Bed and Breakfast Hot Spots!

EUREKA SPRINGS:Find it all in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

Almost 126 years ago settlers were first attracted to the area's healing spring waters and aptly named the town Eureka, which means "I found it!" Visitors continue to find pleasure in the authentic Victorian village that has been named one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Known as the "town that water built," the many lakes and rivers offer breathtaking scenery and an abundance of attractions and activities.

Search for inns in Eureka Springs

Uniquely Eureka

Creativity characterizes the artful ambiance that thrives here. From regional folk art to renowned art galleries, from local theater and street musicians to the internationally known Opera of the Ozarks, from the annual Yard Art Competition to a plethora of craft fairs and festivals, there is an expressive diversity for everyone. The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow, (479) 253-7444, and the Eureka Springs School of the Arts, (479) 253-5384, encourage creative development.

Fun Ways to Get Around

The Eureka Springs Transit System makes getting around easy with an all-day pass for $4 that provides unlimited trolley rides. An open-air tram ride for $8.50 is the perfect way to enjoy a guided tour of the Historic District's fine examples of carefully preserved Victorian architecture. Passes and tickets are available at the downtown Trolley Depot or Visitor Information Center on Highway 62. Call (479)253-9572 or go to www.eurekatrolley.org

Activities

Blue Spring Heritage Center
(479) 253-9244 - www.eurekagardens.com
Plan to spend at least one hour visiting the 33-acre Eureka Springs Gardens at Historic Blue Spring where 38 million gallons of water flow every day. Walk along the Trail of Tears, explore the bluffs where ancient artifacts have been unearthed, and see the Old Mill site, lagoon and waterfall. Admission price is based on seasonal rates.

Thorncrown Chapel
(479) 253-7401 - www.thorncrown.com
Award-winning Thorncrown Chapel, 48 feet tall with 425 windows, boasts innovative architecture of modern glass and wood. It is surrounded by trails and year-round natural beauty.

Quigley's Castle
(479) 253-8311 - www.quigleyscastle.com
Visit the Ozarks strangest dwelling encompassed in incredible natural beauty at Quigley's Castle. Take garden paths to the home that Elise Quigley covered with stones collected since childhood. There are more than 400 perennial flower varieties with a treetop bed full of blooms, and tropical plants growing on the first to second floors. Her fossil, arrowhead, butterfly, crystal and glassware collection is amazing. Cost is $5.50 for adults. Kids under 14 are free with parent.

Rosalie House
(888)882-7377 - www.estc.net/rosalie/
Tours of the Rosalie House are given in period clothing among museum-quality antiques. Adults pay $7.50, the cost is $5.00 for children six and older.

The Great Passion Play
(866) 566-3565 - www.GreatPassionPlay.com
An unforgettable experience that has inspired more than six million visitors. A cast of hundreds depicts Christ's last week on earth, his death, resurrection and ascension. Other on-site attractions include Christ of the Ozarks Statue that towers seven stories above Magnetic Mountain, and the Sacred Arts Center with more than 1000 pieces of mixed media biblical art. A priceless collection of parchments, artifacts and more than 6,000 Bibles in 625 languages and dialects are on display at the Bible Museum. The New Holy Land Tour offers a two-hour guided bus tour covering 50 acres of re-created biblical scenes.

Abundant Memories Heritage Village
(479) 253-6764 - www.abundantmemories.com
See live Historama-Patriotic Programs and 25 buildings authentically displaying thousands of Revolutionary through Civil war era artifacts. Adults pay $9, children are half-price.

Belle of the Ozarks
(800) 552-3803 - www.belleoftheozarks.com
Relax for at least an hour and a half enjoying this 12-mile cruise. Listen to an informative narrative on Beaver Dam, White House Bluffs, the Lost Bridge area, Indian burial grounds, a submerged homestead and the 200-acre Game Preserve Islands.

Onyx Cave Park
(479) 253-9321
A perfect picnic setting where a 30-minute self-guided taped tour is available, and admission to the Button and Doll Museum is included in the entrance fee of $4.25 for adults and $2.00 for for children ages 4-13.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge & Foundation
(479) 253-5841
An animal lover's paradise, Turpentine Creek is home to over 150 large, exotic animals that have been rescued over the years. Tigers, lions, cougars, leapards, bears, monkeys and deer are able to run, play and explore in their own natural haven. Located on 450 sprawling acres in the Ozark Mountains, just 7 miles south of Eureka Springs, Turpentine Creek is one of very few U.S.D.A. llicensed shelters for large carnivores in the United States. Adult admission is $15, children, seniors and veterans admission is $10. Open from 9 a.m. until dusk.