The Hot Springs center point is about the area of Hot Springs, Arkansas and the area of Malco Theater.
The best time to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas is in October, when the weather is cool but pleasant and the trees display colorful foliage. Spring and summer are also popular times to visit, but the weather in summer is hot, and you'll have to deal with mosquitoes. Since the area doesn't get very cold in winter, you can enjoy lower hotel rates then. However, you won't be able to experience many of the hot springs, and the area doesn't become cold enough or snow enough for most winter sports. You can enjoy an outdoor ice skating rink from November through January.
The city also hosts several annual events. The Valley of the Vapors Music Festival is in March at the same time as the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. The downtown Bathtub Races are in spring as well. The Hot Springs Technology Institute or HSTI is a technology conference for teachers and other educators that takes place every June. You can also visit the free Hot Springs Jazz Festival or the Hot Springs Blues Festival in September.
If you know where to stay, you can get a great deal on your trip to Hot Springs. The Hotel Hot Springs & Spa is above the Hot Springs Convention Center downtown. It has 14 floors and 196 rooms with scenic views, and its luxurious spa features the thermal healing waters of Hot Springs. Breakfast is included, and there's a free airport shuttle and five conference rooms. You can also enjoy valet parking, ironing facilities, complimentary newspapers, hair dryers, an ATM, baggage storage, and wireless internet access.
The Inside Track Grill and Sports Lounge in the hotel has 40 big-screen TVs, 20 beers on tap, and bacon-wrapped, deep-fried hot dogs. Catering is available for special events, and the rooms have refrigerators and microwaves. Groups can get more than 20 percent off, and AAA, CAA, and AARP members also get a discount. Corporate and military discounts are available as well.
The Best Western Winners Circle hotel has a fitness center, free wireless internet access, an outdoor pool, a dog park, and a motorcycle wash station. The complimentary, hot breakfast buffet includes cereal, yogurt, pastries, fresh fruits, and coffee. It was renovated in 2009, and the rooms include cable TV, microwaves, refrigerators, desks, hair dryers, ironing facilities, and safes. There's also a snack shop, meeting rooms, a fax machine, and a computer room.
Groups can get more than 25 percent off, and AAA or CAA members can save up to 15 percent. People 55 and over, and AARP members, veterans, members of the military, and government employees can save at least 10 percent as well.
Choose one of these hotels to make sure you get plenty of value for your money. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites has 94 rooms with attractive decor and a beautiful indoor pool.
This new property is a prototype for other Holiday Inn Express locations, and it offers complimentary breakfasts, free wireless internet access, a 24-hour fitness center, a fire pit, a mini store, a business center, a conference room, laundry facilities, ironing facilities, baggage storage, and more. Most of the spacious rooms have separate sitting areas, and they all have cable TV with HBO and Showtime, DVD players, hair dryers, minibars, and microwaves. Some suites also have hot tubs.
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs has nine floors and 246 rooms, and it was renovated in 2010. Features include an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a fitness center, a large outdoor patio with tables and comfortable chairs, a business center, laundry and ironing facilities, hair dryers, and 3,800 square feet of flexible meeting space.
The full-service Spa Botanica has a whirlpool and a sauna, and you can talk to a friendly bartender at the Cascades Piano Bar. There's also an ATM, baggage storage, free newspapers, refrigerators, microwaves, a restaurant, and movies in the rooms. Pets can stay with you for an additional fee, and the complimentary breakfasts are cooked to order. You can also enjoy free snacks and drinks in the evening.
The Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo was founded in 1902, and it has about 200 alligators, along with cougars, turkeys, chickens, wild boars, turtles, bobcats, and ring-tailed lemurs. The petting zoo portion includes goats, emus, llamas, white-tailed deer, pigs, and baby alligators. There's also an educational alligator feeding show.
The University of Arkansas runs Garvan Woodland Gardens, a 210-acre botanical garden with native plants, hundreds of rare shrubs and trees, and more than 160 types of azaleas. It's on a peninsula that juts into Lake Hamilton for beautiful scenery. The Mid America Science Museum is the most extensive hands-on science center in Arkansas. You can explore a vast indoor cave, try out a virtual reality simulator, and more.
Between 1927 and 1967, Hot Springs was the most popular place for illegal gambling in the United States. You can learn more about this era and the famous mobsters that spent time in the city at The Gangster Museum of America. There are several videos and an antique casino.
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a business trip, or a family vacation, you can find lots of fun things to do in Hot Springs. It's a perfect place to enjoy nature, see excellent entertainment, and relax in one of many natural hot springs.
Traveling on a budget and looking for cheap hotels are common situations for visitors and the hotels in Hot Springs are sure to accommodate your needs throughout the duration of your trip. Travelodge Hot Springs AR is a relaxed roadside motel that is located near the Magic Springs and Crystal Falls theme park and the Mid-America Science Museum. The rooms are basic and offer complimentary WiFi, televisions and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms and suites add kitchenettes. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool and a restaurant. Another choice is the Red Roof Inn Hot Springs. This hotel is located near the Hot Springs National Park and the Magic Springs and Crystal Falls theme park. The rooms feature mini fridges and coffeemakers in addition to colorful bathrooms. Continental breakfast is complimentary and an outdoor pool, snack center, coin-operated laundry and a business center are also offered.
There are a wide variety of luxury hotels in Hot Springs to include the Lookout Point Lakeside Inn. This hotel is an upscale lakeside bed and breakfast located near downtown Hot Springs and the Hot Springs Mall. The sophisticated rooms and suites feature whirlpool tubes and patios or decks and several have fireplaces. The rooms and suites have all been individually decorated and all face the lake. Breakfast is complimentary and available all day. Some rooms also accommodate pets. Another great choice is the Embassy Suites Hot Springs- Hotel & Spa. This all-suite hotel is in close proximity to the Gangster Museum of America and the Magic Springs and Crystal Falls theme park. The modern suites have separate living rooms with pull-out couches, desks and wet bars. The hotel offers cooked-to-order breakfast and a reception with light appetizers and drinks. The hotel also features an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center and a spa in addition to a business center. These are just a couple of luxurious Hot Springs hotels.
Hot Springs has many different activities that will keep you busy and experience the most out of your visit. There are multiple gardens that you can visit to include the Garvan Woodland Gardens and spending time in the outdoors visiting Lake Catherine State Park. Hot Springs also provides the Oaklawn Racing & Gaming and the On Target Indoor Firing Range. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Hot Springs.
Below are reviews of the city of Hot Springs, AR from an actual visitor's perspective.
Everything was beautiful. Downtown, small shops and restaurants. The Oaklawn Casino.
Had no expectations but was impressed. Would definitely return and have already recommended.
We loved how we could walk to everything. The food was amazing, we took a trolley tour which was awesome and people are very nice.
Charming city, we enjoyed the sites!
Everything was within 15 minutes or less drive
Entertainment on The square!
Loved downtown area! Great places to eat, lots of entertainment and friendly people around. Loved the Wax Museum and Duck Tour as well. We had lots of fun.
Choice of restaurants!
Choice of restaurants!
We enjoyed the casino.
I love the city. Lots of things to do and go see.
It was affordable, the room was clean, the bed was super comfortable and the area was quiet. The hotel is being renovated.
Nice quaint. Friendly
City is quaint!
Buckstaff bath tub and Thai Me massage!
Hot Springs is great! Downtown feels so homey and definitely passes the vibe check.
I love Hot springs. I have been there many times before but not in a long time. I especially like going to the bath houses. It is a very neat place to go!
Lots to see and shops to explore, very walkable.
Lots to see and do. If you like nature or if you like shopping or if you are a foodie, Hot Springs offers lots activities for all types of people and their interests.
It's small but entertaining!
Restaurants and events are very close.
The lakes are beautiful!
Magic Springs/Crystal Springs, so much to see and do for people of all ages!
It was okay. Lots of good antique stores!
Downtown is always where we go!
Downtown is always where we go!
Microtel was our hotel choice, convenient to most activities in Hot springs.
We enjoyed the horse races and downtown shopping.
Hot Springs is a very nice town. We were only here one night so we really didn't get to spend time doing anything fun.
Spa city. Historic national park, charming downtown, Oaklawn racing and casino resort. Lake Hamilton.
Good!
Lots here to do with a family.
Hotel manager was great!
Hot Springs is a fun and relaxing town!
Spa, races, scenery!
Bath spas, Mountain View Tower, horse races!
I love Hot Springs. The people there are warm and friendly. I travel there on a regular basis for the live horse racing.
The state archery tournament held yearly.
We love the beauty of the city.
Everything, great place!
Horse races!
Gaming and horse track!
The location with conveniences in the area such as eateries, shopping stores and the beautiful sights of Lake Hamilton. So much to offer.
Good places to eat, a lot of history, easy to drive around the city.
Good places to eat, a lot of history, easy to drive around the city.
Races and restaurants!
Eatery was good!
Our home away from home!
Hot Springs was an interesting stop. We will return to spend more time there.
A convenient location for eating places.
My mother is in a care home here in hot springs. This hotel is convenient to the facility and to many eating places.
Hot Springs is wonderful!
Soaked in the thermal water, got a massage at the hotel and went crystal digging at Mt. Ida!
Plenty of things to to. Great food
Beautiful amazing area. We stay in Hot Springs every time we come through, at least twice a year. We will always stay on Central Avenue!
Beautiful!
I loved it!
The shops and people watching!
The downtown charm!
Lots of things to do and see.
Gavin Garden, downtown and the bathhouse with massage ♥️
The experience in Hot Springs was varied and well presented!
Lots of places to eat and the weather was fine and lots of things to see and do.
Everything is within driving distance of the hotel.
The rooms were clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. Everything and everyone was nice our second time here and we will definitely be back
Hot Springs is great, lots to do, lots of good restaurants and entertainment.
Hot Springs is a good place to stay. There is always something to do, adults and family activities are available.
Visited Garvin Gardens and wide range of restaurants.
Magic Springs.
Magic Springs!
Hot Springs National Park
Convention Center activities.
The scenery, lots to do. The Purple Cow restaurant was great.
Love Hot Springs and Lake Hamilton!
Downtown was fun!
The Josh Turner concert.
Stay was great!
The hotel experience was great!
I loved the park and walking trails downtown and my girls loved Stella Mae's.
LOVED HOT SPRINGS!
Interesting restaurants nearby. Good food.
Beautiful town! Love this place!
The restaurants and the racetrack!
Horse races, shopping, great food!
Hot Springs is great!
Phil's Family Restaurant near the racetrack was absolutely terrific and so was the little Mexican restaurant across the street from the track.
Visited the Lookout Tower and the bathhouses.
The casino!
Was there for horse racing. My horse won. Great day.
The casino!
Historical downtown, friendly people, excellent restaurants and we had some fun at the horse races!
Restaurants and all of the festivities were easy to get to. Oaklawn Casino is right down the street, it was the perfect experience!
I loved the shopping experience and the attractions. Most Arkansans were friendly.
Beautiful drives into HS from every direction. We love the historic downtown. Peaceful sunrises on the lake. Clean Quiet and Comfortable.
Most of the shops are dog friendly as well as the people that own them.
Most of the shops are dog friendly as well as the people that own them.
The room Was very clean, and the hotel employees were very friendly. Amazing trails for walking and shockingly few people using them.
So fun, unique, beautiful and interesting! Great food, plenty to see and do, beautiful nature trails and lots of history.
Gambling!
Garvan Woodland Gardens the highlight of Hot Springs for us!