History is rich in this place. People have found their peace and inspiration near this river for ages. The iconic country church in Boxley Valley, abandoned cemeteries, and petroglyphs (early and prehistoric rock carvings) are just a few of the remaining. We will walk through history today and in the process…make our own.

Taken from Tim Ernst's Cloudland Journal

The Buffalo River flows through some of the largest and most beautiful limestone bluffs in Arkansas.  It is the first National River and one of the last free flowing rivers in America. Cascading over swift running rapids, the river’s path is dotted with quiet swimming holes for nearly 135-miles. I promise you will find adventure and peace here but be aware, gps and cell signal is rare so get good directions before you head out and be sure and check Buffalo River water levels.

I have floated the Buffalo River before and it is amazing but the park surrounding the river provides many opportunities for adventure. Hiking, zip lining, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, visiting historic districts, and bird-watching are items on the short list. There are so many waterfalls and natural features to discover. The best way to learn about some of these is to talk to someone who knows the area. If you don’t know anyone, don’t worry…in my opinion, the authority on the Buffalo River National Park Region is Tim Ernst. A photographer, writer, and nature enthusiast…he has written several trail guides and is the best known photographer of the area. He has a blog and you will want to visit it.

I stayed the night in Eureka Springs, just a short (and amazingly scenic) drive from the Buffalo and it is a destination by itself. To get to the Buffalo River area from Eureka Springs, take 62 W to Berryville and follow Hwy 21 South. Subscribe to news releases from the National Park Service, get your Buffalo River National Park Map and plan your adventure today. To find river cabins and other lodging, visit eurekasprings.com. The Buffalo National River is on the Arkansas Art Trail.

Ruthie Foster, BMA award winner and Grammy nominee is performing during 2012 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend.

Growing up surrounded by music Foster was deeply influenced by her mother and grandmother, “They had the most beautiful voices.”  Foster was a soloist in her church choir by the early age of 14. Convinced that music would be her future, she left her hometown of Waco, Texas to discover the most important characteristic that all great Blues musicians have in common…life experience. No matter where her travels took her, Foster always found herself singing. From small town bars to the U.S. Navy band Pride to the center of New York City, she would learn the many sides of the music business and continue to build the voice and character that has become her signature.  In 1993, she would break from her musical career to care for her ailing mother until her mother’s death three years later.

Historically, blues music has captured the suffering, sadness, and difficult trials of rural southern America. Built from African American slave songs, spirituals and country string ballads, the blues have been acknowledging and healing Americans for centuries. The lyric’s in Foster’s song Heal Yourself poignantly counsel listeners with powerful words of wisdom.

Well, it’s time to hear somebody,
And it’s time you need somebody.
Well, it’s time to put down the stone
‘Fore you wake up one day
And find your time is gone.

Ruthie Foster, is performing during the 2012 Eureka Springs Blues Weekend. Eureka Springs Arkansas is a destination for great music festivals and the annual blues festival brings award winning blues musicians from all over the world. Live blues concerts in amazing venues like the historic Auditorium, the Basin Park Hotel’s famous Barefoot Ballroom and Basin Spring Park.

Other 2012 Eureka Springs Blues performers include Marquise Knox, Cate Brothers, Doghouse Daddies, Blues Notions, Steve “Ragtime Red” Jones, Brandon Santini, Tommy Castro Band, Stella Blue, The Super Reverbs, Nathan A, Lazy Lester, Kenny Neal Band, Hadden Sayers and more.

See Eureka Springs Blues Weekend concert dates and reserve concert tickets.
Book a hotel in eureka and discover the best Eureka springs hotels, restaurants, attractions, spas and shopping. Find fun things to do in Eureka Springs on the Official Eureka Springs Calendar of Events. Follow Official Eureka on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about Eureka Springs vacation packages and last minute vacation hot deals.

The lobby of the Grand Central Hotel is echos the elegance of the 19th century and still offers all of the modern conveniences.

In 1985,  the Grand Central was completely renovated and reborn. Today the hotel features a Grand Ballroom (perfect for weddings), a beautiful lobby that features local art work and all the modern conveniences that today’s traveler expects. Located on North Main Street, the Grand Central is in Eureka Springs burgeoning art district. It is the perfect location to explore art galleries, watch local artists at work in an active art colony and shop for one-of-a-kind treasures crafted by a local Eureka Springs artist.

The Grand Central Hotel is also home to the Grand Taverne and a fabulous Eureka Springs spa and salon. Learn more about Downtown Eureka Springs . Take a virtual tour of Grand Central Hotel.

The Grand Central Hotel is located near the "artistic" part of downtown Eureka Springs.

Discover the best Eureka Springs lodging, Eureka Springs dining, Eureka Springs shopping and entertainment on the Official website for the Greater Eureka Springs Region, EurekaSprings.com.

Download a free May Festival of the Arts Guide at www.mayfestivalofthearts.com. Cover art by local Eureka Springs artist Jeremy McGraw.

1. Tasteful art: Discover culinary works of art in Eureka Springs restaurants. See tasteful works of art by local artists displayed in many of the city’s fine restaurants. (Check out DeVito’s and Grand Central Hotel’s Grand Tavern in Downtown Eureka Springs.) Art inspired dishes and wine tastings bring new meaning to term ‘art appreciation.’

2. Strolling for inspiration: If a walk through the curving streets framed with fanciful architecture isn’t inspiring enough then May’s gallery strolls, a downtown art fair or a trip to the famous White Street Walk might do the trick. Don’t miss the unveiling of Eureka Springs Art Park and the Creative Energy Project (Get more details on May Festival of the Arts Events.)

3. DIY art: Unlock your creativity with art workshops lead by Eureka Springs artists. Eureka Springs School of the Arts offers classes in fused glass, metal sculpting, digital photography, acrylic painting and more.

4. A flair for the dramatic: Attend the premier of Eureka Springs’ Southwind Stage. Treat mom to a Variety Show Eureka style on her special day. (Call 479.253.7644 for info.) Don’t miss the signature event that Eureka is known for…the Artrageous Parade in Downtown Eureka Springs.

5. Shades of Blue: Enjoy the blues with the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend. Top notch blues musicians perform at venues throughout Eureka Springs. (Reserve your tickets now on ReserveEureka.com. Individual tickets and passes are available.)

Photo of the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, part of the Creative Energy Project.

Make reservations to visit Eureka Springs in May. Eureka Springs lodging offers special vacation packages. (Worried about parking? Stay close to the fun. Best Western Eureka Inn is conveniently located at the entrance to downtown Eureka Springs. Want to be close to the music? Consider staying at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel, one of the venues for the Blues. Looking for something a little more intimate? Angel at Rose Hall or one of the beautiful Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfasts offer touches you just won’t find in a hotel.)

For a full list of May events, visit the Official Eureka Springs Calendar of Events. Visit May Festival of the Arts for details and a schedule of special May art events. Meet Eureka Springs artist Zeek Taylor on Eureka Springs Channel. Eureka Springs Channel is a great way to learn more about Eureka Springs locals with live broadcasts every week!

Staying more than a day? Take a scenic drive along the Arkansas Art Trail to see Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in nearby Bentonville, AR.

Inspiration Point on the Arkansas Art Trail. Photograph by Edward Robison III.

Imagine a place where rare images of beauty were displayed every hour, delicate works of art which had never been seen before can be seen only once. Emerson believed these images were created by nature every moment. Waiting be discovered, nature’s most creative work is on display on the Arkansas Art Trail. Visitors discover places where art and nature come together and where threads of discovery, exploration and reverence for the American landscape weave compelling tapestries that illustrate the American experience … past and present. 

During the month of April, in partnership with the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, the Arkansas Art Trail introduces the American Experience as celebrated in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Art Trail was inspired by the Hudson River School Art Trail. In the 19th century, artists of the Hudson River School captured iconic landscapes of the northeast with paint. Following the example of American writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, they sought an “original relation to the universe” through a life of simplicity and independence. In the process, American artists defined what it was to be American helped to shape a national identity that valued individualism and rugged beauty.

Painting by Karrie Evenson capturing the spirit of nature in the most colorful way.

Today, artists are still creating defining work. The American landscape, both rugged and fragile, is an inspiration. The Arkansas Art Trail highlights unique works of art and architecture that were created with purpose and fundamental connections to the land. It stops for breathtaking vistas and wild rivers, and introduces visitors to the artists working in the Arkansas landscape. The trail offers a deeper look at the side of Arkansas many have never seen.

Here are just a few of April’s Art Experiences:

Take a Eureka Springs Artist Studio Tour

Detail of painting by Larry Mansker of Eureka Springs. See this mural hanging in the Crescent Hotel.

Take a docent led tour of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa and see local artist, Larry Mansker’s murals. Meet Mansker in his art studio for a glass of wine and then settle down for a splendid dinner with the docent and Mansker at the Chef’s table in the Crystal Dining Room Restaurant.

See Iconic Ozark Landscape through the Eyes of a Photographer
Photography Exhibit & Workshop
Explore the Ozarks with renowned landscape photographer and local artist, Edward C. Robison III. Watch ann evening slideshow highlighting some of the most beautiful places in the Ozarksthen accompany Robison the following morning for a 4 hour photo workshop in the Ozarks.

Photo of waterfall in the Buffalo River National Park by photographer Edward Robison III.

Meet an Artist in Residence
Karrie Evenson will be working in residence at the Crescent Hotel. Enjoy wine and cheese and meet Evenson then join a small class to learn to paint abstract birds, flowers and landscapes with the artist.

Sign up for these events and see other great Featured Attractions on ReserveEureka.com.

April’s art experiences are limited but with year round appeal, visitors to the Arkansas Art Trail are sure to discover moments of beauty “never seen before.” A visit to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art provides an opportunity to see original 19th century Hudson River School paintings. Crystal Bridges special exhibit The Hudson River School: Nature and the American Vision opens May 5. Enjoy an Art Night Out, take a gallery tour and more.

Eureka Springs, a Top 25 Arts Destination, is a great place to watch regional artists paint in plein aire or get creative with an art class, enjoy the music of esteemed international musicians or sit down to an authentic hootenanny, experience life in a historic town or marvel in contemporary architecture that celebrates the beauty of the outdoors. Eureka Springs celebrates art the entire month of May with the May Festival of the Arts.

Explore Eureka Springs lodging, restaurants, spas and attractions on the Official site for the Greater Eureka Springs Region, EurekaSprings.com.

 Unidentified shapes, uncharacteristic displays and unfamiliar lights surrounded the event in Basin Spring Park one day in late March.  It was one of three events now known as the Eureka Springs Creative Energy Project. For international photographer Jeremy McGraw, the project is like a night photography experiment but for the Eureka Springs participants and viewers…it is an Unbelieveably Fun Opportunity (UFO).

Creative Energy Project in Basin Spring Park, photos courtesy of Jeremy McGraw.

The Creative Energy Project

Enigmatic and compelling, McGraw photographs light moving in the night to illustrate the palpable creativity that lives in Eureka Springs everyday. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own creativity to the next Creative Energy Project opportunity. “Light Up the Spring” event is April 13th at Harding Spring and “Drumming in Basin Spring Park” is April 14th. Participants are invited to attend in a glow in the dark costume. Prizes for best costume, best use of body paint and best use of glow sticks/LED lights will be awarded on April 14, 2012.

The Creative Energy Project is made possible by a partnership with the Eureka Springs Downtown Network and downtown businesses and supporters. Eat, Shop and Play in Historic Downtown Eureka Springs; learn more about Downtown Network.

Creative Energy Project in Basin Park Hotel, photos courtesy of Jeremy McGraw.

Other Unbelievably Fun Opportunities in Eureka Springs

Attend the UFO Conference - April 13-16 – at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks
Listen to this KHOZ interview about the UFO Conference.

Explore Eureka Springs Art Galleries

Discover Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Trails

Follow the Arkansas Art Trail and take part in April Art Events

Lose yourself in the music with the St. Petersburg Quartet - April 29th

Make plans to attend the Eureka Springs May Festival of the Arts 

May Festival of the Arts poster by Creative Energy Project photographer Jeremy McGraw.

Discover the best Eureka Springs lodging, Eureka Springs restaurants, Eureka Springs shopping, Eureka Springs spas and Eureka Springs attractions on the Official Site for the Greater Eureka Springs Region…EurekaSprings.com.

Plan your trip with the Official Eureka Springs Calendar of Events.

Get last minute lodging deals and vacation packages on ReserveEureka.com or be the first to know and sign up for Official Eureka Springs news.

Waterfalls Closest to Eureka Springs
 

Black Bass Lake spillway in the fall. Photo by local Eureka Springs photographer Edward C. Robison III.

The Spillway at Black Bass Lake -this cascade is actually the spillway for Black Bass Lake located on Oil Spring Road off of Highway 62 in Eureka Springs. You can drive right up to it.

Tanyard Creek Falls- this 12 foot tall waterfall called Tanyard Creek Falls is found along a very scenic trail in Bella Vista off of Lancashire Blvd. Bella Vista is just a scenic 45 minute drive from Eureka Springs. Get there with this map.

Tea Kettle Falls- a 46 foot tall waterfall, Tea Kettle Falls runs from a hole in the rock that the water has drilled over many years. Tea Kettle Falls only runs during high water periods. To get there, take Highway 23 South from Eureka Springs past Highway 12 about 1.5 miles and turn onto Road #447-8. Park in the field before you cross Warm Fork Creek and walk downstream for about 1.3 miles to the falls.

Eagle’s Nest Falls- a 41 foot tall waterfall, Eagle’s Nest Falls pours into a grotto from the Kings River. To get there from Eureka Springs, drive south on Highway 23 until you pass Highway 12 and turn onto CR#1250 (a gravel road).  Look for Madison County Wildlife Management signs. Turn left at #447-19 for .3 miles and park past Camp Area #14. Hike the road and after you cross the third stream, turn right through the woods about 200 feet to the creek.

Waterfalls in the Buffalo River Region
There are many waterfalls in the Buffalo River Region. The best way to find them is to located one of the great guidebooks. Tim Ernst, a local photographer, listed 133 waterfalls in Arkansas Waterfalls Guidebook.

Looking for something to do in Eureka Springs? EurekaSprings.com shares monthly newsletters packed with things to do and last minute Eureka Springs lodging deals. Sign up for the EurekaSprings.com newsletter today. Like the photo in this post? See more of Edward C. Robison’s work at Sacred Earth Gallery.

Eureka Springs depicted by Wilson & Wilson Art... Visit their shop in the historic downtown Eureka Springs.

Fun begins Monday with Bingo in Basin Spring Park from 4-6PM. Get twisted on Tuesday with Twister in Basin Spring Park from 4-6PM. Paint the town on Wednesday. Paint watercolor postcards in Basin Spring Park from 4-6PM. Dance the day away on Thursday with a Dance Party in Basin Spring Park from 4-6PM (on March 29th the Dance Party will extend through 8:30 as part of the Creative Energy Project). Sing out loud on Friday and Saturday with a concert by John Walter Morrison American Song Book from Pine Mountain Jamboree in Basin Spring Park from 3-5PM. Tour historic downtown Eureka Springs everyday beginning at 10 AM and 4 PM from Basin Spring Park through October. Get your tickets online now.

“Crack the Egg” specials are featured at the following Eureka Springs Downtown Network locations during Spring Break:
Myrtie Mae’s
Peace Love and Cheesecake
Fine Art of Romance
Eureka Thyme
The Jewelry Show
Voulez Vous Lounge

Lodging Specials are featured at:
Can U Canoe
All Seasons Luxury Properties
Inn of the Ozarks
1905 Basin Park Hotel

See more great events in Greater Eureka Springs Region this Spring on the Official Eureka Springs Calendar of Events. Discover great shopping with the Eureka Springs Downtown Network. Get your tickets to the best Eureka Springs Attractions and save with Spring Ticket Bundles on ReserveEureka.com.

Nationally=acclaimed Illusionist Sean-Paul and Juliane Fay perform in Intrigue Theater in Eureka Springs.

The 19th century was the beginning of Golden Age of Magic. Made popular again by films like The Illusionist and The Prestige, stage magic has been kept alive by dedicated students of the theatrical art. To experience a Victorian theatrical illusion in person is rare but a trip to the small, quirky Victorian village of Eureka Springs offers just such a chance.

Intrigue Theater is a turn of the century performance of authentic Victorian illusions and spiritualism. Hundreds of visitors to Eureka Springs are drawn to the performances with excited anticipation.  Intrigue Theater’s Sean-Paul and Juliane share their captivating gifts with their audience. With dazzling effects and authentic surroundings, the performances are, at their core, skilled. “The audience is an important part of the performance,” admits Sean-Paul. “We help them explore the power of the human mind. It is entertaining and inspiring.”

As a young boy, Sean-Paul was enchanted by magic. It sparked his imagination and revealed the aptitude of the human mind leaving him with a desire to spark the imagination of others. At the age of eleven he began performing on stage and over the next two decades, Sean-Paul would familiarize himself with the complex workings of entertainment industry. Juliane Fay, with a background in journalism, worked as a private investigator and professional NBA dancer before bringing her special gifts to the stage. Sean-Paul would team up with his stage partner, Juliane in 1995. Together they would combine innovative demonstrations of precognition, telekinesis and telepathy with a sense of humor for a delightfully entertaining show.

Discover unexplained mysteries for yourself at Intrigue Theater in the historic Auditorium. “It is like traveling back in time. The show captures the energy and character of Eureka Springs,” Sean-Paul promises. It’s time travel for entertainment. It is an illusion you won’t want to miss. Due to limited engagements, advance tickets to Intrigue Theater are recommended. Tickets are available online at ReserveEureka.com. See the Official Eureka Springs Calendar of Events for dates and times and visit Intrigue Theater online. The Auditorium is located in downtown Eureka Springs at 36 South Main Street.

After the show, explore the streets of Eureka Springs for an up-close look at an authentic 19th century town. Discover all of the modern amenities available from fine dining to comfortable lodging at EurekaSprings.com, the official website for the Greater Eureka Springs Region.

Pocket garden surrounding a natural spring in Eureka Springs. Photo by Edward Robison III.

1. Receive generous amounts of sunshine:
To be healthy and happy you’ve got to soak up some sun. Catch some rays during the Eureka Springs Annual Victorian Classic. Walk or run through historic downtown. Victorian characters keep you on the right path as you enjoy one of the most scenic races in the country. There are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore around Eureka Springs. The kids will enjoy a day at Nature Exploration Camp. Hike or bike the paths at Pea Ridge National Military Park. Learn more about the Civil War in the Ozarks with the Civil War Flags Exhibit and the Commemoration of the Battle of Pea Ridge in March.

2. Celebrate with color:

Tulips surround Crescent garden bench. Photo by Edward Robison III.

Colorful flowers are the center of attention in any garden and downtown is the center of attention in Eureka Springs. It is where the most colorful celebrations are held. Have fun with Spring Break activities in downtown Eureka Springs. Attend a Re-art Party or fly a kite in the Turpentine Creek Kite Festival. Don’t forget to wear green if you come to cheer on the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

3. Realize that growing is an art:
Gardens have inspired great artists for centuries and so has Eureka Springs. Named a Top 25 Arts Destination by American Style Magazine, Eureka Springs is home to world class art galleries and hundreds of working artists like Edward Robison III. The arts are alive in Eureka Springs. Watch Intrigue Theater in the historic Aud. See Michael Johnathon of WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour in concert or sit in on an authentic hootenanny. Enjoy a glass of wine as you preview the antique trail show in March. Explore the Arkansas Art Trail or visit the nation’s newest art museum with a short, scenic drive to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Crystal Bridges offers guided tours, gallery talks and more.

4. Don’t forget to enjoy the fruits of the garden:

Flowers bloom in Eureka Springs. Photo by Edward Robison III.

Enjoy great food and drink in Eureka Springs. With an active local food movement, Eureka Springs offers organic and no till gardening workshops. Get together with other local foodies at the Eureka Springs Farmers Market or attend the Dig In Festival in nearby Fayetteville. Watch classically trained Chef Karen Gros prepare French cuisine with produce from local Foundation Farm. Taste the best soups of Eureka with Souper Soup. If you love beer, attend the Breweriana show in March at the Inn of the Ozarks.

It is easy to enjoy life in Eureka Springs. To see what else is happening this spring, visit EurekaSprings.com. Eureka Springs is a popular spring break destination and weekend lodging fills up quickly. Consider visiting Eureka Springs through the week and take advantage of great spring vacation deals that bundle Eureka Springs lodging and attractions. Visit the Official Greater Eureka Springs Calendar of Events for ideas on what to do in Eureka Springs. Don’t miss any of Eureka Springs’ best attractions, restaurants, galleries, shops and spas. Want up to date information on Eureka Springs events? Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Visit Eureka Springs anytime you get a chance. It is fun in the summer, fall and winter too!