As America’s First Resort, Hot Springs is synonymous with rest and relaxation. Visitors have flocked here for centuries to “take the waters,” often on doctors’ orders. While modern medicine has since replaced the water cure, there’s no denying the benefits of hydrotherapy, and a soak in our namesake thermal springs is a must for any relaxation regimen. See the itinerary below for a spa experience you won’t find anywhere else!
9:30 a.m.
Start your spa day with a quick bite – something light that will hold you over but not weigh you down. Kollective Coffee + Tea is a hip cafe serving bagels and “healthyish” breakfasts made with natural, locally sourced ingredients.
10:00 a.m.
Take the waters! There are three spas where you can indulge in this age old tradition: Quapaw Baths & Spa, the Buckstaff Bathhouse, and the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. The latter two offer traditional baths similar to those taken at the height of the bathing industry with a private bath followed by a series of hydrotherapy stations. At Quapaw Baths & Spa, you and your friends can soak together at your leisure. This modern spa features four public thermal pools beneath a stained glass skylight. Private and couples baths are also available.
11:00 a.m.
Follow up your soak with a relaxing massage! The spas above all offer massages and other spa services, and there are dozens of other day spas throughout town where you can treat yourself to the works! This is your day and you deserve it!
2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a late, leisurely lunch at Superior Bathhouse Brewery. In addition to their delicious farm-to-table fare, they serve craft beer brewed with the thermal spring water! The Superior is the first brewery headquartered in a U.S. national park and the only brewery in the world to use thermal spring water as its main ingredient. Grab a flight and sample a variety.
4:00 p.m.
Shop for souvenirs at the Bathhouse Row Emporium, located in the Lamar Bathhouse. This national park gift shop also sells glass jugs for filling up with spring water to take home. One of the hot water fountains is located just steps away on Reserve Street in front of the National Park Administration Building. For centuries people have touted the benefits of both drinking and bathing in the springs. While the National Park doesn’t claim the water is curative, it does certify that it is safe to drink, so go on and quaff the elixir!
5:00 p.m.
Cross the street to do a little shopping along the city side of Central Avenue. There are boutiques, antique shops, hatteries, souvenir shops, soaperies, and even rock shops where you can pick up some beautiful Arkansas quartz crystals.
6:00 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxed, decadent dinner at The Avenue located inside the Water’s Hotel. Afterwards take the elevator to the top for drinks with a view at The Rooftop Bar! The Waters Hotel boasts the only rooftop restaurant/bar in Hot Springs. Make a toast to treating yourself right and make plans to do it more often!
