Escape To Eureka Springs This Fall

Autumn was simply made for weekend getaways. The air is crisp and fragrant, festivals run rampant, and the fall foliage is simply stunning as it changes from green to brilliant hues of gold, red and yellow. This is particularly true as you drive toward northern Arkansas. 

Eureka Springs is an oasis in the midst of the Ozark Mountains. Here, artists congregate to create everything from quilts to paintings. Musicians gather for jam sessions in the park. And the enticing aroma of delicious food emanates from every direction.

This past weekend, hordes of travelers ascended the mountain and gathered in the village for the Eureka Springs Jazz Festival. Legendary band Spyro Gyra arrived in town after a day of great jazz. Visitors watched along stone walls or sitting on the edge of a fountain while musicians played in the outdoor amphitheater.

But what can you do if you missed the festival? There are always tours to be taken, like the ghost tour at the Crescent Hotel, which is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in America. However, if you visit during the day, you can explore the gorgeous gardens and go inside to peek at the lovely antiques of the old place.

If ghosts aren't your thing, hop aboard the tram tour and visit the historic homes that line the narrow streets of the entire town. You'll learn a great deal about when the town was founded, and what brought people to this part of the state in the first place.

Of course, there is always loads of shopping to do in tiny shops that are reminiscent of those you might find in New Orleans, where local art is displayed, handmade lace is draped in windows, or funky clothes can be purchased for next to nil.

There are also delicious eats to be had too. Head on over to the Local Flavor Cafe for a hearty breakfast made from locally sustainable foods, nibbling above the main drag of the city, watching the passersby as light filters through the windows.

Craving something spicy? Head over to Casa Colina Mexican Grille and Cantina where the margaritas are big and stout, the food is piping hot and served in abundance, and where the ambiance is just right as you sit beneath the colorful lights on the outdoor patio as the creatures of the surrounding forest begin a symphony of night sounds to remind you that you are indeed in the Ozarks.

Escape to Eureka Springs this fall and fall in love with nature, relax, and let nature nurture your soul before you have to return to civilization and another day at the office.