Looking for a weekend escape packed with character, creativity, and charm? Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is one of those hidden-gem towns that feels like stepping into a storybook — Victorian architecture, winding streets, quirky boutiques, and mineral springs around every corner.

Here’s how to spend 48 relaxing (and slightly magical) hours in Eureka Springs — with souvenir stops included.

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🕚 Day 1 – Arrive Late Morning

Start with a Stroll Through the Historic Downtown
Park the car and wander — this is a pedestrian’s paradise. The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. Pop into Eureka Market for a quick local snack and get your bearings.

🛍️ Souvenir Tip:
Start your collection with something handmade. Try Zarks Gallery for Ozark-blown glass or Fusion Squared for locally made jewelry.

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🥗 Lunch at Local Flavor Café

With views of the historic district and a menu full of fresh, Southern-inspired dishes, this café is a local favorite. Get the artichoke dip and thank us later.

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🏞️ Afternoon: Springs & Serenity

Explore the town’s namesake springs — there are over 60, many with manicured gardens around them. Don’t miss Basin Spring Park or the mystical Grotto Spring.

Take a short drive to Thorncrown Chapel, a glass-and-wood architectural wonder tucked into the forest. Quiet, peaceful, unforgettable.

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🍸 Pre-Dinner Drinks & Ghost Stories

Head to Brews for craft coffee or beer (yes, both), or The Stone House for wine and cheese with ambiance.
For an evening you won’t forget, book a Crescent Hotel ghost tour — it’s spooky, theatrical, and 100% Eureka Springs.

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🍽️ Dinner: Gaskins Cabin Steakhouse

Wrap up the day with a cozy dinner at Gaskins Cabin, a 19th-century log cabin turned restaurant. Known for hand-cut steaks and homemade pies, it’s the kind of place where time slows down. If steak’s not your thing, the grilled trout and baked potato combo is a local favorite.

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🛍️ Day 2 – Art, Antiques & Ozark Magic

Brunch at Mud Street Café
Known for legendary coffee, big breakfasts, and a cozy underground vibe.

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🎨 Late Morning: Shop the Unusual

Eureka Springs has no chain stores. It’s all one-of-a-kind shops:

• East by West Leather – hand-tooled leather goods
• Bathhouse Soapery – handcrafted soaps and scents
• Quicksilver Gallery – folk art, wind chimes, and garden gifts

🛍️ Souvenir Tip:
Pick up an Ozark spell jar, essential oil blend, or even a quirky fridge magnet from the Asylum Ghost Tours gift shop.

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🌄 Afternoon Hike or Lake Trip

Wrap it up with a nature walk at Lake Leatherwood City Park or take a scenic drive on Highway 62 through the rolling Ozarks.

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🌻 Before You Leave

Don’t forget to take home:

• A bottle of Eureka Springs spring water
• Local honey or jam
• A Crescent Hotel ghost key souvenir

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✈️ The Wrap-Up

Eureka Springs is the kind of place that feels both nostalgic and new. It’s small enough to explore in two days but rich enough to keep you talking about it for weeks. Whether you’re road-tripping through Arkansas or flying in for a Southern escape, this town deserves a pin on your map.