Eureka Springs in the Ozark Mountains

Eureka Springs is located in northwest Arkansas. It is a resort city that was named due to the many mineral pools surrounding it. Visitors also enjoy seeing the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

Thorncrown Chapel is a 48-foot-tall wooden structure. It is an amazing place to worship. The chapel is surrounded by forest and has 425 windows as well as 6,000 square feet of glass. It was designed by American architect and designer E. Fay Jones. Public Sunday services are held between April and December and can be rented for weddings all year round. The chapel is closed during January and February.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a big cat sanctuary and also includes other large animals. These animals have been abandoned, abused, and neglected among them are tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. There are some bears and bobcats. Visitors can interact with the animals and learn more about their species, Guided tours are available and on weekends there are behind-the-scenes tours. The refuge hosts various events during the year. Lodging opportunities are available like a family-friendly treehouse and an adults-only safari lodge.

One of the most amazing attractions in Eureka Springs is the 67-foot-tall monument Christ of the Ozarks. The monument stands on Magnetic Mountain. Pedestrian paths lead to the base. On the grounds are other buildings and points of interest including a section of the Berlin Wall from Berlin, Germany.

The Great Passion Play is an epic drama about the death and resurrection of Christ. The play is performed in an outdoor amphitheater and the production is based on Old Testament prophesies and New Testament accounts during the last seven days of Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout the year numerous performances are given on a multi-level stage with live animals and 150 trained actors. You can take part in the Holy Land Tour with life-sized replicas of the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem and an authentic marketplace.

There are mountain bike trails, the Noah's Ark petting zoo, and a Sacred Arts Museum.

A central attraction in Eureka Springs is the historic downtown district. Spring and Main Streets are lined with Victorian architecture. There are shops to explore, dining places, and places for evening entertainment.

The Eureka Springs Transit is an open-air tram that is a great way to see the sites.

Basin Springs Park is a central downtown park with a fountain, benches to rest upon, and a bandshell. Walking tours are available. The park hosts community celebrations and holiday festivals.

Beaver Lake is one of the best recreational lakes in the Eureka Springs area. It offers over 480 miles of shoreline. There are limestone cliffs, forestland, and caves to explore. People enjoy picnicking here and even taking boats out onto the lake. Recreation includes hiking, swimming, fishing, and scuba diving. Surrounding marinas offer boat rentals and fishing guides. There are small public swimming beaches, campsites, and playgrounds.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a landmark in the city and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The walkway leading to the church is lined with the Stations of the Cross. Visitors enter the church through a bell tower. At the side of the building is a small prayer garden.

Eureka Springs is surrounded by three lakes and two rivers offering natural beauty among the Ozark Mountains. People enjoy walking, hiking, and biking along the nature trails. There are over 66 natural springs within city limits and beyond.

Black Bass Lake has miles of trails leading through the woods and along rock formations. Visitors can stay in luxury log cabins in the woods.

The Cinnamon Valley offers two spring-fed lakes and walking trails. There are cabins to rent.

Quigley's Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was once the dream home of an Italian immigrant named Elise Quigley. The house is surrounded by perennial gardens with paths and benches. Inside the castle are full-sized tropical plants and trees grown from natural ground soil on the first floor. It is open from March through November and visitors can take a self-guided tour. Tours take place both inside and outside.

Blue Springs Heritage Center has lovely gardens. Before becoming a tourist attraction the spring was considered a sacred place for local and traveling Native Indian tribes. There are artifacts and exhibits throughout the park.

Traveling Through Arkansas

Whitaker Point is a beautiful place in Kingston that has appeared in Disney movies. Through the generations, this old outcrop has seen many couples kissing. The views all around are amazing. It is a wonderful place to visit but you have to be careful since the edge of the rock is steep and narrow. It has become a popular hiking route.

Roark’s Bluff in northwest Arkansas with a trail along the Buffalo River. It offers wonderful views and during high water, there are two magnificent waterfalls – Roark Bluff Falls and V Notch Falls.

Petit Jean State Park has 21 miles of hiking trails with untamed bluffs and caves. Throughout the area, you can find log and stone facilities. It is a wonderful place to commune with nature.

Mount Magazine in Paris stands over 2,750 feet tall. It’s the highest mountain in Arkansas. At the top are two peaks and below are broad river valleys. There is a lot of birdlife among the trees here. You’ll find that popular activities include camping, hiking trails, overlooks, and a picnic area.

The visitor center and lodge feature an exhibit gallery, a gift shop, and the Skycrest Restaurant with large bay windows. Those who enjoy extreme sports can rock climb, hang glide, mountain bike, and horseback riding.

Devil’s Den State Park is hidden in Ozark Valley. It is surrounded by Ozark National Forest and dissected by Lee Creek. Lake Devil was created by a native stone dam.

Lake Ouachita has almost 1,000 miles of shoreline and 40,000 acres of pristine water. It is a great place for water sports and fishing. You can also water ski, dive, and go boating. You can explore the Ouachita National Forest.

The Buffalo River flows through Arkansas passing huge bluffs, craggy outcrops, and wild state forests. Along the river, you can experience the adventure of wild white rapids and calm ebbing pools. You’ll also find lovely waterfalls. Between Ponca and Kyles Landing, you’ll find a section of the Buffalo River that has been deemed to be the most scenic. This stretch cuts through rough, mountainous terrain. There are sharp rock outcrops, massive bluffs, and lovely foliage.

Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs in the Ouachita Mountains has old bathhouses that are still used and the historic Fordyce Bathhouse is now the visitor center. There is an observation tower, hiking trails, and different hot springs to experience.

Garvan Woodland Gardens just about 10 miles south of Hot Springs is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, There are different plots, overlooks, and scenic structures. To begin exploring stop by the Pratt Welcome Center and see the resident peacocks.

Other highlights include the Evan Children’s Adventure Garden, the Chipmunk Café, and the Anthony Chapel with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Mammoth Spring State Park is located in the town of Mammoth. It is home to one of the largest springs in the U.S. In the park, you can see a restored 1886 train depot and a Frisco Railroad caboose. There is an interpretive hiking trail that includes a path across the dam. You can get a look a the out-of-service hydroelectric state. There are covered pavilions that can be rented for events.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville has one of the largest collections of American art under one roof. There are temporary and permanent exhibits. Artwork by such notable artists as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Georgia O’Keefe. The Crystal Brides has over three miles of trails and you can take a leisurely stroll along the Art Trail.

Please follow the link below to read about the capital of Arkansas, Little Rock:

https://vocal.media/wander/little-rock-on-the-arkansas-river