Revisting Eureka Springs, Arkansas!

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 located deep in the Ozarks, near the Arkansas/Missouri border. The area contains many natural springs which are believed to have healing properties, and the area was always considered a place of rest. The Osage people used the springs regularly, and in 1856, Dr. Alvah Jackson built a hospital near Basin Springs, which was used during the Civil War. 

By 1879, the area expanded to a resort, and in 1882, after a rail was laid, Eureka Springs became the perfect summer spa destination. Eureka Springs' most famous hotel, The Crescent Hotel, was built in 1886 and still operates an on-site spa, as does the Basin Park Hotel, another historic hotel. 

In addition to the spas, the Opera of the Ozarks, established in 1950, has full summer performances.  Mountain biking, hiking, and boating activities are also along the lake.

A fun little place to visit is the grounds of "The Great Passion Play."  In 1964, Gerald L.K. Smith tried to establish a religious theme park near Eureka Springs. The park itself was never finished, but there were several interesting activities created.  The Great Passion Play is a summer performance troupe containing around 170 actors and live animals. It offers about 70 performances of the Passion every summer.  There is also a bible museum featuring 6,000 Bibles, a section of the Berlin Wall, and a seven-story sculpture of Jesus, known as the Christ of the Ozarks.

Another place of beauty in the city is Thorncrown Chapel, built in 1980. This non-denominational chapel is available to rent for weddings and is often open if you need a moment to rest and contemplate the beauty around you.

This year's visit was a walking one.  We toured the historic Catholic Church of  St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and we had coffee at The Daily Roast, a charming little cafe in a converted Victorian-era soda shop.  We wandered about the springs and looked at all the shops.  Or at least some of the shops. We went on a Tuesday, and like many places with weekend traffic, Eureka Springs is a little sleepy the first couple of days of the week.   

One of the great finds was the B-Side Cafe. Located in the back of Mojo Records, this quirky little cafe had one of the best meatball sliders I've ever had. 

We came back to NWA exhausted.  Eureka Springs is a steep little city, and you are definitely in for an urban hike, but I recommend visiting and can hardly wait until I get to go 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 currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the 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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