Uncover a Hidden Gem in Hot Springs, AR

Text by Bethany Adams

Planning a summer road trip? If you’re passing through Arkansas, it’s worth planning a few days to explore the community of Hot Springs, where rich history and unique natural features have created a one-of-a-kind experience.

Named for the abundant thermal springs that provide the area with fresh water, Hot Springs was set aside by President Andrew Jackson as a reservation in 1832 to protect the springs as a natural resource. Following the formation of the National Park Service, the reserve was the 18^th place to officially be recognized as a national park.

Throughout the decades, the city was a hot spot for various groups, from infamous mobsters looking to relax and treat their various maladies with the springs’ healing properties (including figures like Al Capone) to National Baseball Hall of Fame members who visited during the 50-plus years that the area was used for Spring Training.

If you’re able to stop in on the first Friday of the month, you can experience the Hot Springs Gallery Walk, which has taken place for more than 30 years, and tour the various galleries showcasing local artists’ work. Even a brief stroll through downtown is enough to see the unique art scene, as a series of murals has been painted to highlight the area’s history, but those willing to dig deeper should connect with the Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance or take in a demonstration at the Riley Art Glass Studio.

The most difficult decision any visitor to Hot Springs will face is where to eat, as the options are abundant. For breakfast, grab a stack of fresh pancakes and local-made sausage at The Pancake Shop (family-owned and -operated since 1940), savor a cup of organic coffee at Kollective Koffee + Tea, or enjoy the many creative dishes at Best Café (including Crème Brûlée French Toast that’s to die for).

You can find casual lunch fare at Stubby’s BBQ—along with house-made sauce that’s worth taking home—or at Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the world’s first brewery to utilize thermal springs water as a main ingredient in their beers and root beers. A laid-back (but still high-quality) dinner awaits at SQZBX, a piano shop turned pizza parlor that offers one-of-a-kind pies and a friendly atmosphere, but J&S Italian Villa is the place to go if you’re ready for an evening filled with high-end, unforgettable fare.

Regardless of how long you’re looking to stay, there are plenty of places to hang your hat while you explore the area. For a stay focused on relaxation, the Lookout Point Lakeside Inn provides access to beautiful water views and on-site kayaks, but visitors interested in a historic stay should check out the stunningly renovated The Reserve at Hot Springs, a former private mansion transformed into a high-end boutique hotel. Or book a room in the Hotel Hale on Bathhouse Row for quick access to plenty of food and shopping options—not to mention the hot springs, themselves, as guests can enjoy the thermal waters in their private bathrooms.

History lovers should plan a trip to the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum for a tour of a historic bathhouse, and anyone wishing to partake themselves can do so at Quapaw Baths & Spa. To enjoy the area’s natural wonders, stroll the paths around the national park and see the springs in their natural settings, book an appointment with Oachita Kayak Tours, and spend a few hours exploring the Garvan Woodland Gardens. Take in a race at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, or find a piece of Hot Springs to take home by mining for quartz at Ron Coleman Mining (but be sure to wear clothes you can get dirty).

Whether you’re just passing through or planning to stay awhile, Hot Springs, Arkansas, will have plenty to delight everyone in your group. From restful relaxation to adventurous outings, this one-of-a-kind community will stay with you long after you’ve found your way back home.