Stonegate Inn

Go to the down town area. It...

by brdwtchr

Go to the down town area. It feels like you are stepping into an 1890 town. The entire town of Eureka Springs is on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking the streets of down town and shopping at the endless specialty shops. Shopping and buying tastey snacks and enjoying the atmosphere with my loving wife was a lot of fun.

Berryville Town

by BruceDunning

This old town has some history and a couple of museums on the square. It is close to Eureka Springs being about 12 miles east. The preserved square is really nice to see.
The museum of the local culture is more interesting than a lot of other comparables. The County Museum entry is $2 and well worth that charge. It started in 1955 with dedicated citizens and it grew. They have two full floors of stuff and artifacts and antiques mostly locals donated. REplicated rooms from the 19th and early 1900's are displayed, and piled with memorabilia. Such as school room, doctor room, food store, courtroom hall, kitchen, etc.
SAunders charge is $5 and not so sure that price commanded the sites. Open 10-5 Mon-SAt and on the square at 115 E. Madison. One half was of guns and weapons, while the rest was of variety of pieces he obtained in world travels. It is kind of small museum, so what to see for the price is questionable

Trains galore

by Restless-in-kl

The collection of vintage rolling stock at ES&NA is one of the Ozarks' largest, and all the authentic railroad memorabilia is here to re-create the turn-of-the-century era and give modern visitors a taste of how it was when rail service brought the first visitors to Eureka Springs in 1883.

From the first rumble of the engine and clanging of the bell to call boarders, it's an exciting adventure and the ultimate nostalgia trip right down to the last blowing of the horn.

For those interested in...

by brdwtchr

For those interested in history or the Civil War you will be close to Pea Ridge National Military Park.
It has a visitor center and a museum. You take a self guided driving tour and stop at different points of interest to learn about the largest Civil War battle to take place in the West.

Eureka Springs

by GeneralTsao

"Look past the tourist trap"

While in Eureka Springs, you will be assaulted with all the regular tourist trap stuff.

However, if you look beyond the bungee jumping, the roasted almonds, and souvenir shops, you will discover a town with fascinating history.

As with most places, the names of the town and streets are clues to their history.

For Eureka Springs, however, it's no mystery. This town has several natural springs which are marked with placards along the streets.

However, if you're up in the tourist trap, you're going to miss most of them. In other words, take the back roads.

A little bit of research will teach you that Eureka was once a traveler's hot spot because of their springs, which were believed to be medicinal--and medicine was hard to come by in the pioneer days.

Many of this mountain town's streets are one lane--just as they were 150 years ago. This is part of the appeal of Eureka Springs to me. I like the way so much is unchanged (but you have to look for these areas).

"Historical Crescent Hotel"

I stayed at the Crescent Hotel, even though it was overpriced and I didn't have much money.

Of my three nights in Eureka, I spent one night at Crescent Hotel just for the experience.

The Crescent is the oldest hotel and possibly the oldest business in town.

Its lobby is beautiful, if you like older style tile floors, and fancy wood moldings. You could really feel the history there.

The room I had was kind-of a dive. I do not know for sure, but I think that the room's bathroom was added decades after the hotel was built.

As you probably know, hotels used to have a common bath and not one in each room.

The night I stayed at the Crescent, I took the liberty of wandering the halls and opening doors which were unlocked.

Lo, and behold, I found an access door to the roof! Now, I'm a firm believer in the concept that it's much easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission so I opened that door and stayed on the roof for 20 minutes taking in the whole town.