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Join us for The 43rd Annual Eureka Springs Preservation Society Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 2, 2023!

For four decades homeowners in this Victorian village have invited visitors inside their historic residences to share the joys of the holiday season. The tradition continues December 2, 2023.  Come  stroll through one of the  largest historical districts  in the country,  when the Eureka Springs Preservation Society hosts The 43rd Annual Eureka Springs Preservation Society Christmas Tour of Homes .  Tickets go on sale November 3, 2023 at 9:00 am.  The cost of a ticket is $30.00.

Several locations  will be participating in this year's Tour, giving guests a glimpse of a bygone era. All stops on the self-guided tour will be decorated for the season with docents at each site to relate the history of each home. Each residence offers an opportunity to revisit the grandeur of the graceful Victorian era and its unique, enchanting homes.

Dee Bright, Preservation Society President, elaborates. "Interior details such as grand staircases, ornately carved fireplace mantels, sparkling stained glass and intricate millwork will all be decked in festive holiday trimmings."

"Remembering Christmas past is a great way to begin making memories for Christmas present," Bright said. "The attention to detail in each of the homes makes this Tour truly special for architectural buffs, history enthusiasts, and those who simply enjoy beauty for its own sake."

She concluded, "It's a lovely way to begin your holidays. If you've never been, come and immerse yourself in the magic, merriment, and mystery of a bygone era. And if you've celebrated the season with us before, we welcome your family back for this fabulous holiday tradition.

Tickets include use of Eureka Springs Trolley between Tour homes during Tour hours only .

Frequently Asked Questions

What style are the homes on the tour?

Homes in Eureka Springs vary in age, size, and style.  Most are high-stooped with 4 to 12 steps to climb for entry and are not handicapped accessible.  These homes are private residences, so interior design may range from period, to traditional, to contemporary, and to modern.

How many sites will we see on the tour?

Each walking tour, typically, offers a minimum of five to six residences, as well as other historic churches and businesses.  

Where does my walking tour start?

 An official Tour Guidebook will be available online ahead of Tour and Guidebook at the New Orleans Hotel.  The address of each site is included in the Guidebook and clearly marked on a map.  Volunteer docents will greet you at each site.  Each site is also marked with signage.  Guests are encouraged to take the Tour at their own pace and site visits need not be in the numeric order they are found in the Guidebook.

What else should I know?

Wear comfortable, rubber-soled walking shoes.  There are numerous steps, stairs, and inclines on the Tour route, and inside homes.  Allow about two hours for the Tour, but set your own pace. 

TOUR TICKETS INCLUDE FREE ADMISSION TO THE GRAND OL' CHRISTMAS SHOW AT THE AUDITORIUM

Tour of Homes ticket holders can go to   https://theaud.thundertix.com/events/220505   and enter code TOUROFHOMES23

for FREE ADMISSION into the Grand Ol' Christmas Show at the historic Auditorium!

Tickets are on sale now! Tickets available online only, and a limited number are available. Tickets WILL SELL OUT!

• 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes
• 2022 Christmas Tour of Homes
• 2019 Christmas Tour of Homes
• 2018 Christmas Tour of Homes
• 2017 Christmas Tour of Homes

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The 33rd Annual Eureka Springs Preservation Society Christmas Tour of Homes

Chamber of Commerce 516 Pine Mountain Village Circle Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Phone: (877) 342-9766

Website: eurekaspringspreservationsociety.org

E-mail: [email protected]

For three decades homeowners in this Victorian village have invited visitors inside their historic residences to share the joys of the holiday season.

Ten locations  will be participating in this year's tour, giving guests a glimpse of a bygone era. All stops on the self-guided tour will be lavishly decorated for the season with Victorian attired docents at each site to relate the history of each home. Each residence offers an opportunity to revisit the grandeur of the graceful Victorian era and its unique, enchanting homes.

Visitors will be treated to choir and band music, carolers, refreshments and merriment. Tour goers will also see elegant ladies adorned in their finery and dapper gentlemen dressed in tails and ties as they stroll through one of the  largest historical districts  in the country. Ticket prices include a ticket to the use the trolley. 

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Christmas in Eureka Springs

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Christmas Tour of Homes

December 2, 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

A walking tour of a sampling of Eureka’s most beautifully restored homes giving guests a glimpse of a bygone era.  All stops on the self-guided tour will be lavishly decorated for the season with Victorian-attired docents to relate the history of each home. Visitors will be treated to carolers, Christmas music, and refreshments along their journey into the past. Visit www.eurekaspringspreservationsociety.org .

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Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes

The Eureka Springs Preservation Society hosts the 30th Annual Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday, Dec. , 2015 from 3-8 p.m.

Guests are invited to tour ten locations. Dee Bright, Preservation Society president, elaborates. “Interior details such as grand staircases, ornately carved fireplace mantels, sparkling stained glass and intricate millwork will all be decked in festive holiday trimmings.” Visitors will be treated to choir and band music, carolers, refreshments and merriment. Tour goers will also see elegant ladies adorned in their finery and dapper gentlemen dressed in tails and ties as they stroll through the only entire downtown in the country listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tickets are available at the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center and the Eureka Springs Historical Museum at 95 South Main Street.

Stay in one of the Victorian Treasures of Eureka Springs decorated for Christmas. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa celebrates Christmas at the Crescent. Browse Eureka Springs Accommodations or  Buy your tickets to the Tour of Homes.

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Tram Tours will reopen on Friday, March 1st, 2024

Eureka Springs Tram Tours

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2023 Travelers Choice Award Winner - Fun Tour

Experienced guides, satisfaction guaranteed.

Tim. David, Cumy (Q-MY) and Joe, are our guides that narrate the history, share fun stories, childhood memories and probably some corny jokes! But make no mistake, they take their tour guide careers VERY seriously...and it shows! A fun, sightseeing tours experience! Please tip your guide and leave a nice review as well. One helps them, the other helps us!

Beautiful Sites

You will see literally 100's of historic homes and buildings on the tour. As well as beautiful scenery, including a few of our historic springs that made Eureka Springs the famous health spa that it was in the 1800's. You will see the majestic 1886 Crescent Hotel and learn its interesting and diverse history.

We are so confident that you will love our tour that we offer a Money Back Guarantee.

If you don't think your tour guide did a great job for you, let us know and we will refund our portion of your ticket cost!*

*Because ticket prices are split between our guide service and the city of Eureka Springs Transit Department, we would refund up to 50% of your purchase.

about the tour

Eureka springs' #1 tour activity.

Whether this is your very first visit to Eureka Springs, or if you've been here many times before, if you have never taken the tram tour before or have not taken one recently, then you really need to do so now.

The tram tours are approximately 90 minutes in length and are fully narrated by well trained local guides. In fact all of our guides are either natives of the area or long-time residents, who know what they're talking about and know how to present the information in a fun and easy to understand manner.

The tours depart from the Park and Ride / Visitors Center located at 137 West Van Buren Street (Highway 62 west), just west of the majestic Queen Anne Mansion and just east of Bubba's BBQ. Tours depart at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

The cost of the tour is $17.00 plus tax and fee ($19.47) for adults and $8.00 plus tax and fee ($9.16) for kids 4 thru 11.​ Children 0 thru 3 years are free, but may need to ride on lap.

The tour passes literally 100's of old homes and historic buildings, as well as several of the healing springs that made Eureka Springs so famous in the late 1800's.

Tips for tour guides are acceptable and appreciated.

Trams are ADA equipped.  

No reservations by phone. No Pets Allowed, except for certified Service Animals.

No Smoking on or within 20 feet of tram.

Turn cell phones to silent or vibrate during the tour.

Keep talking to a minimum and at low volume.

No phone calls during the tour.

A Public Private Partnership Eureka Springs Tram Tours is a partnership between the city of Eureka Springs Transit Department and local tour company J oe Gunnels Tours . This relationship has worked very successfully since the tram tours began almost 30 years ago.  Tour guides are independent guides and it is appropriate to tip your guide after the tour. Unfortunately for them, the tram drivers are city employees and therefore cannot accept tips!

2024 schedule and prices

March and april, march & april dates.

1:00 PM & 3:00 PM

Adults = $17.00 plus tax and fee Youth 4 thru 11 Years Old = $8.00 plus tax and fee.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in March, plus tours everyday from March 14th thru March 25th.

Tours every Tuesday, W...

May thru October

Tours depart 7 days a week., open thursdays, fridays and saturdays the first two weeks.

Tram Tours will operate for the first two weeks of November, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only. 

Check out our Drone Video commercial, produce by Matt Fisher of Branson, MO. Original music by Joe Gunnels, Voiceover by Rebekah Gunnels-Houle.

Questions? Bookings?

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137 West Van Buren Street, Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632, United States

(479) 244-5116 - [email protected] We cannot accept reservations over the phone. We will be happy to answer any questions. But, reservations must be made online, before 10 AM on the day of the tour.

Get more ideas on what to do in Eureka Springs at https://www.kayak.com/Eureka-Springs.31723.guide   Eureka Springs Travel Guide

Copyright © 2020 Eureka Springs Tram Tours - All Rights Reserved.

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Ogle Victorian Mansions Decked To The Nines On This Holiday Home Tour In Arkansas

Melanie Johnson

I am a nature lover and self-proclaimed foodie wrapped in one package. In my previous life, I was an Accountant, but numbers were boring and writing is the only thing that fuels my soul. So, I write because it's my freedom...it brings me joy. When I'm not writing dope articles for OnlyInYourState, I am writing and editing articles for my online blog on Medium.com. Or, when I get the chance, I am off on a trip with my family chasing waterfalls, or simply exploring the great outdoors. My mantra is to always find the best part of every day and bask in it.

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There’s something magical about a classic home draped in Christmas decorations. And here in Arkansas, we love to marvel at these Victorian-style mansions, especially when the halls are decked with boughs of holly. Luckily, there’s a Christmas tour that gives us a glimpse into an era that once was. This holiday mansion tour in Arkansas is one that will bring joy into the hearts of many. Let’s take this self-guided tour to see these gorgeous homes in historic Eureka Springs.

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So, have you ever been on this holiday home tour in Arkansas? Tell us all about it in the comments below. And be sure to visit the Eureka Springs Preservation Society’s website to purchase your tour tickets. Also follow them on Facebook for updates about the event. 

For more holiday delight, here’s an c brimming with classic holiday magic. 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The 34th Annual Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes

Ah, Christmas. Is there any more beautiful holiday season? The snow, the lights, the scent of warm goodies, and all the festive decorations. Decorating your own home is part of the fun but so is seeing what others have done.

The annual Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes lets you do just that – and more!

For over thirty years, the Christmas home tour tradition has seen Eureka Springs homeowners opening the doors of their festively bedecked, historic residences to visitors. The opportunity to share the joy of the holiday season as well as their fabulous Victorian era homes.

Each stop along the self-tour will include a Victorian attired docent. They will fill you in on the history of each home, the traditions of the Victorian era, and answer any questions you may have.

The event, put together by the Eureka Springs Preservation Society, includes a Christmas choir, band music, and carolers. There will be refreshments and lots of folks out and about in Victorian dress. All befitting one the largest historical districts in the United States.

Because these are historic homes, tour attendees should be prepared for numerous steps, stairs, and inclines. The tour usually takes around 1 to 2 hours to complete, so comfortable, rubber-soled walking shoes are suggested.

The Eureka Springs Transit Authority will have the ‘red route’ trolley circulating through the tour area until 8pm. Guests can park in one of the main Transit parking lots and take a trolley to the tour area. The trolley fee is included with your ticket when you board after 3pm the day of the tour.

Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes

December 3rd, 2016, 3pm to 8pm Tickets: $20 – 12 & under are free

Tickets may be purchased online or at the Eureka Springs Transit Station #1, 137 West Van Buren, on the day of the tour.

For more information, please visit: www.eurekaspringspreservationsociety.org

Eureka Springs Christmas Tour of Homes Lodging 5 Ojo Inn would love to be your host for your Eureka Springs getaway! At 5 Ojo Inn Bed & Breakfast, you’ll experience Ozark hospitality, lush accommodations, and fabulous gourmet breakfasts. Our Eureka Springs B&B is just a short stroll from the fun and excitement in downtown, so book your stay today !

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Haunted Eureka Springs Tours

Both skeptics and believers in the paranormal love Haunted Eureka Springs Ghost Tours.  TripAdvisor reviewers rank us as the TOP ghost tour in the state of Arkansas! Find out why…

ONLY our Walking Tour (that DOES end by going into the the longest and best preserved stretch of the underground tunnels) is running now. See below for more info.

Due to COVID19 we are NOT running our Van Tour nor our Catacomb Ghost Hunt at this time.

Why book a ticket to experience The Haunted History of Eureka Springs Van/Walking tour?

New and improved.

Now in our 5th year, our new and improved city wide Van Ghost Tour and Walking Ghost Tour offer options that best fit your schedule and entertainment desires.

EASY TO FIND

We meet for our tours at the front Courthouse steps at 44 S. Main Street.

FREE PARKING

Free parking is available after 6pm in any of the metered parking spots in the parking lot or on the street.

Want to take a tour ?

Want to take a tour of some of the most actively haunted sites in and around Eureka Springs?

Prepare for an adventure that enlightens you to our towns unique haunted history that helped make our little village to be considered one of the most haunted towns in America. Family and pet friendly, people off all ages rave about the great time they have on our tour.

Book Now to experience it for yourself. Book early as many tours do Sell Out

Due to COVID-19; we are only doing our walking tours (below) at this time.

Downtown walking ghost tour.

90 min Shuttle Van Ghost Tour

This Tour is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19

Catacomb Ghost Hunt

PRIVATE TOURS.

This is what our customers have to say

5star “This tour was probably the best thing we’ve done in Eureka Springs in years. “

Melissa T. from Missouri

5 Star Haunted Eureka Springs Review “best paranormal & historic tour in Eureka Springs”

Karen M. from Missouri

5 Star Haunted Eureka Springs Review “History and stories that we haven’t heard on any other tour”

Patrick B. from Missouri

5 Star Haunted Eureka Springs Review “Loved the tour! Really a great experience”

Very limited seating, so book online now.

Protect Your Trip »

16 top things to do in eureka springs, arkansas.

Explore the history, waters and culture of the Victorian town in the Ozarks.

16 Top Things to Do in Eureka Springs

Courtesy of Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission

Visit Eureka Springs for mineral springs, big cats, ghost tours and more.

Located in the rolling green Ozark Mountains on the north edge of Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a hotspot for travelers. Visitors flock to the small urban area for both its charming Victorian-era city center and the natural beauty surrounding it, including a wealth of mineral springs for bathing in. Plus, in spite of its tranquil location, this destination is easily accessible by car from major Midwestern hubs like Kansas City (230 miles) and Oklahoma City (250 miles); cities like Springfield (Missouri), Tulsa and Little Rock are all even closer by. That makes Eureka Springs ideal for a weekend getaway, although there are plenty of reasons to stay longer, if you so choose. Here are the most interesting and fun things to do in the area.

(Note: Some of the following activities, attractions and locations may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Beaver Lake

Getty Images

While it may boast plenty of stunning natural beauty, Beaver Lake is actually an artificial reservoir, built in the 1960s by damming the White River. The eastern shore is about 10 miles northwest of Eureka Springs, and this lake contains more than 28,000 acres of water at full pool. Beaver Lake is thus a popular destination for outdoor activities: With numerous coves and inlets and nearly 500 miles of shoreline, you will find no shortage of scenic places to stake out for a hike through the woods or a swim in the blue waters. Picnic spots and boat launches dot the area around the reservoir, and the creation of Beaver Dam has made for a popular cold water fishing spot on the White River (striped bass is one common catch here). If you want more than just a daytrip, various cabins, hotels and campgrounds are scattered around the lake, making it a viable alternative to staying in Eureka Springs proper: Beaver Lake Cottages and Beaver Lakefront Cabins are two nearby options that are highly rated.

Thorncrown Chapel

Nestled in the tranquil woods less than 5 miles northwest of Eureka Springs sits this renowned architectural icon. Designed by famed Arkansan architect E. Fay Jones − a one-time protege of Frank Lloyd Wright – to complement its natural surroundings, the woodland sanctuary stands 48 feet tall and features 425 windows. Thorncrown Chapel, set atop native stone and colored flagstone, was commissioned by Jim Reed, who wanted to share the beauty and views from his land with Ozark visitors. Since opening in 1980, this serene, nondenominational place of worship has welcomed more than 7 million visitors and was listed as one of the American Institute of Architects' top 10 buildings of the 20th century. With Thorncrown Chapel described by its creator as a "place to think your best thoughts," the public can visit for free and contemplate life's issues, big and small.

The chapel is open daily from March to November, and visitors can also stop by for Sunday services from April to December; it's closed in January and February. If you're visiting in the afternoon, particularly on a weekend, you'll want to call ahead, as the chapel can sometimes close early for weddings and other events.

Address: 12968 U.S. Route 62 W., Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Explore the historic downtown

Despite Eureka Springs' relatively small population size of around 2,200 residents, its historic downtown is a major tourist destination. Many of the buildings date to the Victorian era and give the city a particularly quaint atmosphere: In fact, the entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. The city's location on numerous hills gives it a unique layout with winding streets and houses perched on cliffs. It's worth strolling around Main and Spring streets just to soak up the ambiance, but downtown boasts plenty to do beyond checking out the Victorian architecture. Eureka Springs, home to myriad artists, features an abundance of art galleries for travelers to browse, as well as boutiques selling crafty gifts and souvenirs. In addition, an array of public art, including the notable Rainbow Stairs and Humpty Dumpty on a Wall, will impress visitors. The historic downtown also offers a wide selection of dining options alongside wine bars and live music venues.

Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour

Courtesy of Crescent Hotel

For a frighteningly good time, take a tour of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, billed as "America's Most Haunted Hotel." The architecturally unique hotel opened in the late 19th century and mixes French Renaissance and Richardsonian Romanesque building styles: With turrets, verandas and other intricate building features, it's the kind of spot with plenty of places for ghosts to hide. Experienced guides walk guests through some of the hotel's most historic – and creepiest – rooms, as well as a former morgue on-site. Visitors say the tour guides in period clothing are entertaining as they share stories about people who died at the hotel – and whose ghosts have reportedly been spotted in the years and decades since. These tragic figures include a stonemason who fell to his death during construction, a 4-year-old who died of appendicitis and even a hotel cat buried on the property.

Tickets can be bought online or at the hotel, but advance booking is recommended, as tours can sell out. Featured on "Ghost Hunters" and "Ghost Adventures," the tours can get a little spooky and are recommended for children ages 8 and older; visitors 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Alternatively, shorter, kid-friendly tours operate on select days.

Address: 75 Prospect Ave., Eureka Springs, AR 72632

[Read: The Most Haunted Hotels in America .]

Tour the mineral springs

As its name suggests, Eureka Springs encompasses 66 cold mineral springs, which were historically thought to have healing powers. (If you're looking for springs of the hot variety, you'll want to drive about 200 miles south to the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas .) A number of these cold springs bubble up to the surface in peaceful city parks and gardens, which were established by Eureka Springs to preserve them. For a relaxing jaunt around the city, consider a stop at least one of these parks, or build your own walking tour around the 15 different springs that sit within easy walking distance of the city center. Basin Spring (formerly known as the Indians' Healing Spring), which now feeds a fountain in Basin Spring Park in the heart of the city, is one of the most notable. Other popular springs include Crescent Spring in its namesake park, which is known for its Victorian gazebo and rock walls, and Sweet Spring, set in a park amid the flowers. The city has a helpful map pointing out the springs you can walk to.

Bathe in the healing waters at a local spa

Unfortunately, you can't just jump into the mineral springs dotted about Eureka Springs; many of them are, after all, in small public parks. To soak in those mineral-laden waters, you'll need to head to a local bathhouse or spa. For a unique experience, the Palace Hotel & Bath House is a good bet. This historic property has been in the wellness business for over a century and still offers some of the same services it did back in the day, such as mineral soaks in claw-footed tubs and eucalyptus steam treatments in wooden barrels. Past guests call the hotel a wonderful way to pamper yourself, complete with relaxing massage services.

Eureka Springs Historical Museum

Trace the evolution of Eureka Springs at this museum downtown. Its location in a classic three-story Victorian-era home built in 1889 is ideally suited to a history museum. The Eureka Springs Historical Museum covers major ground, from when Native Americans first discovered mineral springs in the area to when Eureka Springs morphed into first a "health resort" and then a countercultural town for artists. This attraction houses a collection of more than 10,000 artifacts, including musical instruments, travel memorabilia and photographs. Naturally, patrons can browse exhibits showcasing local artists, along with a restored mural by H. Louis Freund. Recent visitors say the interesting displays and exhibits make this museum worth a stop year-round.

Address: 95 S. Main St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Adjacent to the historic Crescent Hotel you'll find this intriguing church, which has earned several mentions in Ripley's Believe It or Not! publications. The reason? The sole entry point to the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is through its bell tower. But the unique entrance isn't the only reason to visit this place of worship: Its architecture, inspired by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, is truly distinctive. The interior is decked out with marble surfaces, and the pink-tinted ceilings combined with a chandelier made of thousands of crystals give an ethereal sort of lighting to the church's auditorium. Travelers appreciate the beauty of St. Elizabeth along with the gardens and tranquil setting, stating the church merits a visit and makes for a lovely stroll from the Crescent Hotel.

The church still holds regular services you can attend but opens to visitors outside of those times. A small on-site gift shop sells souvenirs, religious items and more.

Address: 30 Crescent Drive, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Courtesy of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Here's one for cat people: Drive about 10 miles south of Eureka Springs and you'll hit this refuge for big cats. A family-run nonprofit, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1978, when three members of the Jackson family took in an 8-month-old lion cub that had been chained to a tree. More than 40 years later, this feline-focused haven houses nearly 100 rescued animals, with an emphasis on tigers, lions, cougars and leopards.

Turpentine Creek isn't a zoo but rather a home for animals in need, aimed at treating them with dignity and compassion while letting them roam. So while activities like touching or feeding the wildlife are off the table, recent visitors enjoy the opportunity to see what this refuge is doing for the rescued animals, adding that the tours are educational and the staff is knowledgeable. Entry includes an hourlong tour around the refuge on a tram, and visitors can wander freely in a self-guided discovery area afterward. Turpentine Creek even has on-site accommodation, so you can make the experience feel like a safari with a stay in an eclectic range of lodges and tents.

Address: 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

The Great Passion Play

Courtesy of The Great Passion Play

Add a spiritual side to your vacation with a trip to this epic open-air theater, which puts on a reenactment of the last days of Jesus Christ's life. With its multilevel set, intricate lighting design and cast of over 100, recent attendees say the visual effects are impressive and the performance appeals to all ages; some even attend the show multiple times per year. The Great Passion Play is performed in a large outdoor amphitheater with 4,100 seats and a 550-foot-wide stage that has multiple levels. Beyond the show, travelers can check out the on-site Bible Museum as well as the Holy Land Tour, which will take you through important biblical sites such as a historically accurate, full-size re-creation of the ancient East Jerusalem Gate and Marketplace. Since this is an outdoor venue, the play typically only takes place from late May to late October. However, in the off-season, you can still visit the Holy Land and Bible Museum.

Address: 935 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down Music Theater

For a knee-slapping good time after dark in Eureka Springs, consider this nightly variety show at a theater on the east side of town. Running for nearly 40 years, the Hoe-Down offers up a must-see mix of both country and gospel musical numbers, alongside family-friendly comedy skits. The cast is led by charismatic comic Mike Nichols, who brings characters like Uncle Posture Pedic and bumbling janitor Tator "Chip" Patches to the stage, accompanied by a professional troupe of actors and musicians. Shows run four nights a week from April to November, and you're typically advised to buy tickets in advance. Recent attendees say the shows are a refreshing mix of comedy and music that entertain a wide range of ages.

Address: 3140 E. Van Buren, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Onyx Cave Park

Less than 10 miles northeast of Eureka Springs lies this cave with layered rock formations made of natural flowstone. This rocky material is formed from minerals left behind by flowing water, which, in a setting like Onyx Cave Park, takes on a beautifully textured and rippled shape that can resemble curtains. Flowstone is sometimes known as "cave onyx," but visitors should take note that no real onyx can be found here.

For a small entry fee, visitors can take a self-guided tour through the cave complex, equipped with radio headphones that give you all the details you'll want to know. This family-friendly attraction requires no specialty caving equipment – but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater, as the temperature hovers around 57 degrees in this subterranean space. Once you're out of the caverns, other activities on-site include ax throwing and gemstone panning; if you're good with the pan, you'll hopefully walk away with some gemstones to take home with you. The park hours vary by season, so check its Facebook page for exact open dates and times before your visit.

Address: 338 Onyx Cave Lane, Eureka Spring, AR 72632

Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway

Amtrak might not stop in Eureka Springs, but you can hop aboard this train for a scenic 4.5-mile ride into the Ozarks aboard a vintage 1940s-era diesel locomotive. You have several options for your ride on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway. The Excursion train, for example, lasts an hour and features commentary from an on-board conductor. You can also opt for one of the lunch or dinner trains in a 1920s-style dining car without narration; both of these come with a full meal served in an ornate dining car. The dinner trip is a fancier affair, with dishes like prime rib on offer – and it's recommended you dress up. Children under 5 cannot take the dinner train, but they're welcome on the shorter and more affordable lunch trip. Recent riders appreciate the ambiance of a bygone era but note the lunch and dinner rides are more about the experience than the cuisine.

The Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway is a seasonal attraction: It runs regularly from mid-May to late October, while in April and early May it operates on a much more limited schedule.

Address: 299 N. Main St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Intrigue Theater

Courtesy of Intrigue Theater

Mix together an illusionist, a medium, and a stunning church-like theater with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings, and you get this stellar night of entertainment in Eureka Springs. The dynamic duo of illusionist Sean-Paul and private investigator-turned-clairvoyant Juliana Fay have performed everywhere from the USS Oklahoma submarine to the main stage on "America's Got Talent" – but their home is the Ozarks, where they put on a show up to five times a week before an intimate audience of 100 people. The pair's talents, which include everything from levitation to comedy sketches to other magic tricks, make for an eclectic event.

Recent attendees enjoyed the performance, saying the small size of the theater gives everyone a good view and the audience participation provides a unique magic show experience. Given the theater's size, however, buying tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Address: 80 Mountain St., Eureka Spring, AR 72632

Quigley's Castle

Billed as "the Ozarks' strangest dwelling," this oddball home south of Eureka Springs is the product of a nature-loving woman who designed her house to have maximum room for greenery. On top of that, the creator of Quigley's Castle demolished her previous house while her husband was away at work so he would be forced to help build her dream home.

Quigley's Castle features large gaps between the flooring and walls where designer Elise Quigley planted flowering tropical plants that now stretch up to the second story. Quigley continued to collect plants and natural objects and integrate them into the house and garden through to her death in the 1980s. Both inside the house and outdoors you'll find numerous rock formations and plenty of other decorative odds and ends. Recent visitors state that the garden, unique architecture and historical details make this "castle" a truly one-of-a-kind place to visit.

And visit, you can: Quigley's grandchildren now take care of the site, which is open regularly from April to October; travelers hoping to head there in March and November should call ahead to confirm opening days and times.

Address: 274 Quigley Castle Road, Eureka Spring, AR 72632

Blue Spring Heritage Center

A must-see for anyone interested in nature or history, this beautiful 33-acre outdoor attraction was a trading post for Native Americans. Later, it became a stopover point and respite for the Cherokee people during their forced migration known as Trail of Tears; they were drawn to the blue-tinged natural spring found here given its prominence in Indigenous stories. Blue Spring is still active and releases some 38 million gallons of water per day. The land around the spring-fed trout-filled lagoon hosts a garden filled with native plants and flowers, and you may well spot some helmeted guinea fowl walking around the grounds. Stop by the on-site visitor center to learn about the historical importance of Blue Spring.

Blue Spring Heritage Center is situated less than 10 miles northwest of Eureka Springs. The center is typically open from mid-March to late November, before closing for the winter months.

Address: 1537 County Road 210, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in Arkansas
• The Top Things to Do in Tennessee
• The Top Things to Do in Mobile, Alabama
• The Top Family Weekend Getaways
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Tags: Travel , US Vacations

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Here Are the Top 4 Eureka Springs Tours You Don’t Want to Miss

Are you interested in learning about Eureka Springs’ fascinating past, famous ghosts, or historic downtown? On one of the top Eureka Springs tours, you can discover the area’s best-kept secrets and unique history as a knowledgeable guide brings our town’s story to life. Find out which tour is perfect for you below!

For more of the best attractions like Eureka Springs tours , be sure to access our free Vacation Guide . This expert guide contains all the top things to do from restaurants and bars to outdoor activities and upcoming festivals. It’s the perfect Eureka Springs trip-planning tool!

Top 4 Eureka Springs Tours

1. quigley’s castle.

Quigley’s Castle is a historical house museum and one of the most unusual homes in Northwestern Arkansas. Mrs. Quigley had a dream house in mind that included flowers planted indoors, crystals in the walls, and other elements of nature that could only come from a rich imagination. The result is Quigley’s Castle, which was hand-built entirely from lumber cut from the Quigley’s own property. Fifty years later, the home still survives and is open for visitors to experience. There’s truly no place like Quigley’s Castle!

2. The Haunted Eureka Springs Ghost Tour

For a spooky, yet informative and funny tour of the area, sign up for a Eureka Springs ghost tour ! Learn about America’s most haunted hotel and some interesting legends as you’re guided around town at night or in the afternoon. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, this is a fun and interesting tour.

3. The Underground Tour

One of the most popular tours in the area, the Eureka Springs Underground Tour provides a unique perspective of our historic downtown and intriguing stories about the town’s underground tunnel system. This is the perfect way to explore Eureka Springs while you’re in town!

If you want to experience a full day of adventures but don’t want to worry about the planning, take a look at our Underground Eureka Package . Enjoy an event-packed day that includes a fascinating cave visit, the Downtown-n-Underground Tour, delicious meals, and more. The best part — you can leave all the planning to us!

4. A Eureka Springs Trolley Tour

Ride slowly and peacefully through our historic town onboard a Eureka Springs tram . On this open-air tram tour, you’ll hear fascinating stories from a Eureka Springs’ native or long-time resident and see the beautiful sites, famous springs, and historical homes sprinkled throughout the town.

Complete Your Stay with Beaver Lake Cottages

After exploring the town on one or two of the best Eureka Springs tours, make your way back to Beaver Lake Cottages to relax. Our charming cabins are nestled alongside Beaver Lake, offering stunning views of the water and a peaceful, private place to retreat. One of the most romantic accommodations in Eureka Springs, Beaver Lake Cottages is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion, an important milestone, or simply a getaway with your sweetheart. If you’re looking for more adventurous things to do while in town, we offer several onsite amenities including kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and more!

If you’re ready to book the perfect Eureka Springs stay, check the availability of all our accommodations now and plan your trip today. We look forward to hearing all about your Eureka Springs adventures!

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Things to Do

Cool Things to Do in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

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For the past month I have based myself in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in an effort to thoroughly explore the endearing town I have lovingly dubbed “Bisbee of the East,” as well as the nearby waterfall-laden hiking trails of the Ozark National Forest . This post on things to do in Eureka Springs is not just a numbered list, but also an ode to one of my new favorite small towns in America. If you’ve never considered visiting before because, like me, you had a preconceived notion that Arkansas might be lame, it’s time to right this egregious wrong.

Click the legend in the upper lefthand corner of the map for more details.

Bisbee of the East?

“Quirky” is an overused descriptor when it comes to small towns, but Eureka Springs actually fits the bill. On a walking tour of Eureka Springs, my guide said it’s been titled “the place where misfits fit” and “the largest open-air insane asylum” because of the colorful characters who call northern Arkansas home. 

It’s a place where every building has a special parking area for motorcyclists (Arkansas is big on motorcycle tourism ), where live bluegrass bands can be seen on any given night, and where mountain biking is the greatest pastime. It’s also been referred to as “ the Gayest Small Town in America ” and “ the Bible Belt’s LGBT Oasis .” 

It reminds me of the oddball town of Bisbee, Arizona because of the many stairs, the structures built right into rugged hillsides, the artsy culture, hauntings, hippies, live-and-let-live attitude, and the general swag. Despite all the hills in Eureka Springs, I consider it quite walkable and cozy in comparison to most other cities in the car-obsessed States. If you’re staying downtown, you can get anywhere on foot; I’ve basked in the abundance of “third places” and the amount of strolling and exploring I can do on the days I don’t feel like pilgrimaging out to the Ozark National Forest. Like in Bozeman, Montana or Flagstaff, Arizona , wooded walking trails weave throughout the residential and commercial areas. Public access to nature is prioritized. 

This is a tradition that dates back to the town’s founding in 1879, when people began moving to the area to take advantage of its supposedly “healing” spring waters. There are at least 63 natural springs that have been located within city limits, and people came from far and wide to avail themselves of their powers. However, my walking tour guide guessed that people didn’t heal because of magical waters, but because they quit their jobs, moved to a fun sociable town, drank tons of water, and got more exercise than ever in the “City of Stairs.” It’s a tale as old as time and one that I can attest to: quitting your job + hiking = happiness. This is an effect you can still get in Eureka Springs, even if some of the springs have dried up.

Did you know Eureka Springs Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places? I don’t just mean that a lot of attractions within Eureka are on the register (which is also true), but that the entire downtown itself is on the register.

Getting Around Eureka Springs

Public transportation in eureka springs.

The Eureka Springs Trolley has four lines . The red route is the main downtown “historic loop,” the blue and yellow routes pick up at more accommodations located on the eastern outskirts of town, and the purple route goes to Razorback Tower and Thorncrown Chapel. The yellow route only runs March 1 – December 2. Be sure to check the Eureka Springs Transit website for seasonal schedules and fares. 

The trolley starts running at 10am (or 9am on high season Saturdays) and stops running at 5pm, 6pm, or 8pm depending on the month and day of the week.

If you are taking the blue line and trying to figure out which stops are centrally located downtown so you can walk around the historic district, what you want to do is get off at either New Delhi Cafe (stop 80) or Downtown Trolley Depot (stop 66). At Downtown Trolley Depot you can transfer to the red line, although the concept of “transferring” is kind of silly in Eureka Springs because the downtown area is small and once you start walking around, you’ll see plenty of places to jump on the red line.

You can purchase a trolley one-ride ticket for $4, a full day pass for all routes for $6, or a 30-day pass for $27. You can purchase passes online or in-person at one of the Transit Welcome Centers. If you purchase online, you’ll be emailed a confirmation, which you should save to your phone so you can show it to the driver when you board. You don’t have to buy it far in advance. The day I rode the trolley, I bought my day pass online about 30 minutes before I boarded.

The trolley would be awesome if you didn’t have a car, although I’m not sure how people would be arriving in Eureka Springs in the first place without a car. Personally I did not find the trolley particularly worth it in the shoulder season because driving and parking is so easy, and either free or comparable in price. It may be worth it during events or extremely busy summer weekends if parking lots fill up. The trolley also makes Eureka Springs much more accessible for folks who have trouble walking. It can take you up into the hilly parts of town to see places like Grotto Spring and the Crescent Hotel that might otherwise be troublesome for people with impaired mobility.

The narrated open-air tram tours are probably more rewarding. 

Parking in Eureka Springs

There is a free parking lot on North Main Street next to Music Park (a public art park). The free parking lot has a public restroom, too. The only drawback is that it’s about a 20 minute walk to the main hubbub in downtown Eureka Springs. I enjoyed the walk the first time and then was annoyed by it subsequently.

The Planer Park & Ride (stop 130) is free after 4pm or from December-March, otherwise it’s $5 for all-day parking. Parking at the Passion Play is free, and while it’s not walking distance to downtown, it does have its own trolley stop, so you could take the trolley the rest of the way.

There are tons of paid parking lots on nearly every block on South Main Street downtown. It typically costs $5 to park for 3-4 hours. Most of these lots allow the option to use a website/app called ParkMobile to pay for parking. There are also parking meters that take quarters if you want to parallel park on the street, but there are fewer of these and I’ve found they are usually taken.

There are many free public restrooms all throughout downtown Eureka Springs, so don’t worry about straying too far from your car or hotel; you won’t be up a creek without a paddle.

Accommodation in Eureka Springs

The best possible scenario would be to book an accommodation that’s located in historic downtown Eureka Springs, because you’ll be able to walk out your door and straight to the restaurants and shops. A lot of the Bed & Breakfasts are adorable, colorful Victorian-style cottages. The most famous hotels are the Crescent Hotel and Basin Park Hotel . However, centrally located accommodations like this are expensive. When I set my budget on search engines and on AirBnB, none of the results are near downtown.

You’ll find more affordable accommodation options east of downtown on the outskirts of Eureka Springs. Some are situated along the blue and yellow trolley lines, so you can still get around using public transportation even if you stay farther away. By “farther away” I mean it’s only about a 10 minute drive to get to downtown Eureka Springs from accommodations on E. Van Buren, but an hour’s walk.

There are tons of RV campgrounds and modest yet cute motels to choose from, such as Wanderoo Lodge (and its popular Gravel Bar that hosts live music), Wanderlust RV Park & Cabins , or Kettle Campground . You can find paid or free campsites near Eureka Springs via The Dyrt.

For some reason there’s a thousand treehouse resorts (some are more like actual treehouses than others), including the Enchanted Treehouses , Eureka Springs Treehouses , the Grand Treehouse Resort , and All Seasons Treehouse Village .

The AirBnB options in Eureka Springs are amazing! I chose one of the coolest AirBnBs I’ve ever stayed at in my life (and I’ve stayed at many – I live out of AirBnBs 50% of the time). After I leave Eureka Springs, I’ll link to the exact place I stayed.

If you’re a nomad like me and are planning to work while in Eureka Springs, you are allowed to sit at the excellent Eureka Springs Carnegie Library or its Library Annex to use the wifi.

Hours and Seasonality in Eureka Springs

I visited Eureka Springs in late February through mid-March because I wanted to escape the cold, snowy climate in Colorado. This was the perfect choice because I never encountered any lingering snow on my hikes in northern Arkansas, plus I was able to avoid the bugs, humidity, and heat that plague the Southeast in summertime. Ticks are a massive problem here in summer. Locals prefer to hike woodland areas only in shoulder seasons and then stick to recreation on the lakes during the summer.

However, some of the scenic viewpoints lost a bit of their charm because there were no leaves on the trees. The landscape looked grey. I would guess northern Arkansas is the most beautiful in springtime, or in fall when the leaves are changing colors. The pretty dogwood trees did begin to bloom in early/mid-March as consolation, though, and some of the waterfalls flow pretty much year-around. I was still impressed with the scenery.

Many tourist attractions and businesses in Eureka Springs are in-season from March-November at most, and some are more limited to April-October.

Businesses in Eureka Springs have strange hours; perhaps this is because I visited in the off-season. My experience was that there is no consistent rhyme or reason as to when things are open or not. A lot of businesses may be closed on Sundays, but one may also close on Wednesdays (Eureka Springs Historical Museum) while another is closed on Thursdays (Quigley’s Castle). So Good Kitchen is closed on Wednedays and Thursdays, but not on Sundays. It’s very European.

Many restaurants only offer a brunch service on Sundays, otherwise they are generally lunch and dinner spots. One exception is Eureka Springs Coffee Shop, which offers breakfast all day every day.

Cool Things to Do in Eureka Springs

Thorncrown chapel.

Thorncrown Chapel is arguably the most photogenic building in northern Arkansas. The glass non-denominational chapel, described by the architect as “Ozark Gothic” and meant to “let the outside in,” won the American Institute of Architects’ 25 Year Award in 2006.

Thorncrown was a passion project and labor of love for the landowner Jim Reed, who commissioned architect E. Fay Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, to build it in 1979-1980. Reed had noticed that travelers often stopped on his hillside to appreciate the surrounding landscape, so he wanted to create a meditative environment that would welcome them. Today, there is still no admission fee to visit the chapel.

You can see another of E. Fay Jones’ unique chapels, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel , in Bella Vista, Arkansas. The Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, designed by Maurice Jennings and David McKee, also has a very similar look.

Hours/Prices : Free admission; donations accepted. Open Mar- Dec 9am-5pm. On weekends and some weekdays the chapel occasionally closes at as early as 12:30 PM for special events.

Razorback Tower

The 100-foot Razorback Tower was once used by the Arkansas Forestry Service as a fire tower. Today, travelers can visit the roadside attraction to climb the many narrow steps leading to a great panoramic viewpoint overlooking the forests and rolling hills surrounding Eureka Springs. I was really impressed by the vista, but because the steps are too small for the length of adult human feet, and because it was extremely windy at the top, climbing up made me a little nervous!

Hours/Prices : Open dawn to dusk. Put $1 in quarters into a machine to enter the turnstile gate. If you need help there is a gift shop onsite, open 9:30am-4pm M-Thu or 9:30am-5pm Fri-Sun.

“Razorback” is a reference to the wild invasive hogs that are rampant in Arkansas, first introduced by Hernando de Soto during Spanish exploration of the Americas.

Quigley’s Castle

When Elise Quigley’s husband insisted that construction on their creative new house should be delayed until after WWII because of the price of glass, she knew what she had to do. She would wait for him to go to work one day, then proceed to tear down their current home so they’d have no choice but to begin construction on the new one right away. And thus the story of Quigley’s Castle began in 1943. 

Like E. Fay Jones who “let the outside in” at Thorncrown Chapel, Quigley’s dream was to build a “home where I felt I was living in the world instead of in a box,” where nature could be brought into the house. She had spent her youth collecting rocks, gemstones, and shells and would now put them to use as building and decorative materials, affixed to furniture and the facades of the house itself. Massive windows let light into every room, where two-story indoor gardens still grow between the windows and the living spaces. She also raised different species of butterflies which ultimately joined the mural-esque butterfly wall shown in my photo gallery.

Visitors are greeted by Quigley’s great-granddaughter, who will inform you about the history of the house before your self-guided walk throughout the property. Like Bishop Castle in Colorado, Mystery Castle in Arizona, or Nitt Witt Ridge in California, Quigley’s Castle is a classic roadside found art palace .

Hours/Prices : $9 per adult, children 14 yo and under are free with a paid adult. Open Apr 1-Oct 31 10am-4:30pm, closed Sundays and Thursdays. For March and November, call for off-season times.

If roadside oddities are your thing, you might also enjoy the Memory Lane Museum in Berryville, Arkansas. It’s $15 and cash or check only.

Downtown Eureka Springs

Even if you just commit to exploring the historic downtown area and don’t venture further throughout the region, you’ll still have a very rewarding and full experience. The first day I arrived in Eureka Springs, I walked around for hours without even popping into any of the shops or restaurants, simply photographing the charming cottages and street art. If I were to ever stop traveling and pick one place to live long-term, I would pick a town like Eureka Springs that is full of personality. 

Everyone who swings through Eureka Springs will take the obligatory Instagram photo of the rainbow stairs . While you’re at it, there is also another mural of a psychedelic tree painted on a different staircase very close to the rainbow stairs.

The coolest looking building, besides some of the little residential cottages, is the Flatiron building on Spring Street. It was rebuilt multiple times after being destroyed time and again by fires. The current iteration was designed in 1987 to aesthetically emulate and pay homage to the very first Flatiron that was built in 1880. Called “Flatiron Flats,” it’s now an accommodation.

At two shops, East By West and Caroline’s Collectables, you can be assisted by the Eureka Springs Working Bunnies . They are exactly what they sound like – real, actual rabbits that have been trained to hand out receipts, change, and packages to customers!

Locate the Springs of Eureka Springs

One of your priorities in Eureka Springs should be to search out – you guessed it – the springs! Take yourself on a little scavenger hunt. There are supposedly 63+ cold water springs within city limits, but only a handful are located on the tourist track. The most popular springs to visit are Sweet Spring , Harding Spring , Crescent Spring , Grotto Spring , Magnetic Spring , and of course Basin Spring Park . 

Basin Spring Park is a city park with benches where tourists and locals can perch while enjoying an ice cream, or relax their feet after a day of exploring. If you climb the stairs on either end of the park up to the gazebo and a short walking trail, that is where you’ll find the crevice in the rocks that Basin Spring once trickled from. It used to flow down into the basin below, where the park is now located. Today it’s mostly dry, and my Underground Eureka tour guide said teenagers dare each other to slither below ground by climbing into the mouth of Basin Spring.

The townsfolk have made great efforts over the years to highlight the springs by building decorative motifs around them, so when you come upon a spring that is not flowing heavily, at least you can admire the handiwork. Sweet Spring is one such example where the viewing platform and staircase leading to the spring are prettier than the water itself.

Harding Spring is one of the most beautiful spring locations, in my opinion, because there was a good amount of water and plenty of foliage growing around it when I visited. Crescent Spring is cool because of its bright blue and purple gazebo. Basin, Sweet, and Harding are all walking distance from each other, but Grotto Spring is further away. You can walk to it, but may prefer to take the trolley or drive. At Grotto Spring, you’ll enter a cave-like structure housing an altar with candles. Magnetic Spring has a lot of water and is near the free parking lot on North Main Street.

The Blue Spring Heritage Center is a privately owned attraction with extensive gardens and a spring that apparently pumps 38 million gallons of water into a lagoon every day. It is not downtown. If you are interested in the botanical features you might enjoy driving over to check it out, but I didn’t feel like paying the $17.75. One reviewer said it was just a 30 minute stroll. 

You can’t swim in or drink from any of the springs, but if you want that “healing” Eureka Springs experience, book a spa day at the Palace Hotel . It’s still offering treatments like it was over 120 years ago, “the last of the original Eureka Springs bath houses still in operation today.” If you aren’t into spa treatments, visit the Palace Hotel anyway to snap a picture of its inappropriately-shaped sign (the Palace Hotel was originally a brothel). The sign was shipped to Eureka Springs from France and was the first neon sign installed west of the Mississippi River.

Underground Eureka Walking Tour

Frequent mudslides plagued Eureka Springs in its early history, especially on Main Street, which became colloquially known as “Mud Street.” In an effort to curb this issue, a retaining wall was built and the storefronts lining the street were raised up by 10 feet. The first floors of buildings became the basements, and the second floors were now the street-level entrances.

The original streets can still be wandered as underground tunnels, and the old storefronts are frozen in time. You can explore the first iteration of Eureka Springs by joining the Underground Eureka Springs Walking Tour . In addition to taking you below the city, the tour guide will also discuss Eureka Springs history on an above-ground walk that hits Basin Spring Park, Sweet Spring, Harding Spring, the Palace Hotel, and the bank where townsfolk foiled 5 robbers in 1922 (as well as the embalmer’s business where their bodies became window displays afterwards). This event is reenacted every September .

My tour guide Meghan was awesome, sharing tons of fun anecdotes and facts about Eureka Springs that I hadn’t learned even after weeks of exploring on my own. If you’re not as interested in the Crescent Hotel ghost tour but still want to sign up for something that will teach you about the town’s history, the Underground Eureka tour will be up your alley.

Hours/Prices : $19.50 for 13-64 yo, $17.50 for 65+ yo. Kids 12 yo and under are free with a paid adult. Tours are every day at 4pm, meeting at Basin Spring Park. It’s best to buy online in advance, but some tickets may be available for walk-ups.

There’s also a downtown Eureka Springs Ghost Tour that seems like a spookier version of the Underground Eureka tour. Check out the Eureka Springs City Tour by Golf Cart if you don’t feel like walking the “City of Stairs.”

Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour

The Crescent Hotel has always been the focus of ghost stories , starting from pretty much day one of its history when a construction worker fell to his death while building the hotel. The creepiest era of the Crescent was when it was a hospital and owned by a snake oil salesman and shyster named “Dr.” Norman Baker (not an actual doctor) who sold his patients cancer cures. Many of his patients, or parts of them, were buried on the premises. In early 2019, the hotel landscape gardener started discovering jars buried in the yard that contained human tissue samples and tumors. They ultimately uncovered about 500 of them.

Baker was ultimately jailed for his false claims and quackery, but this may not have been enough to set the spirits of his victims free. Do they still roam the halls of the Crescent today?

Hours/Prices : Various start times between 6:30-9pm. $29.50 per adult or $15 per child 12yo and younger. The Expert & Expanded Tour is nightly at 10pm for $35 per adult. 

Eureka Springs Historical Museum

The Eureka Springs Historical Museum is located downtown on South Main Street and traces the story of Eureka Springs from prehistory to modern day. It’s quite small, but I found it worth the $5 admission. I especially loved the information about the Osage tribe, the first settlers who “discovered” the springs, and the Ozark Folk Festival. 

The first floor has a collection of arrowheads and other indigenous artifacts found in northern Arkansas. The exhibits move chronologically around the room from there, with information about first contact with European colonizers, the building and constant re-building of the town as settlers contended with devastating fires and mudslides, tourism because of the “healing” springs, the eventual contamination of the springs, and the regional identity and cultural pride that ultimately sprung up in the Ozarks. The second floor focuses on the last 100 years. It honors Eureka Springs residents who served in wars, exhibits examples of technology, furniture, and clothing people adapted in the modern era, and displays paintings by local artists. There’s also a creepy doll collection.

Hours/Prices : 9:30am-4pm daily, except Sundays and Wednesdays. $5 admission.

Urban Walking and Biking Trails in Eureka Springs

You don’t have to venture out to Ozark National Forest or the Ouachita Mountains to get a bit of exercise. Some walking and biking trails have been built directly into Eureka Springs, such as the Harmon Park Loop , “an easy 1.4 mile walking and biking loop trail through the shaded paths of Harmon Park, Spring Garden, and towards the historic neighborhood of Upper Spring Street that leads to the Crescent Hotel.”

In-town paths include Crescent Trail, Crescent Grade Trail, Fuller Street, Hilton Street, Harding Spring, Jacob’s Ladder, Kansas Street, Magnolia Sidewalk, Spring Garden, and Riley Trail. Most of these are short connector paths to get you from one place to another, but they are more scenic than walking a road. For instance, you can take a short nature path from Sweet Spring to Harding Spring.

Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation says that, “although only partially developed, the Eureka Springs ‘Master Trails Plan’ eventually will realize a network of connections to Black Bass Lake, Lake Leatherwood, and the entirety of Eureka Springs and beyond.”

There is also a network of more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the Great Passion Play property. Based on the look of them, and the fact that this is the site of the Enduro Series and Southern Enduro Tour mountain biking events, I’ve been hesitant to walk these trails because they seem more designed for biking. However, if you like weirdness, then walking up to the giant creepy Jesus statue or to see a piece of the Berlin Wall could be worth possibly being wiped out by an oncoming bicyclist.

Where to Eat and Drink in Eureka Springs

Some of the restaurants in downtown Eureka Springs that locals repeatedly recommend include Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave , Local Flavor (I went there for Sunday brunch and enjoyed my huevos rancheros, but they were sold out of their famous blueberry french toast and southern biscuits with chocolate gravy), So Good Kitchen (healthy stuff), B Side Cafe (it’s a sandwich shop inside MoJo’s record store), and Mud Street Cafe . If you like coffee shops where you can feel free to set up your laptop and work for a few hours, head to Eureka Springs Coffee House , which also has breakfast all day. Have you noticed I love breakfast?

If you have a sweet tooth, dip into Ellen’s Patisserie or one of the many ice cream or fudge shops. There’s even a funnel cake stand called the Funnel Cake Factory on the corner of Spring Street and South Main, and a cupcake shop called Colossal Cupcakes and Cones .

Not quite as close to downtown are Le Stick Nouveau , which is fine dining, Love Greens for juice, smoothies, and salads, and the well-rated Thai House Restaurant . 

If you like bars, tunes, and nightlife, I heard Missy’s White Rabbit Lounge is recommended, as well as BREWS (which also has coffee and food) and the Gravel Bar at Wanderoo Lodge. I thought the Voodoo Lounge looked cool from the outside; it’s part of the New Orleans Hotel. Personally I am very intrigued by the Rowdy Beaver Den pub because they keep advertising something called “Mountain Alice’s Bluegrass Brunch.”

Never heard of southern biscuits with chocolate gravy ? This local delicacy in the Ozarks “may have been created through a trading network between the Tennessee Valley and Spanish Louisiana, bringing Mexican-style breakfast chocolate to the Appalachians.” You might also find BBQ’d wild hog on some menus; Ozarkers love to hunt this invasive species.

Scenic Drives: Little Golden Gate Bridge and Inspiration Point

If you’re in the mood for a local scenic drive, head over to Beaver, Arkansas (I keep hearing locals call it “Beaver Town”) to check out the Beaver Bridge, otherwise known as the “Little Golden Gate” Bridge because of its bright yellow hue. It’s a cute one-lane suspension bridge over the White River that makes a great photography spot. One side of the bridge welcomes you with a sign that says “you have just crossed the bridge to nostalgia” and there is a walking trail called the Town of Beaver Trail. The other side of the bridge is very near to Castle Rogue’s Manor. If you haven’t booked a guided tour at the manor, you may be able to peep it from across the river near the bridge.

From a roadside pull-off on US-62 called Inspiration Point , you’ll look out over the rolling hills and down onto the White River. It’s fun to drive to the Little Golden Gate Bridge from this direction so you can see the river from above before you descend down to it. Inspiration Point is probably prettiest when there are leaves on the trees, though, or in fall when the colors change. 

Within city limits and very close to downtown, drive up to a small pond called Little Lake Eureka . While the lake is cute, it’s more about the journey. On the drive to/from Little Lake Eureka you can stop at the Carrie Nation House , Little Eureka Spring , Laundry Spring , and the East Mountain Gazebo (maintained by the Rotary Club), which provides an expansive view that is dramatically loomed over by the Crescent Hotel in the distance.

Of course, the best scenic drives are going to involve heading further south into Ozark National Forest or north to Branson, Missouri. Consider driving Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 for views of the Arkansas Grand Canyon , or the West-Northwest Scenic Byway or Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway .

Hours/Prices : Free, always “open”

Castle Rogue’s Manor

Castle Rogue’s Manor is a funky piece of architecture conceived by Smith Treuer and built over many years after he moved to Eureka Springs in 1993. Inspired by his travels abroad, it includes a Great Hall, two guard towers, and a fireplace mantel where sculpted bronze dragons breathe hot air from the fire. 

Its main purpose today is to serve as a wedding venue and unfortunately it’s not open to the public during any particular hours, so if interested in visiting Castle Rogue’s Manor, you’ll need to call to schedule a private tour. I tried driving up to it just to take pictures of the outer facade, but this was not possible. Vehicles are stopped by safety cones before they can get to the driveway or anywhere near the house. You may be able to catch a glimpse of it from the opposite side of the river by driving over the Beaver Bridge.

Hours/Prices : Private guided tours are $20 per adult or $10 per child 15 yo or younger. You need to call ahead to schedule a tour. 

Onyx Cave or Cosmic Caverns

There are tons of natural caves all throughout Arkansas. The three closest show caves to Eureka Springs are Onyx Cave , Cosmic Caverns , and War Eagle Cavern . Onyx Cave is the closest, only 6 miles from downtown Eureka Springs. They offer a self-guided tour with an audio guide. Some reviewers said that you finish the tour quite quickly compared to the price, and I’ve already seen plenty of other caves in my day, so I didn’t prioritize it. The Cosmic Cavern might be more bang for your buck. It’s a guided 1.5 hour walking tour with an actual guide, but it’s also more expensive at $20.

Hours/Prices : Onyx is $14.75 per adult, $9.75 per child 4-13 yo, free for infants. Open 7 days a week from Mar 1-Nov 26, 9am-5pm Mon-Sat and 10am-4pm on Sundays. Hours vary from Nov 26-Jan 7; call ahead. Cosmic is $20 per adult, $10 per child 5-12 yo, free for infants. Open 7 days a week from Mar 1-Dec 31 from 9am-5pm.

Hiking, Boating, and Swimming at Local Lakes

If you’ve watched the Ozark TV show or heard about the Ozarks region before, you probably associate it with the lakes of southern Missouri. Northern Arkansas also has amazing lakes, which keep the locals busy and recreating in the summer months when heat, humidity, and ticks make wilderness hikes more difficult. Norfork Lake and Lake Ouachita, for instance, are quite popular. 

In and around Eureka Springs are Beaver Lake , Lake Leatherwood , and Black Bass Lake . Head to these spots for hiking and biking trails, fishing, paddling, and (except at Black Bass) swimming. There is a gentle walking trail that encircles Lake Leatherwood which I found really beautiful and relaxing even in winter, and there is a shorter one around the small Black Bass Lake. Both lakes also have other more difficult trail systems that go back into the woods; Miner’s Rock trail at Leatherwood sounded interesting to me. For the brave, at Hogscald Hollow on Beaver Lake there is a waterfall and cliff jumping spot called Lover’s Leap .

Hours/Prices : Free for day visits. Dawn to dusk, except for registered guests at Lake Leatherwood cabins or campsites or those with recreation.gov campsite reservations for Beaver Lake. No camping at Black Bass.

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area 

Hobbs Conservation Area is Arkansas’ largest State Park. Along the southern shores of Beaver Lake, it’s also the closest Arkansas State Park to Eureka Springs. There is a 54-mile trail system (find multiple trail maps on the official website’s righthand dropdown) for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, plus 11 primitive campsites that are bike-in and/or hike-in only. It’s very close to War Eagle Cavern if you’re up for cave exploration.

Withrow Springs State Park is also not too far from Eureka Springs. It has hiking trails and serves as a put-in point for float trips on War Eagle Creek.

Attend a Regional Festival

I first learned about the Ozark Folk Festival at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, where it’s described as a long-running annual celebration of Ozarker culture that features square dancing and fiddling contests, a vintage fashion show, a beard-growing competition, pie eating, dancing and songs by indigenous people, a festival queen competition, bagpipes, a “barefoot” ball, and a large downtown parade. It sounds like an absolute blast.

Tourists can visit the top floor of the Basin Park Hotel to see the Barefoot Ballroom and its beautiful stained glass, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel.

The longer I’ve stayed in Eureka Springs, the more festivals I keep stumbling into learning about. These people love to party! This is only a small sampling of regional festivals:

Ozark Mountain Soul (Spring) – music festival Strings on the Kings (Spring) – music, camping, float and arts festival on the Kings River Southern Enduro Tour (Spring) – mountain biking Arkansas State Chili Championship (Spring) Chocolate Lovers Festival (Spring) St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Spring) Ozark Folk Festival (Fall) Zombie Crawl (Fall) – for Halloween Enduro Series (Fall) – mountain biking Bikes, Blues, and BBQ (Fall) – for motorcyclists; it’s actually in Rogers, Arkansas Paranormal Weekend (Winter) – paranormal investigators have overnight ghost hunts at Crescent Hotel

Other Things to Do in Eureka Springs

I know it’s one of the biggest attractions in Eureka Springs, but personally I did not prioritize seeing the Great Passion Play , a religious theater production. I also skipped the Intrigue Theater magic show.

I am not usually interested in zoos, but I’ve heard positive reviews about the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge , a sanctuary for big cats.

The North Arkansas Railway was not open in winter and early spring when I visited Eureka Springs; their season begins on April 20th. They have an Excursion Train, Lunch Train, and Dinner Train and advertise that tourists can “see our 1940-era diesel locomotive in operation or view our stationary steam locomotive exhibits.”

There is roadside attraction in Eureka Springs called Snake World that I drove past multiple times. Reviews say, “if you enjoyed Joe Exotic, you’d love this place,” and “the stairs were sketchy.” What more could you ask for?

All forms of water recreation are huge in northern Arkansas, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, rafting, boating, and fishing. Rent from companies like Trigger Gap Outfitters and Kings River Outfitters .

There are multiple zipline companies, including Eureka Springs Zipline and Ozark Mountain Ziplines .

Pivot Rock Park looks cool from the photographs, but there is an $8 entrance fee just to walk a half-mile trail to see the rock.

Day Trips from Eureka Springs

Hiking in the ozark national forest.

One of my main objectives in visiting northern Arkansas was to hike as much as possible in the glorious Ozark National Forest. Full of pristine waterfalls, turquoise blue water, exciting cave systems, and sweeping views, this area of the country took me completely by surprise. I admit I was painfully ignorant as to what a fantastic outdoor destination Arkansas truly is; I didn’t even know its nickname, “The Natural State.” Read my post on the best easy day hikes in northern Arkansas to get a taste of the Ozark National Forest:

Best Easy Day Hikes in the Arkansas Ozarks

This post also includes some waterfalls that you can easily drive to without hiking, including one particularly scenic swimming hole in the Ozark National Forest and three roadside waterfalls closer to Eureka Springs in the McIlroy State Game Management Area.

Hours/Prices : All of the hikes I recommend in my post are in fee-free wilderness areas.

Historic Cabins and Homesteads

When I travel, I love learning about the early history of the region I’m visiting so that I can contextualize what I’m seeing in front of me. I found a cool podcast called The Ozarks Podcast that had some interesting interviews with Dr. Brooks Blevins , a professor of Ozarks Studies. Plus, my AirBnB host gifted me a book by Kenneth L. Smith called Buffalo River Handbook that has chapters dedicated to geology and flora and fauna, but also indigenous and settler history. This is how I initially learned about some of the 1800s homesteads in the Ozarks that you can still visit today.

The Boxley Valley Historic District is probably the most famous cultural site in the Ozark National Forest because, according to Smith, it “preserves evidence of more than 150 years of change in building styles and farming practices.” Structures like the Boxley Grist Mill and the James Villines “Beaver Jim” Homestead (1882; accessed via a short trail from the Ponca low water bridge) are great examples of early Ozark architecture. The Walnut Grove Cemetery’s earliest graves date back to the 1850s and the Beechwoods Cemetery has the oldest marked grave in the valley (1842).

Boxley Valley is also a great elk viewing location.

“Today, visitors to Boxley Valley can experience a cultural landscape that retains a high degree of integrity, or similarity to its historical identity as a small-scale farming community. Many extant structures exemplify traditional building methods and are situated in their original locations. Some farms are operated by descendants of the original settlers.” NPS

Far from Boxley Valley, the Parker-Hickman Farmstead near Erbie Campground is likely the oldest log structure in the Buffalo National River area (1840s). According to the Park Service, “this farmstead was continuously occupied for nearly 130 years by 9 different owners, starting with the Parkers and ending with the Hickmans in the early 1980s.”

You can see the passage of time represented inside the cabin by the layers of wallpaper falling away to reveal earlier designs and eras. In some places, newspaper clippings were used to plaster the walls, and you can still read about the products and services that were being advertised at the time – check out the photos in my gallery.

Hours/Prices : Free to visit, dawn to dusk. Leave no trace.

Museum of Native American History in Bentonville

When I visited the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum of the West in Cody, Wyoming, I was particularly inspired to learn about Lone Dog’s Winter Count. The version they have on display in Cody is an early 1900s recreation on muslin, and I wondered where the original piece on buffalo hide must be. It turns out, it’s at the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, Arkansas. I thought I’d probably never visit Arkansas, but lo and behold, here I am. I got the chance to check it out on this trip!

The winter count is like an annual calendar whose keeper, in this case a Nakota Sioux man named Lone Dog, adds one symbol each year to represent the biggest event that happened to the tribe that year. It’s a way of sharing the tribe’s history with future generations.

While the museum has artifacts on display from many tribes throughout the United States, its focus is on the Ozark region and Southeast, including tons of pottery and arrowhead samples found throughout the region. I learned that Native American pottery in the Southeast was markedly different to the pottery styles I’m used to seeing in the Southwest. Ancestral Puebloan cultures utilized sharp, angular lines to create abstract black and white designs. By contrast, the Southeastern style uses a lot of oranges, whites, and swirling shapes, and pottery is often shaped into effigies of fish, deer, or other animals. I had never seen “head pots” before, which are human head effigies with hyper realistic faces, sometimes twisted into grotesque expressions. 

Hours/Prices : Free admission, Tues-Sat 11am-5pm

Another day trip idea from Eureka Springs is Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. It’s only open from April to October, so I didn’t get a chance to check it out myself.

Arkansas has really played things right when it comes to tourism. I’ve seen advertisements aimed at specific hobbyists, such as fishermen, mountain bikers, motorcyclists, and paranormal investigators, but I haven’t noticed any attempts to lure the masses to Eureka Springs through social media influencers or other generic travel campaigns. As a result, it seems they’ve been able to maintain their identity and keep their hill country paradise slightly under the radar, attracting only those who have unique personal motivations to seek it out. For any travelers from the West or Northeast who denigrate Arkansas because of old “hillbilly” stereotypes without having experienced the region firsthand, I can imagine Ozarkers thinking, “Good – more for us!” Unfortunately, though, they’ll have to deal with at least one more tourist (me) returning time and again now that I’ve learned their secret.

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Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours

Experience a journey through the halls of the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, where history and mystery converge for a truly unforgettable adventure. Join us on a nightly tour, led by knowledgeable guides who will regale you with tales of the hotel’s history and dark past, and the ghostly apparitions that still roam its corridors. With limited availability and tours selling out fast, be sure to book your tickets in advance.

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Emergency crews confirm fatality in house fire in Eureka Springs, Ark.

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. (KY3) - An investigation into a deadly fire in Eureka Springs is underway.

Eureka Springs Fire and EMS says crews responded to a structure fire on County Road 140 at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday. Firefighters found the body of a woman inside the home.

Investigators have not released the identity of the victim. The Arkansas Crime Lab is conducting an autopsy.

To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]

Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.

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