Your guide to Hot Springs
Hot Springs: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | November - February |
The best neighbourhoods in Hot Springs
Historic Downtown
Known as ‘Sin City’ when gangsters like Al Capone came to Hot Springs to unwind, today Historic Downtown is a hot spot for families, artists and outdoorsy types. The neighbourhood is home to Bathhouse Row, galleries, boutique hotels and the city’s best restaurants. And best of all, you’re never far from hiking and biking trails.
Good for: Spas, hotels, hiking trails
Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton is the best place to stay in Hot Springs if you want to get on the water. Fill your days paddling or fishing for bass and rainbow trout, or take a relaxing riverboat cruise on the Belle of Hot Springs. Rather stay dry on your Hot Springs holiday? There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from. And staying here means you’re all but guaranteed to wake up to stunning views.
Good for: Fishing, boating, hiking
Whittington Park
Wondering where to stay in Hot Springs to experience local life? Our pick is Whittington Park. In this laid-back residential district join locals jogging or walking along the Whittington Trail, which follows a creek. This neighbourhood is the perfect place to chill after a busy day seeing the attractions in and around Hot Springs. Plus, it’s within easy cycling distance of both Downtown and the mountains.
Good for: Jogging, cycling, trails
Things to do in Hot Springs
Shopping
There must be something in the waters of Hot Springs that inspires creativity. The city is filled with galleries and boutiques overflowing with one-of-a-kind treasures and artisanal crafts. Pop-up stores and artisan workshops are a great way to meet local makers. If handmade jewellery, pottery and soap is your thing, you’ll love the shopping in Hot Springs.
Places to eat
Hot Springs may be small, but it doesn’t skimp on quality or choice when it comes to its food scene. From cafes to family-owned diners, upscale dining to international eats, the restaurants in Hot Springs satisfy all tastes and budgets. Lake Hamilton offers a bounty of freshwater fish. Keep an eye out for pan-seared local trout on menus, or catfish to takeaway at roadside shacks.
Take in the culture
Discover colourful local history at museums in Hot Springs. The Gangster Museum of America delves into the city’s organised crime connections up until the casino crackdown of 1967. A two-minute walk away, the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum traces the area’s evolution into a resort destination. Looking for something more child-friendly? The Mid-America Science Museum offers heaps of hands-on fun.