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No town in Arkansas is more enchanting than Eureka Springs in the fall. Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, historic hotels, talented artists, and fine cuisines capture the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Over the years, Eureka Springs was nicknamed “the town built in a hill,” “the town that climbs a mountain,” or “America’s Little Switzerland.” All of this references the unique landscape of the historic downtown area stacked on the side of a mountain. Eureka Springs makes the perfect fall destination as a town where red maples explode among downtown alleys and expansive sweeping views take your breath on arrival.
And, if fall enchantment is what your Octobers desire, then this is the place to chill your bones. Haunted hotels with a little Hocus Pocus. Zombie Invasion. A Witches Escape. Cemetery Tours. Trick or Treating.
If you’ve been wondering, “should I?” The answer is yes. This is the year to make a fall visit to discover the best of Eureka Springs!
Top Places to Explore in Eureka Springs
- Downtown Eureka Springs – the heart of Eureka Springs fun, mystery and history
- Basin Spring Park – a corridor of eclectic events and people-watching who have been coming to the spring for healing since 1879
- Blue Springs Heritage Center – a quiet place to explore the restorative power of nature
- Turpentine Creek Nature Center – this big cat rescue and animal sanctuary is fun for the whole family
- Thorncrown Chapel – a glass and wooden structure designed in 1980 by E. Fay Jones meant to allow a visitor to worship through nature
- The Great Passion Play– America’s #1 attended outdoor drama sharing the life and ministry of Jesus, with multiple onsite attractions and the Christ of the Ozarks statue
- Carnegie Library – historic library dedicated in 1913 and built from stones quarried locally in Beaver, a location on the Arkansas Historic Preservation Passport
- Crescent Hotel – America’s most haunted hotel brings a rich history and modern amenities among ghost tours and great restaurants
- Basin Springs Hotel – historical and moody in every sense with newly renovated rooms and all the charm from 1905
- Quigley’s Castle – the strangest structure in Arkansas featuring hand-collected rocks, 65-year-old indoor flower carpets and a butterfly wall
- Onyx Cave – living cave and rock formations under downtown Eureka Springs
Hidden Treasures in Eureka Springs
- Underground – a backstage pass to the unique history of a haunted and storied past
- Cosmic Caverns – Arkansas’ largest privately owned show cave
- Humpty Dumpty – is a fun character for kids to find, sitting on a wall near Basin Spring Park
- World’s Largest Tuned Wind Chime – located on Hwy 23 near Hwy 62, the wind brings nature’s symphony to life for miles around
- St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church – a historic property of faith for a congregation dating to 1880 as a mission of early European settlers in Arkansas
- Intrigue Theater – Paranormal experiments and intriguing mysteries featured in Penn and Teller’s Masters of Illusion
- Razorback Tower – stretch your legs and climb the steps of this forestry tower for a sweeping view of the Ozarks
- Little Golden Gate Beaver Town Bridge – featured in Elizabethtown, local tip says to go near sunset and watch the water and nearby winery glisten
- Castle Rogue’s Manor – sprawling across 20 acres, the castle reflects Smith Treuer’s worldwide travels
- Staircase – a uniquely painted rainbow staircase connects the Spring Street shopping district to lower Main Street
- Harding Spring – considered the site of Eureka’s most famous healing, restoring a young girl’s sight in 1880
- Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge – a century-old natural rock formation and legendary home of outlaw Jesse James
- Historic Bank of Eureka Springs Museum – 100-year-old bank section with many of its original finishings, located inside the downtown location of Cornerstone Bank
Unique places to stay in Eureka Springs
- Livingston Junction Cabooses – renovated train cars nestled into the Livingston Hollow woods
- Zulu Safari Lodges – African-style safari suites at Turpentine Creek where you hear the big cats caroling in the night or ask about “habitat side” accommodations
- Storybook Places – fairytale cottages and hillside cabins
- Iconic Rock Haus – restored European-style limestone cottage
- Eureka Springs Hobbit Caves and Treehouse Castles – unique hillside romantic getaways or medieval-themed canopy treehouses and Harry Potter cottages
- Stonehaven Castle – contemporary caste on 52 private acres, accommodates up to 13 guest
- Night Owl Loft – “nest” style loft above the Spring Street shopping district
- Palace Hotel and Bath House – 1901 historic spa in the heart of downtown
- Texaco bungalow – converted 20th century Texaco gas station
- Iris Hill Glamping – unique one-room cabin to experience nature and the night sky while you sleep
Best Bites in Eureka Springs
- Eureka Springs Coffee House – the perfect cup of award-winning vacation coffee using regional beans, spirits and syrups, but don’t miss teas, smoothies, benedicts, and savory sandwiches
- Local Flavor – seasonally rotating menu in an art enriched environment in the heart of downtown
- Grotto Wood-fired Grill and Wine Cave – a full-on sensory experience with wood-fired grill smells, cave walls, and a professional mixologist
- Ermilio’s – fine Italian dining, served at dinner only on an indoor patio
- The Crystal Dining Room – a family-style traditional meal served inside the history 1886 Crescent hotel
- Skybar Pizza – pizza with a panoramic view off the back patio of the Crescent Hotel; don’t miss the calzone or smokey BBQ pizza
- Mud Street Cafe – a traditional breakfast and lunch spot, but do not miss the garlic grits!
- Rockin’ Pig Saloon – a bikers’ BBQ dive, but do not pass on the garlic parmesan tots
- Eureka’s Nut House – fun snack stop for flavored nuts, ice creams, and seasonal beverages
- Rogue’s Manor – fine dining in an original 1870s home near the Sweet Spring and natural cave
- The Stone House – award-winning wine bar with charcuterie and fondue
What’s on your best of Eureka Springs list???
Images used with permission from Arkansas Parks, Tourism and Heritage.
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3 responses to “Eureka Springs: Arkansas’s Fall Enchantment”
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Very nice article about my hometown but sorry to see you didn’t mention the Eureka Springs Historic Museum. It’s a great place to begin your visit! What better way to learn the story of how this wonderful little town came to be!
Definitely bookmarking this for my next Eureka Springs trip – I’ve been going there for years and didn’t know about a lot of these things. Thank you!!
[…] A visit to Turpentine Creek turns into love for a writer and a photographer. One has come for blog photos, and the other to share a behind-the-scenes story of the Miracle of Christmas. They stay in the Safari Lodges and meet over coffee at the communal firepit, then spend the weekend exploring the enchanting town of Eureka Springs […]