If you’re not familiar with this quirky small town before arriving, there’s a good chance that you’ll sum it up in one word after exploring the best things to do in Eureka Springs: surprising.
This gorgeous Arkansas town is nestled in the Ozark Mountains, and is regionally famous for everything from its spas to its ghosts to its historic springs that were once believed to have healing powers.
It’s a captivating place, packed with sharply curving roads and artistic decor, historic hotels with colorful histories, and gorgeous views.
We’ve been lucky enough to visit Eureka Springs twice so far, and fully expect to go back again in the future!
Our first visit was the weekend we got engaged, long before I fell into my career as a travel writer. Fast forward more than a decade, and our second visit acted as one stop on our babymoon road trip.
In other words, Eureka Springs has been part of our story at 2 very big turning points in our lives, and we will always cherish it for that!
If you’re planning to spend a weekend in Eureka Springs for the first time, here’s exactly what we recommend based on our personal travels, including the top things to do in Eureka Springs, where to stay, and a sample weekend itinerary!
Table of Contents
The Best Things to Do in Eurkea Springs, AR
Step inside the famous Thorncrown Chapel.
If you’ve seen one photo of Eureka Springs, it’s probably of the award-winning Thorncrown Chapel.
Exquisitely designed to bring the forest inside, the chapel features over 6,000 square feet of glass and is absolutely gorgeous to experience in person!
Unsurprisingly, it’s popular as a wedding venue, but when it’s not booked up, it’s open to the public and free to visit from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, March to December.
From April to October, church services are also held at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Sundays.
You can check updated hours and visiting information on their website.
Thorncrown Chapel is located a mile and a half or so outside of Eureka Springs, so it makes an excellent short stop on your way into or out of town!
Take a train ride (while learning local Arkansas history or enjoying a meal).
Want to see a whole different side of Eureka Springs?
Consider boarding a 1940s-era train with the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway!
During the town’s first tourism heyday in the late 19th century, trains were the main way to access Eureka Springs… and there’s nothing like feeling how slow these trains move to appreciate how long that journey must have felt!
Today, you can book a scenic train ride that ferries you through the forest with a side of history.
We loved it, not only because we love trains, but because the fall foliage was gorgeous during our October trip and because the scenic ride was dog-friendly, so Ranger got to come with us.
Even more popular than the scenic rides, though, are the lunch and dinner cars, which allow you to dine in 1920s-era luxury on a moving train!
For summer visitors, note that only the dining cars have air conditioning–the scenic train does not. On the flipside, the meal trains aren’t narrated like the sightseeing train is.
Explore downtown for shopping, food, interesting architecture, and, of course, springs.
Wandering through downtown Eureka Springs manages to feel simultaneously like you’re in a wild place and in a town.
With its many cliffs, caves, natural springs, and endless trees, Eureka Springs feels extremely enveloped by its nature, which gives it a wonderful lost-in-the-woods vibe while still maintaining all the essentials of an American tourist destination (boutiques, restaurants, fudge shops).
A handful of the top things to do in Eureka Springs that we’ll call out separately below, like Basin Springs Park, are located in the heart of downtown.
Be sure not to miss Eureka Springs’ own flatiron building, or the colorful staircase connecting Spring Street and Main Street (and, in general, it’s best to be prepared to climb some hills and/or staircases when visiting Eureka Springs).
Want to get a great overview of Eureka Springs and its history?
This downtown walking tour gets excellent reviews, and alternatively, this popular golf cart tour will show you the best of Eureka Springs without the staircases!
Book your walking tour of Eureka Springs’ highlights + hidden gems today!
Step inside Quigley’s Castle, one of the most unique places to visit in Eureka Springs.
More than 50 countries and most US states of travel later, I can still safely say that Quigley’s Castle is one of the most unusual buildings I have ever visited in my life.
If you’ve ever fantasized about a fairy castle where the outdoors is literally brought inside, you’ll find it at Quigley’s Castle!
The carefully curated home of Elise Quigley, Quigley’s Castle is a place where you can be standing in a standard 20th-century kitchen in one moment… and then round a corner and find trees growing out of the floor.
Head up to the second floor, and you’ll find a bedroom nestled among treetops.
If you’re curious about unusual and/or fantastical homes, or wonder what happens when someone quite literally builds their dream home over the course of a lifetime, then consider Quigley’s Castle a must-visit in Eureka Springs.
The home is owned and operated by Elise’s great-grandchildren and is open to visitors from April through October, with limited hours in March and November.
We recommend checking updated hours on their website before heading out, as this is a small, family-run establishment.
Visit the Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Situated overlooking Eureka Springs from the top of Crescent Mountain, the Crescent Hotel & Spa is a Eureka Springs icon that has been drawing people into its doors since 1886.
Operated over the last 140 years or so as everything from an exclusive hotel for wealthy guests to a college for women to a (scam) hospital, today it is a pouplar getaway for travelers looking for a bit of pampering at the spa, a bit of an escape in nature, a chance to stay in “America’s Most Haunted Hotel”, or some combination of them all!
We stayed in The Crescent Hotel on our first trip to Eureka Springs and absolutely would have checked in for our second visit–except it was sold out at the time.
Whether you choose to check in or not, though, The Crescent Hotel is absolutely worth visiting during your weekend in Eureka Springs, and the restaurant, bar, spa, and ghost tours (more on that below) are open to the public.
Check rates & availability at The Crescent Hotel & Spa today!
.jpg)
Alan Islas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Take a ghost tour.
Eureka Springs is fond of its ghosts–and that’s especially true at the aforementioned Crescent Hotel & Spa!
Long story (very) short, The Crescent Hotel is said to be very haunted, primarily by the scammed residents of The Baker Hospital that operated within it in the 1930s (and sold snake oil cures).
It has been featured on a slew of paranormal TV shows and write-ups, and continues to garner interest for its stories.
As a result, The Crescent Hotel offers a wide variety of ghost tours while simultaneously being one of the best places to stay in Eureka Springs–and we had a great time on our tour.
Prefer to explore Eureka Springs’ darker history downtown rather than at the hotel? Haunted Eureka Springs is another great option!
RolandDart, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
See the beautiful Blue Spring.
Bright, clear, and immediately striking, the Blue Spring is a natural phenomenon touched by human history.
Once a trading post of the Osage people and later a respite for the Cherokee people who passed by during the Trail of Tears, the Blue Spring is one of the most memorable natural sites in the Ozarks.
Today, visiting also includes a chance to explore the Blue Spring Heritage Center’s expansive garden, which includes (among many other things) an example Three Sisters Garden.
The Blue Spring Heritage Center is currently open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, March 15 through November 29. You can check updated hours and entrance information here.
Stop by the original spring at Basin Springs Park.
Much less dramatic than the Blue Spring, but located right in the center of downtown, you’ll find Basin Springs Park–which is home to the spring that started it all!
That’s right–this small local gathering spot is the origin of the spring that put the eureka into Eureka Springs, so to speak.
Today, Basin Springs Park acts as a town square and gathering place, and is a fun place to take a seat and people-watch for a few minutes.
It doesn’t take long to see, but it’s worth stopping by when exploring the top attractions in Eureka Springs’ downtown.
Pay a visit to the beautiful Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church.
Located on the grounds of the Crescent Hotel, the beautiful Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church is absolutely worth a visit.
Small and beautiful, the stone church actually predates the hotel, having opened its doors in 1882.
Its bell tower and interior–so much beautiful paint!–are particularly memorable.
The church is free to visit, and there were only a handful of people around when we visited.
Step inside Onyx Cave or Cosmic Cavern (or both!).
Want to descend into a cave… without needing a guided group tour?
If so, head over to Onyx Cave, one of the only self-guided cave tours in the country and a cave that has been popular with tourists almost since Eureka Springs was founded (the cave first opened in 1891).
Guided tours to restricted areas, gem panning, and ax-throwing are also available on-site.
Onyx Cave is open 7 days a week, March 1 to November 26. You can check updated hours and pricing on their website.
Looking for what is arguably an even more impressive cave?
Cosmic Cavern features underground lakes and is so beautiful, they even hold weddings there!
The trade-off is that it’s a bit further from Eureka Springs (about 30 minutes versus 15 minutes), and a bit more expensive. It also requires a guided tour, which can be a plus or a minus depending on your preferences.
Cosmic Cavern is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout much of the year, and is fully closed only in January and February. It’s also closed for Thanksgiving and about half of December. You can check hours and ticketing information for Cosmic Cavern here.
Check out the Eureka Springs Historical Museum.
Small and quirky, just like Eureka Springs itself, the Eureka Springs Historical Museum is a fantastic time capsule of the town from its origins forward.
Covering everything from medical care and developments to the building of The Crescent Hotel to the origins of the Original Ozark Folk Festival (which is now pushing 80 years old), the museum is a smorgasbord of history.
Their gift shop is interesting, too–I love perusing small, local books that aren’t widely printed in museums like this, and they have lots of them.
The museum is also housed in a 19th-century home, and wandering through its rooms (and up its stairs) is part of the fun of visiting.
Visit the Christ of the Ozarks.
Located on the grounds of The Great Passion Play, the Christ of the Ozarks reaches more than 65 feet into the air and makes for an interesting stop!
It’s not quite Rio, but the Christ of the Ozarks is certainly a commanding sight.
You can’t climb the statue, but it’s free to visit and there’s a park surrounding it.
The Great Passion Play, which is put on 3 nights a week during the season, brings crowds to the area, so if you’re not visiting the statue while seeing the play, it’s best to come during the day when the area is quiet.
… and while you’re there, see a section of the Berlin Wall (and perhaps other sites).
The grounds of The Great Passion Play, where you’ll find the Christ of the Ozarks, are home to a slew of other attractions.
A few other things that are free to visit include a section of the Berlin Wall that has been transported to Arkansas, the antique Church in the Grove, and the property’s 18 miles of hiking and biking trails.
There are also Christmas light displays here during the season!
Explore Lake Leatherwood City Park.
With 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, several structures built by the WPA in the 1940s, and a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s safe to say that Lake Leatherwood is particularly beloved in Eureka Springs.
Covering a sweeping 85 acres, Lake Leatherwood is spring-fed (which was particularly fascinating to us the first time we came to Eureka Springs, as we had spent years living in Oklahoma, where there are exactly 0 natural lakes).
Popular with hikers, bikers, boaters, fishers, birders, and more, it’s the go-to lake destination in Eureka Springs.
If you happen to be visiting in the summer, you can swim in the lake at designated points, too!
… and Black Bass Lake.
Want to get beyond Lake Leatherwood?
Black Bass Lake is smaller and doesn’t offer any facilities, but it’s beautiful and features a 19th-century dam that is one of the oldest in the Ozarks.
If you want to enjoy some water views and a bit of time alone (or close to it) in nature, this is the park for you.
Get a great view of the Ozarks from above.
Not afraid of heights and want to get an incredible view of the Ozarks?
If so, consider climbing up one of Eureka Springs’ dizzying lookout towers!
The Razorback Gift Shop & Observation Tower and Harley’s Tower are close together and are said to offer excellent views for $1 each (bring cash).
I’m personally way too scared of heights to ever climb one of them, but the photos look lovely and they’re popular!
Want an alternative that doesn’t involve staircases reaching into the sky?
Inspiration Point is an overlook about 5 miles outside of town and makes a great, quick stop on your way into or out of Eureka Springs for the weekend!
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Eureka Springs
When it comes to deciding where to stay in Eureka Springs, there’s no doubt that checking into The Crescent Hotel & Spa is an extremely popular choice–after all, the hotel is home to some of the best things to do in Eureka Springs and is a destination unto itself!
However, it’s definitely not the only memorable place to stay in town.
For a beautiful, historic hotel that comes in at a lower price point than The Crescent while also boasting a location in the heart of downtown, check out the also-popular 1905 Basin Park Hotel.
For travelers hoping to stay on more of a budget, the Bavarian Inn Motel & Restaurant gets good reviews and comes with a side of whimsy (the architecture definitely channels Bavaria a bit).
Check rates & book your stay in Eureka Springs today!
A Sample Eureka Springs Weekend Itinerary
Curious about how to fit the top things to see in Eureka Springs together so that they fit into a weekend?
Here’s a quick sample itinerary for a Eureka Springs weekend getaway!
(We did assume that you’ll be visiting between roughly April and October, when the most attractions are open, for the purposes of this itinerary. It’s easily adjusted, though.)
Friday Afternoon/Evening in Eureka Springs
As you drive into town, stop to visit Thorncrown Chapel and one of the viewpoints outside the town center.
Afterward, grab dinner in town (we’ll include some recommendations in the restaurants section below), and enjoy a ghost tour to cap your night!
Saturday in Eureka Springs
As your only full day in Eureka Springs on a stanadard weekend trip, Saturday is the time to pack activities in!
Start your morning with breakfast followed by a visit to Quigley’s Castle.
From there, since you’re outside of the town center, enjoy a choose-your-own-water-view adventure at Lake Leatherwood, Black Bass Lake, and/or the Blue Spring Heritage Center.
Head back into town for the afternoon, visiting the Eureka Springs Historical Museum and possibly ducking into some shops before setting off on your downtown walking tour.
If you’d like to enjoy a meal on the scenic train, this is the perfect time: either opt for a lunch cruise before exploring downtown, or hop on a dinner cruise after visiting downtown.
Sunday Morning/Afternoon in Eureka Springs
On Sunday morning, enjoy one last lap around downtown before leaving the center of Eureka Springs for the last time!
From there, pay a quick visit to the Christ of the Ozarks (and possibly the assorted nearby attractions).
Afterward, head over to Onyx Cave and/or Cosmic Cavern to enjoy a very different sort of Ozarks view before driving home.
If you have time, you might squeeze in a visit to the lookout tower or viewpoint you haven’t visited yet, too!
Getting Around When Visiting Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs, while relatively small, is extremely hilly!
It’s also a town whose historic center was built before personal automobiles were ubiquitous, and as a result, parking–and especially free parking–is very limited.
The town strongly recommends using their trolley system, which runs on a continuous loop during its operating hours, and most hotels are within walking distance of a stop (or several).
Here are the recommend parking lots to use when riding the tram.
Outside of the center, most hotels have their own parking lots that you can use overnight.
Delicious Places to Eat in Eureka Springs
As a town that has been tourism-focused since its inception, there is no shortage of places to eat in Eureka Springs!
Popular Eureka Springs restaurants for nights out on the town include The Grotto (steak, duck, and beyond), Le Stick Nouveau (multi-course menus), and Ermilio’s Italian Home Cooking (which doesn’t take reservations).
McGarity’s is the popular Irish pub/saloon of choice, and we loved the TexMex at Amigo’s.
For innovative food in a casual environment, try Three Birds Cafe, which is popular for breakfast and lunch.
Other popular breakfast spots include The Filling Station (which we enjoyed), Harold’s Diner, Soda Fountain & Farmacy, and Mud Street Cafe.
For something sweet, we loved the strawberry cupcake at Colossal Cupcakes!
When to Visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is a very seasonal place, and it thrives in the spring through fall.
January and February are very quiet months in Eureka Springs, with many attractions (including Thorncrown Chapel, Quigley’s Castle, the scenic train, and the caves) fully closed.
Of course, the natural attractions aren’t at their peak then, either, though they’re largely open.
Our first trip to Eureka Springs was in February, and while we loved it as a romantic getaway, it’s not peak sightseeing time.
Come in the winter for great hotels at a discount, spa visits, and good food, rather than sightseeing.
Spring (especially April/May) and fall (especially September/October) are ideal times to visit Eureka Springs.
Fall foliage tends to peak from mid-October to the first week or so of November, and is a great time to visit (though some attractions will be closed in November–the leaf-peeping can be worth the trade-off, though).
Our second weekend in Eureka Springs took place in mid-October, and while the foliage wasn’t quite at peak yet, we loved our visit!
Summer can be hot, of course, with peak temperatures reaching an average of 90°F in July and August, but it can still be a lovely season to visit. You’ll find all the best things to do in Eureka Springs, AR, open and ready to welcome travelers for their weekend getaways!
Map of the Best Things to Do in Eureka Springs
Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.
About Kate Storm