OT: Hot Springs, AR

[Uncle Ruckus]

Wife and I are going soon. Things to do and places to eat

 

[The Peeper]

If it's not horse racing season or you don't know somebody at one of the lakes, you're better off commuting to Little Rock

Edited: The Sunday Brunch Buffet at The Arlington is something to behold. It is several large rooms full of food. They do breakfast foods, carving stations w/ all types meat, seafood station, dessert stations, crape stations, anything you want. But, be ready. Don't even eat Saturday night if you want your moneys worth. Its $32 for adults and $16 for 6-12 year olds. My wife doesn't even want to go anymore because she says no way she can eat $32 worth of breakfast food.

 

[Digging dog]

Depending on your age & if you are into theme/ water parks - Magic Springs is fun. It’s actually a top rated park.

Bath houses, sight seeing are the common answers here.

A full experience in the old Arlington for bath / massage is a memorable experience as well

 

[cowbell88]

I like the Wharf on Central, has boat docks so you can come up on a boat. Blue Monkey (central) is good also. Great punch bowl margaritas.

Haven’t ever done the message at the bath houses, but some say they are great.

Gangster museum downtown is cool.

Horse races are probably over for the year.

 

[dorndawg]

Restaurants:
Deluca's has some of the best pizza you can find, if there's a wait its still worth it. Everything on their menu is fantastic.
Steinhaus Keller has great German food.
Superior Bathhouse Brewery is an interesting location. Their beers and food are fine but won't change your life or anything.
Ohio Club is a old bar in a cool building. I'm told their burger is tasty but cannot vouch.

Enjoy, Hot Springs is fun.

 

[Mobile Bay]

If it's not horse racing season or you don't know somebody at one of the lakes, you're better off commuting to Little Rock

Edited: The Sunday Brunch Buffet at The Arlington is something to behold. It is several large rooms full of food. They do breakfast foods, carving stations w/ all types meat, seafood station, dessert stations, crape stations, anything you want. But, be ready. Don't even eat Saturday night if you want your moneys worth. Its $32 for adults and $16 for 6-12 year olds. My wife doesn't even want to go anymore because she says no way she can eat $32 worth of breakfast food.

I am going in September. Challenge accepted.

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

My wife and I go there twice a year for a relaxing weekend. Granted we have not been since covid but here are a few takes from out trips.

Everyone needs to do the bath houses at least once. There are two operational bath houses on the row and they offer different experiences. We prefer the Quapaw as they offer traditional spa services and a nicer hot spring pools. I recommend doing a mineral soak bath and the steam cave. The Buckstaff offers the traditional bath services like they did around the turn of the century. I wouldn't call it an enjoyable experience from what I have been told.

I highly recommend taking the tour of the one restored Bath House operated by the NPS. The Arlington hotel is a cool place to get a drink at night when they have a band. I was not impressed with the rooms as most of them are very outdated. The Waters has been our favorite place to stay and they have a decent restaurant in the hotel.

Far as restaurants most are hit and miss because the downtown area is dependent on tourism. We have never had a bad meal at the Pancake Shop but don't go to the colonial pancake and waffle house. It's like going to Starkville Cafe at 2 AM. The other places to try is Luna Bella and the Vault have always been very good.

 

[fedxdog]

You didn’t mention kids, so skip that.
HS is really three communities… the downtown touristy area, the lake and the Nat’l Park area.
Lots of walking and sightseeing downtown.
If you have or rent a boat, a day on the lake is a must…15+ miles between the dams and tons is coves to swim.
Hiking/biking in the parks and trails is big.
The HS visitors bureau website keeps up with events…check the web. TripAdvisor for restaurants, and there are hundreds.
We have a condo here and there’s always something going on. Had dinner here last night with 2 other Bulldog couples…
Too many UPig walkons but it’s their NFL.
weekends get crowded…weekdays are a pleasure.
Enjoy!

 

[stateu1]

We only go a couple times a year during racing season. Rolando's for cuban/mexican food, Angel's for Italian and Brick House for steak are our go to's.

 

[Dawg1969]

Gavin garden if flowers blooming.

 

[hydrodawg]

More

Resturants.. 501 prime for drinks and oysters. The vault for dinner. Rolandos and Ohio club for lunch. I like sqzbx for pizza if you can eat it hot there. Cafe 1217 for light lunch. Mcclards bbq. Via Roma for Italian.

Stuff to do.. Garvin gardens. A bath house. Nps trails. Mountain biking. Horse racing. There is a gun range with automatic weapons for rent. Drunken axe throwing. Maxwell Blade magician. Boat rentals. Magic springs water park. Art gallery's downtown.

Check for events such as...parades, bathtub races, film fetivables, corvette rally, convention center

Edit to add.. Crater of diamonds state park. The lodge at Mt magazine for a night. Superior brewery. Red oak filling Station for food. 420 Eats for food trucks. Red light roastry is a coffee shop run by state grads. Wills cinnamon roll shop is top notch and run by good people.

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

Things to do and places to eat

Yes, it has those things.

 

[dawgman42]

Go to the Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo. You're welcome.

(Seriously, we had a blast at that thing after looking at all the pathetic bath houses in town where William Clinton was a frequent visitor.)