Hot Springs Arkansas

How to get to Hot Springs - Driving is the best way to get to Hot Springs, Drove from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Hot Springs on a two and half hour scenic drive via highway 71 to highway 270; the views are spectacular. 

Some History - Hot Springs was a popular hangout in the early 1900's for Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and other mobsters. Al Capone used to stay at the Arlington hotel.

Nature - With Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine and awesome walking trails, its a great place for outdoors enthusiasts.

Stay and Food - I stayed overnight at an Airbnb within walking distance to the bathhouse row. For food Diablos has delicious food, its across the street from the visitors center. There are Bed and Breakfasts in the downtown area, one can get the info at the visitors center.

Things to do in Hot Springs Arkansas

Bathhouse Row road (Central Avenue), take a hot bath with natural spring water, also there are several eating places, souvenir gift shops and attractions; this is the heart of Hot springs. Start at the visitors center at 629 Central ave, and get a walking tour map and walk on both sides of the Avenue. One can fill up spring water at one of the free water fountains.

Bathhouse Row Hot Springs Arkansas 

Hot Springs Murals 

 Picture above of Quapaw Mural, on Central avenue across from Buckstaff Bathhouse.

A lot of work must have gone into making these massive murals. Walk along Central avenue from Olive street to Fountain street past the bathhouse row and you will see 16 murals representing various art themes.

Get a map from the tourist office and all the murals are marked on the map.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Picture taken from the Tower, what a scenic drive. One drives to the top of the mountain on windy roads and you'll arrive to the top where you go through a Gift shop and take the elevator to a history or museum floor, a lot of fact and fiction info about Hot Springs with pictures on display. One floor above is the look out floor of the tower with 360 views of the city. Cost to take the elevator is $12.

Along Central avenue you see Duck Tours, land and water truck type vehicles from WWII, I didn't do the tour. Also there is the Arkansas Alligator farm and petting Zoo, for families with kids, as well as go-karts and laser tag. A visit to Anthony Chapel which is part of Garvan Woodland Gardens is something to consider as well.

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