Eureka Springs, United States: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Eureka Springs is a historic mountain town in the Ozarks, known for its winding streets, Victorian architecture, natural springs, and distinctive local character. Its landmarks range from a grand former hotel with a complex past to a stone bridge built during the development of Lake Leatherwood. Neywo has a free audio guide for Eureka Springs with 2 narrated places, available in 11 languages.

What to See in Eureka Springs

Visit the Crescent Hotel

The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is one of Eureka Springs’ best-known landmarks. The building has served several purposes over time: it began as a hotel, later became Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women, and was subsequently used as a hospital and health resort before being restored as a hotel.

The Crescent Hotel is also known as America’s most haunted hotel. Ghost tours are offered for a fee, adding a mysterious dimension to its already varied history.

See Mulladay Hollow Bridge

Mulladay Hollow Bridge is a distinctive stone crossing in rural Carroll County, near the southwestern tip of Lake Leatherwood. Also known as County Road 204, it carries the road across Mulladay Hollow Creek.

Its construction is especially notable. The bridge has two elliptical arches made from roughly square, semi-coursed fieldstone. Nearly square stones, known as voussoirs, form the arches, while the arch barrels are set at an angle to the spandrels and the wing walls curve slightly.

The roadway is about 30 feet wide, and the entire bridge stretches 120 feet. It was built with Works Progress Administration funding as part of the development of Lake Leatherwood as a recreation area, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Explore Eureka Springs’ Historic Streets

The town’s historic streets rise and curve through steep, wooded hills, creating a setting that is closely tied to its Victorian architecture and Ozark landscape. Walking through the center is a simple way to experience the unusual layout, historic buildings, independent shops, galleries, and locally owned boutiques.

The town’s history is also connected to its springs and bathhouses. Eureka Springs attracted visitors in the 19th century who sought the reputed restorative qualities of its mineral-rich waters, and that health and spa heritage remains part of the city’s identity.

Browse Shops and Try Local Sweets

Independent shops offer handmade goods, clothing, jewelry, art, gifts, and a limited selection of antiques. Browsing them gives visitors a chance to explore the historic streets while discovering the town’s creative side.

Candy shops add another easy stop to a walk through Eureka Springs, with traditional treats such as fudge and taffy. Together, the shops and sweet stores contribute to the town’s relaxed, independent atmosphere.

Explore Arkansas with Neywo

Neywo’s free audio guide lets you explore Eureka Springs at your own pace. Its 2 narrated places are covered in the app, and each story plays as you reach the place, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages.

For more places to discover in the state, continue with Arkansas, or explore the wider United States. Nearby destinations include Little Rock and Mena.