Revisiting Eureka Springs, Arkansas – A Day Trip Through the Ozarks

Revisiting Eureka Springs, Arkansas - A Day Trip Through the Ozarks

by a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads – Art & Other Odd Adventures

Dear Henry,

Recently, I went back to Northwest Arkansas to visit my oldest son, and we took a day trip to one of my favorite places in the Ozarks. Eureka Springs! Let me tell you all about it.

Eureka Springs is a small town of about 2,100 residents, nestled deep in the Ozark Mountains near the Arkansas-Missouri border. The city is renowned for its numerous natural springs, long believed to possess healing properties, and has always been regarded as a place of relaxation. The Osage people once used the springs regularly, and in 1856, Dr. Alvah Jackson built a hospital near Basin Spring, which would later serve during the Civil War.

By 1879, the town had grown into a thriving resort, and after the arrival of the railroad in 1882, Eureka Springs became the perfect summer spa destination. Its most famous hotel, the Crescent Hotel, opened in 1886 and still offers spa treatments today, as does the historic Basin Park Hotel. The Opera in the Ozarks, founded in 1950, presents a full summer season of productions. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and boating on nearby lakes.

A fascinating stop is The Great Passion Playgrounds. In 1964, Gerald L. K. Smith attempted to build a religious theme park near Eureka Springs. The park itself was never finished, but several unique attractions emerged. The Great Passion Play troupe features more than 170 actors and live animals in its summer performances. The site also features a Bible museum with over 6,000 Bibles, a section of the Berlin Wall, and the seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue, which overlooks the valley.

Another place of reflection is Thorncrown Chapel, built in 1980. This stunning glass chapel, open to the public, serves as a haven for rest and contemplation and is a beloved wedding venue.

This year’s visit was more of a walking tour. We stopped by the historic Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, enjoyed coffee at The Daily Roast (a delightful café in a converted Victorian-era soda shop), and wandered through several shops. However, many were closed, as Eureka Springs tends to rest a bit early in the week.

One of my favorite discoveries this trip was The B-Side Café, tucked behind Mojo Records. The atmosphere was as quirky as the town itself, and they served one of the best meatball sliders I’ve ever had.

We returned to NWA tired but happy. Eureka Springs is a steep little city, and every visit feels like both a pilgrimage and an urban hike. I can hardly wait to go back again.

xoxo,

a.d. elliott

P.S. Check out my YouTube video tour here: https://youtu.be/MCArR8Oy_Ik?si=7zcY3MXO4rxPFq4j

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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