From Wikitravel

Hot Springs [1] is a city in the Central region of Arkansas and home to Oakland Park Race Track. It is also the childhood home of Bill Clinton.

[edit] Get in

Hot Springs is about 55 miles southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas.

[edit] By Car

• From Little Rock-Take I-30 west to exit 111 and follow U.S, highway 70 into the city.
• From Dallas-Take I-30 east to exit 78 and follow state highway 7 into the city.

[edit] By Plane

Several major carries service Little Rock, Arkansas.

A shuttle service is provided from Little Rock National Airport to most leading hotels.

[edit] Get around

The public transport system isn't recommended. It's best to have a car or a friend in the city who doesn't mind driving you around. If you are downtown, it is possible to walk to many sites.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Historical

Historical downtown Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, is truly an American treasure. From fun art galleries and delicious restaurants, to Bathhouse Row and too many historic buildings to count, there’s truly something for everyone downtown.

Visitors from around the world flocked to Hot Springs National Park’s historic Bathhouse Row in the 1800s and early 1900s to bathe in the healing thermal waters, thought to have healing powers. With the advent of modern medicine, the bathhouses were closed, but the buildings are still preserved and many are open for tours. Cool mineral water also flows from the local springs and many people stop on Bathhouse Row to fill up water jugs at the public fountain. For directions and complete information, go to www.hotsprings.org.

Visit the national headquarters for Mountain Valley Spring Water and its historic Classical Revival building. Tour the historic bathhouses. Bring a jug and fill it up with delicious natural spring water in the community fountain. Shop for antiques, fine jewelry, gifts, souvenirs and more. Or just relax and take in the scenery.

[edit] Museums

• Mid America Science Museum, 800-632-0583 or 501-767-3461, [htpp://www.midamericamuseum.org]. Labor Day to Memorial Day Tu-Su, 10AM-5PM; Memorial Day to Labor Day 9:30AM-6PM daily. A great family attraction and the largest hands-on science center in Arkansas. Take the “Underground Arkansas” tour of a gigantic indoor cave filled with chambers, bridges, tunnels and slides, or experience the light, motion and sound of the “Virtual Reality Simulator.” Mid America Museum is the perfect setting for school field trips, birthday parties, summer science camps and more.

[edit][add listing] Do

From championship golf and tennis to pristine lakes and walking trails, there are a host of recreational activities waiting for you in Hot Springs. Place your bet at Oaklawn Race Track (oaklawn.com), enjoy a day at one of the area’s pristine lakes or enjoy a stroll through the city’s many shops and downtown art galleries. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find it here.

Get married in Hot Springs. Arkansas has no waiting period to gain a marriage license making it a popular place to elope. However its not just the impulsive who love to get married in Hot Springs. The areas history, beauty, and charm make it an idyllic location to hold your nuptials. Many of the local hotels, inns and B&Bs offer special wedding packages for very reasonable rates. Get married and leave the stress to some one else.

[edit] Amusement Parks

• Magic Springs and Crystal Falls are Arkansas’ premiere amusement parks.

• Magic Springs, 501-318-5370, [2]. Offers thrill rides such as roller coasters perched high above the Ouachita Moutains, outdoor concerts and more;
• Crystal Falls has exciting water rides. Season tickets are available.

[edit] Horse Racing

Oaklawn Park, 800-OAKLAWN (625-5296), [3]. From January through April, Oaklawn Park is the place to be in Arkansas. Watch and wager on live top-quality thoroughbred racing, enjoy delicious food served up at restaurants and stands and participate in contests and promotions. Oaklawn also offers simulcast racing action and electronic gaming year-round. In recent years, Arkansas Derby winners have also won one or more of the Triple Crown races in Kentucky, Maryland or New York.

During the live racing season, children may enter Oaklawn accompanied by a parent or guardian; children attending during the simulcast season must be at least 48 inches tall to be admitted.

[edit] Hot Springs National Park

Hot Springs National Park is located in the Diamond Lakes region of Arkansas. This area features tournament-quality bass and trout fishing as well as year-round water sports on Lake Ouachita, Lake Catherine, or Lake Hamilton.

For 200 years, the natural hot springs surrounding present-day Hot Springs National Park have been used to treat illnesses and to relax. Rich and poor alike bathed in its healing waters and relaxed in its bathhouses. Hot Springs National Park today surrounds the north end of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Popular activities within the park include touring the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, strolling through the historic district, hiking park trails and driving the scenic roads. The historic downtown area also features many art galleries and delicious restaurants to choose from.

[edit] Festivals

Hot Springs is home to several festivals throughout the year.

• The Hot Springs Music Festival, [4] brings together mentor musicians with pre-professional musicians during the first two weeks of June to perform chamber and orchestral music. Venues are located at various sites in the historic downtown district. For more information telephone +1 501 623-4763

• Thermal Spa or Bath
• Horse Races, 2705 Central Avenue, [5].
• Action Fishing Trips, 127 Ranchero Place, +1 501 844-9028, [6].
• Belvedere Golf Resort, 307 Belvedere Drive, +1 501 321-3555, [7].

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Hot Springs has many restaurants inside Victorian buildings in the Historic Downtown District, featuring food and friendly service. Historic downtown is not the only popular eating spot in town. Dine by the lake, on a riverboat, near the horse track or mall, on a main thoroughfare, on a mountain lane. Hot Springs restaurants offer a wide variety of excellent dining choices and cuisines - from cafes to gourmet cabarets.

• Mimi's Coffee 2360 Malvern Ave. Suite A, +1 501 623-6464., [8], Monday-Thursday 6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Friday 6:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Serves breakfast and lunch. Coffee by the drink or bulk, tea, soups, salads and sandwiches. The sweet rolls are highly recommended. Friendly service in a bright cheery atmosphere. Wide screen T.V., Internet access and free Wi-Fi. Prices for breakfast range from $.99-$5.75. Prices for lunch range from $3.99-$6.99. Coffee $.95-$4:00.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Embassy Suites Hot Springs Hotel & Spa, 400 Convention Boulevard, ☎ 501-624-9200, [9]. Nestled alongside the natural hot springs and beautiful Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park.  edit
• Hot Springs Bed and Breakfast, 225 Pinewood Street, ☎ 501-538-9441, [10]. An affordable alternative to staying at a fully renovated bed and breakfast. Enjoy your own private bedroom, private dining room, private living room, private bathroom and private entrance for only $75 a night. Breakfast is included and can be vegan, vegetarian or made for meat eaters. Dish network and DVD collection. Internet available for an additional $10 a night. $75.  edit
• 1890 Williams House Bed and Breakfast, 420 Quapaw Avenue, +1 501 624-4275, Toll Free: 800-756-4635, [11].
• Best Western Stagecoach Inn, 2520 Central Avenue, +1 501 624-2531, Fax: +1 501 623-0169, [12].
• Hilltop Manor Bed and Breakfast, 2009 Park Avenue, +1 501 625-7829, [13].
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 4253 Central Avenue, +1 501 520-6400, [14].
• Lookout Point Inn, 104 Lookout Circle Hot Springs, AR 71913, 1 866 525-6155 [15]
• Mountain Thyme Bed & Breakfast Inn, 10860 Scenic Byway 7 North, Jessieville, AR 71949, 1 888 820-5424 [16]
• The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, 239 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901, 1 800 643-7771 [17]

[edit] Get out

• Hot Springs National Park The oldest park in the national park system.

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