24 hours in Hot Springs,Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas is a unique town full of charm, history, and geological importance. It’s hard to fit everything into just 24 hours but this is what we would recommend for just one day in this quaint town.
We originally stopped here to visit Hot Springs National Park. We visited on a whim and it was a fun surprise to find it was an urban park!
1. Walk down Bathhouse Row. It’s so fun to go in the different bathhouses. The Park visitor center is located in the Fordyce Bathhouse and many of the rooms have been restored and it also serves as a Museum to showcase what the bathhouses looked like during the early 1900s. 🛁
2. You can enjoy a more modern bathhouse experience by soaking and enjoying the spa services at the Quapaw and Buckstaff Bathhouses.🧖♀️
3. Lunch is best spent at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery. This bathhouse turned brewery is the only brewery located in a US National Park! We usually don’t eat at restaurants in the parks but this seemed too good to pass. We got a beer sampler flight, and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious the beer and food were! 🍻
4. After lunch we recommend walking along the Grand Promenade and up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. From here you can take an elevator to the top of the tower and take in the 360 views of Hot Springs and the surrounding area. 👀
5. Once you get Bach to bathhouse row, pop over to the Arlington Hotel. This hotel has a cool and unique history as one of the most notorious American Gangsters, Al Capone, use to stay here. They’ve even dubbed the room he stayed in “The Al Capone Suite” 🧐
6. After all that walking we were hungry again. As deadheads the Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Beer Garden seemed like the perfect dinner spot. The pizza was delicious, service was speedy, and atmosphere was relaxed.🍕
7. We ended up finding a campsite in Lake Ouachita State Park, right on the lake! This was such a surprising campsite, it was so beautiful and would be the perfect spot to take our kayaks or rent a boat
⛲️Don’t forget to fill your water jugs with spring water at any of the number of water fountains located around town!
Hot Springs, Arkansas is a renowned destination, known for its exceptional thermal waters and rich history. First settled as a health resort in the early 1800s, its unique geothermal springs have attracted visitors seeking relaxation and healing. At the heart of the town is the stunning Hot Springs National Park, where visitors can appreciate the natural beauty and enjoy activities like hiking, picnicking, and exploring the historic bathhouses along Bathhouse Row. The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the grandeur of early American spa culture. Visitors can experience traditional thermal baths at places like Quapaw Baths, which offers modern spa services integrated with the tradition of healing waters. For those looking for a taste of local flavor, the Superior Bathhouse Brewery stands out as the only brewery situated within a U.S. National Park. It uniquely brews its beer using the park’s thermal spring water, making it a must-visit for craft beer enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Arlington Hotel, with its rich history of hosting celebrities and gangsters alike, offers a glimpse into the past and the chance to stay where legends walked. Outdoor lovers can explore Lake Ouachita State Park for stunning landscapes and opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and camping in serene settings. With so much to offer in a compact area, Hot Springs, Arkansas is the ideal destination for a fun-filled, culturally rich day trip.
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