Location: Hot Springs
Top Things to do in Hot Springs
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What to do and see in Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR): The Best Nature & Parks
Hot Springs is the eleventh-largest city in the state of Arkansas and the county seat of Garland County. The city is located in the Ouachita Mountains among the U.S. Interior Highlands, and is set among several natural hot springs for which the city is named. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 35,193. In 2015 the estimated population was 35,635.
Restaurants in Hot Springs
1. Lake Ouachita
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 509 reviews
The largest lake in Arkansas covers 48,300 acres.
Reviewed By heidilore1976 - Prattsville, United States
This lake makes Lake Hamilton look downright silly. Crystal clear water, great beaches, and quartz all over! Highly recommended..
2. Anthony Chapel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 551 reviews
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. The Chapel is open during normal business hours, UNLESS it is rented for a private wedding or event. Visitors are not allowed in the Chapel when it is rented for a private event. The Chapel is currently a free area of Garvan Woodland Gardens. Visitors to the Gardens enter at the Welcome Center and pay admission.
Reviewed By charlieb692 - Roseville, United States
Located in the woods by Garvan Woodland Gardens, the Anthony Chapel is an amazing structure of glass and wood. One of several scattered around the country, it's clear glass walls and soaring ceiling make it seem much larger.
3. Dapper & Debonaire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Dapper & Debonaire was born of the thought that somewhere between cheap box store brands and high-end department store brands lay a wealth of wonderful artisan, vintage, and small-batch products that are both luxurious and affordable.. We are located in beautiful downtown Hot Springs Arkansas.
Reviewed By DeniseL1556
My husband and son went there for a father/son outing while we were camping in Gulpha gorge. I was at the camper and my son called me up and said 'mom, you gotta come over here and get a treatment' knowing, or at the time thinking, it was a gentlemens store, i politely passed on any 'treatments' but my son absolutely persisted, saying it really isnt just for guys, blah blah blah. he went into some details, including hot towels and facial massage. well of course i was going after that. once i got there and got settled into the chair, paul started to explain to me what the treatment would entail. stating this treatment is the exact same treatment a guy gets, except i would get the added bonus of a hand paraffin dip. again, i was all in. paul started with the towels and the deep cleanse and the oils and i was just in heaven, enjoying the incredible music in the background (paul and i share similar awesome music tastes) really glad my son took the extra effort to talk me into this treatment. Paul was idling chit chatting about what he was doing and this and that while all this was going on. time was passing and i was worried that this treatment was going to cost me an arm and a leg because when you are getting this kind of work done in houston, its at least a $90 price tag. Paul didnt appear to be wrapping up any time soon. as i lay back in the chair with my eyes closed, paul explained the next step... (at this point i honestly thought i was done) but no, another step. Microblading. I opened my eyes just in time to see a straight blade coming at my face... whoa whoa whoa... how many of us women have heard once you start shaving, your hair will really start to grow in? i immediately had the conversation with paul voicing my concern, my very real concern...ready to halt the procedure. Paul explained that this was myth, and even took the time to show me that fact on Google. I was still hesitant but i thought what the hell, i am italian, its expected of me at my age to have facial hair, so on we went. Paul was meticulous, gently 'shaving' off dead skin cells. He took his time so i didnt leave the building with 100 tiny pieces of toilet paper stuck to my bloodied face as i was imagining. Not a single nick. Again, very gently and slowly Paul shaved off a few , dare i say, layers of dead skin. Now, I am a 55 year old italian woman, as previously mentioned, who, at one point in my young life thought tanning with Crisco on my face was a great idea. I have the very severe age spots to prove how bad an idea that was. I didnt have much hope that whatever Paul was doing was going to even slightly improve my brown spots on my face. After all, how many hundreds of dollars had i spent over the last 10 years trying to reduce these spots? Paul finished and i sat up in the seat, not really expecting much, if any difference. Ladies... the difference was so apparent and magnificent, I couldn't believe what i was seeing. Some of the darkest spots were significantly reduced in size and much lighter, and the lighter ones were almost unnoticeable. i kept looking at my face and expecting them to start to show back up after Paul had removed the remaining oils and lotions. They didnt. These spots, these unwelcomed and vanity crushing age spots, ( i hate to call them liver spots, so i wont) were looking like they started out like 10 or so years ago. yes, the big major ones are still there, but definitely lightened, and again, the lighter ones were gone. I was amazed and thrilled and even thinking that if a full beard did indeed pop up in a week, i would be ok with it. Two things... I will have to say as a disclosure.. I dont know that everyone will have the transformative results I did, you will have to try yourself, and second, no beard or even a stray single hair ever showed up. I was ready to go for round two immediately to see if Paul could 'shave' off more skin, but he did advise that this treatment should only be done minimum every 3 weeks. I live in houston and I am considering a drive back to hot springs for a follow up treatment because I do not think i would get that same meticulous treatment anywhere local, especially for the amazingly low price Paul charged.
4. Northwoods Trails - Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Phase one of Hot Springs world-class Northwoods Trails include 15+ miles of mountain biking trails. Construction of the park began in November 2017 with plans for a 44.6 mile system of trails on the 2000 acre property in the Northern section of Hot Springs. This project represents an ongoing, collaborative effort to establish Hot Springs as one of the premier mountain biking destinations.
5. Lake Catherine State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
Offers good hikes, but it can be humid.
Reviewed By Kates9999
There aren't enough good words in my vocabulary to describe what an amazing adventure we had at this state park! We hiked the entire Falls Trail loop, then went back after a rainfall to see a bit more falls action. We walked the ADA-compliant Slunger Creek Nature Trail, & watched the sunrise over the lake from our waterfront campsite. While the site was nowhere near level, & the water access was on the "wrong" side of the camper, the site location was absolutely amazing & worth any inconvenience in getting set up. We chose site 31 in Area B, & had a swimming pier over the water right at our site. The bath house was close to our site, & the facility itself was great. The Visitor Center (& camp store) is open, with a maximum of 3 people inside at a time, but the Nature Center is closed. We also went horseback riding with the separate business on premises. FABULOUS! This park was exactly what we needed to get our nature fix, relax, & re-set.
6. Ouachita National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
This huge forest consists of 1.7 million acres of mountainous terrain in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.
Reviewed By 838cherylo - Fish Camp, United States
We spent a fun day at the state park here. The swimming beach by the 3 Sisters Springs is the best place for a swim. The water was clear and refreshing and there are picnic tables with grills next to the beach. The 3 Sisters Springs are a short walk from the beach. This beach is past the marina and is not nearly as crowded. There is also a pleasant hike on the Dogwood Trail of 1/2 mile. Take a dip at the beach after your hike!
7. Hot Springs Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 493 reviews
Great views can be had from the observation tower atop this mountain.
Reviewed By Raotery
Hike, bike, stroll, sit, eat, or whatever.... It's beautiful and not to be missed. There are amazing hiking trails and driving paths, wonderful open grounds, fun "watering holes", an interesting observatory/museum, and so much more!
8. Grand Promenade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Half-mile trail between Bathhouse Row and the nearby mountains.
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
The National Parks Service has many great trails but they only have one Grand Promenade. There are more adventurous hikes with great mountain views, but they don't have beautiful brick pathway that meanders above Bathhouse Row offering great views of the Row, the springs and the fall colors. We walked the entire length at various times and while there is some change in elevation it is really a pleasant walk designed for any age and stamina. There are a few stairs on the south end as it runs from Park Administration on the south to the Arlington Hotel on the north. It is a great walk. However, the best parts are the steam bathed section that bifurcates the natural spring leading to the touch pools and the overlook plaza with great views of West Mountain. There are a lot of great hikes you have to do at Hot Springs and this tops the list.
9. Garvan Woodland Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,600 reviews
Open to the public hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission payments by CREDIT CARD or EXACT CASH only. Garvan Woodland Gardens is the 210 acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas on beautiful Lake Hamilton.
Reviewed By 448lucindas - Lafe, United States
Close to Hot Springs National Park and even accessable by boat from Lake Hamilton. Garvin Gardens and Anthonys Chapel are soo worth the visit. The walking paths are easy, and such a visual reward. Book a golf cart/guide and breeze around with a personalized tour of many nuances of this groomed, yet wild grounds. Waterfalls, Birds, Fish and seasonal themes. Christmas season is a must. Great gift shop adds to nature's beauty. Chipmunk Cafe, offers a quick beverage and varied menu. Wheel chair accessable. Childrens treehouse an added sestination. *on leash/call Gardens for specifics.
10. Hot Springs National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 918 reviews
Reviewed By barbiewalker72 - Lake Wales, United States
Hubby and I are trying to visit every National Park- We enjoyed this one- very hot day and traveling with our 6 yr old granddaughter- visitor center was very helpful- gift shop was good-- She participated in the Jr Ranger program- had a booklet that she had to complete activities from around the park- then she got a ranger pin- after that every ranger or staff person would see her pin and say something to her about it.- you can still take a bath in one of the bath houses- but since children under 14 are not allowed to do that- we passed for us- lots of history, and information- enjoyed getting a root beer made from the springs there- they will give you cups and you can walk down and get a drink from one of the places-we saw people actually walk up their with gallon jugs to fill up the water and take home-free
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