The Natural State of Arkansas: 

Eureka Springs , AR...

For romance in Arkansas, there is no better travel destination than Eureka Springs.  Nestled in the northwest part of the state, Eureka Springs is a town lost in time.  It is somewhere you can slow down, relax, and enjoy your mates company.

There is sightseeing, shows, shopping in the historic district of downtown Eureka Springs.  The Ozark Mountains surrounds it, so it is also a destination for outdoor recreation.  Eureka Springs also has some of the finest dining in the state.

For a vacation packet, or other information on Eureka Springs, you can find information at (866) 566-9387.  You can also look them up on the web at www.eurekasprings.org.  A lot of the attractions are seasonal, and it's generally April through October, so ensure that the attractions you want to see are open.

Eureka Springs Downtown Historic District

One of the biggest attractions in Eureka is the Downtown District.  Shops, Bed and Breakfasts, and dining abound in Eureka.  There are museums, art galleries, and shows for your enjoyment.  Named one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For information call (800) 6EUREKA, or www.eurekasprings.org.

The Great Passion Play

 An outdoor drama that depicts the last week of Christ's life on Earth.  Runs April-October and for information contact them at (800) 882-7529, or at www.greatpassionplay.com.  There are also other attractions at the same site; like the Bible Museum, Christ of the Ozark's statue, and a 10-foot section of the Berlin Wall.

Spas

The Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs offers a full-service spa.  Call ahead for reservations, (888) 980-9766, or look them up on the web at www.crescent-hotel.com.

Lodging

The Crescent Hotel and Spa has been featured on the Today Show and The Travel Channel.  Beautiful, old hotel, that offers a full-service spa, and is a very romantic place to hide-a-way.  Contact them at (888) 980-9766, or at www.crescent-hotel.com.

Cinnamon Valley Resort offers luxury log cabins nestled in 170 acres of wooded privacy.  Spring-fed mountain lakes that are stocked, hiking trails, porches with swings and barbeque pits are just a few of the amenities offered at the resort.  Contact them at (800) 424-3344, or at www.cinnamon-valley.com.

 Inn of the Ozarks is part of the Best Western hotel chain, and is located in downtown Eureka Springs.  It has a pool, game room, spa, and tennis courts.  Contact them at (479) 253-9768, or at www.innoftheozarks.com.

Other Attractions

Turpentine Creek Exotic Wildlife Refuge is home to over 100 exotic cats and bears.  Contact them at (479) 253-5841, or at www.turpentinecreek.org.

Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway offers excursion and dining car rides.  Contact them at (479) 253-9623, or at www.esnarailway.com.

Quigley's Castle is a very odd dwelling, that houses tree tops (that are slept-in), tropical plants, birds, and fish living naturally indoors.  Contact them at (479) 253-8311, or at www.quigleyscastle.com.

Onyx Cave has a radio-guided tour of underground rooms and unique formations.  Contact them at (479) 253-9321.

Cosmic Caverns is located in Berryville, AR, and offers a 1 hour tour of the Caverns.  There are two lakes in the cave, and the bottom end of these lakes has never been found.  It is home to trout, some have gone blind and lost their color, and the endangered Ozark Blind Cave Salamander.  It is 62 degrees year-round in the cave.  Contact them at (870) 749-2298, or at www.cosmiccavern.com.

Eureka Springs Ghost Tours is a walking tour with an eerie twist of the Crescent Hotel.  Contact them at (479) 253-6800, or at www.eureka-springs-ghost.com.

Shows

The Mysteries of Magic Theatre is a full two-hour production including comedy, magic, and illusions.  Family oriented, and has audience participation.  May-October.  Contact them at (479) 253-0111, or at www.mysteriesofmagic.com.

Pine Mountain Jamboree is an original music and comedy stage show.  Contact them at (479) 253-9156, or at www.pinemountainjamboree.com.

Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point offers opera productions throughout the summer.  Classical music and dance in an outdoor theatre.  (479) 253-8595, or at www.opera.org.

Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down offers country, pop, cajun, and gospel music and comedy.  Contact them at (479) 253-7725, or www.eureka-net.com/hoedown.

Antiques

There are quite a few antique shops in the area, and for a guide the web site for Eureka Spring is a good resource to find them.   www.eurekasprings.org.

Outdoor Recreation

Beaver Lake is just west of town and offers fishing, boating, camping and hiking opportunities.  There is horseback riding offered in Eureka, and you can explore the caves already discussed in the Other Attractions guide of the packet.  Pea Ridge, just north of Eureka, has the Pea Ridge National Military Park open for tour.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

Pea Ridge National Military Park is a well-preserved Civil War Battlefield and site of the largest battle fought west of the Mississippi.  4,300 acres, 7 mile, self-guided tour with 10 stops.  Contact them at www.nps.gov/reri, or at (479) 451-8122.

Hiking

There are numerous trails in the Eureka Springs area, and many can be very rigorous due to the terrain of the Ozark Mountains.  The views are spectacular and well worth the effort.

Lake Leatherwood is a city park that has trails for public use and can be contacted at (479) 253-8624.

Withrow Springs State Park offers the War Eagle Trail, which is 2 miles long and is considered moderate to strenuous.  The park is located near Huntsville, which is south of Eureka.  The trail runs along a river, and has a scenic overlook on a 150-foot bluff.  Contact them at (479) 559-2593.

Horseback Riding

Dinner Bell Ranch offers horseback riding and you can contact them at (479) 253-2900.

Red Bud Riding Stables offers horseback riding, you can contact them at (479) 253-6556.

Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake is on the headwaters of the White River.  Crystal clear water and plenty of surface acres abound on Beaver Lake.  There is camping and boat rental available throughout the lake area.  A good resource for activities at Beaver Lake is www.beaverlake.com.

Boat Rentals

Here is a list of marinas in the area that offer boat rentals.

Hickory Creek Marina, contact them at (479) 751-7366.

War Eagle Marina, contact them at (479) 751-3050.

Lost Bridge Marina, contact them at (479) 359-3222.

Fishing

Beaver Lake offers fishing for all bass species, with stripers and hybrids being the fish of choice.  The BASS tour has held many tournaments on Beaver Lake, so the black bass fishing on the lake is good.  Crappie, catfish, walleye, and various panfish species also inhabit the lake.  You can fish effectively from the bank for some species, but fishing from a boat is prefered.

Beaver Lake Fishing Guides

Tom Vadnais Striper Guide Service offers guided striper trips on Beaver Lake.  Contact them at (479) 253-7075.

Beaver Fever Striper Guides offers guided striper trips on Beaver Lake.  Contact them at (479) 359-2322 

Beaver Guide Service and Lodging is located in Eureka Springs, and you can contact them at (479) 253-5048.

White River below Beaver Dam

The White River below Beaver Dam offers trout fishing, both fly and spin fishing, and you and the family can fish effectively from the bank.  The trout are not of the same size as those in White River below Bull Shoals Dam (same river system, separated by dams and lakes), you can still catch some nice fish.

Guide Services

Scott Branyan guides the White out of a McKenzie Drift Boat, and you can contact him at (479) 621-0470.

Golf

 Carroll County Country Club is a semi-private, 9-hole course.  Contact them at (870) 423-3280.

Holiday Island Country Club is a private, 18-hole course.  You can contact them at (479) 253-9511.

Web updated:  July 2004; 

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