Hot Springs, Arkansas, The Perfect Vacation

For my birthday I decided that I wanted to go to Hot Springs to experience the historic bathhouses and Hotel Hale.

Why Hot Springs?

If you’ve never been to or heard of Hot Springs, Arkansas you may be thinking “Why would you want to go there?” and believe me I was also thinking this! I was doom scrolling on TikTok one day when I saw a video from this van life content creator who stopped in Hot Springs and stayed at Hotel Hale. Just the look of her room and how she described the water, I was hooked. I decided that would have to be my next vacation and my birthday was just around the corner!

Bathhouse Row

Bathhouse Row is on Hot Springs National Park, now this isn’t like most national parks, this is a small downtown area rather than a wooded park. Bathhouse Row is made up of 8 historic bathhouses all built around the late 1800s to early 1900s. The bathhouses are named Lamar, Buckstaff, Ozark, Quapaw, Fordyce, Maurice, Hale, and Superior. Only the Buckstaff and the Quapaw are still functioning as Bathhouses but the Hale is now a hotel that still gets the hot springs waters straight to their bathtubs. Superior Bathhouse is now a brewery and is the only brewery on a National Park.

History of the Bathhouses

When you think of bathhouses you probably think of ancient Romans, but it’s actually a tradition that has been enjoyed across the centuries all over the world in different ways. The bathhouses in Hot Springs are built over the hot springs which were covered by an arch and landscaping to protect the springs in the early 1880s. The bathhouses were built to be luxurious and to bring a spa-like feeling to the area. The water from the springs is rich in minerals and has been called “healing waters” by the Native American tribes that lived in the area and early European colonizers. Public bathhouses became a common recommendation from doctors in the early 1900s as a way for people to heal their bodies due to the lack of therapies for many diseases.

Currently Operating Bathhouses

Bathhouse popularity began to decline following World War II and many bathhouses closed their doors in the 60s and 70s. The Buckstaff is the only bathhouse to remain open since it opened and it currently offers a traditional bathing experience if you want to have the exact same experience as someone would have when they first opened.

While the Quapaw closed its doors in 1968 and then again in 1984 it reopened 2008. The Quapaw offers a more modern-day bathhouse experience.

My Experience

We left Sunday morning and arrived in Hot Springs around 1 PM, what i never found in my research prior to the trip was that there is virtually no parking in Hot Springs. There is one free parking garage (and signs to point the way) and several pay-to-park lots. We had planned to park at the hotel and then walk around before check-in. Once we found a spot in the parking garage, we lugged our bags a block down the road to the Hale Hotel for an early check-in instead.

The Hale Hotel

The Hale was once a former bathhouse turned modern hotel. It offers the experience of staying on bathhouse row, with access to the hot springs waters right in the comfort of your own room. While the Hale does cost a pretty penny, I would say for one night the experience is worth it. We loved having the private bath, and everything we wanted to do was within walking distance of the Hale. If you arrive after check-in time there is a valet area you can use in front of one of the other bathhouses.

Along with your stay, they offer breakfast which you select the night before. We were offered Meat or Veggie Quiche, fruit, yogurt, granola, a hard-boiled egg, the muffin of the day, milk, and orange juice. I chose the fruit, yogurt, muffin, and orange juice (i’m allergic to eggs) but David got everything and said the quiche was delicious.

The Quapaw Bathhouse

We were really bad at planning and didn’t make any reservations so we decided to do the Quapaw bathhouses public pools. It was an amazing experience. They recommend you get there around 9 or 9:30 AM so that you can get a spot. if you want any of their spa services or would like a private pool, you should reserve those services way in advance. We got there at about 9:30 AM on a Monday and the line was not long at all. We wore our bathing suits there and bought shoes as we forgot rubber sandals or flip flops. the public pools are $25 and the shoes are $7. They show you to the locker rooms where you get a locker and can get dressed and then shower before going to the pool.

There are four pools ranging from 95 degrees to 105 degrees. We started in the coolest one, then went to the next warmest, then back to the coolest, then to the hottest, and then back to the coolest before we left. We stayed for about 45 minutes, which seemed on par with about everyone else. It was so relaxing and really just a great experience that can’t be put into words.

Food in Hot Springs

The Trough Bar and Grill

After checking into the Hale we went looking for food and found the Trough Bar and Grill. We ordered a Peach Mimosa to share, two burgers, french fries, and onion rings. While the burgers themselves were fine, we found them a little overcooked to our taste, but the fries and onion rings were amazing. The Trough also offers an outdoor patio area where you can also bring your pooches.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

Superior Bathhouse is one of the 8 former bathhouses on Bathhouse Row and the only brewery on a national park. We ate dinner here Sunday night and thoroughly enjoyed the food. I got a grilled cheese and tomato bisque soup which was delicious. They also offer a “World Famous Root Beer” which was also very good.

The Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Beer Garden

We saw this as we were walking around on Monday and decided that this is what we were having for lunch. The musical nod made David laugh and the pizza was delicious (we recommend the Casey Jones Pizza!).

Kilwins Ice Cream

We were actually recommended Kilwins from another out-of-towner we asked for directions. He had just come from there and told us it was the best ice cream he had ever had. We had to agree! David got the Sea Salt Chocolate Caramel and I got the Fudgie Brownie. Both were delicious and it was definitely some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had!

Other Recommendations

The Garvan Woodland Gardens

The Garvan Gardens are about 15 minutes away from downtown Hot Springs but they are so beautiful, you can’t miss out on seeing them. It’s like $20 to get in but your ticket lasts all day. When we were there it was still tulip season and the tulips were everywhere, they were so pretty. Definitely compensate for more time because what we thought might be two hours ended up being three hours of walking around the park. There is so much to see and do here and so many photo opportunities! Just make sure you bring proper shoes and water.

The Anthony Chapel

The Anthony Chapel is a must-see. I remember seeing this chapel all over Pinterest as a popular wedding destination and to see it in real life, I was awe-struck. The chapel is in the Garvan Gardens just before the entrance, so if you didn’t want to pay to go into the gardens, you can still see the chapel.

The Hot Springs Hat Company

Hot Springs hat Company is a shop across the street from bathhouse row. We saw it as we were walking back from getting ice cream and knew we had to go back the next day when it was open. They offer tons of styles for pretty good prices! I got a cute straw sun hat and a felt black hat, while David got a leather cowboy hat.

The Arlington

The Arlington has a ton of great history and you can even stay in the suite used by Al Capone! We didn’t spend a whole lot of time here, and mostly just took a quick walk in before we left, but from all the stories we heard, it sounded pretty cool and we said we would try to spend more time here the next time we visit.

Conclusion

Hot Springs is a great spot for a mini-vacation with plenty to do for everyone!