Hot Springs AR.

The 5 days we spent in Hot Springs were great. We were originally going to stay for 3 days but then we extended it. But for only $12.00 a night we couldn't resist staying longer. We stayed at Hot Springs National Park. Full hook up in a beautiful wooded setting. A great place to stay while in the area.

With a nice stream running along one side of the campground. 

We drove up the mountain and got a great view of the whole area. Our first day we hit the main street, Bath House Row. Only 2 are still in use as a bathhouse. One, the "Buckstaff", is old school the way they were in their heyday. Which means a private tub all to yourself, Massage and other services. The other one, The "Quapaw", is more modern. It has 4 public pools, each at a different temperature. Ranging from 98 to 104. They also have tubs for 2 and various other services. 

These are pictures of the "Fordyce Bathhouse" which has been restored and is the visitor center for the National Park. 

This is the "Grand Promenade" which runs behind Bathhouse row and leads to the trails that go up and around the mountain. 

Yes the Hot Springs are HOT.

We went to the Quapaw and it was great. Each tub had a waterfall that fed the pool. Big enough for two people to sit under. While there we met a gentleman from Sicily, Andreos, who happened to own an Italian restaurant in town called Via Roma. We had a wonderful conversation with him and later that night we went to dinner there. It was one of the best meals we have had in a very long time.

Hot Springs had so much to offer besides the bathhouses, beautiful mountains, hiking trails, and museums.  Speaking of museums, the gangster museum was really interesting.  It highlighted the visits by notorious gangsters such as Al Capone and Dillinger. 

To my Sheboygan Friends. Does Al Look familiar? 

 We did walk to the Tower that overlooks the Ouachita Forest and Hot Springs.  Lynn even took the glass elevator to the top!  

The view from the top.

Another highlight was the unexpected beauty of the Garvan Woodland Gardens.  The 210 acre garden which has a glass chapel that is used for weddings.  Really beautiful. If your looking for a place to get married or renew your vows this is the place. 

 Our last day there we found Fat Bottomed Girls cupcakes.  We went in for one cupcake to split and ended up buying 6. Shot the diet. Again! Oh well.

Ok, I did make the wish to be an adult several years ago. Thought about going back to be a kid, but thought better of it. If you get this let us know. 

To sum up Arkansas I would have to say that the natural beauty of the state and the people that we met make this a destination that we will visit again. We got tips for other camping areas that we will visit the next time through in different parts of the state. Next stop Vicksburg MS. and the National park Battlefield. See you down the road.