Eureka Springs



Eureka Springs is a quaint resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, with eclectic dining and shopping, art galleries and local crafts. The massive Beaver Lake is just outside of town. It is a Victorian village and has a European look and feel, with Victorian cottages and homes on steep winding streets.

The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and with good reason. Not many towns sprang up overnight like Eureka Springs. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded and named. By the end of the year, approximately 10,000 were living there. The attraction was the area's numerous cold water springs, thought to have healing properties. Naturally, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the boom busted, a town full of Victorian homes balanced precariously on limestone bluffs was left in the Ozark wilderness without much of an economic base. As a result, few new buildings followed, and those that were there were rarely razed or renovated. Dozens, if not hundreds, of Victorian homes have remained-- ranging from tiny cottages to elaborate mansions.

Today, the city is passionate about preserving this treasure. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

You've never seen anything quite like it.

By car

 * Driving - Eureka Springs in remotely located in the Ozarks and the best way to get there is drive. You can travel south from Springfield, Mo or Branson, Mo. on US 65 to US 62 and then west. It is about 1-1/2 hours from Springfield and about 45 minutes from Branson. Eureka Springs is at the crossroads of US 62 (east/west) and US 23 (north/south), both are two lane highways and have curves and hills.

By plane

 * Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) 50 miles southwest (mountain miles - takes longer to drive in the Ozark hills)
 * Tulsa International Airport (TUL) 160 miles west
 * Springfield/Branson Regional Airport (SGF) 100 miles north

Get around
Because parking is limited, many tourists find it convenient to walk or take the trolley.

Access to the downtown historic district is somewhat limited to individuals with disabilities. Sidewalks are rough native stone and often steep.

Streets in the historic area are very narrow and the operators of large vehicles like RV's and one ton pickups will find manuvering through town to be a real challenge.

See




Eat

 * New Delhi Cafe, 2 North Main., Features American and Indian food. Live music Friday and Saturday nights. thenewdelhicafe.com +1 479 253-2525
 * Mud Street Cafe 22 G South Main Street, +1 479 253-6732. Great underground ambiance.

Sleep
There are many places to stay here that will fit every budget and need, but it is advised to make reservations several weeks in advance because Eureka Spring is a very popular tourist location.

Near
These are properties are located on Beaver Lake near Eureka Springs.