4 Best Sights in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Since its inception in 1968, nearly 8 million spectators have attended this larger-than-life experience, making it the most attended outdoor drama in the United States (according to the Institute of Outdoor Drama at the University of North Carolina). The performance features 170 actors and hundreds of live animals on a three-stories-tall set the size of two football fields, built into the side of a hill. Other attractions on the grounds include a sacred art museum, a Bible museum, a replica of parts of the Holy Land, and the 67-foot high statue, "Christ of the Ozarks," erected here in 1966. An all-you-can-eat buffet is also available for an extra charge. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

Eight acres of vineyards planted in 2004–5 are now bearing eight varieties of grapes, which owners Doug Hausler and his wife, Edwidge Denyszen, combine with grapes from other local vineyards to produce about 2,000 cases of wine annually. Taste wine while you browse Keels Creek Gallery, a spacious showroom featuring works by regional artists.

Named third runner-up in Top Buildings for the 20th Century by the American Institute of Architects, this stunning wood-and-glass chapel is 46 feet high, and has 425 windows comprising more than 6,000 square feet of glass revealing the beauty of the surrounding Ozark Mountains. It's open for quiet meditation, architectural observation, and private weddings.

Located 7 miles south of Eureka Springs, Turpentine Creek is one of the few USDA-licensed refuges for large carnivores, providing lifetime protection for abandoned, neglected, and abused big cats, with special emphasis on lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars. Visitors are welcomed by staff with a brief orientation, then have the opportunity to get up close to animals in near-natural habitats with either a self-guided or guided tour. Feeding times, usually at 4 in winter and 5 in summer (call ahead to confirm), are especially exciting. Overnight lodging is available in upscale safari lodges (two-night minimum) or RV campsites. Check the website for Keeper Talks, scheduled only on weekends. Personalized, guided photography shoots are also available, but must be booked in advance.