Always a pleasure to visit Thorncrown Chapel. Always an amazing and spiritual experience.read more

Options for autumn when Canada was "closed" (2 of 2)…read more - - - - - You may not know Thorncrown Chapel by its name, but you've most likely seen photos of it. It's a major example of "less is more" and "good things come in small packages." Thorncrown Chapel is a latticed timber structure - a nondenominational chapel that is Christian in its inspiration - sitting in the hilly, wooded terrain just outside of bohemian Eureka Springs, Arkansas. You will have to look for its small roadway from the highway to visit it. To say that it might resemble a popsicle stick model would be reductionist, but there is this affect in the way it looks. The difference is that the chapel is all about carefully selected, shaped, and connected wood members that make it a significant place in the world of American architecture. It was designed by the states's native son E. Fay Jones. He was the recipient of numerous awards, as is Thorncrown Chapel. The chapel is enclosed in glass. This brings in and keeps out the surroundings and elements, respectively. Sitting in here is a very serene experience. One could worship if they want - its scheme is a Christian one - or could just savor the silence. However, there is soothing instrumental music playing in the background that could intersect with today's new age variety. I thought that was humorous. They do not charge an entrance fee. They didn't when I visited. However, they do ask for donations and, if you visited, you should make a donation. There was a person on hand to answer questions. There might be events here, causing the chapel to open and close for short periods. One typical event might be a wedding. Closer to the entrance and away from the chapel is an office that tends to such affairs. Whether to visit Thorncrown Chapel garners the answer, "It depends." It is at the northwestern border of the state, just outside of Eureka Springs and below the Missouri border. However, it is far from Little Rock and Hot Springs, though not absurdly far from Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas. You will inevitably combine your visit with a visit to Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs is an artsy community shoehorned into a hilly mountain town that has restaurants, coffeehouses, gift shops, and the like ... and most likely garden variety stoners who work at these places. Think Nevada City, CA, Sedona, AZ, Galena, IL, Saratoga Springs, NY, and similar granolafied towns thrown into the middle of rural (and more conservative) America. I got derailed discussing Eureka Springs and its hippie vibe. If, to you, the distance is reasonable and doable, do visit Thorncrown Chapel. It's an interesting and unique mix of contextual, transparent, simple, and yet complex.

Christ of the Ozarks was a bit underwhelming to be honest, but it feels wrong to give anything less…read morethan 4 stars to anything Jesus-inspired as he the absolute most amazing human to walk out earth. It was quite irritating to have to stop at the gate. I already knew it was free entry, but an older women practically stepped out in front of my Jeep. She was nice, but she didn't provide us with hardly any info after rambling on about everything except why we were there. Then she shoved a flyer at me, asked us where we were from, and said a donation would be cool. About the area to leading to the statue... By the time we got to Eureka Springs on 7.23.2025 it was so hot already. I tried my best to keep my dog on cooler grounds, but she ran on the hot pavement anyway. It is a short walk to the statue and a nice lookout area. I suggest everyone go on more walkabouts and contemplate their relationship with Jesus. Public restrooms were available, but not all that clean. Wheelchairs were available to borrow, but come on... you can muster the strength to walk to Jesus... Completed in 1966, this gleaming white statue stands at seven-stories tall. There was an informational sign on Jesus's back side. Dogs were not allowed at The Great Passion Play, so that was a big no for us even if they had a showing. We did not peruse any shops near the gate. Everything seemed too commercialized for my taste. I dedicate this review to my Aunt Dena who died today (8.27.2025) after an 8-year battle with cancer. RIP precious lady!

I found the way this is set up on the map to be confusing…read more We went to see the statue - yet found out that there's an entrance gate about 1/4 mile from it at "The Great Passion Play Sign" and everything beyond that is part of a big complex including the statue itself, a holy land tour, a bible museum, a sacred heart building, a chapel, and a section of the Berlin Wall. There was a huge outdoor area seating around 4,000 for a "Passion Play". There was also a gift shop, and many hiking trails. Didn't expect that. People that worked there were very friendly. I see it as a very good cause - ideal for evangelical types; yet can easily fit others.

Gorgeous!! I'm so glad we stopped here and visited! Had the place pretty much to ourselves on a…read moregorgeous Thursday morning. Friendly staff, and amazing views!

We must have come in the dry season; I heard some people couldn't get down to the actual spring…read more Everything was easily accessible - and the walkway was well above water level. We spent roughly two hours here. We first watched two short videos in the visitor center - maybe 15 minutes in total. One video was on the history of the area; the other video was about the spring itself. The man at the desk recommended that we go down the stairs, hang a left and the bottom and circle the area clockwise. That worked great. It is over a hundred stairs down to the walkway that parallels the Blue Spring. After seeing the spring, there are paths around flowers in a few gardens, some equipment from decades ago, a cave-ish overhang, chances to see wildlife, then finally a gradual incline to get back up to the top - with a boardwalk as well. There is a gift shop. Restrooms are actually just outside the entrance. Signs help throughout. Wasn't crowded in September.

This was a fun and interesting tour of Eureka Springs. We actually went back to 3 locations we…read morelearned about while in the tour. At good way to spend 90 minutes for only $20.

We loved this tour. The only negative was the heat and humidity. Some fans on the team would have…read morebeen awesome but we all survived. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable. He knew tons of interesting facts about lots of the old buildings. Very interesting. We got to get off the tram at the Catholic Church and go inside. It was beautiful. I highly recommend going on this tour. I wish we had gone the first day we were here. We saw several things we would have liked to go tour if we had the time.

I was in the area and decided to try my luck venturing over to the Carry Nation House, Hatchet…read moreHall. During the Temperance movement and before the Prohibition Era she was known to go to taverns and break up the alcohol and beer kegs by way of an ax. The area her home is in is really quaint and I loved all of the eccentric cottages along the winding road. The house was not open and I didn't see anywhere to park. I parked off up the road and walked back to view the house. The house is right on top of the street and the back of the house has a drop off a cliff of some sorts. I'm glad I stopped by, but wish I could have explored further.

A must-do in Eureka Springs. Loved hearing stories about the history and architecture. Our guide…read moreAlex was the BEST! Highly recommend! She was very knowledgeable on the history and even put some laughter in the stories. A great and enjoyable experience. I will definitely return again and brings friends.

I live here now! Moved here with my son and it is absolutely beautiful here. Art and atmosphere…read morejust can't be matched!

Quirky. Interesting history, great restaurants and shopping. Low key, bohemian vibe. Often called…read more"the gayest small town in America". This Ozarks mountain town is known for its diversity and inclusivity .

Basin Spring Park is in historic downtown Eureka Springs, AR…read more It's a small, charming park with brick walls, benches, terraces, stairs, and public art scattered throughout. Concrete engulfed the grounds. Much of it looked like add-ons. It's a pity that more bricks or stones weren't used to add more character and appeal. And oh what a hot July 23, 2025. My dog did well walking in the shaded areas with me. Live music seems non-stop here. Overall, it was a nice area with many shops, a few restaurants, at least one all-things dogs shop, and a simple yet really good ice cream parlor. Across the street in between some shops was a public restroom. The separate women's was a bit of a ramshackle to be honest. On top of that, my two young daughters kept laughing, giggling, and whispering at all the stupid messages and sexually-charged drawings on the walls. Metered street and lot parking nearby.

Basin Spring Park is a small area in the center of town - and the site of the original medicinal…read morespring discovered here. There are several benches on the main level, stairs to go up to a gazebo and then over to see the spring. There's further stairs to see a cool statue (picture enclosed). There are water fountains. There's signage about the area. Nice place to relax in the center of town when there's not an event.

For the size of the town, this is a 5-star review…read more There are two floors filled with artifacts, history, and stories of before the town was founded, the founding, the peak years, and the status through to today. The first floor (3 connected rooms) covers what I mentioned above - with both artifacts and signs. The top floor has interesting artifacts like a permanent hair wave machine, a scary looking life-sized doll, artwork, and a bedroom set up as if it were 1890. Took us about an hour and 15 minutes. There was a gentleman when we came it (don't know his name) with a beard that was very helpful, explaining stories and artifacts. He left 45 minutes later when someone came in to take over who sat at a desk.

Such a small museum with a big, rich history! The exhibits provide an extensive history of Eureka…read moreSprings -- including pre colonial arrival. Music, medicine, education even home life has been extensively recorded! It creates a sense of history and home in a converted house. A lovely trip for visitors and town residents.