My Top 5 Things To Do in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Happy Tuesday friends! I just wanted to do a quick post on Hot Springs, Arkansas since we just got home from a weekend getaway there! I will say that I was *awful* with my phone during the trip and took like 3 photos total. Needless to say, I don’t have a full vacation guide for you, but I still wanted to share my top 5 things to do!

HOT SPRINGS:

As a born and raised Northeasterner, I could barley point out Arkansas on a map {awful–I know}, so I knew I needed to do a little research before we went on this trip. Just in case you’re also geographically challenged or just aren’t very familiar with Hot Springs, here are some fun facts about the area:

1. The city got its name from its natural thermal spring waters. About 1 million gallons of water flow from the springs each day and averages about 143 degrees Fahrenheit. There are various areas where you can swim in the springs and a ton of spas/bathhouses that you can utilize. The water is known to be primo for your skin!
2. From the late 1800’s through the mid 1900’s {and especially in the 1930’s} the city was a popular hangout for infamous mobsters like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Bugs Moran. They went there to gamble and enjoy the baths.
3. Hot Springs was involved in illegal gambling as early as the mid-to-late 1800’s. Two families controlled these activities and they were constantly fighting over the city’s gaming rights. These families also paid off local law enforcement causing them to turn a blind eye. During this time, hotel rooms, back alleys and saloons were hot spots for cards and craps. It was basically Vegas before there was a Vegas.

THE TRIP:

Ben’s dad moved to Arkansas a few months ago and we were so excited to visit him! We tried to go back in June, but our flight was cancelled last minute #majorbummer, so we had to find another time to go. Thankfully everything worked out and we were able to go for a long weekend with his grandma, brother, sister in-law and nephew!

The drive from Austin to Hot Springs was a whopping 9 hours long, but it was a pretty scenic ride and easy route. That, plus the fast food stop and post burger comatose made it go by pretty quickly for a back seat rider! 🙂

Once we got there, we unloaded and quickly took on the town. Ben’s dad lives in Hot Springs Village which is a massive gated community {I pictured like a tiny little European looking Village lol but it has 13,000+ residents, 9 golf courses, 6 lakes and a ton of areas to hike within the gates}.

WHAT TO DO:

• Rent a Boat: Ben’s dad rented us a boat on Lake Balboa and it was so much fun! It’s the perfect summertime activity to do with your family or even a group of friends! You can bring drinks and food on board, pack some floats and even fish off the side. Photo evidence above that I caught my first fish…well, Ben technically caught it, but I was there and touched the rod.

• Go for a Hike: There are a ton of great hiking trails and the landscape is gorgeous. The weather is cooler then it is in Austin and way less humid, so being outside is easy breezy. I linked some popular trails in Hot Springs National Park!

• Go to the Spa: Ah the spa. My happy place! Since the city is known for their thermal waters, many of the bath houses operate as spas as well! Ben’s dad treated the girls to a spa day while the guys golfed and it was so relaxing! We went to the Quapaw Baths in downtown Hot Springs and did the Quapaw Package. The package included a bath {legit thought this was going to be a bubble bath, but it was much cooler then that lol} and then a massage, foot scrub and scalp rub.

• Shop Around Town: Hot Springs has theeee cutest little downtown area. After the spa we hit the streets and spent a few hours walking around. Get a drink at The Ohio Club {established in 1905 and a former gangster and baseball player hangout}, lunch at The Arlington {one of Al Capon’s favorite spots} and stop in some old time candy shops and stylish boutiques.

• Golf: Golf is really popular in Hot Springs, so if you’re a fan of the game then I would set aside some time to play! Ben played at a course in Hot Springs Village, but there’s others as well! I linked a popular one above.

And that’s it! Again, I’m sorry for my lack of photos, but I hope this is helpful for anyone planning a trip to Hot Springs this summer!