Eureka Springs

A Victorian spa town built into the hillsides of the Ozarks, listed in its entirety as a historic district, with Thorncrown Chapel's glass walls and the Crescent Hotel as its landmarks.

Eureka Springs sits in the Ozark Mountains in the northwest corner of Arkansas. With a population of just over 2,000, it is one of the most distinctive Victorian towns in the United States. In 1879, word spread that the local spring water could cure illness, and health seekers flocked here. The town grew up along a steep valley, with stone buildings stacked in tiers and winding streets without a single regular intersection; the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is known for its artist community, galleries and small shops, wedding chapels and a "haunted hotel". The town divides into three core areas: the historic downtown (Spring Street, Main Street, Basin Spring Park and the historical museum); West Mountain, with the Crescent Hotel and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, plus the Christ of the Ozarks statue on Magnetic Mountain to the east; and, outside town, Thorncrown Chapel, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Lake Leatherwood Park, with Beaver Lake – good for boating and fishing – about 15 km (9 miles) to the west. The best seasons are the April–May blooms and the late-October fall foliage; summers are hot and humid but full of festivals; winter is quiet, and some attractions and shops close. Getting there: the nearest airport is Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA, near Bentonville), about 75 km (47 miles) away – roughly an hour by rental car; you can also drive about an hour from Branson, Missouri. A vintage trolley loops around town, but parking is difficult, so it's best to leave your car in a lot on the edge of town. Plan to stay 2–3 days, and consider combining your visit with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville or with Branson for an Ozarks road trip. Note: the old town is steep with lots of stairs, so wear comfortable walking shoes; lodging fills up on weekends and during festivals, so book ahead.

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