6 Arkansas Towns That Rival Europe's Best
As the crow flies, Arkansas is a long way from Europe, roughly 4,500 to 5,200 miles from the mainland, depending on which part of the continent you’re referring to. Turns out you don’t have to travel that far at all to experience the old-world charm, artistic flair, and architecture that feels straight out of a European getaway. From cobblestone streets to scenic vineyards, historic bathhouses to mountain trails, Arkansas is full of towns that capture the charm, character, and old-world allure of Europe without ever leaving the South. Whether you’re wandering a Victorian spa town, sipping wine in a Swiss-inspired village, or hunting for quartz crystals in a rustic mountain town, these six Arkansas destinations prove that a taste of Europe is closer than you think.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is tucked in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas, and is famous for its natural springs that once drew visitors seeking the town's reputed healing powers, earning it the nickname “America’s Medicine Teepee” during the Victoria era. Today, remnants of the town’s Victorian past are still visible in its ornate architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and in hotels like the Palace Hotel & Bathhouse, built in 1901, where you can still enjoy an Eucalyptus steam in the same wood-barrel steamer used at the turn of the century.
Like the hotel, the entire downtown of Eureka Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, so you don’t want to miss wandering the narrow stone streets, like boutique-lined Spring Street. Basin Spring Park is steeped in rich history, with numerous war memorials, the Basin Park Fire Bell, and a historic bandshell that still hosts live concerts year-round. Finally, the iconic 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is a must-see. Rumored to be “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” the hotel is rumored to be a hotbed of paranormal activity. Book a tour to hear ghost stories about the “Lady in Victorian lingerie in room 3500,” to complete your visit to this old-world spa town.
Mount Ida
Hidden in the Ouachita Mountains, Mount Ida feels like a miniature Chamonix, France, in the middle of Arkansas, thanks to its mountain setting, outdoor adventures, and small-village alpine charm. From hiking and biking 45 miles of scenic trails on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) to paddling and fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish on one of Arkansas’s largest lakes, Lake Ouachita, there’s plenty to explore in the pretty rustic mountain town. Stay overnight at the Lake Ouachita State Park with your choice of tent camping, fully-equipped cabins with all the comforts of home, or a dog-friendly camper cabin with a nearby bathhouse.
Often called the “Quartz Crystal Capital of the World,” thanks to its unique geology in the 300-million-year-old mountains, Mount Ida is home to dozens of commercial and tourist-friendly mines, so plan on spending time at the nearby Wegner Crystal Mines, where you can dig your own quartz crystals.
Mountain View
Known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World,” Mountain View hums with traditional music and a welcoming, close-knit culture. Folk music is very much at the heart of this village, reminiscent of a small Irish town like Doolin or Kenmare on the Emerald Isle. Located just outside the historic town square, where you’ll find musicians at all hours of the day and night, playing a fiddle or picking a banjo, the Ozark Folk Center State Park is dedicated to preserving the music, arts, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks. Watch potters, quilters, and broom makers at work in the Craft Village or enjoy Southern country cooking at the Skillet Restaurant.
Channel your inner spelunker with a visit to nearby Blanchard Spring Caverns, where you can choose your own cave adventure from four different tours, like the popular one-hour Discovery Trail Tour, which takes you stepping through the limestone cave to see flowstones, hollow soda straws, stalagmites, and other unique formations made by dripping water.
Altus
Altus is part of the Arkansas wine country, founded by German-Swiss immigrants in the 1800s, and it feels like a little slice of the Sion in the Swiss Alps. If you’re into award-winning wine made in Arkansas, several wineries offer free tours and tasting cellars. Grab your designated driver and visit the family-owned Mount Bethel Winery or Wiederkehr Wine Cellars to learn all about the Swiss heritage of winemaking. Wine lovers and connoisseurs will definitely want to stop at the iconic Post Winery in Altus, the oldest commercial winery in the state. The winery specializes in 100% Muscadine wines, known for their vibrant flavors.
Down the road from the vineyard is one of the town’s most historic landmarks, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a stunning stone Romanesque Revival building with twin bell towers, stained-glass windows, and hand-carved wooden altars.
Hot Springs
Like the historic European spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, Hot Springs, Arkansas, was an 18th-century go-to destination for visitors seeking the healing powers of water. Thankfully, there are still a few places in town where you can indulge in the fabulous tradition of soaking in thermal waters in an area known as Bathhouse Row. Treat yourself to soothing massages, relaxation therapies, mineral water baths, and spa treatments at Quapaw Baths & Spas, or step back to a bygone era at the Buckstaff Bathhouse, complete with original tubs and equipment.
Continue your wellness journey with a stroll in Hot Springs National Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who want to commune with nature from atop the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain, and the town of Hot Springs, all from 1,256 feet above sea level.
Wilson
With its Tudor-style architecture, the village of Wilson is reminiscent of a quaint town in Chipping Camden in the English Cotswolds. The perfect one-hour day trip from neighboring Memphis, this quiet gem offers English charm with Southern hospitality. Start at the Wilson Café, whose menu is farm-to-table inspired, like Blue Crab & Corn Hush Puppies for dinner, with cocktails and mocktails available at every mealtime. Shop locally with a visit to a modern-day apothecary + general store, White’s Mercantile, then spend the rest of the day at the Hampson Archeological Museum State Park, located in the town square. The museum houses a nationally-renowned collection of artifacts from the Nodena Site, a Native American village that existed along the Mississippi River about 600 years ago.
Discover European Charm In Arkansas
From the Victorian streets of Eureka Springs to the alpine charm of Mount Ida, Arkansas proves that a European getaway doesn’t always require a passport. Quaint villages, historic landmarks, the therapeutic properties of mineral water, vineyards, and natural wonders dot the landscape, offering a surprising mix of old-world elegance, outdoor adventure, and cultural richness. So pack your sense of curiosity, joie de vivre (and your camera), and head off to discover these six Arkansas towns that rival Europe while staying firmly planted in the Natural State.
