The city of Hot Springs is famous for its thermal springs, historic baths, and surplus of outdoor recreational opportunities. For a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a weeklong vacation, you can’t beat this old town. Anyone who appreciates nature will find this the ideal location. Beautiful scenery, stunning lakes, and a plethora of wildlife surround the city. Nevertheless, if you’re not much for the outdoors, you won’t have to worry about getting bored during your trip. Join ViewCation as we take you on a journey of the best things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Visit Hot Springs National Park
The National Park of Hot Springs is worth a visit.
The 5,500-acre Hot Springs National Park, which shares its name with the neighboring city, is the most popular tourist destination in Hot Springs. The park’s thermal springs are its main feature, and historic buildings along Bathhouse Row, including the Buckstaff Bathhouse and the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center, are still open for business. Moreover, the park is laced with several pathways for your enjoyment. The West Mountain Trails, Hot Springs Trails, and North Mountain Trails form the backbone of the trail network. All locations have small trails that link to one another, while the 10-mile-long Sunset Trail offers a more strenuous excursion for more experienced hikers. We recommend you hike the 2.6-mile Sugarloaf Mountain section of the Sunset Trail, which includes a 0.3-mile side trail to the Balanced Rock, as it offers one of the most breathtaking vistas in all of Arkansas. In addition, you can enjoy a tour of Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row in the park, which are located in the heart of the city.
Explore the Mid-America Science Museum
The exhibitions at the Mid-America Science Museum cover a wide range of topics, so there’s a good chance that you’ll learn something new. Visitors can take in the impressive Tesla coil and learn about geology in the museum’s underground cave maze. While there are plenty of things to do within the museum, guests should not forget to spend some time outside, either. The museum’s grounds feature a large skywalk and dinosaur statues spread out along a winding path in the woods. All members of your party, regardless of age, are sure to have a great time with the spectacular hands-on exhibits at the Mid-America Science Museum. It’s important to allow at least a few hours if you want to get the most out of the venue
Stop by at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Just under two miles south of Hot Springs’ historic district is where you’ll find the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. This resort, which has hosted thoroughbred races from 1904, is a popular destination for those looking for an alternative to the area’s natural sights.
Even though construction on the Oaklawn Racing Casino’s new facilities began in May 2019, visitors can still test their luck at the venue. When you’re not switching back and forth between the racetrack and the casino floor, you may have some food at the Silks Bar & Grill or listen to some live music. You can also enter the casino to play the slots and table games while waiting for a race to start. Whether you go there to wager or just to watch the race, don’t miss the track’s famous corned beef sandwich at lunchtime. Regular parking is free on non-race days, however, it will cost you $2 on race days. At Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, guests do not have to pay to enter either the track or the casino.
Have fun at the Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park is the ideal place to cool down during the hot Arkansas summer. The park has rides for people of all ages, so it’s a family-friendly destination. You’ll have a great time at the park because to the lack of crowds, the pristine condition of the facilities, and the thrilling attractions available to you outside of the water park. Waterslides, a meandering river, and a crashing wave pool are the park’s main draws. The park is open everyday in June and July, and on weekends in April, May, August, and October. However, these times are subject to change depending on the season and day of the week. From November through March, the facility is out of commission. Ticket prices start at $59.99 at the front gate, but there are a number of discounts available if you buy them in advance from the official Magic Springs Theme and Water Park website.
Visit the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center
Guests to Hot Springs National Park can stop by the Fordyce Bathhouse, the park’s official visitor center. From its opening in 1915 until its closure in 1962, the bathhouse offered its clients everything from massages to electrotherapy. After years of disuse, the facility was converted into a park visitor center in 1989. Visitors may now marvel at the historic structures’ elaborate design, which includes stained-glass domes, ceramic fountains, and delicately tiled flooring. You will love having access to the entire three-story structure, including its basement. A bowling alley and a grand piano are just two of the hidden wonders waiting to be found. The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center offers a self-guided tour so that you can experience the attraction at your own pace. Those interested in learning more can book a guided tour of the bathhouse, but parties should call ahead to make sure there is room. The daily hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the top two floors of the building, which close at 4:45 p.m. A small fee, however, is required to enter the visitor center. To find out more about this historic building, head over to the Hot Springs National Park website.
Explore Lake Ouachita State Park
In spite of the fact that Hot Springs National Park naturally receives the most attention from visitors, it is not the only outdoor destination in the area. Tourists would be missing out by not visiting the beautiful Lake Ouachita State Park. There are 93 campsites, eight regular cabins, and four camper cabins available for overnight stays in the park, so nature lovers may enjoy the outdoors without having to leave town. If you just have a limited amount of time to spend at Lake Ouachita State Park, you’ll have to pick between the park’s land and water activities. The park’s two beaches provide access to the water, and a marina is there for those who want to hire boats. Visitors can also take a dip in the Three Sisters Springs, which are said to have curative properties on par with those of Hot Springs National Park. Two pathways ranging from half a mile to four miles are available to parkgoers who would rather not venture out onto the water at Lake Ouachita State Park.
The marina and visitor center at Lake Ouachita State Park are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year, with some extended hours on weekends and holidays. Visiting the park throughout the day does not cost anything, while there may be fees associated with certain tours and special events.
Take in stunning views at Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which rises an impressive 1,256 feet into the air, offers visitors unparalleled panoramas of the surrounding area. Travelers who reach the observation deck at the tower’s pinnacle will get a clear view of the Diamond Lakes, Hot Springs Mountain, and the rest of the Ouachita Range. The view extends for almost 140 miles in every direction.
The scenic, winding road that leads to the tower is definitely worth the trip. Visit the basement’s surprisingly large gift shop and cafe as soon as you arrive. Here, guests can purchase souvenirs or refreshments to enjoy while taking in the sights. After browsing the souvenirs in the shop, take the glass elevator up the 216 vertical feet to the lookout platform. Fantastic panoramas of Hot Springs National Park may be seen from the deck. At nine in the morning every day, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower opens its doors to guests. Monthly closure times are rotated, however, the observation deck and gift store both close 30 minutes before the tower does. Adult tickets to the tower cost $8, while children aged 5 to 11 pay $4.50, and those 55 and older pay $7. All children under the age of 4 go in free.
Visit the Gangster Museum of America
The Gangster Museum of America is a historically accurate and amusing look at how some of the most notorious gangsters in America coexisted with the kind residents of this small valley community in the hills of central Arkansas. Visit the museum to transport yourself to the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, when Hot Springs, Arkansas, attracted tourists from all over the world with its spring water, bootlegging, gambling, and other extreme pleasures. The audiovisual presentation across the seven galleries justifies the admission price. Try your luck in the museum’s antique casino, and then head to the theater to hear an expert historian discuss the whos, whats, whens, and wheres of some fascinating and enlightening historical events.
Get immersed in beauty at Garvan Woodland Gardens
There is an incredible variety of both natural and man-made features to enjoy at the Garvan Woodland Gardens. It may come as a surprise, but the garden’s flowers are not its primary draw. The intricate latticework of wood and glass that can be found throughout the Anthony Chapel Complex is one of the reasons that it is so popular among architecture fans. Another popular photo op is the Joy Manning Scott Bridge of the Full Moon, which was inspired by the old stone bridges of western China. Meanwhile, nature lovers enjoy the bonsai garden and forest walk, which represent only a small portion of the expansive greenery that is the Garvan Woodland Gardens.
In the dead of winter, the gardens put up a spectacular yearly Christmas light display that is not to be missed. If you can’t visit the garden in time for the holidays, spring is a great second choice when the garden’s many blooms are in full bloom. You will have a lovely, fascinating experience whatever time you go.
Pet animals at the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo
Making a trip to the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo is one of the best things to do in Hot Springs.
Privately owned and operated, the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo may be found on Whittington Avenue. Since its founding in 1902, the farm has specialized in alligator farming. Animals such as bobcats, turkeys, chickens, wild boars, cougars, turtles, and ring-tailed lemurs have joined the zoo’s original population of roughly 200 alligators. The farm features a petting zoo where visitors can interact with animals like white-tailed deer, emus, llamas, goats, piglets, and baby alligators. Here, the young ones of both goats and alligators can be held, fed, and petted. Animals including monkeys, mountain lions, wolves, and peacocks are also on display. The complex features a souvenir shop, a snack bar, and a tiny museum housing a collection of mounted alligators.
Explore the picturesque Anthony Chapel
The 210-acre Anthony Chapel Complex can be found in the University of Arkansas’s Garvan Woodland Gardens. The beautiful glass church is located in the middle of the woods, and there is a parking lot and a short path leading to it. Unless reserved for a special occasion, visitors are welcome to visit the Chapel at any time during its public hours. When the chapel is being used for a private function, no outsiders are permitted inside. At its present form, the Chapel in Garvan Woodland Gardens is open to visitors at no cost. The Welcome Center is where garden visitors check in and purchase tickets. This gorgeous chapel, perched on a hill above Lake Hamilton, is constructed from yellow pine beams and is adorned with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling. With such a beautiful setting, it’s no surprise that over 200 couples a year pick this chapel to exchange their vows. You may also choose to hold your wedding at this magnificent location.
There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Which of the things to do above piqued your interest the most?