The Ozarks are full of fabulous places to spend the day. Table Rock Lake, Roaring River State Park, Silver Dollar City, the list goes on and on. If you’re looking for a unique day trip from Branson that is sure to be as enjoyable as it is memorable, plan a visit to Eureka Springs, Arkansas! You’ll want to visit this ‘extraordinary escape’ again and again.
Many folks refer to Eureka Springs, Arkansas as a Victorian Mountain Village. Located in Carroll County, Arkansas, this unique resort village is nestled deeply into the Ozark mountains. Winding streets are dotted with Victorian-era style houses that are built into the forested hillsides. No two streets intersect at a 90 degree angle in Eureka Springs, making traffic lights unnecessary.
Native American legend tells of a great healing spring in what is now modern day Eureka Springs – that legend is what first began drawing people to the now famous area. In the 1800s, Eureka Springs became a boomtown thanks to claims that the many springs in the area were successful cure to various ailments – everything from eye ailments to diseases that left victims crippled. The town’s popularity continued to grow and today, it has become one of America’s most quaint tourist destinations ever. It has been named one of the Top 25 Art Towns in America by the American Style magazine, and the town is also one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Eureka Springs was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and was listed again as nationally significant in 2004, and is also the oldest Tree City USA in Arkansas.
Eureka Springs is full of arts, good food and lodging ranging from luxurious to rustic. Whatever your tastes are, this quaint mountain village is sure to have something to suit your style! Eureka Springs features fun things to do such as a ‘full sized train set’ along one of the main highways, an exotic wildlife refuge, tram tours, carriage tours, wineries with tasting rooms, horseback riding through the beautiful Ozark mountains and past some of the famous springs, and more! If it’s food you are after, Eureka Springs has many great restaurants for you to choose from – Rouges Manor at Sweet Springs is a fancy restaurant located in a historic house next to the historic Sweet Springs, serving seafood, steaks, pasta and other fine entrees. Myrtie Mae’s is a traditional eat stop that features hearty breakfasts, tasty lunch and dinner options, homemade desserts and ‘the most bountiful salad bar in Eureka Springs!’ Skybar Gourmet Pizza is located on the fourth floor of the historic Crescent Hotel and serves specialty pizzas and Italian sandwiches to its customers. Eureka Springs is also full of unique stores, carrying everything from antiques to jewelry to furniture.
Eureka Springs is also a popular place for weddings – it’s easy to see why couples are attracted to this lovely town! In fact, it is referred to as the ‘Wedding Capital of the South’ and hosts over 4,000 weddings a year. If the quaint charm of Eureka Springs wasn’t enough, the fact that it is a quaint town full of wedding professionals to help plan your special day makes it even better!
In short, Eureka Springs is a truly interesting town – if you’re looking for a unique and memorable day trip from Branson, look no farther than Eureka Springs, Arkansas!
