Editor’s Pick · Destination Guide
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a Victorian resort town in the Ozark Mountains whose entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a historic district. Visitors walk its winding streets past historic springs, take ghost tours at the 1886 Crescent Hotel, visit Thorncrown Chapel, designed by E. Fay Jones, and drive Ozark roads that typically show peak fall color in late October.
Official visitor informationThere is hardly a straight street in Eureka Springs. Roads switch back up steep Ozark hillsides, stone staircases connect one level of town to the next, and Victorian storefronts lean into the slope as if they grew there. Water started it all: in the late 1800s, visitors flocked to the springs believed to have healing powers, and a resort town rose almost overnight around them.
Today the springs still flow in little parks and grottos, the gingerbread trim is freshly painted, and the grand 1886 Crescent Hotel watches over everything from the top of the hill. Eureka Springs is our Editor's Pick for quirky, romantic and slightly spooky small-town travel in the Ozarks.
Why is Eureka Springs worth visiting?
Eureka Springs is one of the most distinctive small towns in the South, with a downtown so well preserved that the whole historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It mixes Victorian architecture, art galleries, live music, spa traditions and outdoor adventure in the surrounding Ozarks.
The town is also known for its welcoming, independent spirit, with locally owned shops, restaurants and a busy calendar of festivals much of the year.
When is the best time to visit Eureka Springs?
Fall is the most popular season, thanks to Ozark foliage and cool weather. Spring brings blooms and wildflowers, summer brings lake days nearby, and winter is quiet with holiday lights.
- Spring: Dogwoods and redbuds bloom across the hills, and gardens around the historic homes come alive.
- Summer: Warm, green and lively. Nearby Beaver Lake and the White River offer swimming, boating and fishing.
- Fall: Ozark color typically peaks in late October into early November. Weekends fill quickly, so book ahead.
- Winter: Holiday decorations and lights brighten downtown, and the off-season brings quieter streets and cozy inns.
Is the Crescent Hotel really haunted?
The Crescent Hotel bills itself as America's Most Haunted Hotel, and its ghost tours are among the town's most popular attractions. Whether you believe or not, the building's history makes for an eerie evening.
Opened in 1886 as a luxury resort, the Crescent later served as a school for young women and, in the late 1930s, as a so-called cancer hospital run by Norman Baker, a con man with no medical training. The hotel's tours explore the stories of its spirits and end in the old morgue. Tours range from family-friendly kids' tours to late-night investigations; check the hotel's website for current schedules and tickets.
What are the top things to do in Eureka Springs?
Historic Downtown and the springs
Stroll Spring Street and Main Street, past shops, galleries and the springs that gave the town its name. Basin Spring Park, in the heart of downtown, is a gathering spot and a lovely place to start.
Thorncrown Chapel
Designed by Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, a former apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, this soaring wood-and-glass chapel opened in 1980 in the woods just west of town. With 425 windows, it seems to dissolve into the forest around it.
The Historic Loop and trolley
A scenic route circles through the historic district past Victorian homes and churches. Parking is limited downtown, so the town trolley is an easy way to get around.
Lakes and rivers
Beaver Lake, with its clear water and limestone bluffs, is a short drive away, and the King's River and White River are popular with paddlers and anglers.
Where should you eat and stay in Eureka Springs?
Dining ranges from cafes and bakeries to farm-to-table restaurants, cozy bistros and rooftop patios with hillside views. Lodging is a highlight: historic hotels, Victorian bed-and-breakfasts, cabins in the woods, cottages and motels. Staying at a historic hotel puts you right in the middle of the ghost stories.
How do you get to Eureka Springs?
Eureka Springs is in Carroll County in northwest Arkansas, on U.S. Highway 62. Northwest Arkansas National Airport is roughly an hour's drive away, and Springfield, Missouri, is about two hours. Expect winding, two-lane mountain roads on the final approach.
Plan your visit
- Official visitor site: VisitEurekaSprings.com for lodging, events, dining and trolley information
- Best for: Victorian architecture, ghost tours, fall color, art and romance
- Tip: Wear comfortable shoes; the streets and stairs are steep
Find more Editor's Pick guides in our destinations directory, or browse more haunted and paranormal travel.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Eureka Springs, Arkansas known for?
- Eureka Springs is known for its Victorian downtown built on steep Ozark hillsides, its historic springs, the haunted 1886 Crescent Hotel and Thorncrown Chapel.
- Does the Crescent Hotel offer ghost tours?
- Yes. The Crescent Hotel offers ghost tours that explore its history and end in the old morgue, plus kids' tours and late-night investigations. Check the hotel's site for schedules.
- When is the best time to see fall color in Eureka Springs?
- Ozark fall color around Eureka Springs typically peaks from late October into early November, depending on the weather that year.
- Who designed Thorncrown Chapel?
- Thorncrown Chapel was designed by Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, who apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright. It opened in 1980 and features 425 windows.
- What is the closest airport to Eureka Springs?
- Northwest Arkansas National Airport is the closest major airport, roughly an hour's drive away. Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri is another option.