48 Hours in Hot Springs
ARE YOU EXSPARIENCED?
Photos courtesy of Arkansas Dept of Parks Heritage and Tourism
Take a downtown stroll to cap a great evening.
Few cities in Arkansas fit the word “wild” from as many different angles as Hot Springs. The famed Spa City has been a center for entertainment and recreation since before the Civil War, when local farmboys would race their fastest ponies on a Garland County pasture that would later be home to Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
Throughout its history, Hot Springs lived up to a ribald reputation for drink, gambling and general carousing, sanctioned by corrupt city officials and enjoyed by everyone from professional baseball players to professional killers in the form of big-name gangsters.
Things have tamed considerably, but everything old in Hot Springs is new again, especially with the return of casino gambling and millions in new investment pouring into the downtown historic district. No matter what your diversion, Hot Springs offers plenty of options for a memorable weekend.
Garvan, ‘gators and grub all await in the Spa City.
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Vacations are no fun without variety and sampling the local flavor. Here are a few of the offbeat attractions to soak in when visiting Hot Springs. Dare to be different!
Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic
Celebrating 25 years of amazed audiences Maxwell Blade is an evening of family-friendly fun. Combining music, comedy and illusion, it’s a show like no other in Arkansas Check out this long-running favorite downtown in the historic and completely renovated Malco Theatre.
The Gangster Museum of America
Hot Springs was once the private playground of Al Capone, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Charles “Lucky” Luciano as remote surroundings and City Hall’s talent for turning a blind eye to booze and gambling made it the ideal hoodlum hangout. Learn all about this colorful period at the Gangster Museum.
Best Court
Get a room with some style! Best Court offers fully restored 1930s-era lodging with modern conveniences. The cottages offer free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and cable TV while retaining the décor and charm of the era. Rumor has it DiMaggio and Monroe favored the corner suite.
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
When was the last time you handled live baby gators and saw the big ones up close at feeding time? That’s what we thought. At the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo, such one-of-a-kind encounters happen daily, along with assorted other critters that won’t eat you for lunch.
Redbeard’s Living Canvas
For times when the routine souvenir just won’t do, visit Redbeard’s Living Canvas where the in-house colorful characters have been doing their thing for more than 25 years. Hey, it’s your skin; better stick with folks who know what the hell they’re doing.
Follow your outdoor fancy, be it in the woods, on the trails or floating and boating the lakes around Hot Springs. If it’s boating you’re after, take your pick from Lake Hamilton, DeGray Lake, Lake Catherine or Lake Ouachita for fishing, cruising or just dropping anchor and listening to the waves. Bring your own watercraft or check out a rental at one of the many marinas dotting the shoreline — Hot Springs Marina, Kahuna Bay and Greg Orr Marine, to name a few.
If river traffic is more your speed, schedule a fly-fishing or wade excursion with a local guide. Ouachita Fly Anglers Co. and Catch’em All are just a couple of the certified river rats who know where to find largemouth and smallmouth bass and more.
A great day on the water ends with a great watering hole. Check out Bubba’s Brews on Lake Hamilton for craft beer, surprising good pub grub and a relaxed atmosphere. Dock at the Back Porch Grill for a tasty steak, or Fisherman’s Wharf for fresh seafood as you watch the sun set over the water.
Hikers and mountain bikers will find plenty to love around Hot Springs, too. Within Hot Springs National Park, find the Hot Springs and North Mountain trails, composed of relatively short, interconnected trails easily accessible via the grand staircase behind Fordyce Bathhouse, Hot Springs Mountain Drive and the Gulpha Gorge campground. The West Mountain trails are less traveled, providing greater opportunities for wildlife sightings. Access this path via Whittington Park and the Canyon Trailhead.
The Sunset Trail is the longest trail in Hot Springs National Park, covering approximately 10 miles one way or via a 15- to 17-mile loop. Due to the length of this trail, it is frequently broken up into three separate sections: West Mountain (2.8 miles), Sugarloaf Mountain (2.6 miles), and Stonebridge Road (3.8 miles).
Or, visit Garvan Woodland Garden, one of the most breathtaking attractions you’ll find anywhere. You’ll get your steps in while touring the impeccable gardens any time of year.
Mountain bikers also find an embarrassment of riches, as Hot Springs has steadily built a solid reputation for biking trails. Hot Springs Creek Greenway and Entergy Park cater to beginners; Iron Mountain and Northwoods offer a little something for everyone, while Womble and Ouachita National Recreation routes serve intermediate to advanced thrill-seekers.
Plus, there’s a thriving bike shop community here to tune up your ride or rent or sell you a whole new kit. Check out Parkside Cycle, Spa City Cycling or Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Co. for local expertise, trail tips and great customer service.
For your evening’s refreshment, Hot Springs offers plenty of unique dining experiences that are known regionally and nationally. DeLuca’s is regularly cited as one of the best pizzerias in the country and locals also swear by Rocky’s Corner and Rod’s Pizza Cellar as longtime staples. Go spiffy with steakhouses The Porterhouse, Bones Chophouse or 501 Prime or get down and dirty at McClard’s Bar-B-Q, an Arkansas institution. Then swing over for a nightcap at the historic Ohio Club or Maxine’s, two establishments with backstories as tasty as their cocktails.
Finally, with things loosening up, bet on Hot Spring’ full slate of festivals and community celebrations to be back in a big way. Check out hotsprings.org for activities and plan your trip accordingly. Any time of year, Hot Springs will show you a really great time.
