Hot Springs (Arkansas)

Hot Springs is a city in the Central region of Arkansas and home to Hot Springs National Park, a United States national park. It is also the childhood home of former President Bill Clinton.

Understand
Hot Springs National Park was the U.S.'s first federally protected reservation, having been created by Congress in 1832 as Hot Springs Reservation. It was made a national park and renamed in 1921. It was originally created to protect the region's 47 natural flowing thermal springs. Today the park protects eight historic bathhouses, and is the nation's smallest national park by area. The park visitor center is housed in the former luxurious Fordyce Bathhouse, and the entire "Bathhouse Row" area is a National Historic Landmark District that contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America.

By plane

 * Hot Springs Memorial Field
 * Little Rock National Airport (with shuttle service and rental cars.)

By car

 * From Interstate 30 take the Hot Springs US 70 West exit south of Benton, the Hot Springs US 270 West exit at Malvern, or the Hot Springs Ark. 7 North exit near Arkadelphia.
 * If traveling south on Ark. 7, come through downtown Hot Springs where the visitor center is located.
 * If traveling south on US 71 from Fort Smith, or north on US 71 from Texarkana, take the US 270 East exit and take 270B through town.
 * Coming from Oklahoma on US 70 go all the way into Hot Springs. When you get into the city you will see signs for the National Park.
 * The Visitor Center is downtown on Highway 7 North or Central Avenue.

By bus

 * Greyhound Bus Lines, 1001 Central Ave, Suite D, Hot Springs,.

By train

 * Amtrak's Texas Eagle route serves Little Rock, Arkansas, with shuttle services to Hot Springs.

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.

Hot Springs National Park
For 200 years, the natural hot springs surrounding present-day Hot Springs National Park have been used to treat illnesses and to relax. Today, Hot Springs National Park surrounds the north end of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. 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 thermal waters, thought to have healing powers; rich and poor alike bathed in its healing waters and relaxed in its bathhouses. With the advent of modern medicine, many bathhouses were closed, but the buildings were preserved and many are open for tours. Today hot and cool mineral water flows from the local springs and many people stop on Bathhouse Row and at the Happy Hollow Spring to fill water jugs at the public fountains. There are no park entrance fees charged.





Do




Events
Hot Springs is home to several festivals throughout the year.


 * Hot Springs Blues/Jazz Fest - Labor Day Weekend.
 * Hot Springs Blues/Jazz Fest - Labor Day Weekend.
 * Hot Springs Blues/Jazz Fest - Labor Day Weekend.
 * Hot Springs Blues/Jazz Fest - Labor Day Weekend.

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.



Camping
Campgrounds with more amenities can be found in commercial, State Park, Corps of Engineers, and Forest Service campgrounds in the surrounding area.



Stay safe
Caution is advised when handling the thermal spring waters, as their temperatures may reach. Also, persons with heart or respiratory conditions should have written consent from a physician before bathing.

Go next

 * Broken Bow
 * Hope