Greetings and salutations fellow travelers!
We recently took a two-day adventure to Hot Springs, Arkansas and we have to tell you - this city surprised us in all the right ways. We didn't have high expectations going in (which is why we only booked 2 nights), but we left absolutely blown away and ready to return in the near future. We had no idea until we arrived that essentially the entire town is a National Park (no entrance fee!) so that made the experience even more magical. So, if you’re planning your next trip, here are the top 8 reasons why Hot Springs, AR should definitely be on your list!
1. Bath House Row 🏛️
First up, Bath House Row. This place is just stunning with its beautiful architecture, shops, and restaurants. It’s considered directly across from downtown Hot Springs (so basically its one side of that amazing street) and it’s a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, a relaxing hot springs soak, and/or a fantastic massage. The bathhouses were built between 1892 and 1923, and each one has its own unique look and charm. The entire Bathhouse Row area is designated as a National Historic Landmark District, and it contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America. Thankfully instead of being demolished, the non-operating bathhouses are now shops, restaurants and breweries. We stopped for a delicious lunch and beers at Superior Bathhouse Brewery (https://www.superiorbathhouse.com) which in addition to being the only brewery that makes beer directly from hot spring water – it’s also the ONLY brewery in a National Park. Make sure to visit the centrally located Fordyce Bathhouse, which serves as the park's visitor center, and you can take a free self-guided tour of the 3 floors (and basement) which are filled with historic exhibits and the history of bathhouses, the use of water as medicine, and the role of thermal water in making this place a national park. Looking for a traditional bathing experience -check out the Buckstaff Bathhouse which also offers massages, facials, and manicures/pedicures. For a more modern spa experience, the Quapaw Baths & Spa is a must.
For more information on Bathhouse Row please visit: https://www.nps.gov/hosp/learn/historyculture/bathhouse-row-today.htm
2. Scenic Trails 🌄
Hot Springs is full of scenic trails that will take your breath away. One moment you’re walking through a beautiful forest and the next, you’re seeing hot springs popping out of the ground, walls, or cliffs. We loved going in the morning when the air was still cool and the steam really showed in the shafts of morning sunlight. The Grand Promenade is a National Recreation Trail that runs parallel to bathhouse row, is about a half mile long, and made entirely out of brick. With the cliffs and woods on one side and the architecture of the bath houses on the other- it’s not to be missed…and it’s Yori approved! So much of the Hot Springs is dog friendly so be sure to bring your pups along for the fun. The park’s 5,550 acres straddle a horseshoe-shaped ridge in the Ouachita Mountains, offering numerous hiking trails and camping areas. From the 5.5 mile Greenway Trail to the ½ mile Grand Promenade – there’s a trail for everyone.
3. Crystal Ridge Distillery 🍹
Next, we have Crystal Ridge Distillery. We discovered this gem after trying their Orange Dream Vodka Soda at Grateful Head Pizza (more on that later). Their moonshine is some of the best we’ve ever had (and much of it isn’t that ‘straight gasoline burn’ that scares a lot of people – including Amanda). We highly recommend doing their sample tasting – it’s only $10 and worth every penny. In addition to various flavors of moonshine (butterscotch and banana – yum!!) – the tasting also includes samples of their canned vodka sodas as well as fantastic suggestions for mixed drinks made with the moonshine- many of which they’ll make for you right there at the bar. The building’s interior and patio areas are huge with beautiful woodwork comfy seats, games, and TV to watch making a great place to relax and enjoy some local spirits and relax with friends and family.
4. Grateful Head Pizza 🍕
Speaking of Grateful Head Pizza, the name alone pulled us in, but the pizza is what won us over. We spied this restaurant with the fantastic name while walking down main street (across from Bathhouse row) – so it’s an easy stop while you’re exploring the town and the shops. The outdoor patio is built into the side of the cliff line and offers great views of downtown Hot Springs – it literally feels like you’re sitting in a treehouse (a treehouse where people bring you fantastic pizza and drinks). Trust us, you do not want to miss this spot. The food is amazing, and the atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing meal.
5. Hot Springs Mountain Tower 🏞️
Hot Springs Mountain Tower is a must-visit! The tower elevator takes you 216 feet up to observation decks with breathtaking panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain, and Diamond Lakes area. It’s $13 per person, or $10 with a National Parks Pass. If you're up for a workout (or just crazy), you can even take the steps! Just be prepared – the elevator has a glass back, which can be a bit scary if you're afraid of heights like Amanda is. The first level observation deck is all inside with 360 degrees of windows so you can still get the views if you’re not up for the 2ndlevel which still has a tall railing – but is open air and absolutely next-level amazing (again…if your name isn’t Amanda and it doesn’t scare you to death). Getting to look down on Bathhouse Row (looks so tiny from up there) and essentially all of downtown Hot Springs alone makes it worth the price of admission.
6. Downtown Hot Springs 🍽️
Downtown Hot Springs is adorable and perfect for window shopping. There are lots of great restaurants and cafes to enjoy. We loved just wandering around, soaking in the vibe of this charming area. The downtown area developed in the early 1800s because of people's attraction to the thermal waters, and it still retains much of its historical architecture and charm. Turns out it was so charming that in the early 1900’s it attracted infamous gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, and Lucky Luciano to name a few. Be sure to check out The Ohio Club (https://www.theohioclub.com) which was one of the gangster’s favorite hangouts, as well as many famous MLB players like Babe Ruth. It’s the oldest bar in Arkansas and still has live music, super cool speakeasy vibe, and tasty cold drinks. Another favorite we discovered is Stella Mae’s (https://www.facebook.com/StellaMaesRetro/) which is an adorable shop loaded with mid-century looking clothing, accessories, and just cool stuff. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of what you’ll find in Downtown- so come explore!
7. Epic Mountain Drives 🚙
We had an absolute blast driving up in the surrounding mountains. We dropped the top on our Jeep so we could really enjoy the sights and the clean mountain air. The trip up Hot Springs Mountain was twisty but short and absolutely beautiful with a scenic look outlook when you’re nearly to the tower. It’s one of those drives where every turn brings a new and stunning view. Definitely a highlight of our trip! The mountains within the park are managed to preserve the hydrological system that feeds the springs (if you look closely you might spy old water tanks hidden among the trees on the mountain sides) and they offer some of the most scenic drives you can imagine. Some people even hike and bike up the mountain roads – so get up there any way you choose!
8. Finish Line RV Park 🏕
Lastly, our stay at Finish Line RV Park was fantastic. This park is quiet, quaint, and beautifully maintained. Even though it’s on a steep hill, all the sites are concrete, wide, and super level. We felt super safe with the gated entrance, and the bathhouse is amazing – giant bathrooms with massive showers, laundry facilities, vending machines, and even board games! It’s a perfect base for exploring the area – especially because it’s just off the same street (Central Ave) as Bathhouse Row and Downtown AND it’s only 2 miles away!
A Bit More About Hot Springs National Park
The hot spring water has been believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and the area was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. In the downtown area you will still find many fountains directly fed by the springs- where its free to bring containers of your choice to fill up with the natural spring water. We constantly witnessed people pulling up in cars, filling up plastic jugs, large glass bottles, and standard personal-sized water bottles from these fountains – clearly the water is very popular to the locals as well as tourists. We of course had to give it a try – and other than it being super warm – it actually tasted like clean pure water (I think we were expecting some sulfur or other earthy tastes given its straight out of the spring- but there was none of that at all).
The park was initially created as Hot Springs Reservation by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, making it the first area to be set aside by the federal government for recreation. It was redesignated as a national park on March 4, 1921. The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, and while you cannot swim in the natural springs (way too hot!), two of the original historic bathhouses still exist where you can experience the thermal waters.
Hot Springs has a rich history, including being a home to Major League Baseball spring training, illegal gambling, speakeasies during the Prohibition era, and gangsters such as Al Capone. It was also the boyhood home of the 42nd President, Bill Clinton.
Even though our stay was short - we absolutely recommend visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s a wonderful city with so much to offer. From stunning natural beauty to charming downtown streets and amazing food and drinks, there’s something for everyone. Don’t pass it up when you’re planning your next adventure. And if you want to hear more about our trip and other travels, be sure to follow us and check out our full story in our bio!
Until next time – we wish you smooth construction free roads, flat-free tires, and level campsites! 🚐✨
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