Northwest Arkansas Travel Guide • Top 10 Restaurants • Hotels • Things To Do Things To Do in Eureka Springs

The things to do in Eureka Springs will surprise you. If you haven’t been to Eureka Springs, you absolutely must make time to visit this marvelous Victorian-like village.

The historic streets are lined with chef driven restaurants, unusual eateries and more than 100 small, unique shops and galleries of every description. This is the place to shop until you drop. If outdoors and mountain biking are your thing, Lake Leatherwood, a 1610-acre wilderness park and lake, has 25 miles of some of the best biking trails to be found in all of Northwest Arkansas.

In addition to the information below, here is a list of new fun restaurants and shops in Eureka Springs to check out too.

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Things To Do in Downtown Eureka Springs

FRIDAY

1) 4:00 p.m.
EUREKA SPRINGS HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Downtown District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Eureka Springs has the largest collection of Victorian architecture in the central U.S. The Eureka Springs Historical Museum, located in the 1889 California building, is the place to learn about the colorful past of this beautiful little Ozarks Mountains city. Make sure to visit the old 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa and the Downtown Cornerstone Bank where you’ll see a bank operating much as it did in yesteryear. You can see the old brass teller cages, pot-bellied stove, original business machines and much more.

Stop by and quench your thirst at a local craft brewery, Eureka Springs Brewery or Gotahold Brewery.

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

2)7:00 p.m.
THIRSTY YET?

A favorite watering hole is Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave. Yes, it is a restaurant set into a cave, and the ambiance is welcoming, warm and intimate. The beautiful crafted cocktails are fresh, smooth and amazingly delicious.

3) 8:00 p.m.
EUREKA SPRINGS RESTAURANTS

Ermillio’s Italian Home Cooking serves fine Italian food in a delightful charming atmosphere. Be prepared to wait a bit, but there’s a small bar upstairs that will make your wait more enjoyable. or… Grand Taverne Restaurant & Lounge offers fine dining extraordinaire including Stuffed Portobello Mushroom, Roasted Rack of Lamb and several steak choices. Here are the Best Restaurants in Eureka Springs.

4) 10:30 p.m.
PARTY TIME
Eureka Live Underground features Eureka’s only Downtown Underground Video Dance Bar and Beer Garden.

Restaurants, Attractions and Art in Eureka Springs

SATURDAY

5) 9:30 a.m.
MORNING IN EUREKA

No trip to Eureka would be complete without checking out Basin Park and the old Basin Park Hotel in the heart of downtown, and Thorncrown Chapel located just a short drive out on Hwy 62 West. After you’ve stretched your legs a bit, head on over to Local Flavor Cafe, a fabulous farm-to-table restaurant with indoor and balcony seating. The food is always fresh, tasty and good for you. Mud Street Cafe, an old fashioned street level restaurant, is the place to go for fabulous coffee, desserts and breakfast. If you are looking for a southern style buffet breakfast that serves excellent food, then The Filling Station Restaurant is the place for you. It serves breakfast and lunch in a family friendly atmosphere. The delicious biscuits are made in house, and they are simply scrumptious.

Basin Park Hotel – Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

6)11:00 a.m.
ART MECCA

There are more than 20 art galleries in Eureka, which taken together support in excess of 400 artists. You’ll find award-winning painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers, wood carvers, scrimshanders and tole painters. You may be lucky enough to catch a few of the artists at work when you visit the Art Colony on N Main St. The Great Passion Play, America’s #1 attended outdoor drama out on Passion Play Rd has 150 Biblically costumed actors.

Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

7) 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH FOR FOODIES

A really good place to try is The Rockin’ Pig Saloon is a full-service biker & family friendly restaurant, bar and entertainment establishment that offers incredible burgers, sandwiches and bbq. If you are looking for a cool restaurant and incredible food, then you must visit, Sparky’s Roadhouse Cafe, you will love everything on their menu including delicious burgers of every type, homemade desserts and a variety of enchiladas.

Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

8) 3:00 p.m.
EUREKA SPRINGS SHOPPING, SPAS, REFUGE

Eureka Springs Historic Downtown Shopping District has more than 100 unique specialty stores and boutique shops including a family-owned candy factory, antique shops, jewelry stores featuring the work of local artists, a nut store and much, much more. Visit Caroline’s Collectibles to see live bunnies actually working. They give you a receipt and change. You may need to drop your purchases off and rest for a few minutes before you start the evening.

Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

or… If you’re not into shopping, treat yourself to one of Eureka’s premier state-of-the-art spas. Spa 1905, located on the second floor of the Basin Park Hotel specializes in Duet Massage, Traditional Massage, Stress Fix Massage and more.

or… For those who enjoy adventure and inspiration, tour the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. You’ll see a huge and modern refuge for abandoned, abused and neglected ‘Big Cats’ including Tigers, Lions, Leopards and Cougars. Unique lodging opportunities are also available on the refuge. Does water recreation appeal to you, Beaver Lake a huge man-made reservoir has some of the best fishing and water related activities in the country.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

9) 8:30 p.m
Restaurants & Drinks

Along with specialty stores and boutiques, Eureka’s cobblestone streets are also lined with restaurants offering fun streetside patio seating and balconies. The Spring on Main is a new restaurant that already has raving fans. They offer chef inspired American fare, craft cocktails and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Historic Downtown Eureka Springs Photo Courtesy Arkansas Dept of Parks and Tourism

10) 11:30 p.m
Chillin

Nightlife in Eureka includes Henri’s, a great little downstairs bar offering craft cocktails, beer and pub grub; The Cat House, specializes in cold beer, friendly service and has a great vibe.