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I remember all those years of planning trips only with the kids that when I figured out that time for just my husband and me was important, I jumped on it. Don’t wait as long as I did to make time for each other; and with such a great destination practically in our back yard we just don’t have an excuse! Pack your bags for your September get away now! There is something for you, him and both of you – making it the perfect place to start making memories as a couple!
Vroom!
Starting the first week the Crescent Classic Rally roars into town with a fleet of Ferraris from around the country. The group stays at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, but parks the cars for anyone to see in their parking lot. It is something to hear the purr of these beautiful cars swerve down the hills and drive through the hollows. Even if you will never own one of these luxury cars it is a thrill to see them up close.
Bang Bang!
Cars are definitely a theme the first few weekends in Eureka Springs. Did you know that the first bank robbery committed using a car was at Bank of Eureka Springs? It is something that would disappear in history except they reenact it every year! A cast of characters in period costume descends downtown to case the joint (it is now a beautiful jewelry store instead of the historic bank) at exactly 12:05 on the first Saturday of September; just like when it happened in 1922. You can see the whole thing play out in front of you – gun shots and all.
Beep Beep!
The excitement continues with the annual Antique Automobile Show. Beautifully restored cars from all eras parade through the street, officially at 3:00 pm on the first Saturday of September and unofficially all weekend long. The cars are a delight to see and are parked at Pine Mountain Village for crowds to roam through and talk to the owners and admire the work that has been done to keep them running so smoothly.
All That Jazz!
The Jazz Weekend in Eureka Springs is one of the more elegant weekends. It is the second weekend in September when kids are fully ensconced into school and makes it the perfect time to sneak away. Or, if you are more like me and have an empty nest, it makes it an extra special time to come with your sweetie and enjoy the quieter streets after the summer crowds have gone and the town takes on a more refined sensibility.
There are free jazz concerts in Basin Spring Park throughout the weekend. New this year is a Jazz Garden Party on Wednesday night at the Crescent Hotel with a live band and dancing, and every year they bring world renowned musicians into their fully restored theater, The Auditorium. You might see Bela Fleck, Winston Marsalis, or another well-known jazz musician. Each year is a delight and the perfect way to top off a romantic weekend. Tickets are easy to get and the music fills the entire theater perfectly.
Exquisite dining experiences abound in Eureka Springs, but Jazz Weekend is special because so many of them include jazz musicians or specials on their menus. Must stops are Devito’s of Eureka Springs, The Stone House, Oscars on White Street or Sweet and Savory on the Highway. Save room for dinner at either Local Flavor or The Grand Taverne. There are so many extraordinary dining options that it is hard to fit it into one weekend. Just plan your next trip around where you didn’t get to go this time. Because it is Jazz Weekend, ending the weekend at the Jazz Brunch at the Crescent Hotel’s Crystal Dining Room seems like the perfect ending to the perfect song.
So, start your September off right and plan a trip without the kiddos, to enjoy the cars, the history, the rich sounds of jazz and the remarkable dining. Your marriage can thank Eureka Springs for years to come for making it memorable!
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