Ghosts, Granddaughters, and Getaways: Our Weekend in Eureka Springs

A haunted hotel stay, historic charm, and unforgettable memories made during our weekend in Eureka Springs

1886 Crescent Hotel
On the ghost tour
Downtown Eureka Springs

I’d heard about Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and its historic, famously haunted 1886 Crescent Hotel for years. I always hoped I’d get to visit and see the town. To be honest, my main goal was to stay at the haunted hotel since people say it’s the most haunted hotel in America. Exploring the town was just an added bonus.

This weekend in Eureka Springs came together unexpectedly when I was heading to Fayetteville to pick up my granddaughter from her grandparents’ house. I thought it would be fun to take a detour to Eureka Springs for a little adventure together. So that’s exactly what we did. A weekend in Eureka Springs was perfect.

Starting our Weekend in Eureka Springs

The Town History

Eureka Springs sits among natural springs in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. These springs drew early settlers, including the Osage and other Native American tribes, who believed the waters had healing powers. The town started on July 4, 1879, and it really took off when folks began sharing all those incredible stories about miraculous healings. At its busiest, Eureka Springs had about 10,000 residents. Now, just over 2,000 people live there, but more than 750,000 visitors come each year!

The springs’ reputation for healing, along with the arrival of the Frisco railroad, made it possible to build the 1886 Crescent Hotel. This luxury hotel sits atop the mountain and was an exclusive getaway for wealthy guests.

The Hotel

The 1886 Crescent Hotel is part of the Historic Hotels of America. It’s famous for its tales and, of course, the ghosts—or at least that’s what people claim! My granddaughter and I had only been there about fifteen minutes, heading to our room on the second floor with real keys instead of electronic cards, when a guest stopped us. She told us about a ghostly woman on the third floor above us who likes to mess with the ceiling lights and make them go out. She thought this ghost was doing the same to the lights in front of her room, which was right next to ours. Well, okay then. I had a similar experience at The Stanley Hotel: as soon as my son and I checked in, the ghost stories began! (Read about that here!)

The lobby of the 1886 Crescent Hotel
A guest bedroom
The Skybar, a rooftop bar and restaurant at the 1886 Crescent Hotel

After we politely excused ourselves from our neighbor, we went into our room. The room glowed with vintage colors, and the arrangement of the two double beds stood out from typical hotel setups. Instead of being side by side, the beds were on adjoining walls. My bed was next to the entry door, and my granddaughter’s bed was along the wall by the windows. The feet of the beds were close together, but there was still enough space to walk between them. There was even a fireplace—not working, but still beautiful.

The 1886 Crescent Hotel is known for being haunted, so we just had to check out a ghost tour! We got the scoop on Eureka Springs’ history and how the hotel was built, plus we explored some of the most haunted rooms and heard stories about the ghosts that supposedly haunt them. They even took us to the morgue, the spot where they brought the dead when the hotel was a cancer hospital. In 1936, Norman Baker started the Baker Cancer Clinic, but things took a turn when he got arrested for fraud later on.

A sign from the Baker Hospital
In the morgue!
The morgue in the basement of the 1886 Crescent Hotel

During my stay, I didn’t encounter any ghosts (unlike my experience at the Duff Green Mansion in Vicksburg! Read that here.) My granddaughter and I did lose a chess piece, though—we both swear it was there just a second earlier, then it vanished into thin air. As I fell asleep, tired from a long day on the road, eating food I don’t usually eat (full of carbs and sugar!), enjoying the swings and firepit at the hotel, and most of all, enjoying time with my granddaughter, I talked to the ghosts. I asked them to let us sleep. And I slept wonderfully, truly wonderfully.

The Town Today

We started our morning by sleeping in, since that was the priority. As much as I can sleep in, anyway, which is about 7:30am. We got ready and went to the huge, beautiful dining room for breakfast. We found a window table with a view of the pool. Perfect. After my granddaughter gave me a lesson on posing for selfies—she’s beautiful and has learned from years of her mom taking her pictures—we enjoyed a great meal and then headed to town.

My granddaughter at breakfast
A fabulous breakfast at the 1886 Crescent Hotel
Me practicing my posing

One great thing about the 1886 Crescent Hotel is the shuttle to town. They pick you up at the front of the hotel and drop you off anywhere you want in town. When you’re ready to return, you just call the number on the card they give you, tell them where you are, and they’ll come pick you up and bring you back. The shuttle’s free, but I bet a tip wouldn’t hurt. It’s a sweet deal, especially since finding parking downtown can be a hassle.

We called for our ride, and he picked us up at the hotel entrance. He suggested we start at the top of town and work our way downhill. Eureka Springs is definitely hilly, so that made sense. So that’s what we did.

Downtown Eureka Springs
Soap at Soap Stop & Body Shop
The Basin Hotel

The town felt like something out of an old western, with historic brick buildings, balconies, and plenty of shops and restaurants. There were soap shops, game shops, souvenir shops, and more, all keeping that old-town charm. We stopped at Crystal Waters for gemstone earrings, picked up some handmade soap at Soap Stop & Body Shop, and got a puzzle and Pokémon cards at one of the gaming stores.

Basin Spring is right in the middle of town, now part of Basin Spring Park. This main spring is what first brought people to the area. Today, it’s a limestone fountain fed by the spring. It’s now the town square and the center of everything.

Basin Spring
The Basin Hotel Lobby
Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar, on the top floor for The Basin Hotel

The Basin Park Hotel, owned by the same folk as the 1886 Crescent Hotel, is right next to Basin Spring Park. Originally named The Perry House, it became the first hotel in Eureka Springs when it was built in 1881. The hotel used water from the spring for its guests. We stopped here twice, checked out the lobby, went upstairs to the ballroom, and peeked into Jack Rabbett’s Whisky Bar. The closure was likely for the best since I was with my granddaughter.

What Else?

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is home to a mix of people. There’s a big, free-spirited community. I’m really into these gemstone bracelets that are said to bring calm, wealth, or friendship—I wear them all the time! The town also has roots in many different religious denominations, and you’ll see rainbow flags on many homes. And that’s not all. Eureka Springs hosts plenty of festivals, too.

There are many outdoor activities available here. However, if you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m not the best person to ask about hiking or outdoor adventures. I can, however, help you find the most fabulous hotel.

Final Thought

Eureka Springs offers more than a spooky stay; it brims with history and charm, creating unforgettable moments that I share with my granddaughter. From wandering the hilly streets and exploring unique shops to settling in for a night at one of the most talked-about haunted hotels in America, every part of our weekend in Eureka Springs felt like a little adventure. Whether you come for the ghost stories, the scenery, or simply a change of pace, this is one destination that truly leaves an impression—and one I’d happily return to again.

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BOOK any of these hotels here!

Ghosts, Granddaughters, and Getaways: Our Weekend in Eureka Springs