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Arkansas, United States

Eureka Springs

Overnight here: a morning in the steep Victorian streets, an afternoon at Thorncrown and the lake, dinner downtown. Below: 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Eureka Springs fits into a longer trip.

Plan Eureka Springs with friendsBrowse 9 places
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, United States
Places
9

4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Ozarks Hidden Gems

Best season
Apr – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

33°C / 91°F avg high

Coolest month
January

6°C / 43°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 149 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Eureka Springs

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Eureka Springs across West of town, Historic Downtown and Historic Loop. 2 of them are free.

  • Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Clinton Steeds · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Thorncrown Chapel

    Fay Jones's glass-and-timber chapel set in the forest.

    Tip Open daily in season; go early to have it quiet.

    • West of town
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Basin Spring Park in Eureka SpringsPhoto: FENG GAO · Google
    See

    Basin Spring Park

    Small park at the center of the historic district where the town began.

    Tip Start a walking loop of Spring and Main streets here.

    • Historic Downtown
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Afternoon
  • Crescent Hotel in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Alan Islas · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Crescent Hotel

    1886 hilltop hotel with views and nightly ghost tours.

    Tip Book the evening ghost tour; the rooftop bar has views.

    • Historic Loop
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening
  • Eureka Springs Historical Museum in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Julie Heeren · Google
    See

    Eureka Springs Historical Museum

    Town history from Victorian spa days in an 1889 stone building.

    Tip Allow 45 minutes; small entry fee.

    • Historic Downtown
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Midday

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Eureka Springs in South of town.

  • Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge LLC. · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

    Sanctuary for rescued big cats with guided tours.

    Tip Take the guided tour; feeding times are lively.

    • South of town
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Eureka Springs.

  • Lake Leatherwood City Park in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Lake Leatherwood City Park · Google
    Outdoors

    Lake Leatherwood City Park

    Spring-fed lake with hiking and mountain biking trails close to town.

    Tip Hike the lake loop trail; rentals in summer.

    • West of town
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Eat

2 places to eat in Historic Downtown, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Local Flavor Cafe in Eureka SpringsPhoto: marc maccallum · Google
    Eat

    Local Flavor Cafe

    Main Street café with a balcony over the street, good for brunch.

    Tip Ask for balcony seating.

    • Historic Downtown
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Brunch
  • Mud Street Cafe in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Andrea Waagen · Google
    Eat

    Mud Street Cafe

    Below-street-level café in an old building, known for breakfasts and coffee.

    Tip Breakfast and lunch only; arrive early.

    • Historic Downtown
    • $
    • 45 min
    • Breakfast

Drink

1 bar or café in Hwy 62 West for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Gotahold Brewing in Eureka SpringsPhoto: Tony Mays · Google
    Drink

    Gotahold Brewing

    Craft brewery with a wooded beer garden and live music.

    Tip Take the trolley from downtown; check hours first.

    • Hwy 62 West
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon

How to fit Eureka Springs into a trip

Eureka Springs is stop 3 of 3 on our Ozarks Hidden Gems route. Follow it as-is or lift Eureka Springs into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Eureka Springs month by month

Average daily highs run from 6°C / 43°F in January to 33°C / 91°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 149 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Eureka Springs weather and the best time to visit →

Near Eureka Springs

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Eureka Springs questions, answered

How many days do you need in Eureka Springs?

Our route notes suggest a morning in Eureka Springs. On our Ozarks Hidden Gems route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 11 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Eureka Springs best known for?

Overnight here: a morning in the steep Victorian streets, an afternoon at Thorncrown and the lake, dinner downtown. Standouts on our list: Thorncrown Chapel (Fay Jones's glass-and-timber chapel set in the forest); Basin Spring Park (Small park at the center of the historic district where the town began); Crescent Hotel (1886 hilltop hotel with views and nightly ghost tours).

When is the best time to visit Eureka Springs?

Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route is best Apr – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (33°C / 91°F), the coolest in January (6°C / 43°F) and the most rain in May (about 149 mm).

What are the best things to do in Eureka Springs?

Start with Thorncrown Chapel, Basin Spring Park, Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs Historical Museum and Lake Leatherwood City Park. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Eureka Springs?

Our picks: Local Flavor Cafe (Historic Downtown); Mud Street Cafe (Historic Downtown). Ask for balcony seating (Local Flavor Cafe).

What is near Eureka Springs?

The closest destinations in our guides are Branson (about 54 km / 33 mi), Springfield (about 98 km / 61 mi) and Tulsa (about 204 km / 127 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Eureka Springs with your crew

Open the Ozarks Hidden Gems route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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