Eureka Springs Arkansas

Known as “The Natural State”, Arkansas is a wonderful place to visit. As well being home to mountains, forests and other natural areas, there are also many exciting and interesting places to visit including a large number of historic sites and museums.

Here are some attractions in Arkansas:

1. Battle of Fayetteville (in Fayetteville): An annual reenactment of the American Civil War battle that took place in the area.

2. Bikes, Blues and Barbeque (in Fayetteville): A large annual motorcycle rally that takes place around Dickson Street.

3. Blanchard Springs Caverns (in Mountain View): A spectacular three-level cave system that offers guided tours and is administered by the US Forest Service.

4. Central High School (in Little Rock): This school was a key site during the civil rights struggle. Famously, in 1957, President Eisenhower deployed the 101st Airborne Division to escort nine African-American students into the school. Although still used as a school, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a designated National Historic Landmark, and contains a National Historic Site.

5. Christ of the Ozarks (in Eureka Springs): A giant statue of Jesus on top of Magnetic Mountain that overlooks the city.

6. Fort Smith National Historic Site (in Fort Smith): See the remains of two frontier forts, and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where Judge Isaac C. Parker, known as the “Hanging Judge”, served for 21 years.

7. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls (in Hot Springs): Two theme parks in one (a single admission price includes access to both parks). Magic Springs includes many rides, and Crystal Falls is a water park which is open from May to August.

8. Ozark Military Museum (in Fayetteville): A museum that preserves aircraft and memorabilia from World War II and other conflicts. The museum is home to a variety of vehicles, 2 flying aircraft and 12 static aircraft.

9. River Market District (in Little Rock): A downtown area which is the main social and cultural hub of the city. The area is home to a twice weekly farmers’ market, as well as shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and museums.

10. Thorncrown Chapel (in Eureka Springs): A spectacular chapel that was designed by noted American architect, E. Fay Jones.

For information about these and other attractions in Arkansas, please go to:
http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_arkansas_attractions.php

Arkansas attractions draw millions of visitors to the state each year. From scenic byways, wildlife preserves, and family theme parks to big city attractions like the Clinton Library and the Little Rock Zoo, Arkansas offers something for everyone. However, when it comes to planning vacations, Arkansas tends to fly under the radar because so many people don’t have a clue about the wide variety of activities available there or the incredible affordability to do them.

The “Natural State” is probably best known for being blessed with abundant natural resources, including lakes, clear streams, forests, wildlife, rich farm lands and scenic vistas. With its’ six national park sites, 50 state parks, 2.6 million acres of national forest lands, 13 major lakes, and two mountain ranges, Arkansas provides some of the best outdoor experiences in the country.

Arkansas attractions also include its friendly people that fill wonderful towns like scenic Mountain View and the village of Eureka Springs, which is the only city in the country whose entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Probably one of the most famous cities in the state is beautiful Hot Springs, which home to some of the some of the oldest and best natural spas in America.

Did you know that Arkansas is the only diamond producing state in the United States? The Crater of Diamonds State Park, located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is the only place in the nation where you can dig for diamonds and keep what you find. Over 75,000 diamonds have been found by lucky visitors since it became a park, the largest being a 16.37-carat white diamond found by a visitor from Amarillo, Texas. That sounds like a great souvenir!

Arkansas is also home to dozens of upscale dining establishments with impressive food and wine pairings as well as thriving cultural communities that include museums, performing arts centers, historical sites and sports teams. Tours and scenic drives make for a fun day, as does a tour of the Clinton House Museum or the Arkansas Air Museum. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, you can visit the Little Rock Zoo, a nationally recognized 40-acre garden with approximately 170 species represented.

Arkansas theme parks are also great places to visit on your trip. One of the most popular attractions in Hot Springs is the 70-acre Magic Springs and Crystal Falls theme park. This combination amusement park and water park is the largest entertainment package in the state of Arkansas and includes thrill rides such as the “Gauntlet” inverted roller coaster and the classic wooden coaster, “Arkansas Twister”.

Wild River Country, Arkansas’ largest water park at 29 acres, features over 20 rides and attractions like a wave pool and a 600-foot winding tube ride. You and your family can have fun in the activity pools, ride the waves, speed down a water slide, or just drift along on the Lazy River, soaking up the carefree Arkansas atmosphere.

Arkansas is full of color during every season and the climate is humid and sub-tropical. There tend to be very hot and humid summers, which is great weather for Arkansas theme parks and water parks, followed by mild winters. You may want to visit during the Fall and enjoy the splashy color of autumn in Arkansas. The color change begins in early October in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas and moves slowly to the south until it reaches the peak of color in late October and early November.

No matter the time of year your vacation time falls in, consider discovering all the wonderful and diverse Arkansas attractions on your next family adventure. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is the place to go for beautiful scenery, amazing heritage, and incredible architecture. One of the most beautiful structures in the Unites States is nestled right in the Ozark hills in Eureka Springs.

The Thorncrown Chapel, or the “Glass Chapel” as it is commonly referred to, is ranked fourth on the list of the list of the 20th Century’s Most Significant Structures. This little chapel follows only behind the Sears Tower, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building. Pretty amazing for a town of less than 3000 people!

It’s no wonder Eureka Springs is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Arkansas. The Thorncrown Chapel is, by itself, enough to bring people from all over the world! This amazing structure was built in 1978 by Jim Reed and E. Fay Jones. Since the chapel opened in 1980, over 5 million people have visited this 48 foot tall chapel with 425 windows, and over 6000 square feet of glass. If that’s not enough to impress you, add the fact that it sits on top of 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone. Maybe this is why critics have called this chapel “one of the finest religious spaces of modern time”.

Almost every major magazine in America has featured this little Eureka Springs chapel including Time, Newsweek, and Parade. In addition, the Thorncrown Chapel has been featured on television on several occasions such as NBC Nightly News and the 700 Club.

This awe-inspiring structure is 24 feet by 60 feet and is made of all organic materials to blend in it’s beautiful surroundings. Every structural element is no bigger than two men can carry, and larger elements were built on the floor and raised into place. The entire creation of this Eureka Springs wonder was a work of are – not just an architectural work.

Weddings are common to the Thorncrown chapel – so much that they have their own Minister and Photographer on site! It’s quite amazing to know how many weddings take place, and it’s obvious why. There is nothing quite as personal and inspirational as walking down a rock path in the middle of the Ozark hills to say your vows in a fairy-tale like chapel. It’s enough to make anyone feel like royalty!

If you are planning to visit Eureka Springs, don’t miss seeing this wonderful outdoor chapel. The chapel is open to visitors daily from 9am to 5pm and there is no charge. Donations are greatly appreciated, though, in order to help with maintenance. Buses and church groups are welcome to attend, and plenty of parking is available for convenience. Sunday Services are also held at 9am and 11am.