Queer Travel Guide for Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Touted as the “Gay Capital of the Ozarks,” Eureka Springs is on Vacationer’s list of 22 Small LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S. So, here’s what you need to know before you go!
When one thinks of Arkansas, one may think of the Ozark Mountains, southern food, and nature activities. The name Eureka Springs, located in Arkansas, evokes images of waterfalls and waterways.
But what you may not know is this town, is also known for its Victorian architecture, and an array of activities from a big cat sanctuary to ghost tours. It is just as it sounds, really diverse. The City of Eureka Springs was founded in 1879 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with National Significance.
Eureka Springs is also notable for being the first city in Arkansas to issue its first same-sex marriage license for Arkansas in 2014. It has been touted by other gay publications as one of the “best small gay cities”, “Gay Capital of the Ozarks”, and “the gayest small town in America”.
Where to Stay
This town is home to five historic hotels built before 1906. They are so proud of this that the dates of when they were founded are included in some of the formal names of the hotels. The landmark 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is known for its expansive grounds, stately architecture, numerous on-site activities, and spa services. It is known as America’s Most Haunted Hotel.
The historic hotel claiming itself as the most entertaining in town is the 1905 Basin Park Hotel with its Balcony Bar and Restaurant. The hotel provides an underground downtown tour free to its guests.
There is a large selection of bed and breakfast lodgings in the town. One of the more unique places to stay is at the Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles & Hobbits, which is exactly what it sounds like – a place with treehouses and rooms with themes of Harry Potter and magical castles. Plan a romantic getaway as only adults are allowed to stay there.
Where to Eat
Because Eureka Springs is a tourist destination, there are a lot of restaurants to satisfy many tastes. However, what should be noted are that many of these restaurants are closed at least two days a week. Make sure to check their websites or call ahead before thinking it might be easy to stop by and snag a table.
Le Stick Noveau is a French-influenced restaurant offering multi-course tasting menus and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike for its ambiance, service, and of course, the food. Just be aware that reservations are recommended as they are only open Friday and Saturday evenings.
The hundreds of miles of paved roads to and from the town make the roadside Rockin Pig Saloon a biker and road trippers’ haven. Great burgers, smokehouse nachos made from Wagyu brisket, and flights of beer keep people coming to this casual place to hang out. Some customers have complained about a kitchen or COVID fee, which essentially is an additional fee on top of tax and food. Check their website for hours as they are closed two days a week.
The Stone House is a family-owned restaurant known for its outdoor patio dining, a great wine selection, and creative charcuterie boards and fondue. Also, they are only open three days a week and may have even more limited hours during the winter.
Things to Do
Since Eureka Springs sits along the Ozark Mountains, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do. But the first thing one thinks of when one hears the town’s name is water. Lakes and rivers surround the town. Watersports, camping, fishing, and hiking are available on or around White River, Beaver Lake, or Table Rock Lake. Natural cold-water springs are located in town, with names like Laundry Springs and Magnetic Springs. Supposedly, if you place metal into the water of the Magnetic Springs, the metal will eventually magnetize.
The downtown area is a historic destination with gorgeously preserved Victorian architecture. Learn about the town’s history at the Eureka Springs Historical Museum for a small $5 admission fee. The museum provides a self-guided tour illustrating the founding of Eureka Springs. Because Halloween is a big event in the allegedly haunted town, the museum offers living history tours at the city cemetery every October. If you want to relax and shop for local artwork and crafts, this is the place to do it. There are plenty of galleries and stores with art and crafts for sale.
If you’re into big cats, and I mean large, intimidating ones, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge provides lifetime refuge for abused and neglected “Big Cats” with an emphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. The story of the refuge’s history is extraordinary. In 1982, a black market dealer of large cats dropped forty-two large cats with the Jacksons, owners of the refuge, to avoid being arrested. The Jacksons moved to a 460-acre ranch just south of Eureka Springs. They continue to receive large cats for care and provide educational programs to the public.
One of the more remarkable manmade sites is the Thorncrown Chapel, a glass chapel in the woods that has won numerous awards and is located just outside Eureka Springs. It’s free to visit and awe-inspiring. Couples who want to marry there often have to book a year in advance. The chapel also holds active Sunday services. You’ll want to call ahead to see if the chapel will be closed due to special events.
With over thirty percent of its population identifying as LGBTQ, Eureka Springs is the only city in the United States to hold three Pride events a year during the Spring, Summer, and Fall, called Diversity Weekends. These events are partly funded by the City of Eureka Springs and local businesses. These fun weekend events have returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Because of the town’s inclusiveness, there has been some tension between the Christian groups and the LGBTQ+ community. But if you’re interested in visiting Christian monuments, the Christ of the Ozarks statue was built in 1967 and is a striking monument of Jesus at the top of Magnetic Mountain and stands over 65 feet high. A theme park that hosted theatrical re-enactments of Jesus’ crucifixion, called The Great Passion Play, which closed in 2012 due to the lack of funds, was revived by Christian evangelists and has been a place for more conservative and religious people to visit.
Nightlife
Eureka Springs welcomes various visitors, no matter the differences. Though there are no exclusively gay bars or clubs, below are a couple of places where you can enjoy the nightlife, including live music or drag shows.
Located in the heart of downtown, Eureka Live touts itself as “The Most Diverse Bar in Eureka Springs,” offering karaoke, weekly DJ dance parties, and drag shows every Friday and Saturday. Though the food menu is limited to appetizers, they have a beer garden open on the weekends. They also claim to have the largest dance floor in Eureka Springs. They are not open every evening, so check their website for more information.
Missy’s White Rabbit Lounge has live music and holds LGBTQ meet and greets on Diversity Weekends.
If you’re looking for a variety of things to do and to be accepted for who you are while traveling in rural America, Eureka Springs is an excellent choice for a stop. It’s a pretty and historical town renowned for its inclusiveness.
