Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

There have always been excellent reasons to visit Northwest Arkansas. Now there is yet another: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened on November 11, 2011. Since that time, approximately 90,000 visitors have walked through its doors, including quite a few guests of our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast. The museum’s opening was “the event” of 2011; and it will undoubtedly continue to draw crowds in 2012.

Gracefully situated on a 120-acre wooded campus outside Bentonville, Crystal Bridges invites guests to commune with nature and explore five centuries of American Art. The museum, designed by world renowned architect Moshe Safdie, is nestled around two creek-fed ponds. Walking and biking trails traverse the woods, offering both places to stretch the legs and quiet spots to admire nature’s beauty. You’ll feel uplifted and inspired before you even walk through the doors.

Inside, a number of galleries highlight different periods of American art. The museum’s permanent collection, Celebrating the American Spirit, arranges pieces more or less chronologically, giving viewers an historical perspective as well an artistic one. Spend a full day here, or return again and again. We plan to visit it frequently.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is open to all and free for all. It is a wonderful addition to Northwest Arkansas. Many guests of our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast have already discovered it; we hope many more will visit it in 2012.

Travelers unfamiliar with Arkansas are often surprised by the bucolic beauty of the state. We have rolling hills, waterfalls, and large, meandering rivers. Outdoor recreation is popular because nature beckons. Eureka Springs is surrounded by both large and small  lakes, many of which are tucked away in the Ozarks. To look out over the land is to see lush, green trees – except in the fall, of course, when the forests are bursting with color.

Eureka Springs itself feels like a European town. It’s built into a hill, and winding streets like the one leading to our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast invite exploration. The wealth of historic architecture heightens the sensation that the town is from a different time and place. In many respects, it doesn’t feel like America in the 21st century here.

Some folks call Eureka Springs the honeymoon capital of the Ozarks. It is certainly known for being romantic, and it is. We host many weddings, elopements, and honeymoons at our Bed and Breakfast Eureka Springs. Couples stay with us to celebrate their anniversaries and birthdays, or just to get away from their harried hectic lives. It’s easy to feel the spark of romance in a place as charming and quaint as Eureka Springs.

There’s a good chance you’ll fall in love while you stay at our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast. Many of our guests fall in love with Eureka Springs.

For the complete list of 2011 Coolest Small Towns, please see Budget Travel.

An intimate wedding at our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast.

Fall is one of the most glorious times to marry in Eureka Springs. The woods behind our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast provide a background of brilliant colors to garden weddings and ceremonies on our wrap-around porch. Sunny afternoons give way to cool, crisp nights that are best spent by the fire; fortunately, all guest rooms in our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast have fireplaces.

We offer several wedding packages at our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast, and will happily tailor your special day to your tastes. We can accommodate up to fifteen guests in addition to the bride and groom, though we specialize in intimate weddings and elopements. Since we want your wedding day to run smoothly, we’ll handle any arrangements you like. You need think only about the most important part – each other.

Horse drawn carriage rides are a delightful addition to weddings at our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast. Arrive by carriage, or tour the city in style after the ceremony. It’s incredibly romantic. Olden Day Carriage Rides even offers “Marriages on the Carriage”, with advance notice.

Please visit our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast Weddings page for details about our wedding packages, and don’t hesitate to call us with questions at 866.350.5454.

Please visit Olden Days Carriage Services for information about Eureka Springs Carriage Rides.

Sweet Treats at Arsenic and Old Lace

Well it is that time of year again!  The leaves have turned and fireplaces are warming our guest’s hearts and souls.  There is a feeling in the air of holidays and as always food.  December 11th will mark the 4th Annual Sweet Treats Tour of Inns sponsored by the Alliance of Better Bed and Breakfasts of Eureka Springs.   Beverly and I are happy to open our Inn to those lucky enough to be among the 250 to get tickets.  If you don’t have your tickets or reservations give us a call.  We will also be happy to discuss our “Blog” specials for this truly unique opportunity.

We are in the final days of summer and we are looking forward to the cooler weather and the beauty of fall.  Over the next few weeks: the deer are changing from their red summer coats to there shinny gray winter coats;   fall officially arrives (September 22); the Corvettes will come to town (Corvette weekend October 1 & 2); it will be time for the War Eagle Crafts Fair (October 14-17); the leaves will turn (who knows); and the Holidays will be right around the corner.

This photograph is just a sampling of the scrumptious bounty that comes out of Beverly’s kitchen (I am allowed in the kitchen but only to assist; except when Beverly is out of town).  The recipes for our breakfast dishes as well as some family favorites are compiled into our cookbook “A Celebration of Food” pick one up while you are visiting or just give us a call.

Don’t forget the December Sweet Treats tour Saturday, December 11, 2010 call for details and specials.

Well, that’s all for now — Doug.

Be sure and checkout the beautiful Blue Springs Heritage Center and gardens before you enjoy the Opera!

Our package for this rare opportunity includes 2 nights lodging in our luxurious Chantilly Rose, Monet, or Library rooms.

A gourmet breakfast each morning

2 tickets to the Taste of the Inns event

2 All day Trolley Passes and a chance to win one of the six prizes being offered as a part of the Taste of the Inns celebration $419 plus tax. {Tree Top Suite $539 plus tax}

Check out the Taste of the Inns details at www.relaxeureka.com.