Things To Do While In Hot Springs, AR
| Hot Springs National Park | Known for it's 47 thermal springs, this national park covers about 5,500 acres, features more than 30 miles of hiking trails through the scenic Ouachita Mountains, scenic drives, hot water cascades and picnic areas. |
The Bath House Show |
Great music from the last six decades, two hours of timeless, clean family-style humor. Located in Historic downtown. |
| Theatre of Magic | Maxwell Blade magician presents a magic illusion show for the whole family. "The Master of Illusion", has preformed for audiences from the world over. Just a few blocks away. |
Josephine Wax Museum |
Experience the timeless fascination of a journey into the past through the seven magic worlds of Josephine Tussaud's Wax Museum. |
| Buckstaff Bathhouse |
Leave your tensions behind you by unwinding in an invigorating thermal bath. Hot Springs' most luxurious indulgence, a bath/whirlpool, mineral wrap and massage on world famous bathhouse row. |
| Fordyce Visitor Center & Museum | This restored bathhouse now serves as the visitor center for the National Park and is a museum for the thermal bath industry. |
| Antique Shops | Shop at over 40 antiques shops located all over Hot Springs including historical downtown. Fine collectibles, glassware, furniture, vintage clothing, postcards, depression glass, gifts and more. |
| Art Galleries | Dozens of artist and gallery owners have transformed Victorian and early 20th century buildings into dynamic art galleries, most of which are just a short walk from the inn. |
| Arkansas Walk of Fame | Honoring the lives of great Arkansans who have made a significant contribution to our society. General Douglas MacArthur, Cliff Harris, Brooks Robinson, President Bill Clinton and more. |
| Restaurants within walking distance of The Gables Inn | Colorado Grill, Belle Arti Ristorante, Brau Haus, Brickhouse Grill, The Faded Rose, Porterhouse, etc. |
| National Park Duck Tours | It's a bus..It's a boat..It's both. Spend time on a land
and water tour that will take you through historical downtown and on Lake Hamilton. Free pick up at The Gables Inn B & B |
| Mountain Valley Spring Company | Tour free the National headquarters and visitor center of Mountain Valley Spring Water. |
| Hot Springs Convention Center and Summit Arena | Enjoy conventions, basketball, concerts, Miss Arkansas pageant and more at this state-of-the-art ultra modern Convention Center. |
Area Attractions in Hot Springs
| Hometown of President Clinton |
See the town and places that Bill Clinton visited as he was growing up. He moved here as a second grader and graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1964. |
Hot Springs Mountain Tower |
See 140 miles from Hot Springs' most famous landmarks...Breathtaking views of Hot Springs' National Park and Ouachita mountains. |
| Magic Springs & Crystal Falls |
Visit a 140 acre amusement & water park with more than 25 rides and attractions. Featuring rides such as the "Twist & Shout", "Wild Thang", "The Hawk" and many more! |
| The Witness Play | 'Hot Springs musical Passion Play at the Witness Amphitheater. The greatest story ever told, the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, as told by Peter. |
| Music Mountain Jamboree | Hot Springs' original music comedy stage show. Fast paced 2 hour production of country/western, gospel, 50s and patriotic music. |
| Jungle Mountain Indoor Miniature Golf | Located in the Music Mountain Entertainment Complex featuring Hot Springs' only indoor mini-golf. The sounds of the rainforest come alive with a 12 foot waterfall and streams. |
| Thunder Mountain Speedway | Go-Kart racing in new Indy style body karts assure an exciting ride on a track designed for skill of just plain fun. |
Belle of Hot Springs |
This 400 passenger riverboat sails daily for sight-seeing, lunch and dinner/dance cruises on beautiful Lake Hamilton. |
| The Winery of Hot Springs |
Come taste the finest native wines and beer in Arkansas. Take a free tour & presentation followed by an opportunity to taste a wide variety of Arkansas wines, several Arkansas-brewed beers, and the finest Petit Jean meats and cheeses. After your tour, you are welcome to purchase wine and beer by the glass, bottle or case. |
Horse racing & Games of Skill |
The thrills pageantry of the finest thoroughbred racing
in America. Racing live, late January through mid April and simulcast racing late
April through mid January. Play Video Poker and other electronic games of skill. Open year round. Located just two miles from the inn. |
| Water Recreation | Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine are three beautiful lakes surrounding Hot Springs. You will find fishing, boating, and all sorts of water activities including jet skiing, skidoos or even para-sailing. |
| Golf Course | There are many beautiful golf courses in the Hot Springs area. Click "more info" button for a list. |
| Clower's World Famous Zoo with I.Q. | Offering non stop animal shows for the last 45 years. Roadside America ranked the I.Q. Zoo the number 1 roadside attraction in 1999. |
Tiny Town |
See the world's greatest indoor mechanical display with 60 years of planning and building scenes throughout the USA. |
| Pirate's Cove Golf | Miniature golf takes on a new dimension. Players test their skill on two challenging 18 hole courses as they putt through mountain caves, over footbridges and under waterfalls. |
Min-America Science Museum |
Enter the world of energy, life,matter and perception. See Touch Do! |
Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo |
See over 300 alligators from 6 inches to 10 feet long and visit the petting zoo. |
Garvan Woodland Gardens |
Featuring 210 acres of natural Arkansas beauty with 4.5 miles of shoreline on Lake Hamilton. The Garden features a Welcome Center and a Gift Shop, a majestic Asian rock and stream garden with a 12-foot waterfall, an open air redwood and glass pavilion, a woodland amphitheater with seating for 600, springs and cascading streams, the unique Full Moon Bridge, 1.5 miles of paved trails, Daffodil Hill, Japanese Maple Hill and tens of thousands of new plantings. |
| The Pocket Theatre | A non-profit live community theatre offering live performances all year round. |
| Marine Land on Lake Hamilton | Rentals include: Pontoon Boats, Tubes and Skis on Lake Hamilton. |
| Fun Trackers Go Karts/Bumper Boats | Featuring a pro-style go kart track and Bumper Boats where you splash under palm trees and sprinklers. |
| Panther Valley Ranch | Scenic guided horseback riding and hayrides through mountains, creeks and woods. |
| Salty Dog Boat & Jet Ski Rental | Your headquarters for fun on beautiful Lake Hamilton! We have BRAND NEW party barges, deck boats and SeaDoos to rent by the hour, half-day or all day. Come and see the friendliest folks on the lake for all your summer fun! Two convenient locations. |
| Pro Bass Fishing Hall of Fame | Coming to Hot Springs soon! The first and only one of its kind in the United States. |
| Local Pottery | Dryden Pottery offers handmade pottery,
unique colors and live demonstrations. Fox Pass Pottery offers a wide variety of vases, plates, bowls, sculptures and kitchenware in stoneware and porcelain. |
| Family Fun Park | Go-Karts. Single and double. Indoor bumper cars. 18 hole mini golf. |
| Skateland Skating Center | Indoor skating rink open year round. |
| Wright's Rock Shop | Free mineral and fossil museum. Over 500,000 items to choose from in the gift shop. |
Nearby Attractions
| Clinton Presidential Library | Located on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock’s River Market District, the Clinton Center will house the largest archival collection in American Presidential history. 1 hour drive. |
| Crater of Diamonds State Park | Over 70,000 diamonds have been unearthed at this site.
Located in Murfreesboro about a 1 1/2 hour drive. |
| DeGray Lake State Park | Just 45 minutes south of Hot Springs on scenic Hwy. 7 |
| Arkansas' Scenic 7 Byway | Rated one of America's 10 most scenic drives, the Byway stretches through some of Arkansas' most beautiful scenery - perfect for a driving tour. |
| Petit Jean State Park | Located near Morrilton about a 1 1/2 hour drive. |
| Quartz Crystal Mines/Rock Shops | Take a 30 minute drive and dig for quartz crystals for a fee. Numerous rock shops in the area also have quartz and other rocks for sale. |
Hot Springs has many festivals and informational seminars throughout the year.
· 2007 Southern Living Idea House - August 1 - September 30, 2007
· 2007 FLW Tour Championship – August 2-5, 2007
· An Evening of Benny Goodman Music with Gary Tole and The Legends of Swing – September 7, 2007
· Hot Springs Rally – September 13 – 16, 2007
· Hot Springs National Kennel Club – September 29 – 30, 2007
· Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival October 19-28,2007
· 20th Annual Winter Wonderland Arts & Crafts Festival – November 23 – 24, 2007
· Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival October 20-29, 2006
· Chili Cook Off - November 2007
· Garvan Woodland Gardens "Holiday HIGHlights 2006" - Tea Party - 2nd Tuesday of the Month
· Gallery Walk - First Friday of Each Month – 6-9PM
· Antique Walk – Third Friday of Each Month – 4-8PM
· 16th Annual Hot Springs Jazz Festival - September 7-9, 2007
Helpful Area Tourism Links:
Hot Springs
National Park
Arkansas State Travel Guide