Things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas (2025)

Some places shout with wonder; others whisper. Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the latter—a town wrapped in vapor, where ancient water rises from the earth and slips straight into the folds of history. I’ve passed through more times than I can count, yet each visit feels like entering a world just slightly removed from time. A little eerie, a little enchanted. As if even the air remembers.

Visitors are often drawn by the thermal springs, historic Bathhouse Row, or the surrounding Ouachita Mountains—but for me, it’s the blend. Nature and nostalgia. Grandeur and grit. You come for the healing, and stay for the curiosity. Al Capone once bathed here. Gangsters and gamblers once walked the same streets you can now wander barefoot, wrapped in a spa robe. Between the faded facades and flickering neon, there’s something sacred hiding in plain sight—like the town is still exhaling something ancient.

If you’re exploring more of the Ouachitas, you might enjoy:

Diamonds in Arkansas: Your Guide to the Hunt

Mount Ida, Arkansas: All You Must Know Before You Go

Why You Should Visit the Ouachita Region in Arkansas: Nature, Crystal Mining & Solitude

The Ultimate Guide to Sacred Waters, Hot Springs, and Bath Houses (if water towns call to you like they do to me)

What to Do in Hot Springs

The National Park

Hot Springs National Park is the only place in America where a national park and a town share the same streets—and that’s not just a fun fact, it’s a feeling. You’ll walk past old bathhouses and then duck into a forest trail. You’ll grab a coffee downtown, then realize you’re technically standing in a national park.

Unlike the vast, remote wilderness of many parks, Hot Springs National Park is intimate and woven right into everyday life. It protects not just the surrounding Ouachita Mountains, but also the historic bathhouses, the thermal springs, and the sacred geology that first drew people here centuries ago.

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You’ll find over 25 miles of trails, most of which start right behind Bathhouse Row. Some wind through piney ridges, others open to sweeping overlooks. It’s not the kind of park you need days to conquer—it’s the kind you meander through, return to, breathe in.

There are no grand entrance gates or park rangers in khaki waving you in. Instead, you stumble into it—maybe by accident. And that’s what makes it beautiful. Nature and history aren’t separate here. They coexist.

Whether you’re soaking in mineral water, walking under a canopy of trees, or running your hand along century-old bricks, you’re in the park. And that quiet, grounding awareness follows you everywhere you go.

Stroll Bathhouse Row

The heart of Hot Springs National Park, Bathhouse Row is a stretch of preserved early 1900s buildings—each one different, ornate, and filled with stories. You can walk through the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum to see how it all worked in the old days, from the marble tubs to the steam cabinets that look like something out of a steampunk novel.

Just before sunset, near the fountains and lamplights of Bathhouse Row, the air comes alive with birds. Swallows and starlings swirl above the steaming pavement in great flocks, chirping and diving like they’re dancing to music only they can hear. The glow of twilight, the sound of water, and the sudden flutter of wings—it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of a town. Moments like that are what make Hot Springs feel enchanted.

Soak in the Springs

The water here isn’t just hot—it’s ancient. Rain fell over 4,000 years ago, seeped deep into the Earth, and returns to the surface today at a perfect 143°F. You can see it for free at public fountains downtown, or soak in it at one of the historic bathhouses at a controlled reasonable temperature:

  • Quapaw Baths & Spa – Pools filled with thermal spring water in a gorgeous domed setting.
  • Buckstaff Bathhouse – The only bathhouse still offering the full traditional spa treatment, robes and all.
  • Hotel Hale – A modern boutique hotel where the spring water runs directly into the deep soaking tubs in every room.
hot springs arkansas

I’ve only experienced Buckstaff Bathhouse, and while it was definitely memorable, I wouldn’t call it my favorite. You’re in the tub for a set time, and part of the traditional treatment includes being bathed by an attendant—which, for me, made it harder to relax. I would’ve preferred to soak quietly on my own without thinking about someone doing something for me. That said, the experience truly feels like stepping back in time. Between the vintage tile, the robed staff, and the echo of ritual, it’s easy to see how this place was once a sanctuary of healing.

For a more self-paced option, Quapaw Baths & Spa offers shared thermal pools in a gorgeous domed setting, and Hotel Hale lets you enjoy the spring water privately in soaking tubs inside your room.

If you’re someone who loves thermal waters and sacred soaking spaces, I’ve also written a full post called Sacred Soaks: My Favorite Bathhouses & Hot Springs where I share more detailed thoughts and experiences.

No matter how you choose to soak, letting your body rest in this ancient, mineral-rich water is part of what makes Hot Springs feel like something between a healing retreat and a living museum.

Visit the Mountain Valley Spring Water Headquarters

Hot Springs is home to Mountain Valley Spring Water, America’s oldest continuously bottled water brand. Their museum and visitor center downtown is free to explore and steeped in nostalgia. The green glass bottles alone feel iconic—and the water is delicious.

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Climb or Drive to Hot Springs Mountain Tower

The 360° views from the Hot Springs Mountain Tower are well worth the small fee (or the short hike if you’re feeling energized). You’ll see the Ouachita Mountains stretch out like a rolling sea of green.

Hit the Trails or Go for a Forest Soak

The National Park blends seamlessly with the town. Trails begin practically in people’s backyards. Favorites include:

Gangster Museum of America

Beneath the charm of Hot Springs lies a scandalous past, and the Gangster Museum of America brings it vividly to life. This immersive museum peels back the curtain on the town’s golden era of mobsters, gambling, and secret speakeasies. Step into a world where Al Capone vacationed, illegal casinos thrived, and the mob rubbed elbows with politicians—all under the cover of bathhouses and mountain air. It’s history with a shot of whiskey and a wink of danger.

Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Tucked within the trees of Garvan Woodland Gardens, Anthony Chapel feels more like a cathedral made of light than wood and stone. Towering floor-to-ceiling windows invite the forest in, blurring the line between nature and sanctuary. It’s a breathtaking place—whether you’re attending a wedding, taking photos, or simply sitting in silence.

If you love this kind of architecture, be sure to check out Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs—another forest cathedral that feels like it was whispered into the Ozarks.

I’ve written an entire post about the town’s whimsical charm here: Things to Do in Eureka Springs: A Quirky Gem in the Ozarks.

hot springs arkansas

Visit Mt Ida

Just west of Hot Springs lies Mount Ida, a quiet mountain town nestled near the shores of Lake Ouachita. Known as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, it’s a place where the energy feels grounded and the pace slows to something more human. Whether you’re crystal hunting, kayaking the lake, or simply savoring the silence, Mount Ida offers a kind of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

If you’re planning a visit, check out my full blog post: Mount Ida, Arkansas: All You Must Know Before You Go.

hot springs arkansas

Where to Eat & Drink

  • Superior Bathhouse Brewery – The only brewery in the U.S. using thermal spring water to brew beer and the only brewery in a United States National Park.
  • Deluca’s Pizza – A cult-favorite for wood-fired, New York-style pies.
  • Cafe 1217 – Vibrant, fresh, and perfect for lunch.
  • Rolando’s – Latin flair and a great patio tucked right into the hillside.

Where to Stay

There are many other options you can find on Booking.com and Airbnb.com.

Things to Know Before You Go

  1. It’s a National Park—and a town. Hot Springs is unique: the town itself sits inside Hot Springs National Park, so you’ll find trailheads, historic landmarks, and nature woven right into the downtown grid.
  2. Parking is limited. Especially on weekends. Use the free parking deck on Exchange Street or walk from your lodging if you’re staying nearby.
  3. It’s touristy, but never fake. There’s a carnival energy in parts of downtown—wax museums, arcades, etc.—but it coexists with real history and sacred water.
  4. You can drink the spring water. It’s safe, delicious, and totally free. Bring a reusable bottle and refill it from one of the public fountains.
  5. You’re near crystal country. Mount Ida (about 30–40 minutes away) is the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, and a great day trip for digging your own treasure.

Why Hot Springs Stays With You

Hot Springs isn’t trying to be trendy. It’s timeless. It doesn’t scream; it steams. The baths heal. The trails ground. The air feels heavier somehow—like it’s holding more than just heat. This is a place where you slow down, where your shoulders drop, where the water remembers who you were before you forgot.

It’s easy to visit for a weekend and leave thinking you’ve seen it all. But spend just a little more time, and Hot Springs starts to feel like a portal. Not back in time—but back to yourself.