This place is so fun for young kids! There's a little arcade, a shop up front with cute clothes and…read moretoys, and a big playroom with toys/ jungle gym/ ball pit and trampolines!

This place is amazing for kids all ages especially young kids.They also have toys to play with nice…read moreworkers a tiny gift shop and some socks if your kid aren't wearing none.They also have a fun arcade to play at and big slide to go down on.Also fun little jungle gym with a ball pit.

When we first moved to Hot Springs we both volunteered at the gardens. It was wonderful. Got to…read moremeet a lot of people and see so much beauty. The two lives in the spring are absolutely gorgeous. So many varieties. So many colors. Gorgeous! Christmas is a incredible time. The displays, the workmanship that goes into them. They're all made there on site. It's a wonderful time. I always loved working at Christmas. Lots of hot chocolate, Santa Clause The restaurant is amazing. They have such a great variety! The carts and the drivers are just awesome. You'll see so much of the park, especially if you're older, you'll enjoy the cart rides. Go and get to enjoy the beauty of Hot Springs!

Love being there. The staffs are friendly, the gardens and grounds are soothing and peaceful. I go…read morethere at least twice a week, maybe 3 times when I can escape from my hustle and bustle. Every time I was there, I feel a sense of peace and joy. Where else can you get that kind of relaxation in a city? It's just beautiful.

My kids, our dog, and I walked the entire Grand Promenade in downtown Hot Springs, AR, back on July…read more20, 2025. Since that was a Sunday, metered street parking was free. We made sure to head there as early as possible which was about 8:30 AM. Hardly anyone was out there. The sidewalks and streets weren't yet hot on our dog's feet. We dipped our hands in the terribly hot waterfall and small ponds near Central Ave and Fountain Street. We walked up the stairs somewhere nearby. It might be hard on elderly dogs. But my elderly dog acts like a 9-year-old puppy. Lol. At the top of the Promenade, there was a nice red-bricked pathway inspired by Cuba, I later read. There were several trees, benches, tables, and a few chess boards. Not a trash can in sight, though! I guess that's why I picked up so much damn trash! There is a free water refill station on Reserve Street. It's just down the stairs from the Promenade. We finally saw a trash can there. It was so peaceful up there during the half hour we spent reading signage and exploring the seeping springs while the crowd below built up quickly. Free activity. Recommend.

Upon a recent visit to hot springs this was a free thing to do. Its located right off main street…read moreand it curves around the national park. You can views of the back of the bath houses below and you get views of the park up above. This is a popular touristy area and there are lots of people here but it never got crowded. There are plenty of benches here to sit and relax. On a recent walk here I spotted a deer and it was awesome! Keep in mind there are no bathrooms here, there are several staircases that you can use to get up here. As you are walking and notice these green "bear type" boxes, those are actually natural springs coming from the ground that are covered. On one end of the promenade is fountain street where the is a free public cold spring you can refill your water bottle. Very beautiful and the whole thing does not take more than 30 minutes.

I visited the city on a weekend in June 2025, and it was very beautiful. Never been to Arkansas,…read morebut this place gave me a small glimpse on why they call this the "natural state". The main street has all the touristy things, shops, visitor center, bathhouses, and restaurants. Right around the corner is the entrance to the national park (which is free admission all the time). The city is known for its hiking trails, its lakes and of course, its hot springs. The city is located far enough north where they get real snow, and they get real autumn. The locals tell me this place looks beautiful when the leaves start to change. Now there is not a lot to do in terms of shopping malls, museums, dining and shopping compared to a big metroplex, but it has its small town charm. For starters, they only have one Sam's Club in town, one Chick-fil-A, two Starbucks, they dont have a dutch bros coffee, they recently were getting a Seven Coffee and they don't have a Costco close by. You know whats crazy?! This place is closer than driving to Houston from DFW. With Houston traffic, getting past downtown at least, takes you about 5 hours. From DFW to Hot Springs took about 4 or 4.5 at the most. I never realized how close this was. I think I want to make this place my go-to for a 'short' getaway.

For my 800th review, I have selected to review the City of Hot Springs Arkansas. Note, I have been…read morehere several times over the years. I also have deep family roots in this part of the country. For years I always knew Hot Springs was a sleeping giant for real estate. Beautiful downtown nestled in the Ouachita mountains. Population around 40K. Part of downtown is part of Hot Springs National Park. The historic buildings are great. Bath House row is very cool. Lots of dining, drinking and outdoor activities right in town. Natural hot springs just flow from the ground. Don't jump in, the temperature is very hot. Highly recommend the Arlington hotel in downtown. Oaklawn horse track and casino isn't very far from the center of downtown. All worth a visit. If you are looking for a great place to visit, I would highly recommend Hot Springs.

Fun urban walk with historical businesses and there is enough nature to walk and see from above I…read more The tower as well

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six-week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and experience it beyond simply driving by. Hot Springs National Park was one of the most unique parks on our journey because it is unlike any other national park we have visited. Rather than protecting vast wilderness, this park preserves the history and natural thermal springs that gave birth to the city of Hot Springs. For centuries, people believed the mineral-rich waters had healing properties, and during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the area became one of America's premier spa destinations. The beautifully preserved Bathhouse Row is a reminder of that era, with historic buildings that still define the character of the park today. The park itself blends seamlessly into the city, making it feel less like a traditional national park and more like a living historic district. Personally, I see it as being closer to a national monument than the expansive wilderness parks most people picture when they think of the National Park System. But that doesn't diminish its value, it is simply a very different experience. I spent quite a bit of time hiking the surrounding trails, which were peaceful, scenic, and offered beautiful views over the town and the Ouachita Mountains. It was a pleasant surprise to discover how much nature surrounds the historic district once you begin climbing into the hills. The town itself is charming, full of history, unique architecture, good restaurants, and an easy pace that invites you to slow down. Between exploring the bathhouses, learning about the fascinating history of hydrotherapy in America, and enjoying the trails, we found there was plenty to fill a full day. Overall, Hot Springs National Park is beautiful in its own way. It may not offer towering mountains or dramatic wilderness, but it preserves an important chapter of American history while still providing opportunities to enjoy nature. It is certainly worth visiting with an open mind and an appreciation for both history and the outdoors.

We drove through part of Lake Ouachita State Park in late July 2025…read more Entrance was free. The lake looked clean everywhere we went. I was impressed. Many boaters, some swimmers (with designated areas and beaches even), some fishermen, and hikers scattered this area of Arkansas just outside of Hot Springs. It was fairly hot when we went, but still good fun and beautiful scenery. If time had permitted, I would have liked to take my daughters to Three Sisters Springs and other places. We instead stayed at Echo Canyon which is not technically part of the state park, but exists on Lake Ouachita.

It was a beautiful morning, perfect for exploring trails along the state park. We drove :30, 2…read moremiles out of Hot Springs. We started in the visitor center with Wi-Fi, maps, and a small gift shop. We followed the trails down to the marina. We passed campsite's & pullouts. Kayaks, paddle boats, pontoon boats are all available. There was a small beach with two people sitting on chairs.

Our family recently had the pleasure of staying at The Vista at the Lake and it was a delightful…read moreexperience. From the serene surroundings to the excellent amenities, I really was able to decompress. I learned that the former owners let the park degrade because of health issues, and new ownership has taken over. The cabins and campsites are maintained well. Our cabin was recently renovated, and it provided a perfect blend of comfort and nature. The proximity to Lake Hamilton offers breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere that is truly rejuvenating. The staff were friendly and accommodating, ensuring that our stay was comfortable and memorable. The community we attended gave us an opportunity to connect with other guests and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. We also had a great time visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park which is about an hour away. Digging for diamonds was an unforgettable an exciting learning experience. I highly recommend The Vista at the Lake for anyone seeking a relaxing getaway or a refreshing outdoor adventure. It's a gem nestled in Hot Springs, AR, Thank you to the team at The Vista at the Lake for creating such a wonderful retreat!

The people who run this place are crooks and lie about their services. We called and asked about…read moreactivities for Halloween as we would be camping with three small children. We were told there would be a lot of activities and booked our campsites and paid in full months in advance. After reaching them through text message, they said there will be no activities. We have been trying to reach these people on every number available, and there has been no response to any of our communication.

We stayed at Lake Catherine for 6 days and 5 nights. We had site #70…read more This site was plenty big, had a fishing dock (although the water was low) we still fished and enjoyed it. Only caught 1 small fish. Lake Catherine is about 15- 20 minutes to Hot Springs. We drove around section C looking for good spots and found several. We never went into section A or B. But this was a great, clean and quiet area. We will be back.

Clean and comfortable - natural beauty sitting just around the bend and over the next hill and…read moreunder the placid water of Lake Catherine! It's fun and easy to reach/enjoy with family friendly opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, grilling, camping (cabins available too) - very close to Hot Springs which has a lot of beauty from the National Park in downtown to the lookout tower atop the highest point in downtown - including the natural hot springs which makes this place famous for America's first off season professional baseball camps and the likes of gangsters and movie stars all mingled alongside the everyday persons enjoying the same or hanging out at the horse races. It's a cool place to visit and you'll have a super time at the park - with other states parks and lakes and rivers/hiking and nature all around!

A bit run down but a lot of nice amenities. The biggest complaint is the WiFi is TERRIBLE -…read moreactually unusable in the evenings (can't even load a webpage let alone pictures/video). If you want to watch Netflix be sure to try to download a show in the morning - which might or might not work. That said the condos are laid out well, but everything in it is at least 30 years old. However, the beds are comfortable and the view is lovely. The biggest draw is there are a lot of family-friendly amenities. The pool is really nice, with a very large shallow area for kids and a good hot tub. There is a small beach with a shady area next to it where you can watch your kiddos, a basketball court, shuffle board, tennis, volleyball. There are rowboats and paddle boats (although they may be in disrepair), and single-person kayaks. There is also a game room in the office building with ping-pong and other games, as well as DVDs you can check out to use in your room. It's all very family-oriented, and the staff is quite nice. Keep in mind this is not a hotel, so their office closes at 5pm.

Great weekend here for a family reunion! Lots of free amenities around for hours of fun for young…read moreand old.Easy access to lake. Large spaces for group gatherings. Pool could use some TLC but great location and comfy beds! We'll be coming back for other occasions. Very nice setup.