27022 Eureka Springs

Day 1

Tuesday, June 1
Welcome to Branson
Our Ozark adventure begins with a comfortable journey to Branson, Missouri, one of America’s favorite entertainment destinations. Upon arrival, settle into the Thousand Hills Resort Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Branson and surrounded by the welcoming hospitality and natural beauty of the Ozarks.
This evening, enjoy an included plated dinner at Landry’s Seafood House. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and flavorful seafood specialties, Landry’s provides a delicious beginning to the experiences ahead. The remainder of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy the comfortable surroundings of the resort.

Day 2

Wednesday, June 2
The Spirit of America & Dinner on the Rails
After breakfast, take your seat at King’s Castle Theatre for Spirit of America, a high-energy musical celebration featuring the songs that helped shape a nation. Stirring patriotic anthems join favorites from country, rock, gospel, and pop in a production filled with powerful vocals, lively choreography, dazzling costumes, and colorful visual effects. It is an uplifting tribute to the music that has brought generations of Americans together.
Following the show and time for lunch on your own, we travel through the beautiful Ozark countryside to Eureka Springs. After checking into our hotel, step back into the golden age of rail travel aboard the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway Dinner Train.
Settle into the vintage Eurekan Dining Car for an elegant meal served as the train travels along a historic stretch of track through the wooded hills. The gentle rhythm of the rails, nostalgic surroundings, and specially prepared dinner make this much more than a meal—it is an experience reminiscent of the grand days of passenger train travel.

Day 3

Thursday, June 3
The Story and Scenery of Eureka Springs
Today begins with a visit to the grounds of The Great Passion Play for the Holy Land Tour. This immersive experience brings biblical history to life through authentic settings and presentations. Walk through recreations of important locations, learn about the customs and daily life of the era, and gain a deeper understanding of the people and events surrounding the ministry of Jesus.
Afterward, enjoy free time in downtown Eureka Springs. The entire downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is filled with beautifully preserved buildings, locally owned shops, art galleries, inviting restaurants, and hidden springs. With its winding streets and buildings tucked into the hillsides, the city seems to reveal something new around every corner.
This afternoon, a narrated tram tour introduces us to Eureka Springs’ colorful past and distinctive character. A knowledgeable local guide will share stories of the city’s healing springs, early settlers, grand Victorian homes, unusual architecture, and historic landmarks as we travel through its charming streets and scenic neighborhoods.
The day concludes with an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4

Friday, June 4
Big Cats, Blue Spring & The Great Passion Play
Our morning begins at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit sanctuary providing lifelong care to rescued big cats and other exotic animals. During a guided open-air tram tour, see some of the refuge’s remarkable residents while learning about their individual rescue stories, natural behaviors, and the sanctuary’s important mission. Lions, tigers, and other animals live here in spacious habitats surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.
Following time for lunch on your own, visit Blue Spring Heritage Center, where natural beauty and centuries of history come together. Blue Spring pours approximately 38 million gallons of clear water each day into a peaceful, trout-filled lagoon. Stroll among native gardens and visit the historic bluff shelter, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The land once provided shelter to Indigenous peoples and later became a stopping place for Cherokee traveling the Trail of Tears.
We then return to the grounds of The Great Passion Play, where there will be time to explore its museums, exhibits, and pre-show presentations. Enjoy an included buffet dinner in the Great Hall before taking your seat in the outdoor amphitheater.
Performed beneath the evening sky, The Great Passion Play portrays the final days of Jesus Christ, from His entrance into Jerusalem through the Resurrection. A large cast, live animals, dramatic lighting, music, and an expansive multi-level set combine to create one of America’s most recognized outdoor biblical productions.

Day 5

Saturday, June 5
Thorncrown Chapel & Bentonville
This morning, experience the peaceful beauty of Thorncrown Chapel. Hidden among the trees outside Eureka Springs, this celebrated woodland sanctuary was designed by renowned Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones. Rising 48 feet into the forest canopy, the chapel contains more than 6,000 square feet of glass and 425 windows. Its distinctive “Ozark Gothic” design allows light, trees, and changing reflections to become part of the structure, creating a remarkable harmony between architecture and nature.
From there, travel to Bentonville and enjoy free time for lunch and exploration around its welcoming downtown square. This lively district blends small-town charm with locally owned restaurants, shops, public art, and fascinating history.
Visit the newly reimagined Walmart Museum, located in the historic building where Sam Walton opened Walton’s 5&10. Exhibits trace the story of how one small-town variety store grew into one of the world’s best-known companies. Explore Sam Walton’s original office, discover the values and ideas that guided the business, and enjoy interactive displays that bring Walmart’s history to life.
Next, experience Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where art, architecture, and nature meet in a spectacular Ozark setting. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, the museum’s graceful pavilions surround spring-fed ponds nestled within the forest. Inside, discover American art spanning generations, while the surrounding campus features outdoor sculptures, gardens, architectural landmarks, and miles of wooded trails.
After an included dinner at a local restaurant, return to Eureka Springs for the evening.

Day 6

Sunday, June 6
Eureka Springs to St. Louis
After breakfast, say farewell to the Ozarks and begin the journey to St. Louis. A stop will be made along the way for lunch on your own.
Our accommodations for the evening are at the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch, placing us near one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. After settling in, enjoy Drury’s included 5:30 Kickback®, featuring a rotating selection of hot food, cold beverages, and evening favorites.
The remainder of the evening is yours to relax after another memorable day of travel.

Monday, June 7
Journey to the Top of the Gateway Arch
Our final morning includes a visit to the Gateway Arch, the soaring stainless-steel monument that has become the enduring symbol of St. Louis and America’s westward expansion.
A unique tram carries us to the observation area at the top of the 630-foot Arch, where small windows provide impressive views of downtown St. Louis, the Mississippi River, and the surrounding landscape. We will also see the documentary Monument to the Dream, which tells the extraordinary story of the Arch’s design and construction, including the engineering challenges faced while building one of the world’s most recognizable structures.
Following our visit, we begin the journey home with a stop for lunch on your own, returning with wonderful memories of Eureka Springs and the Ozarks.