cliffcottageinn

Budget Travel magazine has just compiled its 6th annual list of “The Coolest Small Towns in America”, and Eureka Springs is rated at the enviable  Number 4 position.  The rankings were published in the September issue of Budget Travel, and pointed out some of the many attractions that our charming town has to offer. We were thrilled, of course,  that a town that means so much to us was also recognized at a national level for its history and its present day charm.

Fall has definitely reached Eurkea Springs. The Ozark mountains in which we are nestled have come alive with Autumn colors. The leaves continue to change to the lovely reds, golds, and yellows that make a visit here so worthwhile this time of the year. We are also starting to spot eagles fishing the local rivers and lakes, diving at Beaver Lake and the White and Kings Rivers for their fish dinners!

This is a good time to visit Eureka Springs and stay with us here at Cliff Cottage Inn. Our inn is tucked against  limestone bluffs and surrounded by a vast variety of trees in full Fall color. From your front porch you can watch the lively downtown scene or stare raptly “across the holler’”at a magnificent picture of Autumn in brilliant Techniclor.  And, of course, your complimentary bottle of white wine or Champagne will be chilled and awaiting your arrival in your suite, while in the morning you will feast on one of our gourmet, award-winning breakfasts, delivered right to your door on a silver tray. The Fall here is truly spectacular, the air is cool and fresh, and it is one of the best times to visit Eureka Springs and Cliff Cottage Inn.

For art lovers, September 23-25 marks the 6th Annual Adventure into Art in Eureka Springs. This is a perfect chance to visit the studios of some of Eureka Springs’ finest artists, to see how they work up close, and to purchase wonderful original art at very fair prices (you will be dealing directly with the artists themselves). Eureka Springs is, after all, the art capital of Mid-America, with over 200 professional  artists working in the area in almost every imaginable medium. Cynthia Re Robbins and Larry Mansker, both remarkable Eurekan artists, will be among many who will open their studios to the  public for this art-full weekend. And after your tour of the studios, what better place to celebrate your new masterpieces than in  your luxurious Jaccuzzi suite at Cliff Cottage Inn. Reflect on the day’s activities and enjoy the breathtaking fall colors as you sip a glass of  Champagne or white wine, compliments of the Cliff C0ttage elves. To learn more about the studio tours, go to www.eurekaspsringsstudiotour.com, where you will find maps for your tour and more information about participating artists.

Looking forward, October in Eureka Springs is filled with events. If you can get away during the week, when our little village isn’t quite so crowded, it’s the perfect month to enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the Ozark Mountains. No need to drive a thousand miles to New England for a fall color tour…. we have it all right here!

And if you’re planning ahead, Eureka Springs is the best place to celebrate Halloween. The whole town gets into the spirit of this special day, creating a Spooktacular event for young and old alike.

July is the month when Opera in the Ozarks explodes into high gear, with stellar performances by young artists from all over the nation in three wonderful operas: Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Adamo’s Little Women, and Mozart’s Nozze di Figaro.  All the prouctions are staged with full sets and costuming as well as a professional orchestra, and all three are being presented at Eureka Springs Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony. This is a beautifuilly sited venue, with commanding views of the Ozark Mountains and Beaver Lake in the distance. The quality of the singing is breathtaking, as young professionals master the intricacies of a full Grand Opera production. These stars of tomorrow will soon be performing at the Met, Chicago Lyric, San Francisco Opera, St. Louis Opera Theater, and many other major production companies both here and abroad. For those of us who love opera, this is an experience not to be missed, and we always welcome fellow opera buffs here at Cliff Cottage Inn. Located as we are right in the center of the Historic Downtown, we often get to be up close and personal with the young singers at the local eateries. A delightful side bar to the operas this year were renderings by local artists of their favorite scenes from each opera. Using watercolor, oils, pencil, and charcoal, each artist strove to see the storyline and capture it in his or her favorite medium. These paintings and drawings are on display at the entry to the opera seating area.   For more information about Opera in the Ozarks and to purchase tickets, please visit their website at www.opera.org.