue Springs is a must see for anyone who has a love of native plants.

Thorncrown Chapel is a modern architectural design selected for the 2006 "Twenty-Five Year Award" by the American Institute of Architects. The award is noteworthy in recognizing structures that have had significant influence on the profession. Thorncrown Chapel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is an absolute must-see for your vacation plans. Arriving in Eureka Springs you are met with a magical ambiance that draws you in and gives you a sense of peaceful charm. There is something magical and magnetic in the air. One trip is never enough which brings visitors back time and time again.