Children's Activities in Eureka Springs, AR

Activities in Eureka Springs include boating on a 31,700-acre lake.

Eureka Springs, founded in 1879, is a historical city in Arkansas that was once declared a "City of the First Class." In 2001, the city was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of 12 Distinctive Destinations, in part due to the restoration and preservation efforts happening throughout the city. Visitors to Eureka Springs will find an array of exciting children's activities, some of which tie into the history of the area.

Wildlife Activities

Take your children for a visit to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (turpentinecreek.org), where you'll find a variety of big cats like tigers and lions. You can take a habitat tour, which is a half-mile walking tour, in which visitors are accompanied by a zoologist or biologist intern who teaches about animals and their habitats. You can also watch the big cats during feeding time or listen in on one of the keeper's talks. Head over to the Promised Land Animal Park (no website; Hwy. 23, Eureka Springs; 417-271-3324) to see more than 50 species of animals from all over the world. Many of the animals that live in this drive-through park and petting zoo are rare or endangered.

Outdoor Activities

Enjoy some of the outdoor activities that Eureka Springs has to offer. Your family can enjoy water activities, like swimming, boating and fishing on the 31,700-acre Beaver Lake, accessible at Beaver Lake Dam Site Lake Campground (no website; Hwy 187, Eureka Springs; 479-253-5828). You can also go camping or play on the playground. Visit Lake Leatherwood City Park (no website; 1303 CR 204, Eureka Springs; 479-253-7921) with your children for outdoor play. Covering 1,600 acres, this park features hiking and biking trails, fishing access, wildlife viewing opportunities, cabins and camping.

Train and Tram Tours

Take a tour of the historical sites of Eureka Springs on an open-air tram, maintained by the Eureka Springs Transit System (eurekatrolley.org). Every tour is narrated and makes stops at Grotto Spring and the 1986 Crescent Hotel. Or, take a ride on an antique train on the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway (esnarailway.com). Your kids will feel like they're stepping back in history when they climb aboard a 1940s-era train for a ride through the Ozark Hills. You'll also see an assortment of railroad memorabilia at the station.

Learning Opportunities

Drop by the Eureka Springs Historical Museum (eurekaspringshistoricalmuseum.org) with your family to learn more about the city's history. Located inside a historic 1889 home, this museum is packed full of exhibits that tell a story of what life was like over the years in Eureka Springs, as well as art work from local artists. You could also take your kids to the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library (no website; 194 Spring Street, Eureka Springs; 479-253-8754) for some free activities. Your young children can go for song and story time, with stories, music, movement and crafts. Older kids and teens can join the summer reading program or a book club.

References

• Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
• Eureka Springs.org: Promised Land Animal Park
• Eureka Springs.com: Beaver Lake
• The Eureka Springs Parks and Recreation Commission: Lake Leatherwood City Park
• Eureka Springs Transit System: Tram Tours
• Eureak Springs and North Arkansas Railway
• Eureka Springs Historical Museum
• Carroll Madison Libraries: Eureak Springs Carnegie Public Library
• Eureka Springs.com: History