Located in the northwest part of the state, is a well-known garden that offers a spectacular variety of colors, plants, trees - and beauty. The Eureka Springs Gardens in Eureka Springs, AR, is one the best in the southwest.
The Gardens cover a plentiful 33 acres, and are sure to delight the eye and the nose with a wide variety of sweet floral aromas. Each month brings out a different flower and colors that keep changing throughout the year. The flowers, plants and trees are all labeled so that they can be easily identified - and remembered for what they really are.
A list is on their Website of what is in bloom each month of the year, and this will enable you to time your visit with the blooming of the flowers of your choice. It also means that coming at two different times of the year will offer totally new flowers with brand new colors.
Also on the site is the Blue Spring, which has been the place that Indians visited for centuries for healing and refreshing. During the horrible Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Indians stopped here because they knew it would refresh them along the long and difficult path to their new home. The Blue Spring is a deep hole from which springs beautiful blue water - to the tune of 38 million gallons a day.
A trail through the Gardens is more than a mile long and it is handicap accessible. It will take you past special gardens like the Three Sisters Garden, the Woodland Garden, and the Medicine Wheel Garden. Each one is intended to preserve the natural plants of the region, along with some of the history of the native peoples, too. In view of the purpose of the Gardens, the name was changed in 2003, to the Blue Spring Heritage Center.
Several classes and art instruction are given at the center through the year. The water from the Blue Spring flows into a pond where it is stocked with trout. Kids will enjoy feeding them. They also will have special activities that will be of interest to all ages, such as crafts, special exhibits, and other learning experiences.
The Gardens is also an excellent place to have your wedding. They have little gazebos that would make it very picturesque with the new couple standing in a flower background. The Spring Terrace, which surrounds the Blue Spring, is the ideal place, and it can hold up to 500 people.
The Heritage Center is also a part of the Gardens, where there are many different items on display. This includes various artifacts, old pictures, and a new film presenting the history of the area.
When you have completed your tour of the Eureka Springs Gardens in Eureka Springs, AR, you will want to stop by the Trading Post - their gift shop. It has many items that will be perfect for your home. Gifts include items that are unique to the Ozark region, as well as books, music, crafts, artwork, and more. The Gardens are open from the 15th of March until Thanksgiving Day, during the hours of 9 AM until 6 PM.
