Romantic Getaways: Arkansas

B & B’s abound in places like Eureka Springs. And did you know Arkansas has a wine country, too?

Eureka Springs

Romantic B & B’s:

Cliff Cottage Inn
Cliff Cottage Inn, located in the heart of historic downtown Eureka Springs, was named one of the top six most romantic inns of the south by Romantic Destinations Magazine.

Stay in one of six suites, a private cottage or studio. Complimentary champagne or wine is included in your stay, as well as breakfast delivered to your room each morning on a silver tray. All rooms have two-person Jacuzzis. Note: The Oscar Wilde cottage and Zelda’s Studio also have private outdoor hot tubs. In-room massages are available as well. Rooms start at $189 per night. Call 479-253-7409 or visit cliffcottage.com.

Mount Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn
Mount Victoria offers several romance packages. Do something as simple as the “I Love You” package for $79, which includes a dozen seasonal flowers, a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider and hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries.

The “Eureka Springs Is Your Oyster” package, including two nights, massages, chocolate fondue by candlelight, dinner excursion on the Northwest Arkansas Railway and more. Cost is $699. Room rates start at $119 per night. Visit mountvictoria.com or call 888-408-7979.

Rock Cottage Gardens
All cottages have two-person Jacuzzi tubs with complimentary bath salts, queen beds, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, homemade cookies, fresh flowers, plush robes and luxurious linens. Prices start at $145 per night. Several romantic getaway packages are offered, like the Ultimate Escape package, which includes two nights in one of the cottages, breakfast and dessert each morning, dinner for two at one of Eureka Springs’ restaurants both nights, gourmet chocolates, trolley passes for two, two one-hour massages and a carriage ride. Cost is $645. Note: Breakfast in bed is offered Monday through Thursday. Visit rockcottagegardens.com or call 800-624-6646.

Eat:

Ermilio’s
Ermilio’s is located inside a hundred-year-old restored Victorian home. Create your own dish (you pick the sauce and the pasta), or choose from a variety of house specialties such as Ermilio’s pan-roasted pork chop or shrimp Provençale. And don’t forget dessert. Call 479-253-8806 or visit ermilios.com.

Gaskins Cabin Steak House
This eatery is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Serving steak, seafood and chicken. Visit gaskinscabin.com or call 479-253-5466.

The Grand Taverne
Enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner in a cozy atmosphere. Choose pan-seared sea scallops, roasted rack of lamb or red lentil-encrusted walleye and more. The Grand Taverne restaurant is located in the lobby of the Grand Central Hotel & Spa. Call 800-344-6050 or visit grandcentralresort.com.

Do:

Thorncrown Chapel is a beautiful glass structure designed by renowned Ozarks architect, E. Fay Jones. It stands 48 feet tall and has 425 windows. Many weddings are held here, as well as Sunday service from 9 to 11 a.m. through November. Visitors are welcome daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 479-253-7401 or visit thorncrown.com.

For the Outdoors-Lovers:

Petit Jean State Park
Stay in the honeymoon creek cabin at Petit Jean State Park for a rustic romantic rendezvous. It features a separate hot tub room. Cost is $175 per night. You may also use the swimming pool on the property. Visit petitjeanstatepark.com.

Mount Magazine State Park
Mount Magazine, at Mount Magazine State Park, is the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. The lodge has 60 guest rooms. Request a room with a whirlpool tub and king-size bed. Rooms are $104 to $164. There’s an indoor swimming pool and hot tub on the property. Thirteen cabins feature wrap-around porches and hot tubs. From the porch, enjoy the view of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. Cabins are $199 to $259 in the summer.

There are plenty of activities for the outdoors-lovers, including hiking, backpacking, rock-climbing, rappelling, hang-gliding, horseback riding, geocaching, bird-watching and more.

Dine at the Skycrest Restaurant, and enjoy at view of the Petit Jean River Valley below, Blue Mountain Lake and the Ouachita Mountains.

To Do:

Check out the Mount Magazine Butterfly Festival, June 20-21.
Visit mountmagazinestatepark.com to learn more.

Arkansas Wine Country

Chateau Aux Arc Vineyard & Winery
Stop in the new tasting room to try new vintages, and take in a beautiful view of the Arkansas River Valley from your perch atop St. Mary’s Mountain. Chateau Aux Arc hosts the Altus Grape Festival July 25-26. The winery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit chateauauxarc.com or call 800-558-9463 for information.

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