Your All-Inclusive Guide to Hot Springs, Arkansas

I took my mom to Hot Springs, Arkansas as her birthday gift to the tulip festival back in March. She loves all things flowers and birds so I gave her a bird house camera for Christmas 2 years ago that can’t be topped. Now, I have to start getting very creative for her gifts. I love the idea of giving experiences as presents rather than things so, the tulip festival seemed like the perfect choice!

Hot Springs is famous for well, its hot springs! Since the 1800’s people have been coming here to take part in the natural healing benefits of the 143° ancient thermal waters. It’s believed to alleviate muscle and joint pain, promote relaxation and detoxification, and because of the mineral content of the water help with digestion and promote healthy skin by removing impurities.

Just about an hour southwest from Little Rock, Hot Springs is not just a haven for relaxation and history buffs – it also boasts a unique connection to America’s favorite pastime. It’s known as the birthplace of Spring Training! The revitalizing health benefits of the bathhouses was one of the major draws for teams like the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Boston Red Sox.

Now let’s get to the good stuff! The map below includes all the hotels, restaurants, and things to do I’ll mention in this post. Wanderlog is a great tool because it’s a map and itinerary builder all in one.

Where to Stay

Budget – Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is decently priced and still in a good, central location. If you’re going with a group, there are tons of Airbnb’s & Vrbo’s available that could be split to save costs.

Mid – We opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hot Springs because this was more centrally located by everything we were doing. The room was spacious and clean, breakfast was great and it was nice to be able to head out to the Gardens without having to go through downtown. The only con was having to find parking downtown each time we went.

The Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa is another mid-range option. This is very conveniently located downtown. It’s also allegedly haunted. Room 443 is the Capone Suite because it was frequented by Al Capone back in the 1920’s-1930’s and people have reported seeing strange activity here.

Boujie – The Waters is a boutique Hilton hotel located downtown across from Bathhouse Row. They have an onsite restaurant and rooftop bar and the location is perfect if you don’t plan on leaving downtown much.

Where to Eat

In my excitement with my mom I managed to not get a single photo of food. If you know me, that is a rarity. Here’s some great suggestions for the area:

Purple Cow Restaurant – Classic diner, great milkshakes – try the purple cow & pickle spears

McClards BBQ – Family owned & operated since 1928

The Pancake Shop – Great traditional breakfast since 1940

Grateful Head Pizza – Really great pizza, worth the wait – just put your name down and go shopping nearby, they’ll text you when your table is ready

Taco Mama – Mexican food made from scratch prepared with fresh ingredients

Superior Bathhouse Brewery – This is the only brewery in the US that uses thermal spring water for brewing its beer!

Fat Bottomed Girl’s Cupcake Shoppe – They offer a large variety of cupcake flavors, along with ice cream, and something I’ve never seen before – icing shots! A little cup of only icing (hold the cupcake) for all those frosting lovers out there.

What to Do

Hot Springs National Park

This is one of the very few National Parks that is located in the middle of town. Because of this, you actually don’t have to pay an admission fee to get into the park like you normally would. Don’t forget your National Park stamp! You can find stamps for your National Park Passport Book at Lamar and Fordyce Bathhouse.

Must do: You have to fill up a jug, mason jar, water bottle, whatever you got; of water from a thermal fountain. For more information on where all the fountains are located, check this site out.

Hiking Options

• Gulpha Gorge Trail – 1.2 miles and has pretty water features
• Hot Springs Mountain Trail – 3.1 mile easy loop with multiple scenic overlooks – top lookout at the middle is overlooking the whole city. This also takes you up to the Mountain Tower.
• Grand Promenade – 0.7 mile (not 100% a hike since it’s a brick walkway, but we’ll count it) out and back that runs behind Bathhouse Row. TIP: At the northern end of the walkway near Arlington Park, walk down the steps to see the Hot Water Cascade. This is the largest and most accessible hot spring in town.

Check out AllTrails for more options.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

This is a 216 ft observation tower you can see 140 miles in all directions. You can get here by either hiking up via the Hot Springs Mountain Trail or driving right up to it. There will be a little parking lot at the top. It is $13 to get to the top of the tower via elevator but, if you have a National Parks Pass, it’s only $10!

Explore Bathhouse Row

The row consists of 8 Bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923.

• Lamar Bathhouse (1923) – This is holds the archives, research library and is the official National Park store (where you can buy that thing for your collection I know you have).
• Buckstaff Bathhouse (1912) – Only traditional bathhouse on the Row still in operation. You can’t go in here unless you’re getting a bath.
• Ozark Bathhouse (1922) – This is the Cultural Center which features artwork and gallery spaces. Entry is free.
• Quapaw Bathhouse (1922) – A more modern day bathhouse with access to public thermal pools for $25 and also offering private baths.
• Fordyce Bathhouse (1915) – The Visitor’s Center for the NP, also houses the free museum. Walk through time here and see what bathhouses looked like in their hay-day.
• Maurice Bathhouse (1912) – This was the only bathhouse to have a pool. However, this is currently vacant and not in use.
• Hale Bathhouse (1892) – This is the oldest surviving bathhouse, and is now in use as a hotel. There are only nine rooms available in this family run hotel so you cannot book more than four months out. It would also land in the bougie price range – but what an experience!
• Superior Bathhouse (1916) – This is now a brewery, which is the only one in the US to be located in a National Park!

Treat yourself to a day at the spa

There are still two operating bathhouses on Bathhouse Row located downtown; Quapaw Bath & Spa and Buckstaff Bath House. Each offers a very different experience. Quapaw Bath & Spa offers something for everyone! Immerse yourself in the mineral waters of one of their four public thermal pools (first-come, first-served) or enjoy a luxurious soak in a private bath (reservations required). They also provide a variety of spa services – call ahead to schedule a massage or other pampering treatment!

Craving a taste of history and relaxation? Buckstaff Bathhouse offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional thermal baths using the original equipment from the early 20th century. Heads up: Reservations are not accepted for baths or massages, so be prepared to wait in line.

However, if you’re looking for a more modern spa experience with a wider range of treatments, Destinations Spa might be a better fit. I highly recommend the ‘Bliss Experience’ package (you can choose up to six 25 minute services) – I got the Relax Touch massage, Scalp Touch massage, and Salt Glow, and it was quite literally pure bliss! Everyone we encountered was so friendly and kind, it really added to the overall positive experience. They have one of the most extensive day spa menus I’ve ever seen, and I live in Scottsdale.

Shopping!

There are so many great shops downtown to explore. Get a mud ball (compacted clay guaranteed to have hidden crystals) from It’s About Rocks if you don’t have time to mine for crystals on your own! I picked out my own and got to play geologist at home and uncovered a huge quartz crystal (beware, it is pretty messy – but so stinkin’ cool!).

Where better to load up on bath stuff? Check out Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium for all your bath bomb, body oil, and bath accessory needs.

TIP: When parking downtown, there’s a free parking garage, Exchange Street Parking Plaza located here. We of course didn’t figure this out until our last day and struggled finding parking (there are several paid lots around town if you’re into that).

Garvan Woodland Gardens

This is a 210 acre botanical garden located in the Ouachita Mountains. It’s about a 15 minute drive from the middle of town. I centered this whole trip around taking my mom to the tulip festival, officially called the “Tulip Extravaganza”. The blooms are typically at their peak during late March to the beginning of April (even though her birthday was in September). So no pressure or anything.

The tulips ended up being amazingly beautiful with so many different variations and colors! But even if the blooms had been a dud (thankfully, not the case!), the park’s stunning architecture would have been worth the visit.

There are two main architectural gems to see here. First up is Anthony’s Chapel, which is a very popular wedding venue (rightly so, with its glass walls, intricate wooden designs, and soaring ceilings). TIP: To avoid disappointment, check the Garvan Gardens calendar to see if any weddings are scheduled during your planned visit because you won’t be able to enter the chapel during any events. Another suggestion, you can beat the crowds (or events) by heading straight to Anthony’s Chapel first thing in the morning. If you follow the provided map, it’s one of the last stops. Instead, as soon as you scan your ticket to enter, follow the path leading right from the entrance (away from the Welcome Center) to find the Bride’s Hall and the Chapel.

The second architectural gem is the Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House. This is a three-story, $1.8 million dollar whimsical wonder. It flawlessly blends into its surroundings but also stands out so beautifully. There are fun things inside to explore so make sure and check out the inside as well, it’s just as beautiful!

My favorite hidden gem of the Gardens was the fairy garden. You’ll run into this right after you leave the Tree House. This was one of the most unique things I’ve ever seen. There are so many fun little details on each house to find.

Another of my favorite stops were the Sunrise Bridge and the Bridge of the Full Moon. These were towards the very beginning of the walking path.

There is a café here but the line can get pretty long around lunch time since it’s the only food option available. Instead, bring snacks and a water bottle! There’s a couple of water fountains in the gardens you can fill up at along the way.

Now, I’m not known for being the most directionally gifted person on the planet. But even with a map, I managed to get a little lost. Thankfully, getting turned around in the beauty of Garvan Gardens isn’t the worst fate, but a few more signs wouldn’t hurt!

TIPS: Gates open at 10 am and it takes roughly 3 hours to fully explore the park. However, you can adjust to your own pace (bring a picnic lunch to enjoy!). Tickets can be purchased in advance online here, and you also get a $5 discount! Parking is free and since we got there first thing in the morning, they had folks directing traffic which was nice.

Other Options

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – This is a racetrack and casino my mom grew up going to, that now attracts an estimated 1 million visitors annually. Racing season is December to May, while the casino is open year round. It also includes a luxury swimming pool, spa, and fitness center.

The Gangster Museum of America – (For all my fellow true-crime enthusiasts) From the 20’s to the 40’s, some of the most notorious criminals co-existed with presidents, celebrities, and Hall of Fame athletes in Hot Springs. This museum is dedicated to telling their stories. Admission is $16 a person.

National Park Duck Tours – You will see duck boats all around town. These are the iconic duck boat tours that take you down Bathhouse Row and through the Park and then actually onto Lake Hamilton! Tickets are $30 a person and the tours last around 75 minutes.

Crater of Diamonds State Park – Have you always wanted to dig for diamonds? This is the place for you. For just $15, you can spend a day sifting through volcanic soil in search of hidden treasures. They have equipment you can rent if your not prepared. Everything is finders keepers and that has previously included a 16, 15, and 8 carat diamond!

What to Bring

Walking shoes – you will be walking a lot downtown. My mom did not know what she signed up for traveling with me.

Water jug to fill up from the thermal fountains.

If you’re going to Garvan Gardens, you’ll want to bring a little backpack with a few essentials since you won’t be able to make it back to your car for several hours:

• Bug spray
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Powerbank/Phone Charger

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