The sound of families coming to Eureka Springs this summer is a familiar “roar”, not heard in this historic Arkansas Ozark village for the past few years. One of the main reasons for this recent influx is the addition of numerous new evening shows and family-friendly attractions that have added balance to an already bountiful entertainment offering.
“We are so excited about this summer here in Eureka,” stated Jack Moyer, hotel manager and past board chairman for the Greater Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. “Even with our summer season just a few days old we are already feeling the positive impact of these new shows and attractions.”
Moyer cited meaningful year-to-date growth in both occupancy and revenue at his two hotels, the Crescent and Basin Park. “And just from my personal observation, based on 20 years of Eureka experience, it seems as though day-trip crowds have grown by a guesstimated 20 percent,” he added.
Some of the new attractions for this summer include Arkansas’ biggest variety show, “Lovin’ Every Minute”, an eye-popping production of songs, dance, live band, The Great Passion PlayCirque-style acrobats and unbelievable special effects performed in the heart of historic downtown at The Aud; “Spirits of The Basin”, a new guided tour at the 1905 Basin Park Hotel that takes patrons from the edge of the roof to the chill of the dark limestone cave while being introduced to spirits of both the paranormal and liquid kind; a behind the scenes tour of The Great Passion Play’s multi-level, authentically-detailed sets provides a new and unique perspective on the monumental aspects of this grand production and Pig Trail Harley-Davison has expanded into the Eureka Springs market by opening the long-awaited Eureka Springs Harley-Davidson.
“The community has really stepped up and brought in attractions and shows that not only round out the family offering but provide balance to the menu of things to see and do for everyone who visits Eureka Springs,” added Moyer. “These man-made attractions coupled with our cornucopia of natural entertainment like the ‘big water’ of Beaver Lake, hiking and mountain bike trails through our forested hills and our celebrated motorcycle rides will keep vacationers happy and active for days.”Eureka Springs Ziplines
Other Eureka Springs attractions include Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours, Ozark Mountain Ziplines, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Intrigue Theater, the performance of The Great Passion Play, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, The New Moon Spa, Historic District Trolley Tours, Opera in the Ozarks, Belle of the Ozarks, downtown’s Spa1905, Crescent Hotel’s productions of “Flickering Tales” and “Not Really A Door”.
“Perhaps Eureka Springs had lost a little bit of its balance as a destination in the past few years, however with these new attractions added to the fact that Eureka Springs remains a unique mountain town, blessed with many artists and located between two major lakes and famous rivers, we are clearly back as an ‘extraordinary escape’… seven days a week… for all vacationers,” concluded Moyer.