By Rhonda Crone

Eureka, as locals call it, is perhaps the most unique and most stunning Ozark Mountain escape. Not only does this Victorian village possess Old World charm, it is set against a dramatic background, the Ozark Mountains. What's more, Eureka Springs boasts an artsy community and is home to a variety of art and music fests. So why take the kids? This romantic destination, host to hundreds of weddings weekly, isn't just for honeymooners. The Crescent Hotel, a Eureka landmark, is one of America's top ten haunted hotels. The hilly streets are fun to scale aboard a trolley. Turpentine Creek, a big cat sanctuary, is great place to see tigers, lions, leopards and cougars and find out why these large felines don't make good pets. The Great Passion Play has a variety of Christian-themed exhibits as well as a towering statue of Jesus known as the Christ of the Ozarks. (Of note, the play has seen better days.) Beaver Lake is a great place to hike, fish, camp and boat. Many of the small inns and hotels in Eureka Springs have a relaxed atmosphere.

Copyright © Rhonda Crone. All rights reserved. Rhonda Crone is a freelance writer who lives in the Ozarks with two kids, a husband, a Welsh Corgie and a dwarf bunny. After finishing her journalism degree and starting her family six years ago, Rhonda has been blogging and writing for local magazines and various websites. She writes about anything that interests her, from wine to wellness to parenting, but her main love is travel writing, despite her intense fear of flying.