How to Find Vacation Deals in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Set in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a popular resort town filled with Victorian architecture, art galleries, historic sites, mom-and-pop shops and shows. For nature fans there are also two rivers, three lakes and numerous hiking trails within a 15-minute drive. While the area is already a great getaway bargain, there are several things you can do and tips you can use to get more bang for your vacation buck. Here's a guide to finding great deals, discounts and even free and low-cost activities to please the whole family.
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Instructions
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Plan in Advance
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Open up your Visitors Guide, or point your browser to the Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission (CAPC) website, and read through the annual events calendar. The busiest and most popular times are during large festivals; this is often the time you'll find the highest lodging prices. Unless you specifically want to go to the Blues Fest (usually held between Memorial Day weekend and June 1) or War Eagle Arts and Crafts Fair (the third weekend in October) then look for alternative dates. Quiet times, and great lodging deals, can be found in late July through August and November-January, and there's still special events nearly every time of year.
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After deciding on a season, next look at your own personal calendar and see if you can make your getaway during the week. Midweek discounts are plentiful at Eureka Springs-area lodging facilities, and some even offer multiday discounts as well.
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Whether or not you plan your visit midweek, go through the lodging grid in the Visitors Guide and choose the type of lodging you would like: bed and breakfast, cabin, cottage, hotel or motel. After you have a few candidates selected, call each one and ask about rates, discounts, amenities and availability.
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Another option to inquire about is package deals. Some packages can save you money on top-shelf services like spa treatments, and others might just net you tickets to the Great Passion Play attraction or a music show. Since most lodging facilities in Eureka Springs are individually owned operations, packages can vary. The state website also has a package finder that allows you to specify what type of deals you're looking for in a specific location, and then serves up a list matching your requirements. Use this as a guide, but still call the businesses and find out more information.
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Once you've made your reservation, go back to the Eureka Springs CAPC website, and download a city map. Part of what makes this town unique is the way streets curve around, up and down the hills. The historic city's streets were actually listed in a "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" column. There are few right angles and no traffic lights, so the website's map of downtown will be very helpful. Print it out, along with any other maps you might need from the site.
On Your Arrival
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No matter where you're staying in town, a daily trolley pass is a good bargain. The trolleys are the city's transportation system, so you can leave your car parked at your lodging facility and take a trolley into the downtown Historic District, saving you the headache of trying to find parking and worrying about coins for meters.
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Check at your lodging facility for handouts listing free activities after you purchase your trolley pass, or drop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. Although the brochure changes occasionally in format, there's usually something available in print. Top freebie picks are: free music in downtown Basin Park, lots of interesting walking trails featuring historic springs, beautiful Thorncrown Chapel in season, the Christ of the Ozarks statue and other daytime attractions on the grounds of the Great Passion Play, going to the top deck at the Crescent Hotel, which overlooks the valley, and visiting other sites mentioned in Ripley's, such as St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church and Basin Park Hotel. With more than a hundred shops, Eureka Springs has plenty of window-shopping opportunities as well, although you may find something you can't resist purchasing, and the town also has numerous art galleries and a monthly gallery walk as well. Add in hiking and biking trails at the city's Lake Leatherwood Park, and there's several days worth of free stuff to keep the family entertained.
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After a few free activities, take a step up to some nearly free things to do. In summer, a day pass for swimming, boating and other water fun at Beaver Lake is just a few dollars. A walking tour map for self-guided tours is also approximately five dollars. Going to the top of the forestry lookout towers at Pine Mountain Village or Razorback Gift Shop costs a few quarters.
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Between all the things to see and do, it'll be time to eat. The best way to find discount dining is to ask a local; they'll usually know about available breakfast buffets, which night is Chalupa Night at a local Mexican eatery, or the $6 lunch specials at an area cafe. You can also check with the Visitors Center or your desk clerk about a menu guide featuring menus from around town. That way, you can compare prices on favorite dishes before you head out for your meal.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're into the paranormal, check out a Ghost Tour at the Crescent Hotel. The hotel was featured on Syfy's "Ghost Hunters" program, and many visitors have reported spooky experiences. In addition to the trolleys, there are actual guided tours of the Historic Loop; they do charge admission, but you find out a lot about the fascinating history of Eureka Springs.
If you're planning an off-season visit, check to see what attractions will be open during your stay. A package deal with free tickets isn't worth much if the show is closed while you're there. While direction-giving websites such as MapQuest are wonderful, their results can be confusing in Eureka Springs; one road will change names four times. Remember to print out your map from the website and keep it handy.
References
- Photo Credit Photos courtesy of Eureka Springs City Advertising and Promotion Commission
