Hot Springs
Around Hot Springs
Photo: Samuel Grant · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Arkansas · 99k people
Hot Springs
“Spa City”, “Valley of the Vapors”, “The Springs”
Soak in the natural beauty.
Deep TealWarm Sunset Orange
Welcome to Hot Springs, the Spa City! Whether you're here for the thermal waters, the horse racing, or the lake life, you'll find a friendly community. We're glad to have you join our local chat.
Clubs for Hot Springs
No clubs for Hot Springs yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hot Springs. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hot Springs. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hot Springs National Park Oldest federal reserve, known for thermal springs.
- Bathhouse Row Historic collection of bathhouses along Central Avenue.
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Home to thoroughbred racing and gaming.
- Lake Hamilton Popular for boating, fishing, and lakeside living.
- Lake Ouachita Largest lake in Arkansas with crystal-clear waters.
- Garvan Woodland Gardens Botanical garden with seasonal displays and trails.
- Outdoors Hike Hot Springs National Park trails
- Outdoors Boat or kayak on Lake Ouachita
- With kids Magic Springs Theme Park
- With kids Mid-America Science Museum
- Evenings Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
- Evenings Central Avenue live music
- Locals love lakeside parks
- Locals love golf courses
Through the year
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival October One of the oldest documentary film festivals in North America.
- Oaklawn Racing Season January to April Thoroughbred racing with the Arkansas Derby as a highlight.
- Arkansas Derby April A major Kentucky Derby prep race at Oaklawn.
- Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival April Indie music festival with local and national acts.
- Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights December Stunning holiday light display in the botanical gardens.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are the best times to be out. Best: Spring and fall
Talk like a local
- “The Spa City”
- Nickname for Hot Springs, referencing the thermal baths.
- “Bathhouse Row”
- Historic street of bathhouses.
- “Oaklawn”
- Refers to Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
- “Wash-i-taw”
- Local pronunciation of Ouachita.
Getaways
- Malvern Historic downtown and nearby hot springs.
- Arkadelphia DeGray Lake State Park and outdoor recreation.
- Little Rock State capital with museums, River Market, and Clinton Center.
- Russellville Mount Nebo State Park and scenic views.
Local flavour
Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA), Dallas Cowboys (NFL), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Fried Pickles Invented at the Duchess Drive-In in Hot Springs in 1963
- Possum Pie A local chocolate cream pie with a pecan crust, served at several diners
- Catfish Southern-style fried catfish is a staple at local fish camps and restaurants
- BBQ Slow-smoked pork and brisket, often with a vinegar-based sauce
Where people go
- Bathhouse Row Historic row of bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park
- Hot Springs National Park The only national park that protects a city's water supply and thermal springs
- Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Thoroughbred racing and gaming, a major local attraction
- Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita Large reservoirs for boating, fishing, and swimming
- Garvan Woodland Gardens Botanical gardens with walking trails and scenic views
- Ouachita National Forest Mountainous forest with hiking, camping, and waterfalls
Heritage and traditions
Hot Springs is proud of its unique natural thermal springs, historic bathhouses, and a colorful past as a resort and gangster haven, all set in the scenic Ouachita Mountains.
This time of year in Hot Springs
- Fall foliage Fall The Ouachita Mountains offer beautiful autumn colors.
- Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair October A juried fair showcasing regional artisans.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — fixing to, about to
Festivals
- World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade March A quirky tradition on Bridge Street, known as the shortest parade route in the world.
- Hot Springs Music Festival June An annual classical music festival featuring young artists from around the country.
- Hot Springs Jazz Festival September Celebrates jazz with performances by local and national musicians.
- Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair October A juried fair showcasing regional artisans.
Landmarks with a story
- Fordyce Bathhouse The most ornate bathhouse on Bathhouse Row, now a museum showcasing the spa era.
- Gangster Museum of America Dedicated to the city's mobster past, featuring exhibits on Al Capone and others.
- Arlington Hotel A grand hotel that hosted gangsters and celebrities, still operating today.
- Bathhouse Row A row of early 20th-century bathhouses, a National Historic Landmark.
- Hot Springs National Park The oldest federal reserve, protecting the thermal springs.
- Hot Springs Mountain Tower Offers panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains.
Food traditions
- Drinking mineral water from public fountains Locals and visitors alike sip the naturally hot mineral water from the fountains on Bathhouse Row, a tradition dating back to the spa era.
- Possum pie A local dessert with chocolate and cream, despite the name, it contains no possum.
- Fried pickles A Southern staple, often served as an appetizer, with a crispy batter.
- Catfish dinners Fried catfish is a local favorite, often served with hushpuppies and coleslaw.
- BBQ Arkansas-style BBQ, with a tangy vinegar-based sauce, is popular at local joints.
Music and arts
- Jazz and blues scene Influenced by the gangster era, with local venues hosting live jazz and blues.
- Hot Springs Music Festival An annual classical music event that brings young performers to the city.
- Local art galleries Central Avenue is home to galleries showcasing regional painters and crafts.
- Documentary film The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is one of the oldest in North America.
A little history
- 1832 Hot Springs becomes the first federal reserve
- Early 1900s Bathhouse Row is constructed, attracting health seekers from across the country
- 1920s-1940s Hot Springs becomes a haven for gangsters and illegal gambling, earning a notorious reputation
- 1946 The Arkansas Derby begins at Oaklawn Park, a major horse racing event
- 1950s Gambling is shut down, and the city transitions to a family tourist destination
Rivalries
- Hot Springs High vs. Lakeside High Football rivalry between the two local high schools.
- Lake Hamilton vs. Fountain Lake Basketball and other sports rivalry.
- Hot Springs vs. Malvern Football and community pride.
- Game day Oaklawn Racing Season
- Game day Arkansas Derby
- Outdoors Soak in the thermal baths
- Outdoors Hike to Hot Springs Mountain Tower
- With kids Gangster Museum of America
- With kids Bathhouse Row
A relaxed Southern drawl with a touch of Arkansas twang. Locals often use 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The accent is slower and more melodic than in urban areas.
Only here
- The world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade on Bridge Street
- Natural thermal springs that are actually hot
- The Gangster Museum of America
- Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark
New here? A few tips
- Try the thermal baths at one of the historic bathhouses.
- Expect hot, humid summers; bring sunscreen.
- Central Avenue can get busy with tourists, especially on weekends.
- Learn about the local horse racing culture; the Arkansas Derby is a big event.
- The mineral water from the fountains is safe to drink but has a distinct taste.
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Part of Hot Springs area
Nearby
Every areaMalvernArkansasWhere the streets are paved with brick and pride.ArkadelphiaArkansasSlow river days and diamond-bright nights.Little RockArkansasHeart of the Natural StateMorriltonArkansasWhere the river meets the mountainRussellvilleArkansasRiver valley charm, mountain viewsPine BluffArkansasRiver town, Delta heartCamdenArkansasA friendly stop on the Ouachita River.MagnoliaArkansasSouthern comfort, magnolia pride
Hot Springs, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.