[Jenn218]

I have been to both...and honestly love Eureka Springs more.

Hot Springs....
attractions: horse races, bath houses/spas, alligator farm, few shops, Magic Springs (amusement park), Mid-America Science museum (if still opened), off-road 4x4 park.
pros: everything is pretty much all on the main street (bath houses, hotels, shopping, a few eating places - the Faded Rose was really good)...the others are easy to get to.
cons: very crowded, there is a local college and gov. school...and I didn't think it was a very 'romantic' city - it is a mix of family and couple (couples mainly the bath houses and the old hotel - can't think of it's name)...but really geared more for the family (wax museums, tourist gift shops, etc).

Eureaka Springs...
attractions: belle of the ozarks (boat ride on the lake around a 200 acre island wildlife preserve and eagle watching --sunset cruises, etc), Christ of the Ozarks statue, The Great Passion Play -- outdoor play w/ museums, etc., The ThorneCrown Chapel (glass church), trolley tours of the historic city and stops, historic hotels, GREAT shopping, tours in area caves and close to a lot of other cities (Branson for one isn't too far away...there is the War Eagle Mill, an old working grinding mill that makes their own organic flour and such, etc, etc.). Also, several music theaters and lots of antique shops.
pros: romantic getaway (cabin rentals or suites), massage and spa packages, local bath houses, carriage rides, quaint small town, private horse riding trails, etc. .
cons: the closet airport would be XNA and then you would have to drive from there.
---Eureka also has there "treehouses" that you can rent...they are little cottages built high up in the trees....we never stayed there, but looked at them. (pretty neat).

When we had our motorhome, we never took it to either place.
We always stayed in a cabin or in one of the historic hotels.

I know there is camping close to Eureka on Beaver Lake...which is nice, we have had a picnic in some of those areas. AND I am sure that by Magic Springs Park in Hot Springs, there are campgrounds too, but I have never checked on them.