Eureka!

An Arkansas Town Provides a Great Escape

By Anne Braly

Texans have a love affair with Eureka Springs. Call it a backyard playground, an escape from the Texas heat or just a simple getaway that offers great food, mountain trails to explore and history to discover.

The Arkansas town is the top location for visitors from the Lone Star State, says Gina Rambo, publicist for the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission.

“It’s close enough to drive in one day or a quick flight,” she says. “Texans love Eureka Springs because it’s not like any other city they’ve ever visited. The city is filled with something for everyone, whether it’s shopping, fun events, outdoor adventures, or just some quiet and relaxation.”

Walk through the historic downtown and see its old buildings that now house art shops and gift stores. Visit some of the healing springs that brought people to the heart of the Ozark Mountains in the early 1800s to enjoy the experience. The springs, discovered by the Osage Indians who used to hunt the area, are no longer in use, but visitors can still look at them.

See & Do

Thorncrown Chapel:
Witness the miracle that went into building this mountainside chapel. The story goes that landowner Jim Reed ran out of money halfway through construction, got down on his knees, prayed and, within a few days, got the money he needed to complete his dream. Regardless of whether or not it was a miracle or just good luck, the chapel — with 425 windows and hundreds of tons of native stone — is a masterpiece of design, having won many national architecture awards. Services are held on Sundays, but any day of the week, you can stop in, sit and commune with God and nature. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Eureka Springs Historical Museum:
Learn about the town and its place in American and Arkansan history. Most exhibits have been donated by local citizens and give an idea of what Eureka Springs was like in decades gone by. This is a good place to start a tour because you learn a bit about the city before you walk around or hop on and off the excellent trolley system that runs around town. Trolley tickets are $6 for the entire day.

Crescent Hotel:
The oldest standing structure in town is also called the most haunted hotel in America. It opened in 1886 during the heyday of Eureka Springs, when folks descended on the town by the thousands, believing its mineral waters would cure all that ailed them. Once the popularity of the healing springs had waned, the hotel became a finishing school for girls. It then became a “hospital” when a man who claimed to have a cure for cancer purchased it. The numerous people who died here now supposedly haunt the place, and ghost tours are available. If you don’t believe in ghosts,

you can enjoy some livelier spirits at the bar and have a pizza or calzone up on the fourth floor next to the observation deck that is the highest point in the Ozark Mountains. The view, with the collosal, 66-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue cradled in the faraway mountains, is breathtaking.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge:
If you’re standing in downtown Eureka Springs and the wind is blowing in the right direction, there’s a chance you may hear a lion’s roar. It’s not an uncommon occurrence, as less than 10 miles away is one of the largest big-cat sanctuaries in the U.S. The 459-acre refuge, a top-10 attraction in Arkansas, is home to lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, and other mammals rescued from zoos and people who could no longer care for them. Take a guided tour, or you may even choose to stay on the property in one of the safari-themed lodges or a glamping tent.

A Taste of Eureka

Eating is a theme of any trip, and in Eureka Springs, you won’t go hungry. Although it’s a small town — population of under 3,000 — there are surprising, delicious eateries from which to choose that offer many options. Here are some favorites of locals and tourists alike.

Bombadil’s Cafe:
This casual cafe with an upscale, farm-to-table menu features local meats, such as a big strip steak with spicy harissa rub. Seafood Pontchartrain, the house favorite, is brimming with shrimp, crawfish, crab and scallops. Or try a down-home dinner like fried catfish with homestyle potatoes. The wine list is enticing, food presentations are nothing short of artistic, and the servers know their business.

Myrtie Mae’s:
It’s rare that a restaurant in a chain hotel can achieve the stellar reviews to place No. 1 on Trip Advisor's “best restaurants in Eureka Springs” list, but Myrtie Mae’s has done that. Its down-home cookingbrings locals and tourists by droves. This comfortable eatery, located off the lobby in the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, serves bodacious breakfasts and sandwiches, along with fried chicken that has achieved cult status.

Local Flavor:
Cuisines from around the world meet Eureka Springs at this popular restaurant. The decor of local art and vintage lamps matches its place in downtown’s historic district. Dine-in or al fresco and breathe in the mountain air. The menu features beautiful salads and sandwiches at lunch, adding heartier fare — steaks, pastas, and such — for dinner. Sundays bring the crowds for brunch favorites, including huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, quiche, and scrumptious gingerbread waffles. This is a restaurant where you’ll want to take your time and savor every bite, particularly the sesame-encrusted goat cheese that adorns the arugula salad.

Bavarian Inn Restaurant:
An Alpine exterior and warm interior — along with a menu of Jaeger schnitzel, brats, and the house favorite, sauerkraut soup — make you feel as if you’ve stepped into the heart of Bavaria. And don’t forget the apple strudel made from scratch.

Whether it’s writers conferences, theater productions, art gallery strolls, car shows or food events, there’s always something going on in Eureka Springs. For more information, as well as suggestions for overnight accommodations, visit Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge eurekasprings.org.