Here is your Eureka Springs itinerary! Less than an hour’s drive from Bentonville, Eureka Springs is a quaint, Victorian-like mountain village nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Its downtown area offers activities for every member of your group. Park your car and let the Eureka Springs Trolley Service take you from place to place. Many destinations have front door service from the trolley.
SHOPPING
Eureka Springs Historic Downtown Shopping District features over 100 unique specialty shops of every description from family-owned candy factories to more than 20 top art galleries to fantastic antique shops. Visit Caroline’s Collectibles to see live bunnies actually working. The bunnies hand you receipts and change! Be careful, it’s easy to spend the entire day shopping.
HISTORY
If you are a history buff, you will love Eureka Springs. It has the largest collection of Victorian architecture in the region. The beautiful Victorian homes have been painstakingly preserved to maintain the details of yesteryear. For example, you will see historically accurate pastel colors used on all gingerbread decorations.
ART
Since the 1800s, artists creating in every medium have called Eureka Springs home. There are more than 400 working artists in the area. Make it a point to visit the Art Colony on N Main Street where you can see artists at work and their creations on display.
ADVENTURE
Adventure seekers can spend the day participating in area-favorite activities. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, spelunking, horseback riding, paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip-lining, motorcycle touring, water sports, and golfing are just some of the outdoor activities that are located in the Eureka Springs area.
MTB enthusiasts! Don’t miss Lake Leatherwood Trail, Lake Leatherwood Gravity Project and Lake Leatherwood Downhill Trails South. You’re sure to get the thrill and challenge you’re after on these amazing trails. Also, there are over 18 miles of MTB trails on the 700-acre property of The Great Passion Play.
EUREKA SPRINGS FISHING
The Kings River (a tributary of the White River), is famous for smallmouth bass fishing. The White River is great for sport fishing and paddling. Known world-wide for its fabulous trout fishing, the White (near the Bull Shoals Dam) is also great for catfish, walleye, sunfish and bass.
Covering 31,700 acres, Beaver Lake is part of the waterways around Eureka Springs, AR. Stripers, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Redear Sunfish, and Blue Catfish are plentiful. Lake Leatherwood is located within the city limits. You can fish for largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, and walleye. Table Rock Lake is a huge man-made lake that ends at Eureka Springs. Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass, White Crappie, Bluegill and Long Ear Sunfish abound.
CRAFT BREWERIES & WINERIES
There are two craft breweries in Eureka: Eureka Springs Brewery and Gotahold Brewery. Drop in for a cold craft beer, and relax with your friends. For wine buffs, Eureka Springs has two wineries: Keel’s Creek Winery and Art Gallery and Railway Winery and Vineyards.
HAUNTED HOTEL EUREKA SPRINGS
Crescent Hotel (rated most haunted hotel in American complete with ghost tours). It has old world charm, yet boasts modern conveniences. Dine at the 1886 Crescent Hotel Crystal Dining Room or make reservations at Ermilio’s or Local Flavor Cafe, all excellent choices for romantic dining or you may grab a quick bite at one of the many food trucks scattered about town.
ROMANTIC GETAWAYS IN EUREKA SPRINGS AR
Eureka Springs is the perfect romantic getaway and wedding destination. Stay at one of the many delightful B&Bs or one of the hundreds of Airbnbs including cabins, homes and tree houses. Eureka Springs is known as the wedding capital of the South. Be sure to check out the Top 10 Eureka Springs Cabins, Top 10 Treehouses in Eureka Springs and Top 10 Unique Places To Stay in Eureka.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Thorncrown Chapel – While in Eureka, you must visit the beautiful Thorncrown Chapel, just outside the city on Hwy 62 West. It has 425 windows and 6,000 ft. of glass. Admission is free.
Thorncrown Chapel – Image courtesy of Arkansas Tourism
Parades – Eureka Springs has many parades throughout the year including a Corvette, Volkswagen, a Zombie Crawl, Diversity Parade,
Christmas Parade of Lights and many more.
Basin Springs Park – Located in the heart of Eureka Springs, it is a local gathering place and features live entertainment regularly.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Preserve – Provides lifetime refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected big cats. Daily tours plus delightful safari lodges.
Day Spas – Available services include saunas, massage, steam cabinets, facials, weight rooms, aromatherapy, Ayurveda medicine, reflexology and exercise facilities.
Great way to relax the day away.
Plays – Eureka is home to The Great Passion Play. Save an evening to enjoy this inspirational activity. The play has a cast of 170 actors and dozens of animals. It is billed as America’s #1 Attended Outdoor Drama. See the Bible come to life on a 550-foot-long multi-leveled stage.
Christ of the Ozarks Statue – On the grounds of The Great Passion Play and reaching some seven-stories high with an arm spread of 65 ft, it is one of the most visited attractions in Eureka Springs.
As you can see, there’s plenty to do and see for the entire family in Eureka Springs. Get there early to make the most of your visit.
Check out our other Bentonville Itineraries
Downtown Bentonville ~ Bentonville Itinerary #1
Bentonville Itinerary ~ Museums
Crystal Bridges ~ Bentonville Itinerary #2
