It’s time to plan your trip to Hot Springs. Picking the things to see & do in the Spa City is so easy, the only hard part is fitting it all in!
Thermal water soaks, trails and lakes, horse racing, botanical gardens, thrill rides, craft beer, food and history galore! Hot Springs has so many amazing restaurants, attractions and places to lay your head at night! If you haven't requested your free vacation guide, there's no time like the present! Inside you'll find a quiz that you can take based on the things you love to do the most and we'll help you learn the type of traveler you are! No matter what, do Hot Springs your way!
Are you THE RELAXER?
Welcome to the Spa-City, baby! One of Hot Springs’ first mottos was “We Bathe the World” and it looks like that is what you’ll come for. Hot Springs is the perfect place to relieve that everyday stress and just chill out. Our thermal waters are rumored to be not only soothing, but healing. Check out the bathhouses while you’re here — really, treat yourself. You deserve it!
Itinerary Ideas:
Spa Day | Visit the Quapaw Baths & Spa for the works or go for a tradition bathhouse experience at the Buckstaff Bathhouse. Reservations required.
Tea Time! | Brew some tea at one of the hot water fountains. All you need is a mug, tea & the hot waters will do the rest!
Treat Yourself | A hotel stay at The Waters Hotel or Hotel Hale when in Downtown Hot Springs, or Lookout Point Lakeside Inn on Lake Hamilton are all luxurious options.
Are you THE NATURALIST?
You are a Naturalist, naturally. You’re vacation should be all about seeing the natural beauty of Hot Springs, and don’t worry, there is plenty to see! Hike a trail, wander the paths at Garvan Woodland Gardens, sample our water, or dig up your own souvenirs at one of our many crystal mines. No matter your pace, Hot Springs puts the nature into the Natural State.
Itinerary Ideas:
Dig for Crystals | Get your hands dirty unearthing Arkansas Quartz at one of the crystal mines in Hot Springs!
The National Park, of course! | There's always plenty of natural beauty to explore, but this year Hot Springs National Park celebrate 100 years so there is even more to do & see!
Chase a Waterfall | Hit the open water on kayak, find a swimming hole or hike to the waterfall at Lake Catherine State Park.
THE ADVENTURE SEEKER
Take a hike... or a mountain bike ride deep into the Northwoods. Get out on the water and explore our three lakes, maybe even cast a line to find out what lives under the water. Do your exploration with a side of sports in Hot Springs, a city full of incredible sights and excursions waiting for you. ‘Ouachita Adventurer’ has a nice ring to it! (That is if you can pronounce it. Hint: Wash-i-taw)
Itinerary Ideas:
Get Stoked | Ride the world-class mountain biking trails at Northwoods Trails-Hot Springs or catch some air on a wakeboard.
Zipline | Ride some lines over the Ouachita Forest or sore above the quartz mines at Ron Coleman Mines!
Tee Off | If friendly competition is your game, take in 18 holes at Hot Springs Country Club or one of many golf courses in Hot Springs Village.
THE GO-GETTER
You are a go-getter! An itinerary packed with a little bit of everything is exactly what you need on your vacation. You’re always on the move and this trip to Hot Springs won’t be any different. Blood-pumping action, rollercoasters, alligator feedings, hands-on fun, or maybe an incredible zipline through the Ouachita mountains? Make the time and see it all, you busy-bee.
Itinerary Ideas:
Pet an Alligator | No, really. You can even hold a baby alligator if you like at the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo.
Ride, Splash, Dance | Magic Springs Theme & Water Park opens in May. Plan now to have all the fun later!
Magic before your Eyes | The Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic offers mind-blowing magic shows for the whole family... & comedy too!
THE CULTURE VULTURE
You are here for the culture! Look no further, Hot Springs offers tons of options for our visitors trying to truly learn what our city is all about. Drink beer made with our famed hot springs water, play the ponies at Oaklawn, and take in some art, food, cocktails... you want to know what the city is really all about! There is no telling what kind of fun you will get into when you’re visiting Hot Springs or what you might see along the way!
Itinerary Ideas:
Get Inspired | Take a tour of the beautiful public art throughout Hot Springs like murals, artist studios or the Hot Springs Greenway Sculplture Walk!
Drinks with a View | Dine or have some cocktails at The Rooftop Bar directly across from beautiful Bathhouse Row. The view can't be beat.
Seriously Unique Brews | The only brewery in a National Park & the only in the world to brew beer with naturally occurring spring water, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is a must-stop!
THE HISTORY BUFF
Okay, smarty pants, it looks like you want to learn on your vacation. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Hot Springs has so much interesting history, in addition to all the neat ecologic features in our National Park! Spend an afternoon following the Hot Springs Baseball Trail around the city learning about spring training, or take some time to learn about the gangsters & famous faces that used to wander the streets of this cozy little tourist town.
Itinerary Ideas:
Take "The Vapors" Book Tour | Maybe you've read this best-selling novel or maybe you'll pick it up while you visit? Regardless, we've put together a book tour letting you explore the historic sites from this historic page turner!
Soak up Some History | Take yourself back to the days when gambling, boot-legging, prostitution, and hot mineral baths brought people from all over the country to the Spa City with a visit to The Gangster Museum of America.
Historic Food, Too | Taste for yourself why the legendary McClard's BBQ has been a visitor's favorite since 1928 or why The Pancake Shop has been welcoming guests since 1940!
THE FOODIE
Your tastes look more like a buffet than a vacation, but Hot Springs has your back! Feel no shame our fellow foodie, Hot Springs has some of the best cuisine in the state of Arkansas. BBQ one day, tacos the next, and before you leave be sure to try some of Hot Springs’ great pizza joints. Our foodie scene is so great, the Tex-Mex staple, cheese dip, was even invented here in our town!
Don’t forget to check out our great coffee, tea, beer, and cocktails to go along with those meals!
Itinerary Ideas:
Live Music & Food with a Side of History | This late night haunt has welcomed gangsters, celebraties & baseball legends and coincidentally has some amazing burgers... The Ohio Club.
Arkansas-Style Pizza | Hot Springs has the pizza. Find out why everyone who tastes it keeps coming back!
Smooth Roasts | Top off your morning with a stop by some fantastic coffee joints, too!