Jamie's Hot Springs Guide
Sightseeing
Our Airbnb cottage is just literally around the corner from a TRAVEL HIDDEN GEM: Garvan Woodland Gardens designed by the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design. Holding many awards, this is one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Each month the garden blossoms into a different spectacular view. March and April – Tulips. December – Holiday Lights. November – a Sunburst of Fall Colors. All year long, The Anthony Chapel, the Evans Treehouse, the Carillion, and many other extraordinary spectacles of architecture are on display.
231 locals recommend
Garvan Woodland Gardens
4819 Arkridge RdOur Airbnb cottage is just literally around the corner from a TRAVEL HIDDEN GEM: Garvan Woodland Gardens designed by the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design. Holding many awards, this is one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Each month the garden blossoms into a different spectacular view. March and April – Tulips. December – Holiday Lights. November – a Sunburst of Fall Colors. All year long, The Anthony Chapel, the Evans Treehouse, the Carillion, and many other extraordinary spectacles of architecture are on display.
There are multiple bathhouses on the main downtown strip, including Quapaw Baths & Spa and several others next to it.
106 locals recommend
Quapaw Baths & Spa
413 Central AveThere are multiple bathhouses on the main downtown strip, including Quapaw Baths & Spa and several others next to it.
Swimming at the Beach (1200 Catherine Park Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913).
81 locals recommend
Lake Catherine State Park
1200 Catherine Park RdSwimming at the Beach (1200 Catherine Park Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913).
216-ft. tower with an elevator up to an observation deck offering expansive views of the landscape.
136 locals recommend
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
401 Hot Springs Mountain Dr216-ft. tower with an elevator up to an observation deck offering expansive views of the landscape.
This classic race track has green from the gold age of horse racing in America.
263 locals recommend
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
2705 Central AveThis classic race track has green from the gold age of horse racing in America.
This is the lake that the Airbnb house is on. There is a boat rental place if you want to get out on the water beyond swimming.
53 locals recommend
Lake Hamilton
This is the lake that the Airbnb house is on. There is a boat rental place if you want to get out on the water beyond swimming.
Arkansas’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita offers 40,000 acres of clear, clean water surrounded by the scenic Ouachita National Forest. Swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, and fishing are enjoyed here. Bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and largemouth bass can be caught in open waters or quiet coves. Choose from a wide variety of day-use areas.
36 locals recommend
Lake Ouachita
Arkansas’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita offers 40,000 acres of clear, clean water surrounded by the scenic Ouachita National Forest. Swimming, skiing, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, and fishing are enjoyed here. Bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and largemouth bass can be caught in open waters or quiet coves. Choose from a wide variety of day-use areas.
Less than a mile from the Airbnb house, The Anthony Chapel Complex is a part of Garvan Woodland Gardens, the 210-acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitors may park near the lovely glass chapel in the woods and take a short walkway to the Chapel.
13 locals recommend
Anthony Chapel
550 Arkridge RdLess than a mile from the Airbnb house, The Anthony Chapel Complex is a part of Garvan Woodland Gardens, the 210-acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitors may park near the lovely glass chapel in the woods and take a short walkway to the Chapel.
Nice walk at the downtown strip. I recommend at dusk or at night, much more charming.
48 locals recommend
The Grand Promenade
The Grand PromenadeNice walk at the downtown strip. I recommend at dusk or at night, much more charming.
Mountain Biking and Hiking
Voted the Best Trails in Arkansas by Riders Two Years in a Row!
Experience 31.5+ miles of world-class mountain bike and hiking trails just five minutes from downtown Hot Springs. The Northwoods system includes Green, Blue and Black single track, multi-track, flow trails, jump lines and the Lucky 13 expert section. The Cedar Glades trailhead includes a bike skills park. Northwoods is home to the annual Gudrun MTB Festival each November. Bikers, hikers and trail runners are all welcome.
Video of a trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcYbamON32c
https://www.northwoodstrails.org/
49 locals recommend
Northwoods Trails
300 Pineland DrVoted the Best Trails in Arkansas by Riders Two Years in a Row!
Experience 31.5+ miles of world-class mountain bike and hiking trails just five minutes from downtown Hot Springs. The Northwoods system includes Green, Blue and Black single track, multi-track, flow trails, jump lines and the Lucky 13 expert section. The Cedar Glades trailhead includes a bike skills park. Northwoods is home to the annual Gudrun MTB Festival each November. Bikers, hikers and trail runners are all welcome.
Video of a trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcYbamON32c
https://www.northwoodstrails.org/
Gulpha Gorge Trail
Goat Rock Trail
Nice leisurely trail off of the downtown strip with Hot Springs Pools along the way.
6 locals recommend
Tufa Terrace Trail
Central AvenueNice leisurely trail off of the downtown strip with Hot Springs Pools along the way.
Hot Springs Convention Center
134 Convention BlvdNice 5.5-mile paved trail for cycling or hiking
Hot Springs National Park
369 Central AvenueEstablished in 1907, it is the South's oldest and one of the largest (1.6 million acres) national forest.
17 locals recommend
Ouachita National Forest
Established in 1907, it is the South's oldest and one of the largest (1.6 million acres) national forest.
Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail
Great for a leisurely walk or bike ride
Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trailhead
Great for a leisurely walk or bike ride
Family Friendly
Great idea for family fun. Only 17 minutes away!
169 locals recommend
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
1701 E Grand AveGreat idea for family fun. Only 17 minutes away!
Just a couple minute drive from the Airbnb and a great playground for kids, beautiful dock views of the lake and for fishing, and a short paved trail.
17 locals recommend
Entergy Park
530 Lake Park DrJust a couple minute drive from the Airbnb and a great playground for kids, beautiful dock views of the lake and for fishing, and a short paved trail.
Mid-America Science Museum
500 Mid America BlvdPirate's Cove Adventure Golf
4612 Central AveFun Trackers
2614 Albert Pike RdMini Golf, bumper boats, go karts, and more!
Food scene
MAKE RESERVATION. Exceptionally good Brooklyn-style pizza. The house-made Italian sausage pizza is excellent and the Patsy Searcy is delicious too (if you like spicy). They also have several phenomenal house-made pastas. I highly recommend the Bolognese Tagliatelle. The lemon icebox pie is also on point. You can get a reservation same day (and should, they sell out of pizza) even on the weekend if you call earlier in the day, and reserve a table and how many dough balls you'll want. This place is legit. Trust me. --Jamie
83 locals recommend
Deluca's Pizzeria
833 Central AveMAKE RESERVATION. Exceptionally good Brooklyn-style pizza. The house-made Italian sausage pizza is excellent and the Patsy Searcy is delicious too (if you like spicy). They also have several phenomenal house-made pastas. I highly recommend the Bolognese Tagliatelle. The lemon icebox pie is also on point. You can get a reservation same day (and should, they sell out of pizza) even on the weekend if you call earlier in the day, and reserve a table and how many dough balls you'll want. This place is legit. Trust me. --Jamie
Intimate eatery in a circa-1909 bank, offering modern American dishes & private dining in a vault.
76 locals recommend
VAULT
723 Central AveIntimate eatery in a circa-1909 bank, offering modern American dishes & private dining in a vault.
Steinhaus Keller
801 Central AveCharming stone German-style pub and grub
Fun food truck park with a ping pong table and a bar for drinks. Trucks include Brina Thai Laos Food, Rock and Roll Hibachi, Taj on Wheels Indian, Mama Vee's Southern Home Style Cuisine, and Taqueria Oaxaquena.
6 locals recommend
420 Eats
420 Malvern AvenueFun food truck park with a ping pong table and a bar for drinks. Trucks include Brina Thai Laos Food, Rock and Roll Hibachi, Taj on Wheels Indian, Mama Vee's Southern Home Style Cuisine, and Taqueria Oaxaquena.
McClard's Bar-B-Q Restaurant
505 Albert Pike RdAward-winning, hole-in-the-wall BBQ.
Delicious and lively option for Latin American fare, with a full bar & lush outdoor patio with twinkling lights.
105 locals recommend
Rolando's Restaurante
210 Central AveDelicious and lively option for Latin American fare, with a full bar & lush outdoor patio with twinkling lights.
Best Cafe
632 Ouachita AveEasily the best breakfast and brunch in Hot Springs. Soo good.
Very cool hidden speakeasy. Secret bookcase entrance. Get a password when you make a reservation. Food is next level.
DONS Southern Social
Very cool hidden speakeasy. Secret bookcase entrance. Get a password when you make a reservation. Food is next level.
Adult Fun / Night Life
Maxine's Live
700 Central AveDive bar, often good music.
Claims it is "Arkansas' Oldest Bar." It started in 1905 as a Bar and Casino. The Ohio Club has been a stop off place for many a celebrity. Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, just to name a few of the gangsters and it was also visited by many Major League Ball players since they had springs training in Hot Springs in the early 1900's. Babe Ruth was the most famous to visit. Because of all the gambling that went on in Hot Springs, many headliner talents were brought to Hot Springs.
143 locals recommend
Ohio Club
336 Central AveClaims it is "Arkansas' Oldest Bar." It started in 1905 as a Bar and Casino. The Ohio Club has been a stop off place for many a celebrity. Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, just to name a few of the gangsters and it was also visited by many Major League Ball players since they had springs training in Hot Springs in the early 1900's. Babe Ruth was the most famous to visit. Because of all the gambling that went on in Hot Springs, many headliner talents were brought to Hot Springs.
Nice brewery and distillery to stop on the downtown strip for a drink.
152 locals recommend
Superior Bathhouse Brewery and Distillery
329 Central AveNice brewery and distillery to stop on the downtown strip for a drink.
Crystal Ridge Distillery
455 Broadway StDistillery tours and tastings