Perhaps no city in Arkansas has a higher concentration of things to do than Hot Springs. From the excitement of downtown to the many outdoor activities nearby, Spa City offers a wealth of attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether for a daytrip or a weeklong family vacation, itineraries fill up fast in Hot Springs. Check out the list below to start planning a getaway.
Get a treetop view of the natural beauty surrounding Hot Springs at Adventureworks, where patrons can walk, climb and swing across a 16-obstacle challenge course and zipline through the lush forest. The attraction is open throughout the year and offers a signature canopy zip tour, an aerial adventure, and a zip tour and adventure course combo. Participants must be 12 or older for the aerial adventure, and the zip tour is recommended for ages 8 and older. Reservations recommended.
Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery
Ever wonder how Arkansas waterways stay stocked with the fish that make the Natural State an anglers paradise? The answer can be found at Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery. Situated on the south side of Lake Hamilton, the hatchery includes 42 earthen ponds dedicated to producing native and non-native sportfish destined for public waters across Arkansas. The hatchery also offers a public boat launch with access to Lake Hamilton.
The Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
There are nearly 150 alligators at the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo in Hot Springs, and the thrill of watching the beasts has kept families coming back since the attraction started in 1902. Not only can visitors see the alligators, watch feedings and hold a baby gator, but the farm also offers a petting zoo, wolves and various other critters. There is also a parakeet house with more than 60 parakeets visitors can feed. Check out the website for hours and pricing.
The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa
For those who want to stay in the same style as notorious gangster Al Capone, check out the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa downtown, which is benefiting from an extensive renovation. The Arlington is not the only historic hotel in Spa City, of course. The 1929 Park Hotel is also being renovated. Meanwhile, a new Hampton Inn & Suites is being developed at the site of the former Goddard Hotel, and plans are being floated for a new mixed-use development at the site of the former Majestic Hotel.
Bathhouse Row
(Photo courtesy of Visit Hot Springs)
Bathhouse Row
Perhaps no Spa City attraction is as storied as Bathhouse Row. After all, the first tourists who came to the city were bathers. While some, such as the Buckstaff Bathhouse, Quapaw Baths & Spa, and Hotel Hale, originally the Hale Bathhouse, still provide spa services to visitors, others have been turned into cultural attractions. The Fordyce Bathhouse, which houses the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center, provides a great starting point for those interested in learning how the bathhouses were used historically.
Cedar Glades Park
Visit Cedar Glades Park to find fun outdoor experiences an easy distance from downtown Hot Springs. The park offers more than 10 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course, playgrounds, a three-story tree house for children, a climbing wall and a mowed area for flying kites. The climbing wall is usable by reservation at a cost of $5 per person.
Crystal Mining
Murfreesboro may be the state’s destination for diamond mining, but the Hot Springs area stands out for the number of public crystal mines in the vicinity. Ron Coleman Mining in Jessieville and the Wegner Crystal Mines in Mount Ida are just two places visitors can dig up quartz crystals and more. Come dressed for the dirt, and leave with pockets full of crystals.
Embark on a distillery tour and tasting at Crystal Ridge Distillery, which provides insight into the history of moonshine in Hot Springs, including local traditions that shape the distilling process at Crystal Ridge. The building is pretty neat, too, having been built between 1910 and 1920. The facilities are available as a venue for weddings and other events. Visitors can also take home canned cocktails and bottles of moonshine and other spirits.
David Cochran Fishing Guide Service
Folks who want to learn the ins and outs of fishing need look no further than David Cochran Fishing Guide Service in nearby Royal. A professional striper fishing guide who works on Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton, Cochran has offered guided fishing excursions for more than 25 years and provides top-of-the-line fishing equipment and gear for guests.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park
A short drive from Hot Springs, DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck not only offers a lake and all the swimming, boating and snorkeling opportunities that come with it, but the park provides an 18-hole championship golf course, five hiking trails, a disc golf course and more. Camping amenities are top notch, as is the full-service marina. There is also a 90-room lodge with a conference center well suited for corporate and other events.
Downtown Shopping and Dining
There are too many shopping experiences in Hot Springs to list, but be sure that most anyone can find a new favorite shop downtown. Casa Bella and Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium are a couple of suggestions to get folks started. Likewise, the downtown area provides more restaurants than one can try in a single visit. Some of the most popular include the Ohio Club, DONS Southern Social and Deluca’s Pizza, but many more await.
Dryden Potteries.
Established in 1946, Dryden Potteries on Whittington Avenue is a reason for many to visit Spa City. Collectors have long been drawn to the family-owned business for its unique ceramics crafted lovingly with artisan skill. The company offers free live demos daily, and there are also various classes crafters can pursue. The shop is excellent for holiday shopping or simply marveling at the artistic pieces.
A finalist for Best Coffee Shop in AY About You‘s “AY’s Best of 2025,” the Electric Strawberry is hard to pin down. Yes, the coffee is on point, but the shop is about much more than that — it is about giving patrons a place where they can recharge mind, body and soul. The Electric Strawberry offers a salt room, hypnotherapy, psychic readings, a gift shop and more, in addition to hosting regular community events.
Escape Rooms
Spa City is not immune to the escape room craze that has gripped puzzle lovers in recent years, and visitors can find two great options in Escape Hot Springs and A Narrow Escape. Both offer challenging rooms ideal for team building, spending time with friends and sharpening one’s wits.
If playtime is on the agenda, families can find it at Funtrackers Family Fun Park in Hot Springs. The park includes an arcade, go-karts, mini golf, laser tag and bumper boats, and two-hour unlimited fun specials are available. There is no shortage of ways to run, bump and race one’s way to a good time.
Those who visit Hot Springs for its thermal waters and natural beauty may be surprised to learn the city was once a haven for gangsters such as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Frank Costello and others. Visitors can find out how the famous outlaws skirted the law in Spa City at the Gangster Museum of America, where some of the darker elements of the city’s past come to light.
Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Situated a short drive from downtown is Garvan Woodland Gardens, a botanical garden on the shores of Lake Hamilton run by the University of Arkansas and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hot Springs. Beautiful in any season, points of interest within the garden include a bonsai garden, a fairy garden and more. Other attractions include stunning Anthony Chapel, the Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House, and the Evans Children’s Adventure Garden.
The Grand Promenade
One of the most peaceful ways to traverse the downtown strip is via the Grand Promenade, a walking trail that runs parallel to Bathhouse Row a comfortable distance from the hustle and bustle of the city street. The brick-paved trail is about half a mile long and provides numerous scenic sights along the way.
Gulpha Gorge Campground
Those who enjoy camping can do so practically within spitting distance of downtown Hot Springs at Gulpha Gorge Campground, which also provides access to an array of exceptional hiking trails. The campground offers 40 campsites, as well as modern restrooms and an amphitheater. Prior reservations are required.
Spa City is not lacking in any activity, and that includes bowling. Bowlers can knock down some pins at Hamilton Hangout, a local bowling alley and arcade that also offers a bar and grill. Open seven days a week, the establishment is a great option for birthday parties and rainy-day fun.
Planning a birthday party? Looking for a fun bachelorette party idea? Shopping for a custom gift? Hammer & Stain Hot Springs has it covered. Hammer & Stain offers public workshops and private parties that allow patrons to make their own crafts, from stuffed animals and door signs to glass blowing and hat burning. The shop also offers custom laser-etched gifts and more.
Hollywood Park
There are several city parks in Hot Springs, but Hollywood Park stands out because of its architecture, sculptures and other unique features. The park also offers a pavilion, playground and walking trail. Nearby is the Hot Springs Bark Park, which opened in 2010 as the first off-leash dog park in the area.
Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Co.
There is a reason Queen made bicycles the topic of one of the band’s most popular songs. Bicycles are just fun to ride around. They also provide an active way to tour Hot Springs. Whether one is traversing the Northwoods Trails, cruising the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail or taking a guided tour of the springs, Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Co. can help. Bikes are available for children and adults. Mountain bikes, e-bikes and hybrid cruisers are available.
Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail
Speaking of the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail, the 5.5 mile trail is just as beautiful on foot as it is by bike. Just skirting the edge of downtown, the greenway provides scenic views of Hot Springs Creek and offers a convenient way to travel to various parts of the city by foot or bike.
Founded in 2018, Hot Springs Distilling crafts whiskeys with a dedication to the craft that visitors might find infectious. Father-and-son owners Keith and Scott Atkinson toured distilleries across the U.S. before bringing their skills to Hot Springs. Patrons can partake of a tasting flight or cocktail at the distillery’s tasting room.
Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail
Hot Springs is the birthplace of Major League Baseball’s spring training, when coaches from days gone by brought their players to Spa City to get in playing shape before the season. Modern-day baseball lovers can learn about that history while touring historic sites along the Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail. A smartphone app makes it easy to navigate the trail.
Take in a birds-eye view of Spa City from the top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Patrons take an elevator up 216 feet to the observation deck to soak up panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain and the Diamond Lakes area. Visitors can either drive directly to the parking lot or hike a 1.5 mile trail from Fountain Street to reach the tower.
Having a national park in its backyard is an undeniable part of Spa City’s character. At Hot Springs National Park, visitors can embrace the rich cultural history and stunning geological features of Hot Springs, including mountain views, thermal springs and lovely scenery — all within reach of the busy downtown area. There are numerous places where visitors can touch and taste the spring water.
Modern amenities meet Natural State scenery at In the Trees, which offers tree houses and cabins close to the Northwoods Trails and downtown Hot Springs. The accommodations are meticulously designed to immerse guests in the outdoors while providing the best in luxury, including optional experiences such as s’mores boards and in-room massages. A vinyl record player in each room is just one of the surprising touches that awaits visitors at In the Trees.
One of Hot Spring’s most long-standing tourist attractions, the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum has delighted visitors since 1967. On display are lifelike statues of more than 100 celebrities and movie characters. The admission price includes access to a gambling museum where visitors can see the escape tunnel gangsters used when police raided the casino.
Lake Catherine State Park
One of five beautiful lakes in the Ouachita Mountain Region, Lake Catherine State Park is a must-see for Arkansas outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to a sparkling lake, which offers a marina and is available for fishing and various water sports, the park offers cabins, campsites and horseriding trails. Hike the Falls Branch Trail during the rainy season to see one of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Lake Hamilton
As Hot Springs’ premiere resort lake, Lake Hamilton has no shortage of things to see and do. Boating, water skiing and tubing are just some of the fun ways to get wet and wild at Lake Hamilton. Hot Springs Marina offers boat rentals for those looking to get in on the fun, and after working up an appetite on the water, pull up to Fisherman’s Wharf Steak & Seafood for some of the tastiest eats and libations in town.
Lake Ouachita
At 40,000 acres, Lake Ouachita is the largest lake in Arkansas, and that size makes the lake ideal for water-based recreation of all types. Anglers can bank on a wealth of catfish, bass and crappie, while lovers of water sports can swim, water ski, scuba dive, kayak and more. Camping is available at Lake Ouachita State Park, as well, and there are plenty of trails surrounding the lake. Check out special programs such as eagle cruises, guided hikes and kayak tours.
Low Key Arts
Step into the world of music and film at Low Key Arts in Hot Springs, which was founded in 2005 to produce Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival and has since grown to include the Inception to Projection Filmmaking Program, the Persistence of Vision Film Festival and KUHS-LP 102.5 Solar Powered Community Radio.
Get ready to wear a machine gun grin after a trip to Machine Gun Grotto, which is the only indoor firing range in Hot Springs and one of the largest gun ranges in Arkansas. Visitors have the chance to fire a 1928 Tommy gun or a World War II-style machine gun. Machine Gun Grotto offers 11 lanes and a large conference room, as well as an armory with new and preowned firearms and supplies, and visitors are welcome to bring their own gear.
Magic Springs Theme and Waterpark
The roller coasters emerging from the forested landscape surrounding Magic Springs Theme and Water Park are one of the first sights that greet many visitors to Hot Springs. Open seasonally, the park offers a thrilling array of rides and a full water park, as well as a summer concert series. The 2025 lineup includes Clay Walker, Skillet, Everclear and Puddle of Mudd.
Check out the park where legendary Babe Ruth took his first steps on the path to becoming one of the most famous players in Major League Baseball at Majestic Park, once a popular spot for MLB teams who visited Hot Springs for spring training. The historic park has been lovingly restored by the city and now hosts a variety of sports events. Visitors can take a picture with a statue of Babe Ruth.
One of the most well-known nightlife destinations in Hot Springs is Maxine’s, a small venue that could be described as a dive bar with exceptional taste. Local and touring acts perform there regularly, and the food and drink offerings are broad enough to appeal to most any patron. The establishment also offers billiards and other amusements.
Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic
Housed in the historic Malco Theatre, the Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic has captivated Hot Springs visitors for years. Enjoy the spellbinding magic of Maxwell Blade, who offers a grand, two-hour spectacle designed to amaze, or witness the mentalism and close-up magic of Jonathan Erlandson Live. Either show provides an unbeatable experience visitors will not want to miss.
One does not have to be a child to enjoy Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs, but the museum is one of the best places for young visitors to learn while they play. Visitors can encounter dinosaurs at the outdoor Dino Trek, encounter novel exhibits at the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, explore the world below at Arkansas Underfoot and gaze into the depths of space at the Digital Dome Theater.
Experience Hot Springs from both water and land with National Park Duck Tours, which offers insightful, humorous tours showcasing Hot Springs’ downtown from amphibious World War II DUKW vehicles. The 75-minute tour takes visitors along Bathhouse Row and past other historic sites before taking a sojourn around St. John’s Island at Lake Hamilton.
Northwoods Trails.
Move over Bentonville — Hot Springs is becoming a mountain biking hub in its own right. Conveniently located near attractions and amenities downtown, the Northwoods Trails offer more than 31 miles of world-class mountain biking trails for riders of all skill levels. The trail system includes green, blue and black single track, multitrack, flow trails and jump lines plus the Lucky 13 expert section.
Oaklawn Hot Springs.
No list of Hot Springs attractions would be complete without mentioning Oaklawn, a celebrated horseracing track that has grown into so much more. Not only is Oaklawn home to the Arkansas Derby, a stop on the path to the Kentucky Derby and a coveted Triple Crown win, but the establishment boasts a casino, event center, hotel and the highly rated Astral Spa. Be sure to sample the fare at any of the renowned restaurants.
Hot Springs is home to the state’s first sake manufacturer, Origami Sake, and has hosted the American Craft Sake Festival in conjunction with the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival the past two years. Origami Sake offers guided tours and great sake, including a nonalcoholic version.
Mini golf is an essential part of vacationing in a resort town for many families, and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf in Hot Springs offers an experience to rival those pint-sized putting enthusiasts might find anywhere else. The establishment offers two 18-hole courses suitable for both children and adults.
Culture vultures can get their theater fix at Pocket Community Theatre, which was founded in 1992 and, over the past 30 years, has become a beloved fixture in Spa City. The season is jam-packed with engaging entertainment year after year. The 2025 season includes Barefoot in the Park in June, Shrek, the Musical in August, She Kills Monsters in September, The Haunting of Hill House in October, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in November and She Loves Me in December.
Situated on Bathhouse Row in the former Superior Bathhouse, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery located in a national park and serves the only beer brewed with thermal spring water. Patrons will also find plenty to eat at the establishment, as well as a dog-friendly patio and a special menu for canine companions.
Youngsters will not get bored at TNT Fun Play, a family-owned indoor playground in Hot Springs. Ideal for birthday parties and other occasions, the business offers indoor playground equipment, arcade games and more — all geared toward making little ones smile.
Guide a miniature train past Native American villages, through a Pennsylvania Dutch farm and past other scenes from across America at Tiny Town. The captivating miniatures were mostly created by hand by the Moshinskie family over more than 40 years. The attraction is truly a marvel for the young and young at heart.
Those looking to have a good time in Spa City have turned to Vapors Live since 1959, when the club was founded by New York gangster Owen Vincent “Owney” Madden. The venue offers live music and other entertainment, and while its connection to organized crime has been left to the annals of history, Vapors continues to be one of the most entertaining spots in the city.
Pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years, but many Arkansas pickleball players may be unaware that the official ball of pickleball is made in Hot Springs by Vulcan Sporting Goods. The company offers a pickleball park that is open seven days a week and free to the public. The park features four state-of-the-art, lighted pickleball courts.
The Winery of Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row Winery
Arkansas grapes are well suited for making wine, and connoisseurs can sample some of the finest Arkansas wines at the Winery of Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row Winery. The wineries also offer muscadine wines and strawberry wines. Purchase a bottle to take a taste of Hot Springs home.
READ ALSO: From Client to Coach: Brittany’s Journey With Unleashed Health and Fitness
