Best Things to Do in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a unique town with a long, rich history. When Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto first arrived in 1541, existing native settlers referred to the area as the “Valley of the Vapors”. This name was given due to the steam that rises from the ground due to an abundance of hot springs with an average temperature of 143°F. Spanish and French explorers then settled the area in the mid-1500s.
In 1832, President Andrew Jackson designated Hot Springs as the first land to be preserved for recreational use under federal law, paving the way for our modern National Parks system. The town was also once the off season capitol for Marjor League Baseball, and is the birthplace of Spring Training.
During the early part of the 20th century, Hot Springs had a reputation as being the vacation destination of America’s crime families. Regardless of what was happening back home, gangsters had an agreement to keep Hot Springs peaceful, creating a unique environment where enemies would enjoy the same night clubs or perhaps even share the craps table of one of the many local casinos that once lined Central Avenue.
Although the gangsters and professional baseball are long gone from the area, modern Hot Springs has a lot to offer, leaving little reason to guess why this community is the top tourist destination in the state of Arkansas. Let’s look at a few of the top things to do on your visit to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Magic Springs Theme & Water Park
More commonly referred to as just Magic Springs, the Magic Springs Theme and Water Park is undoubtedly the number one tourist activity in Central Arkansas. This is true for locals as well as visitors, leading to an interesting mix of people to add a little flare to your day.
The theme park side of the park is somewhat small compared to other theme parks around the country, but appropriately sized for the size of the community it is situated in. There are a few roller coasters, along with a large assortment of more old school rides, such as bumper cars.
The water park is the more popular side of the park, and during the summer heat of Arkansas, it is easy to understand why. The Magic Springs water park offers Hot Springs visitors a number of activities, including a large lazy rive, splash island, simulated surfing and an enormous wave pool. If you are visiting Hot Springs, then it is worth visiting Magic Springs for the water park alone.
The park also offers an outdoor Summer Concert Series. A different artist is brought in each Saturday night, offering a quality night out under the stars.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, commonly referred to simply as Oaklawn, is one of the countries premier tracks for horse racing. The location has offered live thoroughbred horse racing since 1904. The main race of the year at Oaklawn is the Arkansas Derby, which is one of the qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby. The Arkansas Derby was first ran in 1936, celebrating the 100 years of statehood for Arkansas.
Services and entertainment options have been greatly expanded since those early days. This started with a simulcast center to offer betting on horse races around the world. This was later expanded to include a full service casino. In 2022 the property completed a massive expansion, to include a new hotel resort, complete with all of the luxury amenities you would expect at any world class destination.
Bathhouse Row
Bathhouse Row is a National Historic Landmark located along Central Avenue in the historic district of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The area features eight historic bathhouses constructed between 1892 and 1923. Some are still operational as bathhouses, while others have been repurposed for other use.
Of particular interest is the Fordyce Bathhouse, which serves as the visitor center for the National Park, as well as serving as a bathhouse museum. The Fordyce Bathhouse has been restored to it’s original condition and is largely original, giving a unique look at how the wealthy vacationed a century ago.
The Buckstaff Bathhouse was built in 1912 and has been in continuous operation for over a century. The Buckstaff is widely thought of as the closest thing you can get to the original Hot Springs bathhouse experience.
All of the other bathhouses are worth taking the time to visit. The Ozark Bathhouse contains mythical creatures offering passers by a sample of the areas healing waters. The Superior Bathhouse, the smallest of them all, was originally constructed to give local residents affordable access to therapeutic treatments, but has been converted into a microbrewery in modern times. A trip to historic Bathhouse Row is definitely a must to include on any trip to Hot Springs.
Hot Springs Hiking Trails
The town of Hot Springs is located within Hot Springs National Park. Situated at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, as well as being at the edge of the Ouachita National Forest, Hot Springs offers a number of well marked trails suitable for any hiking enthusiast. Printed trail maps are available for free at the Hot Springs Visitors Center, located at the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum on Bathhouse Row.
The Oertel Trail, previously known as the Dead Chiefs Trail, connects Gulpha Gorge to Bathhouse Row. The one-hour hike begins at the Gulpha Gorge state campground at the outer edge of the National Park, and leads to the grand staircase behind the Fordyce Bathhouse. Deer, squirrels and chipmonks are common sightings along this trail, which is very manageable for beginners.
The West Mountain Trail covers both the Northern and Eastern slopes of West Mountain in Hot Springs. The two sides of the mountain are connected by the Mountain Top Trail, forming a completed loop. The majority of the trail is on mountain slopes and there are steep switchbacks to conquer, giving the trail a moderate difficulty level. The West Mountain Trail can also be used to connect into the Fordyce Trail, for those who wish to make an overnight hike into the Ouachita National Forest.
The Sunset Trail is the longest hiking trail in Hot Springs National Park. The Sunset Trail is 10 miles to complete one way, and combines with other trails to create a 17 mile loop back to the starting point. Because of the length of the trail, most people break the hike into three sections: West Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and Stonebridge Road.
Other Activities in Hot Springs, Arkansas
The Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo has been in continuous operation at the same location on Whittington Avenue since 1902. A billboard on the back fence reads “Alligators don’t attack people, crocodiles do”, but then during the feeding show, the owner tells a story about the time he was attacked by two alligators. In addition to feeding alligators, guests are encouraged to interact with goats, donkeys and other animals at the farm.
The Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum has been a fixture of Central Avenue for decades. The museum features a large number of life size wax replicas of historical figures and fictional characters, divided into seven distinct worlds. If you find wax figures creepy, divert around the Chamber of Horrors. A multi-ticket can be purchased for $30 that includes the wax museum, a ride on the Duck Tours and a drink at the local microbrewery.
The Gangster Museum of America takes visitors on a tour of the past and how the most notorious gangsters in America were able to peacefully co-exist in this scenic community. The museum includes a guided tour that tells the story of the interaction between the American mafia and Hot Springs locals. The museum is divided into five unique galleries that give a unique look at historic figures from the 1920s and 1930s.
Sometimes referred to as the Hot Springs Duck Tours, the National Park Duck Tours takes visitors on a 90 minute amphibious cruise. The tour starts in downtown Hot Springs next to the Wax Museum. It continues down Highway 7 before driving into and around Lake Hamilton. Tour guides make the trip fun and informative, and the tour offers a free pick-up service for most area hotels.
People have been coming to Hot Springs for nearly 500 years. It’s nice to know that when you come to discover why, there will be plenty of additional activities to make your trip memorable.
