Hot Springs AR with Lake Hamilton Base 

We had a “best of both worlds“ spin on our latest Hot Springs trip.  Home-based  on Lake Hamilton, about 20 minutes away from downtown Hot Springs AR, gave us a whole other layer of vacay experiences.

Hot Springs is rich in history, woven with threads of baseball, gangsters, natural springs and it’s National Park. I really had no idea what a cool place the whole Hot Springs area is. 

Central Avenue-The Strip

Arriving via our 4 hour road trip from East Texas, we were just in time for lunch. We parked at the free parking garage on Exchange Street-one block away from the main strip of Central Avenue. Hot Springs is akin to Las Vegas in some ways so ‘the strip’ is an appropriate description. One of the most unique differences is that one side of the street is in the city of Hot Springs with restaurants and shops and the other side of the street is in Hot Springs National Park encompassing Bathhouse Row.

Ohio Club Hot Springs

We were able to enjoy lunch at the historic Ohio Club on Central Avenue without a wait! As the oldest bar in Arkansas, and with a partially illegal past, we followed a long line of patrons including Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. Hot Springs was also an early location of Major League Baseball Spring Training so the Ohio Club was a hangout for Babe Ruth and other players. 

This bar was a casino too.  Even during prohibition and after gambling became illegal, the club continued to operate. The name was changed for a time to Ohio Cigar Store. The cigar store was just a small storefront to the speakeasy. 
The Ohio Club was not short on headliners performing here either, such as Al Jolson and Mae West.  Live music is still hosted at the Ohio Club on weekends. 

Gangster Museum

After lunch we headed to the Gangster Museum, just a block or so away on Central Avenue. We had an awesome tour guide taking us through the early and sorted history of Hot Springs. 

It’s true that most of the gangsters from that era hung out in Hot Springs and there are plenty of accounts and displayed paraphernalia in support. The details we learned in the museum were very interesting. 

Gangsters weren’t just hanging out and taking baths in the medicinal hot springs, they were also conducting a large bootleg operation here-running their own distilled moonshine during prohibition. 

The natural hot springs were believed to be healing waters and drew the elite from all over. Major League Baseball players were also drawn to Hot Springs for Spring Training and part of the museum tour focuses on this. 

Hot Springs was home to many gambling establishments that kept a steady stream of ‘criminals on the run’ entertained. The museum has a room full of antique tables, slot machines, etc to view on the tour. 

We highly recommend this interesting and informative guided tour through the mob-era of Hot Springs. 

Lake Hamilton Arkansas

Just a few short miles from downtown Hot Springs is beautiful Lake Hamilton. We thoroughly enjoyed renting a waterfront home here that was large enough to accommodate all eight of us. Each of us four couples had our own bedrooms and baths, but spent most of our time in the game room, out on the deck, on the lake or in town. 

One of our friends had the awesome idea to rent a boat.  Many hours were spent on the boat (especially the guys) fishing, jumping in Lake Hamilton for a swim or just a nice breezy ride zipping across the lake. 

Our favorite activities at the house were playing pool, eating breakfast family style on the deck and just hanging out visiting. Usually someone was in the hot tub, fishing off the pier, playing games, sketching or anything else that was enjoyable to them. We loved having one big house together and foresee that again in upcoming trips. 

Bathhouse Row Hot Springs

Besides some restaurants and shops on the opposite side of the street from where we started, there is Bathhouse Row. Most of the bathhouses are operating as something else now, but they are all included as part of Hot Springs National Park. 

Buckstaff Bathhouse

Quapaw and Buckstaff are the only two bathhouses that remain as actual public bathhouse spas. We peeked in Buckstaff, but could only see the reception desk since we weren’t there for services. Buckstaff is the iconic bathhouse with all of the blue awnings. 

Fordyce Bathhouse

Fordyce Bathhouse is now the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center. It offers a 3 level, self guided tour to really see what the bathhouses were like in the early days. There were many stalls of private soaking tubs, steam cabinets, chiropody, PT, the Beauty Parlor and Gymnasium. This one is a must see. 

Superior Bathhouse 

Superior Bathhouse Brewery isn’t an operating bathhouse now, but it definitely still uses the thermal spring water to brew its beer and root beer. This bar and restaurant also has and outdoor patio area called Beer Park. Visit the only brewery operating in a National Park for a beer, bite to eat and maybe a game of cornhole. 

Quapaw Bathhouse 

Quapaw, the other bathhouse still open for services, was a different story. We walked into a huge lobby and noticed a large window behind the check in counter where we could see a pool. Staff even directed us around the corner to look through the glass wall to see just how big the pool is and the different levels. Private specialty baths are also available by appointment. 

Ozark Bathhouse 

Ozark is another one that is no longer functioning as a bathhouse. Instead it is now the Cultural Center and houses an art gallery. 

Hale Bathhouse 

Hale is the oldest bathhouse and has been renovated into a boutique hotel and restaurant. Staying here puts you in the center of town and a great walkable location to all of the shops, restaurants, bathhouses, museums, etc. 

Lamar Bathhouse 

I didn’t get a picture of this one, and didn’t realize it at the time, but it is now a gift shop. Will have to check it out next time. 

Maurice Bathhouse

Sadly, The Maurice is still vacant. Hopefully, someone will take it over and renovate it into a special addition to Bathhouse Row. 

The Grand Promenade

The Grand Promenade is an elevated, brick-paved path located behind Bathhouse Row. There are hiking trails on into Hot Springs National Park accessible from this promenade, as well as benches, an open hot springs, a park and nice views. We hiked up to the promenade across from The Arlington via the steps behind the Hot Water Cascade. You can also go up the  steps at the south end or towards the center, back behind Fordyce, to stroll along The Grand Promenade. 

Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

A beautiful venue and historical icon in Hot Springs is the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa. Cross the street at the end of Bathhouse Row, and you can walk right up the steps and into its lobby. Apparently, Al Capone would rent out the 4th floor here for himself and his entourage on his visits to Hot Springs. It was very much a part of the history here, and is still a prominent venue and hotel.

Hot Water Cascade

You will find Hot Water Cascade at the back of the park area at the end of Bathhouse Row and across from The Arlington. It’s a small waterfall cascading down into a concrete pool. And yes, the water is hot, unlike most cool refreshing waterfalls. 

Public Fountains Hot Springs

We found one of the public thermal springs fountains in front of the old Libbey Medical Ctr on Spring St. We didn’t drink the water or fill up any containers, but I did turn on the faucet to make sure it was hot! There is one in the Visitor Center  parking lot too. Other hot fountains as well as two cold spring water fountains can be found through HS NP. 

Mountain Tower Hot Springs NP

Located in Hot Springs National Park and an easy drive right up to it, Mountain Tower is 216 feet high with an observation deck. Purchase a ticket inside at the gift shop and ride the elevator to the top floor for 360° views-at 1256 feet above sea level.  

When driving up to the Mountain Tower, just before you reach it, you will notice this overlook off to the side. It’s worth a stop here to check out the views.

Garvan Woodland Garden

About 15 minutes from town is Garvan Woodland Garden. This is a 200+ acre botanical garden of The University of Arkansas with beautiful natural and artistic attractions! A must see if you are in the area. 

Bob & Sunny Evans Treehouse 

An enjoyable walk in the botanical garden will wind you around to the Bob & Sunny Evans Treehouse. This fabulous interactive art installation is an incredible site and fun to explore. There are steps up to it so, don’t worry about having to climb a tree!

Anthony Chapel

Another one of the most amazing structures at the Garvan Woodland Garden site is Anthony Chapel. You can actually access the chapel from the parking lot without necessarily entering the park. It it stunning, peaceful and really hard to describe. You have to see it. 

Anthony Carillon Tower

Walking to Anthony Chapel from the parking lot, you can’t miss Anthony Carilion Tower. This striking electronic bell tower is another gift by the Anthony family to the garden that is free to admire.

Places to Eat

 Vault

For a fine dining experience with atmosphere, Vault is the place. We enjoyed an unforgettable and delicious dinner here with wonderful service, including a chef visit to our table. This building was a bank at one time and the vault is right behind the bar.

Deluca’s Pizzeria

There are several recommended pizza places if Hot Springs and since we only had so many meals, we narrowed our selection down to Deluca’s Pizzeria.  This ended up being a great decision for us. We thoroughly enjoyed the pizza and salad that we shared between the 4 of us that happened to be in town that day. 

Fisherman’s Wharf Lake Hamilton

Out in the boat the 1st day we went under the bridge and could see the back deck of Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant from the water.  The next night, we had a table reserved by the water for dinner. All eight of us enjoyed our sunset, seafood dinner on Lake Hamilton. 

Fat Bottomed Girl’s Cupcakes

A competitor on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, Fat Bottomed Girl’s Cupcake Shoppe knows how to create some interesting cupcake variations. I’m a simple girl who loves chocolate so Chocolate on Chocolate was my choice. There are endless creations for the more adventurous of you. 

Hot Springs Delivers 

We had a fabulous time in Hot Springs, Hot Springs National Park and at Lake Hamilton. As usual, there was not enough time to hit all of the highly recommended spots including Grateful Head Pizza, Kollective Coffee & Tea, Argentinian Coffee & Wine, The Avenue, Pancake Shop, Riley Art Glass Studio and more. Hot Springs delivers when it comes to a visit here. Plan on more than just a weekend getaway, if you have time. Enjoy!