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Example Itinerary
Home » Arkansas » Arkansas Vacations - One Week » Example ItineraryDay One: Begin your vacation by checking in to one of the many bed and breakfasts or hotels in Eureka Springs. Eureka Springs is approximately an hour drive from the airport in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is situated in the Ozark Mountains. Downtown Eureka Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spend the afternoon strolling up and down the mountainside streets, touring Victorian homes, shopping in one of the many art galleries, boutiques, craft emporiums, or candy shops, or visiting some of the one-of-a-kind restaurants that the town has to offer. Be sure to stop by Sweet’s Fudge Kitchen for some delicious homemade fudge or to watch taffy being made. Another must-see is Christmas Memories, a year round Christmas store that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit, no matter what time of year you visit. For dinner, eat at the Crystal Dining Room in the historic Crescent Hotel, located at the highest point in town. This fine dining steakhouse offers classic American dishes on their five course menu. After dinner, embark on a Ghost tour in the Crescent Hotel. Tours reveal tales of the phantoms that have been checking in but never leaving this Historic Hotel of America since 1886. The long history of the hotel is represented through the ghosts that still inhabit its halls and walls. Ghost Tours are available 7 days a week, tours start at 8pm. Tickets are $17.50, children under 9 are $7.00.
Day Two: After breakfast at one of the towns numerous bakeries or diners, visit one of Eureka’s many day spas for a relaxing start. Afterwards, head for the Christ of the Ozarks, located at The Great Passion Play, just outside of Eureka Springs. After viewing the amazing seven story statue, embark on the New Holy Land Tour, or visit the Bible Museum, the Parables of the Potter, the Sacred Arts Center, or the Museum of Earth History. These attractions are remarkable, interactive, and educational entertainment experiences for everyone to enjoy. Throughout the year The Great Passion Play hosts special events, including special art exhibits, performances by choral groups from across America and more. The play itself is offered throughout the spring and summer at 8:30 pm and in the fall at 7:30 pm, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with special Sunday performances at 8:30 before national holidays. Opening day is the last Friday of April and closing day is the last Friday of October. Tickets are $23.25 for adults and $10.00 for children.
Days Three and Four: Today, head for Bull Shoals Lake, with its 45,000 surface acres of water and a 1,000-mile shoreline, near Mountain Home, approximately 2 hours from Eureka Springs. This pristine lake is a popular destination for vacationers that want to spend some time fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, crappie, channel cat, bream and walleye, enjoying water sports or just taking it easy. The White River, which is internationally famous for its beauty and great trout fishing, is located just below the dam at Bull Shoals. Many accommodations and guide services are available. There are many campgrounds in the area, including Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Spend the days playing on the water and the evenings relaxing around a campfire, cooking up the spoils of the day, and swapping fishing stories before turning in.
Days Five and Six: For another few days in the great outdoors, first head south to Blanchard Springs Caverns, located 15 miles northwest of Mountain View. Blanchard Springs Caverns offers three tours; the Dripstone Trail winds through the magnificently decorated upper level, the longer, more strenuous Discovery Trail explores the middle level of the Caverns system, while the Wild Cave Tour offers visitors an introduction to spelunking in a more structured environment. Informative Forest Service interpreters guide the tours. The Dripstone and Discovery tours are limited to around 30 people; the Wild Cave Tour is limited to 12 people. All tours begin at the Visitor Information Center, where the Ozark Interpretive Association sells books, maps, and other educational materials. Tour prices are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. After the tours, drive to the Buffalo National River, located just about an hour from Mountain View. Here, vacationers can enjoy hiking, floating, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities. There are over 100 miles of maintained trails in the park. Several of the park’s trails are open both to horse and hiking use. For information on these trails, call park headquarters, or the district offices. Regularly scheduled programs and activities are offered by rangers from Memorial Day through Labor Day. These activities include guided hikes, float trips, junior ranger programs, music programs, and evening programs. Camp out at one of the park’s many camp sites and enjoy falling asleep under the stars and waking up surrounded by beautiful bluffs.
Day Seven: Before heading home, visit some of Northwest Arkansas’ other attractions. Some of the area’s attractions include the Wal-Mart visitor’s center in Bentonville, the Civil War battlefields at Prairie Grove or Pea Ridge, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and the War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake, among others. Be sure to pick up some Arkansas souvenirs before leaving the Natural State.
These are just some of the must-see’s in the Natural State’s Ozarks Region. Just remember to plan your trip well, bring appropriate clothing, and make reservations in advance if possible. No matter what your tastes or preferences, Arkansas has something for you. With so many opportunities available, you can create an extraordinary vacation that you and your family will never forget.
Sources
www.arkansas.com
www.arkansasstateparks.com
www.arkansastravel.com
www.crescent-hotel.com
www.eurekasprings.com
www.greatpassionplay.com
www.nps.gov
www.ozarkmountainregion.com
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