Page 361 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

ARK ANSAS  359

a National Historic Landmark
District within Hot Springs
National Park. The visitor center
is housed in the opulent Spanish
Renaissance-style 1915 Fordyce
Bathhouse. Only the Buckstaff
Bathhouse today remains in
operation, offering spa facilities.
At the Row’s south end, the
city visitor center distributes
maps to sights associated with
President Clinton, who spent his
childhood in the city. Hot Springs
High School, where Clinton
graduated in 1964, is now an
apartment building with a Inclined streets of the Victorian commercial area, Eureka Springs
“cultural campus” that has
exhibits from Clinton’s teenage fishing and canoeing; many q Eureka Springs
years. Visitors can also tour local outfitters organize guided * 2,400. n 516 Village Circle, (479)
sights such as Clinton’s church canoe trips of the river. The 253-8737. ∑ eurekasprings
and his favorite burger joint. A National Forest Service maintains chamber.com
scenic drive to the summit of several campgrounds in the area.
Hot Springs Mountain leads to The seven-story high statue
an observation tower offering } Ozark Folk Center State Park of Jesus, “Christ of the Ozarks,”
panoramic views of the Ouachita 1032 Park Ave. Tel (800) 264-3655. towers above the former resort
Mountains, the city, and the Open Apr–late Nov: 10am–5pm Tue– town of Eureka Springs. After
forests and lakes that surround it. Sat. & 7 ∑ ozarkfolkcenter.com nearly a century of decline, the
town has benefited by its
} Hot Springs National Park Environs development as an artists’
369 Central Ave. Tel (501) 620-6715. About 15 miles community, as a romantic
Open 9am–5pm daily. Closed Jan 1, (24 km) northwest getaway, and by the estab-
Thanksgiving, Dec 25. 7 of Mountain View, lishment of
∑ nps.gov/hosp via Hwy 14, lie country music
} Buckstaff Bathhouse Blanchard Springs performances in the
509 Central Ave, Bathhouse Row. Caverns, which feature an style of Nashville’s Grand
Tel (501) 623-2308. Open varies extensive collection of Ole Opry (see p267) held
seasonally so check website. Closed limestone cave formations at the Hoe-Down and Pine
Jan 1, Easter, Jul 4, Thanksgiving, Dec and an underground Mountain Jamboree. For
25. & 7 ∑ buckstaffbaths.com stream open for public almost 30 years running,
tours. The ever-changing Christ of the the Great Passion Play
crystalline formations in Ozarks, Eureka has been performed at
0 Mountain View these “living” caves are Springs the Sacred Arts Center.
* 2,700. n 107 N Peabody, (870) the result of minerals This outdoor drama
269-8065. ∑ mtnviewcity.com deposited by dripping depicts the days leading
water. Exploring the magnificent up to the death of Jesus Christ.
Nestled deep in the hills and caves can be difficult because The religious tone of the
valleys of the remote Ozark of the damp air and cramped town is perpetuated in
Mountains, the secluded hamlet conditions. However, both the the Bible Museum with its
of Mountain View is a haven for two main routes, the half-mile collection of more than 6,000
outdoor enthusiasts. A short (1-km) Dripstone Trail as well as Bible editions in 625 languages,
drive to the north is the Ozark the 1.2-mile (2-km) Discovery including several rare first
Folk Center State Park. The Trail, offer an unforgettable editions. Eureka Springs
park celebrates the Ozark experience of life underground. Historic Gardens and a scenic
Mountain region’s cultural A visitor center features exhibits railroad are the town’s other
heritage with living history and videos that describe the attractions. Many visitors
exhibits, crafts demonstrations, caves and their long process also tour the well-preserved
festivals, and traditional music of creation. Victorian buildings and savor
performances held at the state the magic of the town’s
park theater. It also offers hiking } Blanchard Springs Caverns forested mountain setting.
trails, a lodge open year round, off Hwy 14. Tel (870) 757-2211. Open
a lively restaurant, and a swim- mid-Apr–Oct: 9am–5pm daily; Oct– P Bible Museum
ming pool. The nearby “Wild Apr: 9:30am–4pm Wed–Sun. Closed 935 Passion Play Rd. Tel (800)
and Scenic” Buffalo National Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 882-7529. Open Apr–Oct: call for
River is highly popular for float ∑ blanchardsprings.org times. & ∑ greatpassionplay.org

358-359_EW_USA.indd 359 11/2/16 2:46 PM