Hot Springs, AR, My Picks for a Visit!

I thought I would devote a page to my second home, Hot Springs, AR.  A lot of information is available on the internet about Things To Do in Hot Springs.  But, I am providing links and information on hotels, that we have stayed in before purchasing a home, Restaurants that we would go back to and places that we enjoy. Note: after you checked out everything on this page, go to the Labels section located on the right side of page, for More Hot Springs.  Thanks for visiting!

Here is a Map, You will have to copy and paste, or highlight, Right click to open link.  The map shows where a lot of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions are. 

https://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&rtp=adr.~pos.34.518256418838_-93.055370207741

First, if you are going to visit, you need a place to stay.

If you like a downtown atmosphere....We stayed at The Arlington.  It is Old, so it might not be your thing.  It has a lot of history, like Al Capone had his own room and was said to rent the entire fourth floor.  It has it's own Bath house & Spa.  So, unless you want to visit one of the bath houses (only 2 open now) on bath house row, You don't even have to leave the hotel.  Yes, I have enjoyed a Mineral bath and a fabulous massage there.  There is also a little band that comes in and plays in the lobby.  (Big Band Music)  Quite a few people come in and dance.  Nice fore a drink and people watching.  
www.arlingtonhotel.com/

Update:  If you like haunted, this hotel is suppose to have ghost....http://www.ghostinmysuitcase.com/places/arlington/  I have never encountered any...

Elevator clock shows what floor it is on.
 

They decorate for Christmas.

Lobby/Bar/Dancing

If you you want to stay at the lake, several hotels/motels/RV parking is located right on Lake Hamilton and offer a boat ramp and slips.

You can also check out vrbo.com, Vacation Rentals By Owner.  We rented a Log Cabin for our parents 50th Wedding Anniversary.  We have also booked a condo on Lake Hamilton.  Check EARLY they book up fast!

 Second, You have to EAT!

My favorite Seafood place at the time is:
Fisherman's Wharf on the Lake. 
5101 Central Avenue  Hot Springs, AR 71913

(501) 525-7437

fishermanswharfhs.com/
If heading South from 270, Restaurant is on the Left before going over the Lake.  IF you have a boat you can drive over, dock your boat and eat.

Cajun Boilers is also good.  (Update 9/14 I have to take them off the list, we ate there, and no one enjoyed it, no seasoning.....)
cajunboilers.com
2806 Albert Pike Road  Hot Springs, AR 71913
(501) 767-5695
 They are also on the lake and have a boat dock available for their guest.

Favorite Mexican Restaurant:
La Hacienda
3836 Central Avenue  Hop Springs, AR 71913
(501) 525-8203
South of 270, If heading South it will be on your Right, Pink Building.
They bring 3 Salsas to your table, One Green (hot) a red mild, a red sweet. 

Across from the Oaklawn

Stubby's BBQ
3024 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71913

(501) 624-1552

 stubbysbbq.com/

We couldn't decide, So we got the COMBO!

Downtown:

The Arlington on Friday night, but it is a bit pricey.  It has to be for a special occasion.
***Several in our party got sick within 10 minutes, when we ate there before Christmas 2013, so I am afraid they are off the list, due to managements lack of concern and not getting back with me.  If, I could have gotten her out the bathroom we would have gone to the doctor.

Rolando's
210 Central Avenue
501-318-6054
They are a Mexican Restaurant.  They have a patio open in good weather, that is out the back door up on the mountain.  They offer live music on the weekends.  Reservations are good idea for the patio. 

The Porterhouse. Steaks & Seafood
707 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: 501 321-8282

http://www.porterhousehs.com/

Look at those mirrors!  I starred in amazement.  They are beautiful!

****Check out their private area upstairs for groups!  Love the lounge and martini bar!

Bubba's Catfish
Take Out!
501-762-3474
5411 Central Ave, This one is on the South side of town
Good Catfish, Crawfish, Shrimp

  Of Course Hot Springs offers many of the Chain Restaurants too. 

Three, What to Do!

DOWNTOWN!
 They have many art galleries and shops. Go early, most close kinda early.  Except:   The art galleries of the Victorian downtown district stay open until 9pm often with music and complimentary refreshments. 1st Friday of every Month.

Ohio Club, 336 Central Ave.  Located across the street from the Bath houses.  Probably the smallest bar that you will ever go in....Check them out!  Oldest bar in Hot Springs and the history to go with it.

Quapaw Bath House, It is said that these waters have healing powers.  We enjoyed a day at their pool.  quapawbaths.com/‎

Hot Springs Mountain Tower - Hot Springs  www.arkansas.com

216-foot observation tower with two viewing levels with historical and educational 

The road to the mountain, is right behind The Arlington Hotel 

Very interesting information in the top of the tower.  Funny.....As long as I have been married to my husband, I didn't know that elevators mounted to the outside of a building bothered him. 

  

Hiking & Walking

The Grande Promenade is on the hill behind the bathhouses and hiking trails go up the moutain to the Look out Tower.
 
Oaklawn Race Track
2014 season is just right around the corner!  Jan 10th Friday is the first race and the season goes thru April 12th.  

You can visit the Race track in several ways.  You can pay to get in the gate and stay with the general public, purchase a seat, or make reservations at one of the restaurants.  I threw my parents a 50th Anniversary party in the Carousel.  You pay a flat fee for the day, enjoy a buffet, your own table with a TV, You can see part of the track out the windows, and place your bets there in the Carousel.  Reservations recommended. 

In the Carousel

Standing outside, close and personal!

Last year, we just paid to get in.  We watched the horses come in and get saddled, then we would place our bets and go outside to watch the race.  Can you say exhausted at the end of the day, but FUN!

THE LAKES!
There are 3 lakes in the Hot Springs area, Lake Hamilton is right there at Hot Springs,  Lake Ouachita and Lake Catherine. You can rent boats at all 3 lakes, camp & fish.  Lake Hamilton is surrounded by mainly private property, but the other lakes have State Parks.
www.arkansasstateparks.com › Parks

We rented a boat from www.kahunabay.com, on Lake Hamilton. 

Magic Springs Water and Theme Park  www.magicsprings.com/

 If you can go more than once, purchasing a season pass is the way to go.  We attended several concerts there last year. :)

Central Station Marketplace & Flea Market
3310 Central
501-321-0047

If You LOVE Junk, plan on staying for Hours......The building is huge.

Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf 

4612 Central Avenue  (501) 525-9311

This is a very FUN putt putt course.

Garvan Gardens

I love to go to the Christmas Lights. They open up Thanksgiving Weekend.  Garvan Gardens is more than Christmas Lights, but a 210 acre botanical garden.  They have a gift shop, offer a membership, a chapel for weddings, workshops, and exhibits.

For other post about Hot Springs....Scroll down the home page to Labels, and click on Hot Springs.

****NOTE: Leave me a comment and let me know that you visited.  And if you know something that I need to check out, let me know and I will add it to my to do list.  Thanks!