Some educational vacation spots won't take too much money out of your wallet. It's summer and what better way to celebrate no school then with a vacation?

But with high gas prices and strict airlines, family vacations are taking a back seat. But now they don't have to.

Arrow Rock, Missouri's population is 79. One look at the quiet streets and unique way of dressing, and you might ask yourself - where am I? Or, what decade is it?

It's still 2008, and you're still in Missouri - Arrow Rock just happens to be a national historic site, a place where time stands still.

"The town actually came about in 1829, but we go back as a spot on the map as early as the 1700s when the French called it Pierre a Flesh. That means the rock or the prairie of the arrows," explained Kathy Borgman, from "Friends of Arrow Rock."

A once thriving river town of a thousand, Arrow Rock lost its luster after the Civil War.

"The river moved away from Arrow Rock," said Borgman. Arrow Rock didn't fall off the map completely; now it's a true page out of a history book, a hands on education. The whole town is peppered with rich history like The Tavern built in 1834.

"It's the first historic building restored in the Missouri state park system," explained Borgman. The Tavern still serves lunch and dinner to this day.

The visitors center is full of artifacts and pictures depicting everyday life in Missouri and is free to the public. There's also free trails, a public park and campgrounds.

"And if you want to do a little bit more, we have a very nice golf cart tram tour," said Borgman. That tour is $5 for adults and $1.50 for kids and takes you inside the home of John Sites, Arrow Rock's gunsmith. You also get an inside peek into his gunshop.

"Also, we're the home of artist George Caleb Bingham," explained Borgman. The famous American artist moved to Arrow Rock as a child, and later built a home in 1837. His work was inspired by the people and life in Arrow Rock.

"The pictures of life along the river and politics, this all comes from this part of Missouri, these are Arrow Rock people," said Borgman.

The historic feel of Arrow Rock doesn't stop with the museums and buildings. If you make your way along Main Street you can find pretty much anything you want, including the sandwich and ice-cream shop where even the bread is homemade.

"It's a place that you should just sit down on the boardwalk a little bit," said Borgman.

It's not just a place where history comes alive; Arrow Rock is home to the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater, a professional theater where Broadway makes a pit stop. So when you come over the hill and see Main Street, you might think there's not much here but you will be sweetly surprised.

"I think that's the real genius of Arrow Rock, it's not a recreated place, it's still a town today you still visit with people," explained Borgman.

Take a break from life, learn something new about Missouri, or just spend time with family, Arrow Rock offers it all.

"Anytime there's been humans around, they've been drawn to Arrow Rock, from the Indians on, it's been a place that's captured people and nurtured people and just made people feel good," said Borgman.