museums Archives - ...and Blue Sky

Eureka Springs Historical Museum – The Crazy History of a Small Town

January 26, 2023 Crystal Comments 0 Comment

It’s hard to walk around the Eureka Springs Historic District without wondering about the town’s past. Almost every building in downtown Eureka Springs dates back to around 1900, give or take a few years, and it seems like each one has a story. If you’re a curious person like I am, you’ll be so happy the Eureka Springs Historical Museum exists!

Within this three-story historic building, which dates back to 1889 itself, you can learn all about the town’s past, from some of its infamous residents (including Carrie Nation) to the fires that wiped out the entire downtown area a few times to the springs themselves.

I love that you can see the Crescent Hotel up on the hill! It was practically still new when this was taken in 1888.

Admission to the Eureka Springs Historical Museum is just $5 and there’s parking right next to the building (a rarity in this town!). They’re open from 9:30-4 pm, but they’re closed Sundays & Wednesdays. (A lot of businesses here close Tues or Weds.)

Here’s my suggestion if you’re visiting Eureka Springs for the first time: Take an hour or two to wander around downtown and get a feel for it, THEN visit the museum. It’s going to be more fun if you’re a little familiar with the town, but then you can go back and look at everything again with a whole new depth of knowledge! (I also suggest the Downtown n’ Underground tour of the Eureka Springs Historic District – click the link for my post about it!)

As a huge hotel nerd, I loved all of the displays on historic Eureka Springs hotels!

Like pretty much every museum, you are going to get out of this place as much as you’re willing to put into it. If you just do a quick walk-through, you probably won’t be all that impressed but if you stop to read signs and really look at the exhibits and chat with the super knowledgeable staff, you’ll really enjoy it. Eureka Springs AR history is pretty crazy – you’re sure to leave with at least a few fun facts that blew your mind!

Pearl is one of my favorite iconic Eureka Springs residents. You can actually rent her house as an AirBnB now!

I get to write about crazy old-fashioned medicines for the museum I do social media for, so I loved the exhibit with things like these definitely healthy belladonna cigarettes for your asthma. 😳

It should be noted that the museum is two stories and since this is a classic Victorian home, there’s no elevator. (Not being super well designed for visitors with mobility disabilities is one of the very few negative things about Eureka Springs.) There’s still plenty to see on the first floor if you can’t do stairs (I probably spent 3/4 of my time there downstairs).

Side note – I just googled that “Wizard Oil” next to the cigarettes and apparently it was advertised to cure everything from sunburn to toothache to cancer (yikes.. although if you want some crazy stories about fake cancer treatments, don’t miss the Crescent Hotel Ghost Tour just a few minutes away!) but it contained things like turpentine (imagine putting that on your skin!!), chloroform, and ammonia. Maybe all those fumes just made you think you felt better??

A note for book lovers: The museum gift shop has a GREAT selection of books on local history and culture! (This is only like half of what they have)

While I would absolutely support buying these at the museum or from another small local business if at all possible, I also found a few of them on Amazon if you’re interested in the area but don’t have access to other buying options. Here are the ones I was able to hunt down:

🕮 Eureka Springs: City of Healing Waters There are about a dozen pages of this one that you can read for free if you click “Look Inside” on the Amazon page. A great way to see if you’re interested in buying!

🕮 An Ozark Culinary History: Northwest Arkansas Traditions from Corn Dodgers to Squirrel Meatloaf This one is currently only $3 on Kindle! And again there are about a dozen pages you can read on the “Look Inside”

🕮 A Fame Not Easily Forgotten This one is mostly available used, but used paperbacks are like $7.

🕮 Classic Eateries of the Ozarks

🕮 Stair Step Town This was written back in 1952 and I’m so curious about it! It’s only available used on Amazon but the ones in the museum look new.

Overall, while the Eureka Springs Historical Museum isn’t huge, it’s a great way to learn more about the town, see some cool antiques, and catch the rotating temporary exhibits, which are always cool. Plus it’s only $5 and right at the bottom of Main Street – super easy to get to! If you happen to be visiting in October, they do an annual event called “Voices from the Silent City” where actors share the stories of notable residents over in the cemetery.

One more tip: I’d recommend visiting at a less busy time like a weekday morning if you can. I’ve never seen the museum very crowded, but like most of the town, parking is very limited to a handful of spaces and fairly tight. There is $5 parking a few doors down at the Cathouse, metered parking about a five-minute walk away behind the auditorium, or free parking at the trolley station if you don’t mind a 10-ish minute walk straight uphill.

I’m working on a whole series of posts about fun things to do in Eureka Springs, so be sure to check back! And let me know if you wind up visiting the Eureka Springs Historical Museum – I’d love to hear what you think! You can find more photos and reviews of the museum on TripAdvisor.

Looking for a cozy place to stay within walking distance of the museum? Check out my post about the Mary Margaret Guest House!

Incredible Artifacts and Interactive Fun at Shipwrecked Treasure Museum in Branson, MO

March 13, 2020 Crystal Comments 0 Comment

Located at the Branson Landing, the brand new Shipwrecked Treasure Museum in Branson, MO just had its official ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday. This interactive treasure museum is filled with fascinating artifacts recovered from miles beneath the ocean’s surface!

I received complimentary museum admission to facilitate my review.

Whether you’re a history buff, a pirate enthusiast, a rare coin collector, or just a fan of visiting museums while on vacation, Shipwrecked Treasure Museum offers something for everyone. I loved learning the stories behind each exhibit, and it’s crazy to look at artifacts like a piece of pottery that was literally underwater for thousands of years!

…

Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson, MO

January 20, 2020 Crystal Comments 1 comment

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson, MO and wanted to share my experience with you guys!

I received complimentary admission in exchange for an honest review.

I recruited my friend Debbie to come with me – this kind of attraction is best with a friend who is totally ready to take a bunch of silly photos with you. It’s a great rainy-day activity, and will appeal to a pretty wide range of ages. (I don’t think small children would get much out of the experience, but kids old enough to recognize the celebrities and enjoy getting their photo taken will probably enjoy it.)

It’s almost impossible to miss the Hollywood Wax Museum as you’re driving down Highway 76 in Branson, which is the main street where most of the live music shows are located. In addition to the eye-catching King Kong above, the exterior features a Mt. Rushmore-style sculpture featuring classic stars:

There are a few different options for Branson Hollywood Wax Museum tickets available.

They’ve recently changed their pricing structure so instead of one set price, it varies a bit depending on the time of year. For example, a Tuesday in January when Branson is pretty empty will be significantly cheaper than visiting on the 4th of July.

You can buy a ticket for just the Wax Museum, which at the time of posting starts at $23.99 ($13.99 for kids), or you can purchase an All Access Pass that also includes admission to Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, the Castle of Chaos 5-D ride/game experience, and Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf, all of which are on-site and range from $13-16 each if purchased separately. The All Access Pass currently ranges from $33.99-$39.99 ($19.99 for kids), so you get a lot of extra entertainment for just a few dollars more! I even have a Branson Hollywood Wax Museum coupon that you guys can print out – it gets you $2 off each All Access Pass for up to six people! Score!

The BEST Option for Branson Wax Museum Tickets!

BUT WAIT! Are you also planning to visit the new Branson Aquarium at the Boardwalk? They’re owned by the same company as the wax museum, and they offer a combo ticket that’s a really good deal! It’s called the Five’r ticket and for some reason it’s listed here on the aquarium’s website but not on the wax museum website! You get the aquarium and everything listed in the All Access Pass above and the price ranges from $44.99-64.99 for adults and $19.99-$24.99 for kids. The child pass being basically the same price a the All Access Pass is an amazing deal since regular child tickets for the aquarium are usually $15.99! (Adults are $29.99-$34.99) So even if you’re *only* planning to do the wax museum and the aquarium without visiting any of the smaller attractions, it’s still an amazing deal.

What to expect at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson

We went fairly late in the evening and wound up spending about two hours in just the Hollywood Wax Museum, but hopefully I can return at another time and write about the other three attractions. They all get good reviews on TripAdvisor, and your pass is good all day so you can always do one attraction in the morning, come back for another in the afternoon, and two more in the evening.

Branson MO Wax Museum Pop Stars

The Hollywood Wax Museum has exhibits spread out across two floors. (You can choose stairs or elevator to access the upper level.) Most rooms feature celebrities that all fit a certain theme, from classic Hollywood with Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland to country music superstars including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. I like that they offer wax figures from a pretty wide range of eras and genres, so your teens can get just as excited about Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift as grandma does about taking a photo with Frank Sinatra. (Or hey, maybe it’s Grandma who’s the Bieber super-fan and your 10th grader is into Old Blue Eyes. You get the idea!)

A few more classic stars:

Branson MO Wax Museum Audrey Hepburn Photo Op

…

Step Into History at the Titanic Museum in Branson – Updated for 2023!

November 18, 2019 Crystal Comments 0 Comment

If you’ve ever driven down Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri (something I do several times a week), you’ll know it’s impossible to miss the Titanic Museum Attraction as you pass.

Note: Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which support this site at no additional cost to you. These go a long way to helping me continue to offer first-hand experience and authentic reviews!

Branson Titanic Museum

I visited once waaaaay back when it first opened and then again recently. They’ve definitely added a lot to their collection since my first visit, and a few things have changed. I’ll fill you in on all of it!

One note before we begin – Photos and videos were not allowed inside the attraction on my last visit, so pardon the lack of photos taken by me in this post. (I have borrowed a few from the media section of their website so that you will have some visuals!) They said that it’s for copyright reasons, and it does preserve the reverent atmosphere, but it did lessen my enjoyment a little bit. Since I couldn’t take photos of things and people I wanted to look up more info on, I jotted down notes instead.

However! As of 2022, they are now allowing photos inside the museum again! I’m super excited about this and hope to return soon!

Titanic museum branson grand staircase — Image via the Titanic Museum Attraction media page.

Fun Fact: The Branson Titanic Museum grand staircase is built to the same scale as the original!

(As a side note, I think the no photography rule is a newer one, since I remember being able to take photos the first time I visited. There are quite a few photos on TripAdvisor, but I’m a rule follower so I didn’t take any during my visit.)

Everyone knows the basic story of the Titanic, but it’s fascinating to learn more about specific passengers. Upon entering, you receive a boarding pass (Mine is above) with the name and brief story of a real passenger, as well as a listening device for the audio tour. As you tour the museum, you can keep an eye out for photos and stories about your passenger, and find their name on the memorial wall at the end to see if they survived or not. For the audio tour, most exhibits have a number that can be typed into your device to play information. The audio content expands on the written descriptions, and sometimes includes stories from survivors. Some exhibits and artifacts have a second number, which is for the kid’s version of the audio tour.

Most of the exhibits are permanent, but they also have temporary ones that last for a few months. During my visit, there was a collection of fashion designed by Lady Duff Gordon, one of the first class passengers.

The second one from the left reminded me a lot of this dress from the Titanic movie:

Not the same cut, obviously, but similar colors and the same thick ribbon empire waist. I’d guess that the movie’s costume department took a lot of inspiration from Lady Duff Gordon’s designs! You can check the Titanic Museum Attraction’s website to see what the current rotating exhibit is before visiting.

Touring the Branson Titanic Museum takes about 90 minutes for the average visitor – someone who stops to read a fair amount of the info and examine the exhibits and artifacts, but not to read and listen to every word. You’ll find life-size recreations of the accommodations, including a third class cabin with tiny little bunk beds, authentic recovered artifacts including life jackets, and an interesting display that shows the difference between the first, second, an third-class dinnerware and menus.

inside Titanic Museum Branson — Image courtesy of the Titanic Museum’s media page.

In addition to the artifacts, you’ll find some interactive exhibits. In one area, you can try to balance on the sloping surface of the deck as the ship tilted to steeper angles while sinking, while another spot offers the opportunity to see how long you can hold your hand in 28-degree water, which is the temperature the water was when the ship sank.

Sloping Deck at Branson Titanic Museum — Image via the Titanic Museum Attraction media page.

As you exit the museum, you’ll find a small gift shop with an array of memorabilia and an impressive selection of Titanic-related books.

Books about the Titanic in the Titanic Museum the gift shop

A few cool notes about the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson:

*They offer early admission for guests with autism once a week so that they can have a more comfortable touring experience.

*There’s an education guide on their website with ways to incorporate lessons in almost every subject around the Titanic. It would be a fantastic resource for home schoolers! There’s also a scavenger hunt you can print out so kids can search for the answers as you explore.

*They started a podcast that tells the stories of the passengers.

*While most of the museum is kept at a comfortable temperature, when you walk across the starlit promenade deck outside of the captain’s quarters, you’ll notice a distinct chill in the air. I noticed that a nearby thermostat was set to 52 degrees to create the feeling of actually being out at sea on a cold night without making visitors uncomfortably cold. Just a cool example of attention to detail.

*I was surprised to learn that a lot of the crew members were very young – like 14 or 15. Makes sense since this was long before labor laws, but that’s definitely not how I’ve ever pictured the crew.

Titanic Museum in Branson

Branson Titanic Museum

Be sure to take a moment to pose for some photos outside of the museum before you leave! It’s built to 50% scale and looks so realistic that you can almost forget you’re right in the middle of the Branson 76 Strip.

Branson Titanic Museum Tickets:

If you don’t want to use the Groupon option below, you can find Branson Titanic Museum Tickets here. As of March 2022, they are still doing reserved ticket times, which do sell out, so booking your tickets in advance is highly recommended! As of 2023, adults are currently $35 and children are $15.

Branson Titanic Museum Coupons:

I did a bit of searching, and it looks like you can usually get discount Titanic museum tickets on Groupon. Right now the deal is $3 off the regular price. Discount Titanic Museum tickets for military and homeschool educators are available through the box office. They also offer a family pass that covers two adults and up to four children for $115 + tax.

Titanic Museum Branson Hours for 2023:

The museum hours change a bit throughout the year, but they have a handy calendar available on their website that lists the exact hours for each day. The most popular hours are 9 am until 7 or 8 pm. Unlike some Branson attractions, they do stay open year-round!

In summary…

Overall, this is a sort of difficult experience to describe. I can’t call it “fun” given the tragedy that it comes from, but it is definitely interesting and worth doing. To learn more, visit the Titanic Branson website and the Titanic Museum Attraction Facebook page, which posts the latest info and photos from both the Branson and Pigeon Forge museums. You can also find plenty of Titanic Museum reviews and photos on TripAdvisor!

Are you fascinated by shipwrecks? Be sure to check out my review of Shipwrecked Treasure Museum in Branson!

Chihuly at Crystal Bridges

June 8, 2017 Crystal Comments 0 Comment

Last Friday I got the opportunity to check out the brand new Chihuly exhibition at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. I’d visited the museum once before, about three years ago, but I was excited to return to check out the new additions. Before this trip, all I really knew about Dale Chihuly was that he created the gorgeous glass chandeliers that used to hang in the atriums of the Disney Magic and Wonder cruise ships. Seeing more of his work up close and in a very different environment was awesome and gave me a whole new appreciation for him as an artist! If you live near NW Arkansas or will be visiting the area soon (it’s only about 2 hour drive from Branson!) I highly recommend heading over to Crystal Bridges to check out the exhibition! The gallery exhibit runs through August 14th, but the outdoor pieces will be on display until mid-November.

I visited the museum as part of a group of influencers treated to a special sneak peek of the brand new exhibition in partnership with Crystal Bridges. We started our evening with a cocktails at Eleven Restaurant and a trio of tasting menu dishes inspired by the works of art on display. The food was just as colorful and intricate as the art:

Each dish is inspired by a specific piece or collection in the exhibit.

The Connecticut Bluepoint Oysters with pickled apple batons and chile oil spears were inspired by the Fiori Boat pictured below them. The menu also includes a Beet Caprese (pictured above the oysters) inspired by Chihuly’s Red Reeds, and a Sesame Seed Encrusted Ahi Tuna inspired by the Fire Orange Baskets I’ve included photos of further down this post.

Just for you guys and for the sake of thorough research, I also sampled the Eleven Martini, which includes peach vodka, ginger liqueur, and fresh lime. It was way more citrus-y than I expected, but a great palate cleanser between the tasting menu dishes and quite good!

We began our curator-led museum tour with the gallery portion of the exhibition. There are over 300 pieces on display all together, including the 14 works in the gallery and 10 outdoor installations. Several pieces were created just for the Crystal Bridges exhibition, so this is the first time they’ve been displayed.

Chihuly Persians Crystal Bridges

The artist created this new “marigold” color and this collection of objects just for this exhibition! The pattern reminds me of a lionfish.

Crystal Bridges Chihuly Fire Red Bowls

Glass blown art is so cool. Some of the promotional materials describe Chihuly’s works as “Born of fire, forged with breath, and filled with light”, and I think the Fire Red Baskets above really capture all of that! (I posted a video of these baskets on Facebook if you want to see the full collection!)

Chihuly lives in the Pacific NW, so there’s a lot of Native American influence in his works. How cool are the woven blanket patterns in the glass?

Chihuly Crystal Bridges Glass

Because he lost an eye in a motorcycle accident in the 70s, Chihuly has some problems with depth perception. That can be a challenge when your entire career involves creating something 3D, so he started making “drawings” (technically paintings) that show his vision for the glass pieces he wants to create, and his team helps bring them to life.

My favorite drawing involved some blow torch action.

One of his newer endeavors involves painting on glass, then layering multiple pieces on top of each other to create really cool images like the one below:

Chihuly glass paintings

This display was definitely a crowd favorite:

A post shared by And Blue Sky (@straightontillmorningblog) on Jun 2, 2017 at 4:53pm PDT

It was originally commissioned as a holiday window display for Barney’s New York. You can’t hear it in the video, but it uses Clair de Lune as background music.

It’s all clear glass, but the lighting display totally changes the vibe from moment to moment.

There are a couple of pieces on display that you can see even without a ticket to the special exhibition. One is this amazing chandelier, which is located in the main part of the museum:

Chihuly Chandelier Crystal Bridges

After the gallery portion of the exhibition, we made our way to the newly remodeled North Forest area outside for “Chihuly in the Forest”.

The first piece you encounter outside is a collection of neon “tumbleweeds”. As you can imagine, all of the outdoor pieces look completely different a the light changes throughout the day!

Just a note: Although there are also awesome hiking-style trails around Crystal Bridges, the path the Chihuly exhibition is set along is paved and pretty flat, and thus totally wheelchair and stroller friendly.

I love how these pieces look in the natural setting! It turns it into some kind of magical fairytale forest.

Can you imagine how nerve-wracking it must be to be in charge of an exhibition where the pieces you’re putting outdoors are all made of glass? There was a hail storm shortly after these went up, but thankfully none were damaged!

The Sun is just absurdly cool.

There are Chihuly Saurday Nights events with live music going on through August that sound really cool, so I’m hoping I can fit in another visit to Bentonville soon to check them out!

Admission to Crystal Bridges Museum is free, but the Chihuly exhibition is $20 unless you have a museum membership. (Which I do now! Woohoo! Members get early access to temporary exhibitions like this one, too.)

You can learn more about the artist and exhibition on the Crystal Bridges website, and check out the #CBChihuly hashtag on Instagram to see more photos from other visitors. There are some REALLY cool ones in there!

Thanks so much to Crystal Bridges for inviting me out to check out the new exhibition before it even opened to the general public, and for making this post possible. wait to visit again next time I’m in Bentonville!

…and Blue Sky

Browsed by
Tag: museums