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Tourist Talk
"Tourist Talk"
08-10-2002, 04:39 PM
Can someone tell me what Eureka Springs has to offer for shopping/dining, etc., and how far it is from Branson?
08-10-2002, 08:30 PM
Eureka Springs is a neat little town! It's about an hour from Branson, and they have a lot of antique, and gift shops downtown.
There is a hotel there that was in Ripley's Believe it or Not. Because all eight (or is it nine) floors are on 'ground level'. You just have to see it to know what I mean.
There used to be an excursion train. I'm not sure if it's still there or not.
There is also the Great Passion Play, and Thorn Crown Chapel, that are worth seeing!
If you've never been, it is worth the trip, in my opinion!
08-10-2002, 08:44 PM
Eureka Springs is a neat place. In my opinion it is not like Branson at all. It does offer lots of shopping, and The Great Passion Play and Holy Land Tour are awesome. I could spend lots of time looking around there by itself. Eureka Springs does offer some different dining experiences. For example... one of the last times we ate there we went to a German restaurant. That was neat. The whole town just has a different "feel" to it than Branson. Some of the historic loop is very narrow and windy. Was glad to be in a Geo Metro that day... especially when we met a trolly. You can get just about anywhere via trolly. Not sure that isn't the best way. At the Cresent Hotel you can take a ride in a horse drawn carriage. Very romantic. One thing I didn't see a lot of was go- cart tracks, putt putt... that type of stuff. Maybe just one or two places. If you like to shop... this is the place for you! Oh... one other thing... if you plan on going.. especially on a weekend... I suggest reserving a room. A lot of weekends they have special events going on in town and rooms book up fast. Some months it is every weekend. This has just been my experience.... others may offer better and different advice. Have a great time!
08-10-2002, 09:21 PM
I will add my two cents too. Eureka Springs is what I would consider an artist community. It is kind of old meets the new. The town is filled with victorian style homes and buildings done in the colors of the victorian period. The artists are what I would consider kind of "new age". I like to drive around there and look at the residential houses. I found a place there that is a writer's colony where writers can go and be "inspired". I also like to check out what kinds of yard ornaments they have outside of their homes. You find statues of different types of gods, and all different types of modern art. Very interesting! :) As far as food you won't find many chain restaurants but they still have Pizza Hut and a victorian style McDonalds. They do have shows in Eureka Springs. The only show I have seen there is "Pine Mountain Jamboree". This a music show that has lots of different variety. I would liken it to Presleys in Branson. Speaking of Presleys, the entertainers that own and sing in the "Pine Mountian Jamboree" are cousins to the Presleys. They are the Drennons and you can see how they favor each other. Here is a link to the show and when the page opens the guy standing to the left of the girl dressed in blue is one of the Drennons. Also when the page opens scroll to the very bottom and there are links there to Eureka Springs. http://www.pinemountainjamboree.com There are other shows to including the "Passion Play". I have never seen it but plan on doing so sometime. I don't think the shows are Branson quality but they are still very enjoyable :) As far as lodging, Eureka Springs has ample. They have always appeared to me to be very nice. They always look nice and clean. Here is another link to an interesting lodging idea. http://www.turpentinecreek.org This is an animal refuge that houses tigers, lions and such. They now have "tree houses" where you can stay the night and watch and listen to the tigers right outside your door. They are caged in of course but I thought that would make for an interesting outing. Another hotel that has already been mentioned is the "Cresent Hotel". The Hotel is suppossed to be haunted. From other posters I learned they have a ghost tour of the hotel. I think I would enjoy that very much. I might have to check that out closer to Halloween. Last Halloween some friends and I went to a corn maze and after watching the movie "Signs" I don't think that is something I will do again, lol :) I like to be scared can you tell! As was stated earlier lots of shopping especially in the antiques arena. Have fun!
08-10-2002, 09:31 PM
There is not much there for kids to do but it is a great getaway for adults. There a LOT of bed and breakfast inns there and several nice motels. The Cresent Hotel is the one supposed to be Haunted, we took the ghost tour and it was a lot of fun. I think the Basin Park hotel is the one with a ground level exit on all 7 floors.
If you like Italian food try Ermilios. Its in an old house so there is not a lot of tables and you may have to wait awhile if you go at peak times, but the food is worth the wait. There are also places to get a message, we went to the Gryphons Roost and it was fantastic. They have several Victorian houses that you can tour, and its fun just to drive around the narrow, winding streets and look at the houses.
09-06-2002, 06:23 PM
Just wanted to clarify something ... the store that was mentioned "Two Strange Guys" is actually a restaurant and is owned by 2 brothers who are labeled as "strange" because of the way they dress and wear their hair... but the general idea of what was hinted at earlier definitely applies to Eureka. It is sometimes called "The hole in the bible belt where the buckle sticks through" and is a haven for those who live "Alternative Lifestyles" and also for New Agers and Psychics and such as that. It is a neat little town though, and I highly recommend a visit there at least once.
09-10-2002, 02:17 PM
Hey, I was told me to send my sister-in-law to the Two Dumb Dames Fudge Factory. Well, she brought us back some and oh my goodness, I have never tasted anything better. Boy do we owe you big time!
09-10-2002, 03:02 PM
I swear when they are in season -- they have the largest chocolate covered strawberries I've ever seen. And not just in light or dark chocolate -- I think they also do white chocolate.
Next time -- tell her to go to DeVitos -- or better yet -- you need to go down and go to eat there! Just up the hill from Two Dumb Dames -- great Italian Food!
I spent the weekend in Eureka a few weeks ago, I enjoy visiting there. The trollys are wonderful rides. It is soooo much better than trying to find a parking place. It only cost $3.00 for all day rides. Get on and off whenever you choose. They take you out to Thorncrown chapel, Passion Play, Cresent Hotel and everywhere in between. Even up and down the shopping street. Trolleys are a must. The food is usually good everywhere, like in Branson. They have lots of B & B's to stay in. Which are very comfy and reasonably priced.