Eureka Springs Vacation

Chris & I just returned from a weeks vacation in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

This trip was actually my first visit to Eureka since I was a kid. I really don't know why I haven't been back since as it is only a 4 hour drive from Little Rock. It wouldn't be that long of a drive if Eureka wasn't in such a mountainess location and much of the trip involves speed limits of 20 to 45 MPH speed limits.

The settlement of Eureka Springs began as a healing center in the mid nineteenth century and Eureka was incorporated in 1879 as the fourth largest city in Arkansas. Eureka Springs doesn't have near that level of population now. Eureka Springs has some of the best examples of victorian architecture of anywhere I have ever been.

Eureka is built on the steep hills and valleys in the area where there were many springs. You can still visit many of the springs. The center of the downtown historic district is Basin Spring park. Because the terrain of Eureka is so steep much ingenuity was used in building. Many of the downtown buildings are one or two storys on their facing street and as much as 5 or 6 storys from the rear. The Basin Park Hotel is listed in Ripleys believe it or not as being the only 8 story hotel where every level has a ground floor entrance.

Eureka is also on such steep terrain that there are no right angle intersections. Almost all of the intersections are "Y" intersections. Driving in Eureka can be a bit of a challange. Even on US Highway 62 the speed limit averages 35 mph. When you get off the highway the top speed is 25 mph and in most of downtown the speed limit is 15 mph. When you get into the residential district top speed drops to 10 mph. There are many one way streets in Eureka Springs and this is because the roads are too narrow for two way traffic.

I would not advise anyone to drive in Eureka on the weekends. You can park your car at your Hotel and almost never drive anyway. Eureka has the most wonderful public transit system for a small town. Their trolley system runs 5 seperate lines and the longest wait time for any line is 25 minutes. You can get within a few blocks of anywhere in the city limits by trolley. For tourists you can purchase a day pass for the trolly for $4.00 or a 2 day pass for $6.00. There is a monthly pass available for locals. Another great reason for not driving in Eureka is that there are not very many places to park. Also, you cannot park for free downtown anywhere except at night.

I will be including many pictures and comments in future posts!