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Before my big move to Northern California, I wanted to revisit Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a place I hadn’t seen in years. Growing up, I visited as a child, but this time, I was determined to experience it as an adult before moving away.
I'm so glad I did, because this small day trip ended up being a beautiful and memorable experience, and now a place I definitely want to revisit.
Horseback Riding Adventure
My day began with horseback riding, a hobby I’ve recently picked up.
Each time I travel, I love to include a horseback ride, and remembering the horses I rode in different places. This time, my horse was named Butters.
The location I went to this time was Keels Creek Trail Rides. It was a delightful experience with a lot to see along the trail, and if you go horseback riding anywhere, don't forget boots with a small heel for the stirrups.
A Visit to the Zoo
After that, I headed to a nearby zoo north of Eureka.
This zoo had indoor and outdoor animals to see. You are able to buy a bucket of food to hand out to all the different animals, or get a VIP pass allowing you to meet and learn about their baby animals. They even had a drive through section, and I'm glad I did it all.
Promised Land Zoo is the name, and their prices are actually more affordable than the horseback riding.
Exploring Eureka Springs
In the afternoon after all the adventuring around the town, I finally went inside. I was surprised how many people were around and how hard it was to find parking, but as the afternoon went on less and less people were around, and it was time to eat.
The New Delhi Cafe had a sign out front saying "Best Burgers in town!" so I had to try, and it did not disappoint.
A Magical Touch
One of the most charming parts of Eureka Springs is the quirky gift shop. There are so many stores with so many different themes and trinkets to collect.
My favorite one is East By West, where if you make a purchase, a rabbit will hand you your change. It’s a whimsical and super cute experience that adds a magical touch to the day.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my trip to Eureka Springs was filled with beautiful sights, fun activities, and memorable moments. As I've said a lot, with all the different places I went to, it's important to not look down at your phone GPS constantly. A phone mount in my car kept my eyes on the road and in the know about where I'm going.
Eureka was so fun to explore and surprisingly walkable with things to see even on the outskirts. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to Arkansas before my big move, and revisit a place from my childhood.