Fall Diversity Weekend | Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 | Eureka Springs, AR
- John-Michael Scurio
- 14 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A Town Where Even the Streets Aren't Straight
You’ll know you’ve arrived in Eureka Springs when your GPS gets confused. Streets twist, turn, dip, and double back on themselves. “Not even the streets are straight here,” I often tell people with a knowing wink. And I'm not just talking about the pavement.
Eureka was built to be different. Our founders carved it all into the sides of these hills with no grid and no traffic lights. It’s crooked, it’s quirky, and it wears that badge proudly.
Healing Waters, Healing Hearts
Back in the 1800s, thousands flocked here for the cold mountain springs. They believed the water cured everything from arthritis to consumption. Hotels, spas, and bathhouses thrived.
Today, the springs are still scattered across town, tucked under stone staircases and behind mossy walls. Some of the freakin' Eurekans will tell you to touch the water. It may not heal your bones, but it will heal your heart and ground you here. Forever connecting you to this sacred place.
And maybe they’re right. Because the magic of Eureka isn’t just in her springs anymore, it’s in her deep-hearted spirit of acceptance.
A Gem of Diversity
Eureka Springs is one of the smallest towns in America with one of the biggest inclusive hearts. More than 200 LGBTQIA+ households proudly live here, and the town throws two Diversity Weekends every year (spring and fall) along with a city-wide celebration of International Pride Month every June.
Think Mardi Gras meets small-town charm. Drag queens strut across balconies, rainbow flags wave from Victorian hotels, and parades roll through winding streets as fiddlers and drummers provide the soundtrack.
Here's how I've often summed it up best:
“People come here from places where they still can’t hold hands in public. And suddenly, they’re in a town where love is just love. It’s liberating. It’s joyful. It’s healing.” --John-Michael Scurio
Where to Stay: From Treehouses to Terraces
Whether you crave history, adventure, or whimsy, Eureka Springs has a place to lay your head:
Pond Mountain Lodge & Resort — Rustic cabins, featured in Out Magazine (2021).
Cliff Cottage Inn — Victorian elegance with walls that whisper history.
Heart of the Hills Inn — Cozy, romantic, with old-world charm.
Wanderoo Lodge — Adventure central. Kayak, hike, or zipline by day; cocktails, drag brunch, and live music at night.
Want a splash of Bourbon Street in the Ozarks? Book a room at The New Orleans Hotel. Its wrought-iron balconies overlook downtown, putting you right in the middle of everything.
And for the dreamers? Iris Hill Glamping Resort and Grand Treehouse Resort let you fall asleep under the stars or high among the treetops.
Glitter by Night, Nature by Day
Eureka shines brightest during Diversity Weekend, when drag shows, live music, and dance parties keep the town buzzing late into the night.
But by day? It’s all about the outdoors.
Just a short drive away, Beaver Lake stretches with 487 miles of shoreline, perfect for kayaking or a picnic. Trails twist through the Ozark hills, and autumn paints the mountains in fiery shades of crimson, amber, and gold.
Downtown Delights
Eureka is a town to explore. Every corner hides a gem:
Studio 34 Art Gallery — Meet the artists at work.
Eureka’s Nut House — A nutty experience, literally.
Eureka Charcuterie - Meet Eureka's Salami King, Scott Dobbins.
Sugar & Spite — Penny-candy nostalgia at its sweetest.
Route 62 General Store — Quirky finds, great gifts and delicious food.
Hungry? You’ll hear this joke everywhere: at least seven restaurants claim to serve “the best burger in town.” The only way to know? Taste them all. My personal favorite is the Double Cheeseburger with mustard, pickles and onion. You can find this upstairs at Chelsea's Corner Cafe. It's tastes flame-broiled just like my Momma used to make it back home, right off the grill, when I was a kiddo.
Conversations with Locals
The beautiful people here are the real magic.
At Brews, a cozy coffeehouse-meets-pub, I met a lovely lady who's lived here since the late 1970's. “I came for a weekend and never left,” she said. “This town just accepts you. I’ve lived in cities where I felt invisible. Here, I feel seen.”
And at a drag brunch at Wanderoo, Dallas transplant, Patti Le Plae Safe in a wig taller than my torso told the crowd:
“Honey, Eureka doesn’t just roll out the rainbow carpet - we are the rainbow carpet.”
The room erupted in laughter and applause, but there was truth in her glittery wink.
A Town that Refuses to Be Ordinary
Eureka Springs isn’t for everyone. If you need straight streets and big-box stores, you might find it too peculiar. But if you thrive on crooked alleys, spontaneous music, and a community that celebrates love in every form ... we're ready to welcome you with open arms. . .
. . . and once Eureka hooks your heart, she won’t let go.
Discovering Eureka! Why?
Because it’s not just a destination. It’s an experience.
It’s campfires, drag queens, faeries, butterflies, fireflies and hummingbirds. A kaleidoscope of love, laughter, art, music, history and nature.
So, the next time you’re searching for a road trip with meaning, head toward Route 62. Follow the curves until you reach the soul of 62, and when you see the rainbow flags fluttering above Spring Street, you’ll know you’ve found someplace extraordinary.
Eureka! You found it!❤️
