Welcome to Hot Springs! From steamy bathhouse soaks and forested mountain trails, to gangster lore, horse races, and mineral-rich spring water straight from the source, millions visit each year to bathe in the legendary healing waters of Bathhouse Row.
☑️ Hot Springs Checklist
- Book your Flight: Land at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), just over an hour’s drive away
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in a restored downtown bathhouse or historic inn within walking distance of Central Avenue
- Join your Tour: Reserve a guided walk of Bathhouse Row or a sunset cruise on Lake Hamilton
💦 Day 1: Bathhouse Icons
- Fordyce Bathhouse Museum: Wander marble halls and vintage locker rooms that once pampered 1920s elites in peak Gilded Age glamour
- Quapaw Baths & Spa: Slide into thermal pools beneath arched ceilings and tiled domes — a modern soak inside a century-old sanctuary
- Superior Bathhouse Brewery: Sip craft beer brewed with real thermal spring water in America’s first brewery inside a former bathhouse
- Grand Promenade Walk: Stroll the red-brick pathway above the bathhouses, where steam curls from the earth and squirrels scurry past crumbling stone walls
- Hot Spring Cascade at Arlington Lawn: Feel the geothermal mist rising from natural rock as water spills down a mossy hillside
- Display Spring Fountain: Fill your bottle with piping-hot spring water straight from the ground — it’s clean, free, and famously soothing
- Dinner at a Historic Hotel: Dine under chandeliers in a 1920s dining room where gangsters once ordered steak with bourbon on the side
🏞️ Day 2: National Park & Nostalgia
- Hot Springs Mountain Tower: Ride 216 feet above the forest canopy for sweeping views of the Ouachita Mountains and downtown rooftops
- Arlington Hotel Lobby Tour: Step through revolving doors and imagine Al Capone checking in — this grand hotel is all velvet chairs and golden chandeliers
- Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center: Chat with rangers, stamp your park passport, and learn why these waters have drawn crowds for centuries
- Bathhouse Row Shops: Browse boutique soaps, spa salts, and locally made lotions inside old bathhouses turned stylish storefronts
- The Gangster Museum of America: Hear whispered stories of bookies, bootleggers, and backroom deals in this quirky, story-packed museum
- Lunch at a Soda Fountain Counter: Slide onto a red vinyl stool and order a classic pimento cheese sandwich with a cherry phosphate
- Evening at the Vapors: Watch live entertainment in a revamped 1960s supper club once frequented by Sinatra and Vegas royalty
🚤 Day 3: Lakeside Fun & Farewell
- Lake Hamilton Boat Cruise: Glide past wooded shorelines, million-dollar homes, and tucked-away coves on a breezy pontoon tour
- Garvan Woodland Gardens: Wander winding paths shaded by pine trees, past fairy tale bridges and waterfalls that gurgle beside flowering dogwoods
- Anthony Chapel: Step inside this soaring wood-and-glass sanctuary, where sunlight spills through the treetops onto polished pine pews
- Mid-America Science Museum: Let your curiosity run wild through tunnels of mirrors, a Tesla coil theater, and hands-on exhibits that spark wonder
- Souvenir Stop Downtown: Pick up bottles of spring water, retro postcards, bath salts, and “Bathhouse Row” tea towels to remember your soak
- Ice Cream at Rolando’s Courtyard: Find a shady bench and cool off with a cone as street musicians strum guitars nearby
- Dinner on the Water: Wrap up the trip with grilled catfish and cornbread at a lakeside spot where cicadas hum and boats sway in the dark
📅 Hot Springs Calendar
- Thermal Water Festival (March): Celebrate the springs with live music, food, and cultural events
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March): A parade down the world’s shortest street, complete with Elvis impersonators and green beer
- Oaklawn Racing Season (March–May): Cheer on thundering horses at one of America’s oldest thoroughbred tracks
- Hot Springs Music Festival (June): Watch classical musicians rehearse and perform all across town — from churches to beer halls
- Independence Day Fireworks on Lake Hamilton (July 4): Boats drop anchor and eyes turn skyward for fireworks over the water
- Spa-Con (September): Comic books, cosplay, and fandom take over the historic district
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (October): The longest-running doc fest in North America draws directors and cinephiles for 10 days of storytelling
- Spa Running Festival (November): Jog through the historic streets past bathhouses and bubbling springs in this scenic annual race
- Holiday Lights at Garvan Gardens (Nov–Dec): Wander through millions of lights, glowing reindeer, and a gingerbread village among the trees
💡 Hot Springs Tips
- Water is Always Free: Bring a bottle — you can fill it at public fountains downtown
- Parking Gets Tight: Arrive early or park in the free garage near Exchange Street
- Mind the Steam: Some springs are too hot to touch — signs will warn you
- Wear Comfy Shoes: You’ll be walking hills, cobblestones, and park paths
- Book Spa Appointments Early: Weekend slots at bathhouses can disappear fast
- Don’t Miss the Tower: Clear mornings offer the best panoramic views
- Pack for Sudden Rain: Afternoon showers can sneak up in warmer months
🍗 Hot Springs Menu
- Bathhouse Brewery Beer Flight: Sample stouts, IPAs, and lagers all brewed with thermal spring water
- Fried Catfish Plate: Crispy, golden fillets served with hush puppies and tartar sauce
- Shrimp & Grits: Creamy, spicy, and piled high with Gulf shrimp and smoked cheese
- Hot Springs Tamales: Wrapped in corn husks, steaming with beef and spice, and smothered in sauce
- Homemade Fudge: Swirled with caramel, peanut butter, or classic chocolate and sold in slabs downtown
- Possum Pie: Layers of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and cream cheese filling — no possums involved, just pure sweetness
- BBQ Brisket Sandwich: Piled high with hickory-smoked meat, tangy slaw, and house sauce