Thorncrown Chapel is outside Eureka Springs in a wooded area off of highway 62. The entrance comes pretty quick and is located in a turn on highway 62, so maybe slow it down and keep your eyes open. It seemed easier to spot the entrance when headed in the north/west direction out of Eureka springs on 62, it being on the right just entering a turn. The entrance road seems to continue in that direction by just veering to the right. The other direction (south east off highway 62, towards Eureka Springs) may be harder to spot, as it's in the middle of the turn (on your left). You also kind of need to make a U turn entering the the entrance road from that direction. The entrance road itself is kind of narrow and hilly as it runs into the woods to the parking area. There's a decent sized parking area that is free to park as you visit. The chapel itself is a very short walk on a path from the parking area. You first pass another smaller building on the right, that I think was an office, as you walk to the chapel. I do not remember seeing any restrooms on site, (but could be wrong) so it's probably a good idea to think about that before you visit, just to be on the safe side. Thorncrown Chapel itself is a really nice Chapel constructed with stone, a lot of wood and glass. It's not overly large in size, but is fairly tall. It has a really nice design. They do not charge an entrance fee to visit. But they do ask that you consider making a donation to help offset the costs to maintain the site. They also ask that you only take pictures of the inside of the chapel, from being seated in one of the pews. I moved to a different pew to give me different angles and views for the pictures that I snapped. They also ask that you bring no food or drink into the chapel. It was very quiet and serene and beautiful. It is a really nice place. Very much...
Read moreWhen I first showed my fiance this place he immediately wanted to have our wedding ceremony here. We were both so excited. I immediately hopped to getting an appointment set to inquire about dates and details. Initially the scheduling website showed no availability, so I tried to call and leave a voicemail like it says to do on their site. Never heard back. I checked back to the scheduling site and was able to get an appointment set for March 11 at 430. I was so incredibly excited, I spoke to all my coworkers and family about it. I received a confirmation email and many reminders that I would have a phone consult with Felicia at this time on this date. Come 430 on March 11, I didnt receive a call. Thought maybe she was stuck on the call with whomever had the appointment time before me. Come 500 pm, still no call. I attempted to call once more to see if I'd get through and left a voicemail. Come 530, came to terms that I wouldn't be receiving a phone call. I understand that this is a very popular wedding venue, which is why I wanted to get our date reserved almost 2 years ahead. However, if you are going to have a system set where people can make an appointment to discuss with you, at least have the courtesy to communicate that the appointment may need to be changed due to an influx of inquiries. Based on previous reviews I have read this has been a consistent experience and it seems they do not wish to change it. I will be sharing thus experience with anyone I hear considering wanting to plan with thorncrown. Very...
Read moreUnpleasant hospitality... My now fiance took me to visit this chapel for the first time and after I realized our close family members were also there we were then abruptly confronted by the, I assume host of this place, and older woman with short gray hair asked us what we were doing there. At the same time she was pointing out the 4 heart balloons and a bouquet of roses my mother was holding and grabbed a small sign from my sister that read 'she said yes!'. I replied that it was our first time visiting and my now sister in law replied 'engagement'. I had had no clue. She then replied that these things needed to be done with lots of time in advance and she couldn't have us blocking the path whilst many people, families, were passing by us. I replied that we were there as tourists like everyone else. And she said that we needed to hurry up. The moment was still magical and we had many people, not family, stopping to take pictures and say Congratulations. Later on my fiance told me that he had called a week before to the chapel and had been told he was free to do so between 12:00 to 17:00. At the time it had been almost 13:00. Beautiful place but distatesful...
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