EUREKA SPRINGS WELCOMES FALL VISITORS TO THE SOUTHERN OZARKS’ REGION
(Eureka Springs, AR) — One of the added bonuses of a fall vacation in Eureka Springs is its close proximity to other open-air, outdoor attractions here in the Southern Ozarks. In addition to the wonderful outdoor, open spaces for which Eureka Springs is so well noted, visitors to this historic “escape” village are less than an hour’s drive away from other open-air attractions. Each drive offers spectacular vistas and panoramas.
>Branson, Missouri (52.6 miles away)
Branson once was a quaint town in the Southern Ozarks until it burgeoned into a world-renowned family vacation destination beginning in the early 1980s. It too offers some outdoor attractions many enjoy like zip lines, an alpine mountain coaster, the outdoor theater and grounds of Shepherd of the Hills, and of course the unique shopping experiences of Branson Landing. Many new highways and roadways in and around Branson allow drivers to soak in the views of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake.
For some of the best live family-style entertainment, Branson offers theater after theater of live shows. From the fantastic presentation special effects of the Sight & Sound Theater that brings Bible stories to life, to the more traditional and intimate “star studded” performances of “Legends in Concert”, to the wild-west horse-filled thrills of “Dolly Parton’s Stampede”. A total of 71 shows, enough to keep visitors entertained for days.
>Silver Dollar City (46.4 miles away; outside Branson, MO)
This 100-acre park, designed and constructed to replicate the Ozarks of the 1880s, presents live shows, rides, restaurants, shops, and resident craftsmen. It offers easy walking all over their grounds, however standard wheelchairs and electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) are available for rental to guests of the park. Only service animals are allowed into the park. Daily attendance is currently limited to avoid overcrowding of grounds, rides and attractions; and all tickets are date-based.
Guests who feel like it is time to go back in time, a day at Silver Dollar City is that magical return to a simpler, safer time. Architecture sets the stage while the on-site artisans display their non-robotic creativity. Numerous restaurants and eateries give you a taste of the way things were back then. The music and merriment of live performances throughout the park makes this giant leap to days gone by seem naturally wonderful.
>Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (38.6 miles away; Bentonville, AR)
Truly the finest collection of American art in the world is a gift to the world from Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. The museum, designed by acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, takes its name from a nearby natural spring and sits amid the 120 acres that was once the Walton family homestead. The self-guided tour takes visitors through the decades and eras of American art.
Not only are the massive buildings that house the art impressive, so are the trails that crisscross the surrounding Ozark woods; trails that are dotted all along the way with breathtaking pieces of sculpture. Admission is free but guests must make advance reservations for tickets to ensure proper distancing and avoiding overcrowding.