Wanting to know the best things to do in Eureka Springs? Are you putting together a fantastic itinerary for Arkansas? We have got you covered! Here we have put together a list of fun and interesting activities for all kinds of adventurers!
Eureka Springs has a rich history! Nestled within the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is home to a wealth of mineral springs and natural allure! It’s a hotspot for travelers wanting to experience a beautiful Victoria-era city center and the healing waters of the mineral springs!
Not only is Eureka Springs a perfect place to disconnect, it’s filled with artists! This is the perfect place for creatives to take a step back and relax!
So whether you’re in Arkansas for a glamping weekend with your girlfriends, or hoping through the state for the best waterfalls, or looking to take a dip at all the beaches in the state, Eureka Springs is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway in Arkansas! And we are here to help make your time in Eureka Springs amazing!
Take a seat and grab a drink while we walk you through our list of the best things to do in Eureka Springs!
This is truly one of the Best Towns In Arkansas That You Must Visit!!
15 Best Things To Do in Eureka Springs You Shouldn’t Miss!
Thorncrown Chapel
Located just 5 miles Northwest of Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is one of the best things to do in Eureka Springs!
The church was designed by Arkansan architect E. Fay Jones who was a protege of famous architect Frank Lloyd-Wright. The design was made to compliment the natural surroundings making it a woodland sanctuary perfect for all practitioners and travelers!
As one of the really unique things to do in Eureka Springs, the building itself stands at 48 feet tall and features a grand total of 425 windows! It was commissioned by Jim Reed who wanted to share the beautiful views of Arkansas with the Ozark visitors! Officially opening in 1980, this nondenominational church has seen more than 7 million visitors!
Admission to Thorncrown Chapel is free, so this is definitely one of the great options for free things to do in Eureka Springs, but they accept donations if you’re feeling generous! It is regularly booked for weddings so it’s afternoon hours are varied, but it is accessible for visitation from March to November with Sunday Services from April to December! It’s closed during January and February! Don’t forget to take pictures in this awesome structure!
Beaver Lake
Beaker Lake is a perfect option for what to do in Eureka Springs if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy the great outdoors!
It is an artificial reservoir that was created in the 1960’s by damming the White River and holds 28,000 acres of water! This is definitely one of the fun things to do in Eureka Springs if you’re looking to enjoy the best outdoor activities! There are tons of great scenic places to stop at for some memorable hikes and swim in gorgeous blue waters!
There are a lot of picnic tables and boat launches in the area! If you’re a cold water fishing fanatic, this is also a great spot for you! This is a very popular spot for other cold water fishers so definitely don’t skip Beaver Lake!
Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour
This haunted tour is definitely one of the best activities in Eureka Springs that you cannot miss out on!
It was built in 1886 and made to be the Crescent Hotel and Spa! It’s on the list of America’s Most Haunted Hotels, so if you’re a nut for the supernatural and need to feel the presence of ghosts this is definitely one of the best Eureka Springs activities for you! The hotel opened in the late 19th century and mixes French Renaissance and Richardson Romanesque architectural design!
The Tour guides lead in period clothing as they share stories of the Crescent Hotel and Spa’s history and walking you through the most haunted halls and rooms that the hotel has to offer. There are two tours, one for adults because it can get scarier and one that’s okay for children as well. Prices range from 15 to 27.50 depending on age!
Come check out the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour where you can feel the presence of ghosts who have haunted these hallowed halls for years! Ghosts including that of the stonemason who fell to his death during construction and a four-year-old who died during construction and even the hotel cat who was buried on the property!
Christ of the Ozarks
Christ of the Ozarks is definitely one fo the interesting things to do in Eureka Springs that you should make the effort to see.
It is a 65.5 foot (20m) statue of Jesus Christ that stands with his arms spread wide as if he were on the cross but without the physical cross, this is similar to Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and Christ the King in Poland! It is the work of Emmet Sullivan who worked on Arkansas Dinosaur World and assisted in the work at Mount Rushmore! This is definitely one of the attractions in Eureka Springs that you should consider!
There is no cost of admission to see Christ of the Ozarks so this is definitely one of the free things to do in Eureka Springs that you shouldn’t skip!
Mineral Springs
Eureka Springs gets it’s name from the 66 cold mineral springs that are encompassed in the town! You can’t visit the town without making an effort to see these unique places to visit in Eureka Springs!
These springs are historically thought to have healing powers and they are scattered throughout the city parks and gardens that were established to preserve them! Springs include Basin Spring which feeds a fountain in Basin Spring Park, Crescent Spring known for its Victoria gazebo and rock walls, and the Sweet Spring which is set amongst gorgeous flowers in the park!
Worried about missing any? Don’t stress! The city knows that the springs are one of the cool things to do in Eureka Springs so they have a comprehensive map so you can plan your own route or see the suggested ones they have!
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
Adjacent to the Crescent Hotel, the St Elizabeth Catholic Church is another architectural marvel that resides in Eureka Springs!
It’s architecture was inspired by the beautiful Hagia Sophia in Instanbul, and has several mentions in the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not publications due to it’s unique features! It’s singular entrance is through it’s bell tower, it has unique marble surfaces on its interior and pink-tinted ceilings! This with it’s gorgeous chandelier made with thousands of little crystals give it a very aesthetic and ethereal internal vibe to the auditorium!
It’s distance between the Crescent Hotel and the Church makes for a potentially spooky stroll! Wouldn’t that be one of the best things to do in Eureka Springs for adults? Crossing between church and a haunted building in the dark? Spooky!
Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down Music Theatre
The Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down Music Theatre is one of the best things to do in Eureka Springs at night!
It is a nightly variety show at a theatre on the east side of Eureka Springs! It’s be running for 40 years and features a must-see combination of country and gospel musical numbers and family-friendly comedy skits!
If you’re looking for ‘date night’ things to do in Eureka Springs for couples this is a great option! Shows run four nights a week with admission ranging between 10 to 35 dollars a ticket! They are active from April to November and make sure to buy your tickets in advance!
Eureka Springs Historical Museum
The Eureka Springs Historical Museum is housed in a beautiful three-story Victorian-era home that shows just how beautiful the town’s architectural legacy is. It was built in 1889 and is perfectly suited to a historical museum making it one of the best things to do in Eureka Springs
This museum shows off the evolution of Eureka Springs and covers significant historical events such as the mineral springs being discovered to when Eureka Springs was established as an artists paradise!
The museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts including instruments, travel memorabilia and photographs! This is a year round museum with a five dollar admission making it one of the cheap places to visit in Eureka Springs!
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Just 10 miles south of Eureka Springs Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a fun option for things to do near Eureka Springs!
This is a family-run nonprofit founded in the late 1970’s when three members of the Jackson family who took in an 8-month-old lion cub who was chained to a tree! This feline-focused habitat houses close to 100 rescued animals with an emphasis on tigers, lions, cougars and leopards! It is a home for animals in need, they do not offer tours to touch or feed the animals, but their tours are educational and the staff knows a lot about the cats they house!
Entry fee between 15 to 32 dollars includes an hourlong tour on a tram and wandering freely with a self-guided discovery area! This refuge also has on-site accommodation so you can make experience feel like a safari making this one of the unique things to do in Eureka Springs!
Onyx Cave Park
Next on our list of the best things to do in Eureka Springs is Onyx Cave Park!
This activity is perfect for those wilderness adventurers who want to discover the deep (or shallow) underbellies of the earth! Being less than 10 miles from this small town, this is definitely one of the things to do near Eureka Springs that you will never forget!
Onyx Cave Parks is a cave with layered rock formations made of natural flowstone! Flowstone is formed from minerals left behind from flowing water which is what gives it such cool and unique texture! Entrance is a very low fee from 3 to 7.50 with age requirements! Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the cave with headphones giving details, but there are activities such as axe throwing and gem panning nearby!
There is no requirement for cave-equipment because it’s an easy trek inside but take a sweater or jacket because it can get chilly inside!
Intrigue Theatre
Intrigue Theatre is another great options for things to do in Eureka Springs at night!
Intrigue Theatre is a combination of illusionist, medium and church-like theatre building that features gorgeous stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings and amazing entertainment to keep everyone having fun!
The theatre is headed by the dynamic duo of Illusionist Sean-Paul and private investigator turned clairvoyant Juliana Fay! The pair has toured everywhere together from the USS Oklahoma Submarine to the main stages of America’s Got Talent so you know they know how to put on a show!
This awesome option for things to do at night in Eureka Springs has shows five times a week and has an audience cap of 100 people due to theatre space! Their shows have great range of content from levitation to comedy sketches to other magic tricks that make it an amazing and entertaining event! Make sure to get your ticket in advance!
Quigley’s Castle
Quigley’s Castle is a unique destination that you shouldn’t miss!
It is Ozark’s strongest building as is the result of a nature-loving woman named Elise Quigley who demolished the previous house while her husband was away at work so he wouldn’t have any other choice but to help her build her dream home! What a woman! The house was designed to hold the maximum amount of greenery possible, it’s got such a great vibe you cannot miss out on this amazing place to see!
Quigley’s Castle features large gaps in between the flooring and the walls for plants to be placed, they stretch all the way to the study now! This house is an accumulation of an eclectic collection of plants and natural objects and integrate them into the houses structure! Elise collected until her passing in the 80’s.
The house is now managed by her grandchildren and is open from April to October every year! Check out this houses unique architecture and historical markers, don’t miss out on one of the best places to visit in Eureka Springs!
Underground Eureka Walking Tour
The Underground Eureka Walking Tour gives you a new perspective on the history and folklore of one of the most fascinating cities in Arkansas!
The tour is 17.50 for anyone over the age of 12, anyone 12 and under is free with a paid adult ticket! The tour discusses the origins of the healing waters and the sacred Indian Spring, as well as teaching about the people who have passed through such as Alva Jackson and Norman Baler, and the Starr gang and bank robbers!
As one of the unique things to do in Eureka Springs this is perfect for people who are okay going underground and (maybe) seeing some spookiness! It is a 75 minute tour and does not promise ghosts but anything underground can give off that vibe! Don’t miss out on the historical character’s coming to life and spilling the secrets of Eureka Springs!
War Eagle Cavern
If you’re looking for another of the outdoor things to do in Eureka Springs, War Eagle Cavern is a great option!
It is stroller and handicap accessible and has pet-friendly tours available! It has beautiful nature trails and lake views with unique activities for the whole family to try! There are guided tours available for different skill levels, the first only goes a little bit into the cave and along the edge of the stream so you have the option to take children. There is another portion of the cave that needs more experienced equipment but there are guides for this as well!
As one of the best activities in Eureka Springs, War Eagle Cavern has admission available from 12 to 35 dollars a person and depending on your tour! It’s home to bats and salamanders so keep an eye out!
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway
Last but not least, The Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway is a perfect option for things to in Eureka Springs for couples!
The track is a unique excursion train that takes you on a scenic 45-mile ride into the Ozarks on a vintage 1940’s era diesel engine locomotive! This is one of the many unique things to do in Eureka Springs that you definitely should be looking into. Tickets range from around 43.50 but there are different tour programs so look into what interests you!
There is a lunch and dinner train service available in the 1920’s style dining car, both come with a full meal service! Children under 5 cannot take the dinner train but are welcome on the lunch trip!
This excursion train is an hourlong and features great commentary from the on-board conductor! It operates from May to October so don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Eureka Springs!
We hope you’re getting excited about exploring those gorgeous Ozark Mountains! After you’ve seen our list of the best things to do in Eureka Springs, all you have to decide is when you’ll be going! We have an awesome article on how to make the most out of fall in Arkansas! Take advantage of Eureka Springs’ natural surroundings by checking out the near by State Parks and all the unique hiking trails!
Now that you’ve seen some of the things to do in Eureka Springs, what are you going to do first?
17 Best Things To Do In Boone NC (Blue Ridge, Dining, + More!)