One spot not to be missed is the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge TCWR), the top-rated big cat sanctuary in the state. Rare, exotic, and  endangered species all find a home at this outstanding facility. The Ozark Natural Science Center is another educational stop where visitors can better understand the Ozark Mountains and their influence on the region, both past and present.

Speaking of the past, Civil War enthusiasts will want to see the 4300-acre Pea Ridge National Military Park where in March 1862, twenty-three thousand soldiers battled ferociously  to hold the state of Missouri for the North. It was the most critical  battle west of the Mississippi River and remains one of the most intact  Civil War battlefields in the US.

Whether you drive Spring Street yourself or take a trolley tour, you’ll be delighted by the sights  along this “main street.” From the tightly-packed buildings clinging to  the gravity-defying slopes to the northern part of the route where you  can feast your eyes on a variety of Victorian elegance, this is one piece of pavement not to miss.

If you see nothing else during your time in Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel is the one. This is a stunning piece of design and architecture  inspired by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students. Functioning as a  non-denominational worship center that is also a spectacular wedding  venue, it has been named to Budget Travel’s list of “12 Most Beautiful Churches in America” and Bored Panda’s list of “50 Most Extraordinary Churches in the World”.

Looking for something to feed the spirit? Come and lift a prayer at the 7-story Christ of the Ozarks monument, a landmark seen for miles around that overlooks downtown. Not to be missed is The Great Passion Play,  renowned for its moving re-telling of Christ’s last week. Supported by  live animals and 150 trained actors, these destinations will surely  bring some light to your soul.

Back in town, you’ll want to spend  some time getting to know it. The entire downtown is listed on the  National Register of Historic Places. Bring your walking shoes because  it can be a workout - with streets at all angles and elevations, curving  hither and yon, you made need an extended stay in one of the  rejuvenating springs after your tour around town!

At the risk of being overly cliché, Eureka! truly sums up the joyous  exclamation of visitors to this small enclave in northwestern Arkansas.  The expression is attributed to the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes  after discovering the formula for detecting the amount of gold in the  king of Syracuse’s crown.

Founded on July 4th,  1879, the town quickly became known across the immediate region for its  nearby springs' healing powers. 1882 saw the arrival of the railroad,  and within a few years, its reputation had grown as a vacation resort  town. Hundreds of homes and commercial buildings sprung up; all centered  around providing hospitality for the influx of visitors eager to  experience the wealthy lifestyle, gracious living, and healing waters.

Also  known as the “Stairstep City” for its steep streets and winding roads,  many buildings have ground floor entrances on two levels. There’s nary a  straight street nor a 90° intersection, and still no stoplights!

Eureka Springs has naturally drawn visitors to its healing waters for centuries. That  people of different nationalities would choose to settle here is no  surprise. And with them come their culinary habits. The result is an  eclectic amalgam of menus, tastes, and treats across a broad spectrum of  offerings versus a more consistent regional style of food.

Strolling  the vibrant downtown historic area, local residents and visitors alike  will have challenging choices between Tex-Mex, Bavarian, Chinese,  classic Southern cooking, Cajun, Indian, and gourmet pizza. Specialty  shops entice their sweet delectables as hors d’oeuvres rather than  dessert!

A sandwich of locally-grown Arkansas BBQ washed down with an excellent craft beer at one of the breweries is  a lunchtime favorite. And there are several wineries close by where you  can sample the local grape and intriguing wine accessories.

here aren’t too many towns anywhere the size of Eureka Springs that have this much going on. From a quiet stroll around town to take in the Victorian architecture to underground tours in the caves and caverns such as Onyx Cave Park that abound throughout the region, there is plenty to see and do for all ages.

Mountain biking athletes and casual cyclists from all over Mid-America come to Eureka Springs to test themselves on the many mountain bike trails that snake through the area. The Oz Trails system of Northwest Arkansas is famous for its variety to riders of all levels, from an easy spin to  check out the scenery or those who want to challenge the courses  designed for professional riders on the Eureka Springs Downhill.

Renowned trail builder Tony Boone and his crew have recently completed the first 5-mile segment of what  will be an 18-mile system of loop trails for bikers and hikers. An added  attraction is it’s located on the grounds of the Great Passion Play 700-acre complex.

Lake Leatherwood City Park may be your one-stop-shop for recreation resources. Full-size baseball  and soccer fields complement the water sports scene where visitors can  boat, kayak, and canoe and then come home to their cabin, campsite, or  BBQ pavilion to re-energize. There’s also a marina, a shower house, and a  swimming beach available.

Black Bass Lake is a recent addition to the activity scene and has a two-mile trail for  strolls around the lake and features a half-mile handicapped accessible  trail. The nearby cliffs give hikers a backcountry feel just minutes  from downtown! And the lake itself is excellent for fishing or some  solitude by the water due to its “no motor” designation.

Many people associate natural springs with Arkansas,  and with good reason. The soft limestone that comprises much of the  region’s bedrock has been eroded over time by the rivers and sub-surface  alluvial channels. Hidden springs in other areas of the region are known for heated pools, and healing  properties owe their formation to similar natural processes.

Eureka Springs’  got its start and its claim to fame from the spring waters naturally  rising to the surface at what is now known as Basin Park in downtown.  One of many such locations throughout the Ozark Mountains region, natural springs, underground caverns and caves, and scenic  trails and highways are all part of what makes this area of the  south-central part of the US so attractive. Redolent woodlands carpeting  the nearby Ozark National Forest, and Roaring River State Park just across the Missouri border provide solitude and peaceful places to observe wildlife.

Buffalo National River to the southeast is the first federally designated National River in  the US. Fascinating geology can be explored while canoeing or kayaking  the river’s calm waters. Cosmic Caverns just east of Eureka Springs is an awe-inspiring set of caves eroded from the limestone that comprises much of the bedrock in this region.

Located in the western part of the American South, the weather in Arkansas is no different from the rest of the region. Summers are long, hot, and  humid as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico continually flows north,  keeping the air sticky. Nearby Beaver Lake adds to the air's overall moisture content, resulting in sweltering  summer days and sultry nights. With the resident humidity and hot summer  temperatures, keep an eye out for those afternoon thunderstorms that  can swoop in over the mountain ranges for a surprise.

Winters  are short and typically mild to cool. With the humidity and dew points  maintaining consistently high levels, dampness prevails throughout the  year. Visitors who live in other parts of the Southeast US won’t notice  anything different. But those traveling from the drier parts of the  western US will want to make sure their air conditioning is in good  order.

This is not to say the weather in Eureka Springs can’t be delightful. Warm spring days spent sunning on the lake or out  taking in the local attractions as the landscape wakes from its short  winter nap make for a memorable weekend getaway. Fall colors every bit as captivating as New England’s garner attention along some of the scenic byways leading to and from Eureka Springs. After all, you are in the Ozark Mountains!