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City in Arkansas, United States
Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hot Springs is a city in the Central region of Arkansas and home to Hot Springs National Park, a United States national park. It is also the childhood home of former President Bill Clinton.
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The visitor center in the former Fordyce Bathhouse is also a 24-room museum offering self-guided tours. Considered the most elegant bathhouse when completed in 1915, it exhibits beautiful mosaic tile floors, marble, stained glass windows and ceilings, a gymnasium, and routine bathing equipment. The 15-minute orientation movie, Valley of Vapors, offers a brief history of the area. Taking the Baths is a 9-minute video showing the traditional bathing routine in the Hot Springs bathhouses. Rest rooms and water fountains are located in the basement. Other rooms shown include the music room, massage rooms and a bowling alley.
Includes the Fordyce Bathhouse and seven other bathhouses all built in the early 20th century. The Row is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Aside from the Fordyce which serves as the park visitor center, the Buckstaff and the Quapaw are the only other operating bathhouses that are still in use as a spa. The other bathhouses are vacant but awaiting new uses.
The present Hale Bathhouse is the oldest visible structure on Bathhouse Row. The Mission Revival-style bathhouse is a textbook case of the changes in use and design of bathhouses buildings in Hot Springs National Park.
A landscaped walkway behind Bathhouse Row which offers a glimpse of the springs and historic landscape features. Entrances are from behind the Visitor Center and from Fountain Street.
Garvan Woodland Gardens. Learn more about its natural flora and fauna.
A great family attraction and the largest hands-on science center in Arkansas. Take the “Underground Arkansas” tour of a gigantic indoor cave filled with chambers, bridges, tunnels and slides, or experience the light, motion and sound of the “Virtual Reality Simulator.” Mid America Museum is the perfect setting for school field trips, birthday parties, summer science camps and more.
Museum about organized crime in America, particularly during the prohibition years of the 1920s and early 1930s, when Chicago gangsters came to Hot Springs to relax in the thermal baths and run illegal drinking and prostitution establishments while local police and politicians were paid to forget they ever saw any gangsters.
An amusement park with water and thrill rides such as roller coasters perched high above the Ouachita Mountains, outdoor concerts and more.
From January through April, Oaklawn is the place to be in Arkansas. Watch and wager on live top-quality thoroughbred racing, enjoy delicious food served up at restaurants and stands and participate in contests and promotions. Oaklawn also offers simulcast racing action year-round, plus live casino games and slots (thanks to casinos being legalized in the state in 2019). Some Arkansas Derby winners have also won one or more of the Triple Crown races in Kentucky, Maryland or New York. During the live racing season, children may enter Oaklawn accompanied by a parent or guardian; children attending during the simulcast season must be at least 48 inches tall to be admitted.
The drives on West Mountain, Hot Springs, and North Mountains have overlooks to the surrounding areas. An observation tower on top of Hot Springs Mountain is operated by a concessionaire and offers a panoramic view of the Zig Zag range of the Ouachita Mountains.
A tranquil lake setting with a number of waterfalls where one can submerge in pools below and just frolic in general. But also you can arrange boat rentals or horseback rides on the premises. Or camp in a tent, yurt, or cabin.
A place to float or kayak down a semi-turbulent stretch of the Ouachita River. Watch out for hooey bathrooms though.
Centered around the eponymous lake that dominates the area west of Hot Springs, its large size kind of caters to boating enthusiasts, but has hiking, swimming, and camping amenities nonetheless. Visitor center, kayaking.
The, brings together mentor musicians with pre-professional musicians during the first two weeks of June to perform chamber and orchestral music. Venues are located at various sites in the historic downtown district.
JavaPrimo is a locally owned coffee shop and cafe featuring fresh roasted coffee. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, JavaPrimo offers a selection of paninis, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups, cakes, pies, pastries and coffee. Gift ideas include coffee beans, teas, collegiate football gifts and greeting cards.
Great Latin cuisine restaurant with an outdoor seating area.
Great atmosphere inside a historic building and a great beer list.
Live music inside the oldest bar in Arkansas!
Hot Springs Arkansas B & B
A historic downtown hotel.
The Austin Hotel & Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown Hot Springs with 200 guestrooms and a beautiful view of the Ouachita Mountains. Amenities include spa, indoor/outdoor pool, lounge and restaurant on site.
Has a reasonably priced in-house spa.
Resort on Lake Hamilton. Each room has a view of the lake and many have a private balcony. Beautiful groomed gardens.
Lodging on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. Hotel rooms and 1 and 2 bedroom condos, most with balconies and lake views.
40 sites. National park campground with sites available on a first come, first served basis, no reservations. All sites have full hookups: 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer connections. Sites are not pull-through. Each campsite has a picnic table, pedestal grill, and water. While there are no showers, there are modern restrooms. Water is available at several stations throughout the campground most of the year and at the dump station. Quiet hours are 10PM-6AM. Pets are allowed if leashed. Camping in Gulpha Gorge Campground is limited to a total of 14 consecutive days and a cumulative total of 30 days in any calendar year.
Natural decor for the home.
The public transport system isn't recommended. It's best to have a car or a friend in the city who doesn't mind driving you around. If you are downtown, it is possible to walk to many sites.
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Hot Springs · Regional · HOT
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