Eureka Springs Trip

[blake5676]

Searched for a thread and didn't see one although I'd guess this has been asked before. Wife and I are headed to Eureka Springs for a short weekend trip in a couple weeks. Never been but always heard good things about the town.

For those of you with knowledge/experience, what are the must do's while there? We're staying at the Crescent Hotel, which is apparently haunted and I think we're doing some sort of ghost tour. Other than that, pretty sure our itinerary is open. I've always heard there is good hiking trails in the area but haven't done much research yet. Have one recommendation to eat at Ermilio's for italian food as well so far. What am I missing?

[BigRichard]

Shopping, eating and the drive there, if you are on a motorcycle, is awesome.

[blake5676]

These are all the tips I was looking for...appreciate the input!

And I guess I need to research a little about the history of this place. Pretty unique to be super LGBT friendly, but also a biker town with some crazy religious culty vibes mixed in. Sound like the perfect town to get drunk in and see what happens.

[Renegade]

Mud Street Cafe for breakfast for sure

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by blake5676

These are all the tips I was looking for...appreciate the input!

And I guess I need to research a little about the history of this place. Pretty unique to be super LGBT friendly, but also a biker town with some crazy religious culty vibes mixed in. Sound like the perfect town to get drunk in and see what happens.

The Crescent Hotel itself has a crazy history. Some quack opened a cancer treatment hospital there in the 1930's and bilked people out of $. Story goes that when the patients would die they would remove the body in the middle of the night and have it cremated but he never told the families and kept collecting monthly payments for their "treatment". That supposed to be why its haunted.

Ironically he died of cancer after getting out of prison.

In 1937, it got a new owner, Norman G. Baker, who turned the place into a hospital and health resort. Baker, a millionaire inventor and radio personality, styled himself as a doctor, despite having had no medical training. He claimed to have discovered a number of "cures" for various ailments, including cancer, and launched frequent attacks on organized medicine, which he accused of being corrupt and profit-driven.[3]

Having been run out of Iowa for practicing medicine without a license, Baker moved his cancer patients to Arkansas and advertised his new health resort at the Crescent. His "cure" consisted primarily of drinking the area's natural spring water.[clarification needed] In 1940, federal charges were filed against Baker for mail fraud and he spent four years in prison.[3] The Crescent Hotel was left ownerless until 1946. In the spring of 1946, the Crescent Hotel was purchased by John R. Constantine, Herbert E. Shutter, Herbert Byfield, and Dwight Nichols. On March 15, 1967, the hotel was nearly burned to the ground. The only living owner at this time was Dwight Nichols.

[scho63]

You are officially the first person in 61 years of my life to plan a vacation in Eureka Springs, mention Eureka Springs or be brave enough to discuss Eureka Springs.

Hope where ever that is, what ever they have for excitement and what ever it costs all make you happy and a successful vacation!

[Eureka]

Eureka sucks. Wouldn't even trust that CP member.


I hear riding ATV's can be fun.

[blake5676]

Originally Posted by scho63

You are officially the first person in 61 years of my life to plan a vacation in Eureka Springs, mention Eureka Springs or be brave enough to discuss Eureka Springs.

Hope where ever that is, what ever they have for excitement and what ever it costs all make you happy and a successful vacation!

Not really what I would consider a vacation but a quick weekend trip without kids. We're going to a concert on Monday in Little Rock so we're going a few days early to do two days in Eureka Springs as we've always heard good things. I suppose its not a brothel so you're like not familiar

[PatMahomesIsGod]

The Crescent is a shithole in a bad location. Just do the ghost tour.

I like the New Orleans best. Chelsea’s is a cool bar and Local Flavor is a solid restaurant.

[Straight, No Chaser]

Originally Posted by scho63

You are officially the first person in 61 years of my life to plan a vacation in Eureka Springs, mention Eureka Springs or be brave enough to discuss Eureka Springs.

Hope where ever that is, whatever they have for excitement and what ever it costs all make you happy and a successful vacation!

Isn't Eureka Springs in ArrrKansas?

I was thinking it's a scaled-down version of the Ozark's best tourist trap: Branson.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by PatMahomesIsGod

The Crescent is a shithole in a bad location. Just do the ghost tour.

Sounds bates motel ish

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by PatMahomesIsGod

The Crescent is a shithole in a bad location. Just do the ghost tour.

I like the New Orleans best. Chelsea’s is a cool bar and Local Flavor is a solid restaurant.

Ehhh. The Crescent is far from a shit hole. The main disadvantage staying there is that it's not walkable to the rest of the town. That being said, they usually run shuttles. The location has its own charm, though... beautiful grounds on the top of the mountain with a view across to the Christ of the Ozarks. It also IS walkable to Ermilio's, which is one of their destination restaurants.

Most of the stuff has been covered by others in the thread by now. Thorncrown is definitely worth checking out (my wife and I got married there). Chelsea's for late-night booze and bands. If you're into beer, Gotahold brewery is exceptionally good.

[luv]

For me, Eureka Springs is three things:

1. Hiking
2. Shopping
3. Eating (if you feel like spending $$$$, I definitely recommend Le Stick Nouveau)

It's very hilly, so most things are a hike. Downtown, there are tons of unique shops. Great artists in that area. There are some quaint eateries. I forget the name of it, but there was a great little coffeehouse with breakfast with a blue awning.

[luv]

Originally Posted by Straight, No Chaser

Isn't Eureka Springs in ArrrKansas?

I was thinking it's a scaled-down version of the Ozark's best tourist trap: Branson.

No. I hate Branson. I love Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs is unique. Branson is a hellhole tourist trap.

[Jerm]

The Crescent is ****ing awesome...love that place, really enjoyed my stay there.

Eureka Springs is a bizarre place but in a cool way, just has a unique vibe.

[stanleychief]

The Grotto is nice for a good dinner with wine/cocktails. You'll probably need a reservation though. The Rouge, which was mentioned earlier is also a great spot for upscale food and drinks. Chelsea's usually has something going on when it comes to nightlife.

If you drive down on a motorcycle, or can rent one, you'll be glad you did. There are a lot of scenic rides down there, including the famous Pig Trail. Stop in the Cat House Lounge and ask a local and they will hook you up.