My love of Eureka Springs goes back almost 40 years. It was a favorite day trip to visit the quaint eclectic shops, the stunning glass Thorncrown Chapel, finding unique “local” dining options, visiting the historical Crescent Hotel, and the statue of Christ of the Ozarks which overlooks the valley.

Today, it still has its quaint historical charm and is almost a year round destination option with festivals, running/cycling events, wineries to visit, lodging options from hotels to inns to bed and breakfast inns, to cabins to camping.

I highly recommend The Benton Place Inn. Rebecca, the Innkeeper, knows the meaning of true southern hospitality, graciousness, & a genuine desire to welcome guests to the Inn. Each of the 3 Suites has its own unique Victorian decor and history. Ask for a tour and learn the history behind many of the antique pieces, wall prints, to the stained glass lamps, to the renovations yet keeping the historical charm alive.

I was making my cross country road trip from Arkansas to Virginia in the winter of 2015 & needed a last minute place to stay. On recommendation from a local restaurant, I found the Benton Place Inn. I stayed in the Cliffside Suite which you climb up the stone steps to the entry. Romance abound with the Jacuzzi Suite and the Garden Gazebo nested up in the trees to sit at in the morning or evening is the perfect place to unwind. On my visit there was fresh orange juice, champagne and fresh baked bread in my room. What I loved was the seclusion and quite location yet I was able to walk everywhere I needed to the next morning! From their website it was named “One of the MOST INTIMATE PLACES in America” by Inn Traveler, The Book of Lists! http://www.bentonplaceinn.com/

Speaking of wineries, my favorite is Railway Winery at Trestle 71-7 open Wednesday-Sunday. They are known for their Peach Train Wine & as the seasons change so do the wines with fun names like “Strawberry Train Wreck” ! The owners, Greg & Vicki, have truly worked to build this winery from the ground up. Even with the flood of a few years ago, they did not let that ruin their dream of rebuilding. Their passion is evident in making this a place you can learn about their wines , relax outside and enjoy the view of the valley just outside of Eureka Springs near the town of Beaver on Highway 187 located along the route of the historic M&NA line. Since my visit in 2015, seeing their recent photos on Facebook, they have expanded the tasting room’s outdoor seating options. From their website: ”Railway Winery is a small farm winery owned and operated by Greg and Vicki Schneider. With a vineyard of 12 varieties of grapes and several fruits, we plan to offer a wide selection of wines. Come and sample the wines or just visit. Feel free to picnic and enjoy yourself. Available for group functions and special events. Just a scenic 8 miles north of Eureka Springs, near the historic Beaver Bridge and beautiful Table Rock Lake. too!” http://railwaywinery.com/index.htm

On your way into Eureka Springs from the West, be sure to visit Thorncrown Chapel. Its stunning glass architecture is awe inspiring. Standing at 48 feet tall it has 425 windows & 6,000 square feet of glass. It is a destination in itself to learn the history, the architecture & of course many weddings are held among it’s pristine beauty. Jim Reed bought the land originally to build his retirement home. He and his wife later decided to build the chapel & professor E. Fay Jones from the University of Arkansas agreed to design the chapel. To stand inside this glass structure and see its serene view nestled along the top of an Ozark hill is breathtaking and with the seasons the views change! From their website: ” It has won numerous architectural awards such as the American Institute of Architects Design of the Year Award for 1981 and AIA’s prestigious 25 Year Award. Recently, members of the American Institute of Architects placed Thorncrown Chapel fourth on its list of the top buildings of the twentieth century. It has been featured on television programs such as NBC Nightly News and the 700 Club. Almost every major magazine in the country has carried a story about the chapel including Time, Newsweek, and Parade.” http://www.thorncrown.com/index.html

I was blessed in 2017 to visit Eureka Springs with my sister. It was a picture perfect blue sky day. We went to visit the Christ of the Ozarks statue. It is simply breath taking. As it is perched on a mountain overlooking the city of Eureka Springs, the views are panoramic. Sharing an interesting history of the construction of this statue from their website: “Every inch of the remarkable sculpture was built by hand. No poured segments were used in the statue's construction. At an altitude of 1500 feet, the statue is made of 24 layers of white mortar on a steel frame and weighs over two million pounds. The foundation, which is virtually welded into the rock of the mountain, required 340 tons of concrete interlaced with steel. During construction, the framework of the statue was completely surrounded by scaffolding. Workers had to build an elevator up the side of the framework in order to reach the statue's higher segments. Taller than most humans, the hands from wrist to fingertip measure approximately 7 feet. The statue's arm spread from fingertip to fingertip spans 65 feet and its overall height is 67 feet.” http://www.greatpassionplay.org/christ-of-the-ozarks.html#.XT2YBOhKjIU

Eureka Springs is truly a destination from young to old to tourists to convention groups with something for everyone from the outdoor enthusiast, to history buffs, to art collectors to those seeking live entertainment. Take a little time to “enjoy the view” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas! https://www.eurekasprings.org/