Hot Springs, Arkansas: A Local's Guide to National Park Adventures & Romantic Getaways

Rediscover Hot Springs: From Family Traditions to Anniversary Escapes

From natural hot springs, traditional bathhouses, and good food—read on to see what we did for 4 days!

My Enduring Love Affair with Hot Springs: A Childhood Reimagined

I’ve been traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas, since I was an infant, against my will, of course, but it became a traditional family vacation in no time. With it always falling on my birth week every year, I remember many years of box cake and s'mores by the campfire.

My family would spend a whole week on the water. Usually 5 days on Lake Hamilton, one day on Lake Ouachita, and one day exploring downtown Hot Springs. It’s where I learned to water ski, ride an inner tube, and catfish noodle. Now you can see why I love it so much!!

Taken by Visit Hot Springs

Trading Lake Life for Landlocked Luxury: Our Anniversary Getaway

This trip is very different from that, though. There’s nothing wrong with a week of livin’ on lake time but since I don’t have a boat anymore, my husband and I opted for the full landlocked luxury experience. We went to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary! A milestone that came too quickly and left even faster. Hot Springs allowed us to slow down for a weekend and reconnect with one another.

What’s exciting for me is that my husband knows nothing about Hot Springs, so I get to bring him around and plan his itinerary, knowing he will be as curious and excited as I still am. I packed our romantic getaway itinerary full of my favorite traditions, things to do without a boat, and some experiences I’d always wanted to visit.

With a little help from the Visit Hot Springs team, my inner child, and Chat GPT, I put together what I think is the perfect 4 days in Hot Springs National Park.

Scenery from The Arlington Hotel Resort & Spa

Must-See Hot Springs Highlights: My Top Recommendations

What you can’t miss:

• The Fordyce Bathhouse Museum

• The Pancake Shop

• Colonel Candy Corner

• The Arlington Hotel

• Garvan Woodland Gardens

• Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

• Oaklawn Hot Springs Hotel, Horse Races, + Astral Spa

We weren’t able to see the horse races since it’s off season, but our next visit to Hot Springs will be dedicated to checking out the new Oaklawn Hotel and Astral Spa— Arkansas’s ONLY Forbes Four-Star rated spa.

Your Perfect 4-Day Hot Springs Itinerary: History, Relaxation & Fun

Street performs at Bridge St. Live! and the Bathhouse margarita seltzer in hand

Day 1: Arrival & Downtown Delights

• Check into our stay and drop off our stuff

• Bridge Street Block Party Hot Springs (Happening every Thursday in June and October 2025)

• Dinner and nightcap at Superior Bathhouse Brewery Hot Springs— The only brewery in a United States National Park, and the only brewery in the world to utilize thermal spring water to make their beer.

Arlington Hotel rooftop pool, Best Cafe breakfast, + inside Quapaw Bathhouse Thermal pool room

Day 2: Historic Baths & Culinary Gems

• Breakfast at Best Cafe & Bar Hot Springs

• The Arlington Hotel Resort & Spa pool

• Lunch at Cafe 1217 Hot Springs *get the ginger juice

• Quapaw Bathhouse thermal pools

• Dinner at DONS Southern Social speakeasy

Kollective Coffee & Tea, Mid America Science Museum, + Garvan Woodland Gardens treehouse

Day 3: Gardens, Science & Outdoor Adventures

• Coffee and Breakfast at Kollective Coffee

• Play at the Mid-America Science Museum

• Explore Garvan Woodland Gardens

• Afternoon pick me up and views at Bubba Brews at Lake Hamilton

• Dinner at Airbnb

• Sunset mini golf at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

• Ice cream at Scoops Hot Springs

Food food and more food!! The best cupcakes at Fat Bottomed Girls, crab on the lake at Fisherman's Wharf, and drinks at The Ohio Club

Day 4: Sweet Treats, Shopping & Historic Sips

*disclaimer* This was our anniversary day, so we spent the whole morning doing a planning meeting and reflection over our marriage to align on our goals for the next year. Check out our guidebook we used in my next blog!

• Sweet treat to celebrate at Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcake Shoppe

• Shopping downtown

• Mid-afternoon refreshments at The Water's Rooftop and The Ohio Club (the oldest bar in the state)

• Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf Steak & Seafood on Lake Hamilton

• S’mores at our airbnb

Beyond the Itinerary: Hot Springs History & Future Adventures

My favorite part about Hot Springs is how much history is connected to nature. We didn’t even spend time on the national park hiking trails —which are absolutely amazing btw—and we will definitely do that next time.

Funny enough I actually made a whole visit guidebook for our families when my husband and his family visited with us the first time.

Check out the brief history and recommendations I put together in 2023!

I’m excited for you to experience Hot Springs, Arkansas, and fall in love like I have! Please feel free to message me about specific questions or help planning your trip.