Eureka Springs ???

[BB_TX]

I don't know a better place for info than here on TBN. My wife and I are planning a short trip up thru Arkansas next month with a couple days in Eureka Springs. Have not been there in many years. We are considering staying at one of the old historic hotels there. Anyone know anything about these, pros and cons of any/all? I have heard of the Palace, Basin Park, Cresent, Grand Central, but know nothing about any of these. Any help appreciated.

 

[Chuck52]

I think the one we stayed at was the Crescent....isn't that the one on top of the hill? Neat place with a pretty good restaurant, though I can't say our room was particularly luxurious, especially the bathroom. I think they have a varied selection of rooms, and perhaps views and descriptions are available on the web. If you don't stay there, the bar on the roof is kind of neat for a place to sit and sip and enjoy the view off the balcony. It overlooks the whole town.

There are lots of shops selling junk now....many more than I remember from about 20 odd years ago when we first visited. There are also some quality items available, like good quilts and artwork and stuff, but the prices can be interesting. It seemed to me also that there is less to see in town, somehow, than when we saw it years ago. Maybe I'm just harder to impress.

Chuck

 

[Golfgar4]

We haven't ever stayed in any of the hotels or bed and breakfasts there, so I can't help you out there. But we always make sure to get down there for at least one day while we're in Branson.

We've only been there maybe 4 or 5 times since we've been going down, so I can't respond to Chuck's comment about there being less to do. We always enjoy it and can easily spend the entire day there. We especially like the art galleries.

After walking up and down the hills all the other times, we finally got wise and bought tickets for the trolley on our last visit thios past September. It sure makes getting around a whole lot easier. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If I had any complaints, other than the number of other tourists, it would be that we never really seemed to find what "we guys" would prefer in an eating establishments. Every place we ever ate seemed to be one of these "Tea Rooms" the ladies like. The food was alright, but you couldn't find yourself a nice, juicy burger. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I did spot an Italian restaurant that I talked the wife into trying, only to find it was closed. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif This is, of course, right downtown in the old district.

Don't forget, though, you can take the trolley all over the place and save on having to try to drive. There are some real nice places out away from the old district that you should make it a point to see also. Sorry that I can't recall their names. I'll check with the wife and see if she remembers.

If we had planned on staying more just than the 1 day, we would for sure have used the trolley to get around.

Have fun and enjoy! When we were there in September was just about the perfect time. Crowds were very light because it was just a couple weeks after Labor Day but well before Halloween, so there was bit of a lull in tourist traffic. Made it really enjoyable! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We haven't ever stayed in any of the hotels or bed and breakfasts there )</font>

Me, neither, but did spend part of a day there in 1960 and again in 1975. I'll bet it's changed a bit since then. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JerryG]

The Crescent is the one at the top with a great view. It is nicer and where I would stay in if I were choosing for the historic ones.

 

[Chuck52]

I didn't mean to sound quite so down on the place. I think it might be that when we visited in the early 80's I was really impressed with the number of springs. It wasn't quite so touristy back then, but that applies to pretty much anywhere you'd care to go these days.

We had a good time when we were there in fall of 2003. We liked the Crescent, but were a bit surprised at the lack of luxury in our room. We did like the restaurant, though. Breakfast was especially good. They make a version of eggs Benedict with polenta-style grits substituting for the English muffin. We had at least one really good dinner there, too, though I can't recall details of the menu. There is another restaurant within an easy walk that served nice Italian.

Chuck