(EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS) — Any fall is a great time for friends to gather, board a motor coach and travel to the Arkansas Ozarks and especially Eureka Springs: Arkansas’ “extraordinary escape”. This fall, however, starting on 11/11/11, that motor coach tour can add a couple new and exciting elements to their itinerary: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Pea Ridge National Military Park. Both attractions are part of the new Arkansas Art Trail.
“The motor coach inquiries we get from group tour leaders each fall always include the question, ‘What’s new?’ and this year we can answer with two nationally significant itinerary additions,” said Linda Box, group travel sales manager for Eureka Springs’ Landmark Hotels: 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa and 1905 Basin Park Hotel. “Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville AR is a mere 40 miles to the west. Pea Ridge, site of where Missouri was saved for the Union is on the highway between Eureka and Bentonville and is in the midst of the National Park Service’s sesquicentennial commemoration of The Civil War. With these great attractions located on the Arkansas Art Trail (www.arkansasarttrail.com), the fact that they are also motor coach friendly and easy travel from the travel hub of Eureka Springs makes their addition to a travel itinerary a perfect fit.”
Eureka Springs is a natural as the hub for this particular spoke in the Arkansas Art Trail since time and time again this village has been selected as one of the most celebrated art destinations in the country. One such repetitive designation has been made by American Style magazine. They have named Eureka Springs as a “Top 25 Arts Destinations” in the Small Cities category. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has given Eureka Springs a true honor in choosing this town of 2,000 as one of America’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” as well as placing it on the National Register for Historic Places and of course the Great Passion Play has excelled in the area of performing arts for over 40 years.
“The Crescent Hotel, a Historic Hotel of America is the ideal overnight destination for visitors interested in Crystal Bridges, Pea Ridge and the Arkansas Art Trail,” said Jack Moyer, general manager of the hotels. “Not only do we greet our motor coach guests in style, give them a history lesson and feed them well but both the hotel is replete with tales of its own as well as being a repository for many unique pieces of American art. Plus, just outside our front doors, are galleries and working studios, artistic Meccas that seem to blanket Eureka Springs and vistas that provide the inspiration behind the art.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is nestled in a pristine Ozark ravine with two creek-fed ponds just off the square in downtown Bentonville. Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton and board member of the Walton Family Foundation is spearheading this nearly half-billion dollar investment. Upon opening on November 11, 2011, Crystal Bridges’ 217,000 square foot complex will be home to one of, if not the finest American art collections.
Pea Ridge National Military Park was set aside to commemorate The Battle of Pea Ridge. This battle took place on March 7-8, 1862. More than 26,000 soldiers fought on these 4,300 acres to decide the fate of Missouri. The park honors those who fought for their way of life. It should be noted that Pea Ridge was one of the most pivotal Civil War battles and is the most intact Civil War battlefield in the country.
“Another wonderful aspect of adding these two attractions to an itinerary is that the cost of admission is most reasonable,” Box added. “Crystal Bridges admission is free and Pea Ridge admission is only $5.00 unless visitors have a “Golden Age” pass which gives pass holders free admission.”
For more information on a group visitation to Eureka Springs, one should contact Box at 800-903-4940 or via email at lindaboxsales@gmail.com. For information on the Arkansas Art Trail, one should go to arkansasarttrail.com; for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, crystalbridges.org; and for Pea Ridge National Military Park, nps.gov/peri.