Visiting the Fordyce Bathhouse was one of the most nostalgic and unexpectedly fascinating parts of…read moreour Arkansas trip visiting family from Florida. I first visited Bathhouse Row when I was 16 years old, so getting to walk through it again decades later with my own 16-year-old daughter felt really special. It's one of those places that stays in your memory because it's both beautiful and genuinely interesting. The Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the visitor center and museum for Hot Springs and spans multiple floors plus a basement - it's filled with restored rooms, exhibits, furnishings, and historical displays. Best of all? Admission is completely free, though donations are encouraged. Honestly, it's incredible how much history and preservation work you can experience here without an entrance fee. One thing I found especially fascinating was learning that the natural spring water can reach temperatures up to 140 degrees. The museum also walks you through the history of hydrotherapy and the various treatments people once believed could heal illness and restore health. Some of the old medical equipment and therapies were truly wild by today's standards. I also loved learning that recreation, socialization, exercise, and relaxation were considered important parts of healing. The old gymnasium was one of my favorite sections because it gave such a glimpse into how wellness was viewed during that era. Some of the antique workout equipment honestly looked both impressive and slightly terrifying at the same time. The building itself is gorgeous and beautifully preserved with stained glass, tiled rooms, vintage bathing areas, and so many details that make it easy to picture what Bathhouse Row was like during its peak popularity. What surprised me most is how accessible and approachable the experience is. You don't need to be a hardcore history buff to enjoy this place. Whether you're interested in architecture, medical history, historical gym equipment, or simply stepping into another era for a little while, it's absolutely worth visiting. For me personally, though, the sweetest part was sharing a place I remembered from my own teenage years with my teenage daughter and family all these years later. That alone made this stop special.

Fordyce Bathhouse Visitors Center is probably where we should have started our visit to Hot Springs…read moreNational Park in Hot Springs, AR. But dogs were not allowed, so we found a dog boarder and came back to explore this FREE museum. The old cranky park ranger that we spoke to inside at the front counter was not friendly at all on 7.21.2025. He was very dismissive and not willing to share any insight beyond the two questions I asked him. Not welcoming. I didn't hear his interactions with previous visitors, but it doesn't matter. We had just walked in and my children were in good behavior. Quite frankly, he's primarily the reason for a star knocked off. TIPS + Don't forget to get your national park passport cancellation stamp. It was to the right when we walked in. + I paid for all-day parking (just a little over $8) in the Exchange Street Parking Plaza garage on Exchange Street. All three of us are highly active, so this was an easy walk for us even in the late July heat. Nice, simple exhibits. We enjoyed seeing how folks enjoyed the thermal springs long ago.

There is a massive, can't-miss mural on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, and it depicts a Quapaw man…read moredecked out in traditional garb. This public art, which stands about 140 feet by 42 feet, was created by Pepe Gaka (Giuseppe Percivati), a street artist from Italy. This artwork celebrates the first residents of the area: The Quapaw Tribe. Hot Springs was inhabited by the Quapaw people long before spas and bars and hotels lined the streets. Hot Springs acknowledges this in many ways throughout the city, and this mural is also a nod to the indigenous people who first lived on this land.

I am in heaven!! The variety of gems and jewelry is amazing!! The people are so kind and caring…read more Extremely knowledgeable about all the different sculptures and pieces they offer.

This is the place to go for incredible crystal, rocks, handmade jewelry and natural wonders. They…read moreoffer incredibly large geodes and other rock specimens for sale as well as handmade art and imports. I bought an amazing art mosaic for my home. Kudos to the staff, Mary and Lisa who were very friendly and helpful. I will definitely be returning on my next trip to Hot Springs.

Beautiful garden in SoMa Little Rock. Sunday they host a Farmers Market. Lots of small businesses…read morerepresented.

I came across The Bernice Garden when I visited the Essie Purse Museum across the way. This is a…read morereally cool garden/art installation, unique in the business area in which it's located and an awesome place to sit and enjoy the art with a coffee or local sweet. Highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Stumbled onto this walk while exploring Hot Springs on Christmas Eve…read more Since the weather was in the 20s, didn't spend too much time, but interesting to see the accomplishments recognized of those who were born or lived in Arkansas. Notables along the walk include sports legends like Baltimore Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson, the great poet Maya Angelou, musicians like Dale Evans, Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell and US President Bill Clinton. Even General Douglas MacArthur is honored along the walk. He was born at the Little Rock Barracks to a military family. Would not go out of my way, but is nice for a quick visit if you are in the area. Parking is available. Free parking on Sundays.

How fun to walk along this group of plaques and see famous/familiar names! Johnny Cash, Bill…read moreClinton, Cliff Harris, and so many more!

Go here. Just do it. You will love it! Alice is so…read moredelightful & such a gracious business owner. She is extremely personable and you'll feel like you're old friends. The process of making a mosaic is time consuming, but not difficult at all. Alice will walk you through it. It took about 3-4 hours for us to finish our glass placement. You will not be able to walk out with a finished product after one session, so plan to come back to grout (or if you ask nicely, they just might grout it for you). Projects start at $25 - a STEAL!!

Alice and Bruce are Wonderful! So helpful with advice. It's…read morethe best $ spent in a long time! So many things to choose from. Bring your imagination. Everything else is there for you to pick from! Can't wait to go back and make something else!

The whole spirit of this library breathes new breath into the spirit of progressive democracy…read more From the very large and impressive exhibits to the smallest of contributions. I am so glad we made the effort to witness it all in our short time in Little Rock.

Admission was $12, reduced for children, veterans, students, groups and seniors. We started by…read moregoing through metal detectors, paid admission and went upstairs to watch an 18 minute movie that Clinton narrated about his life, beliefs & administration. This library houses the largest archival collection in presidential history. There are 80 million bags of documents, 2 million photographs & a full scale replica of the Oval Office. The exhibits on all stage of Clinton's life & gifts from visiting dignitarties. The permanent exhibits at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum reflects the day-to-day workings of the White House and the Clinton administration, including domestic & foreign policy, ceremonies & events along with the daily life of the Clinton family. The exhibits tell the story of Pres. Clinton's life before becoming President, during his terms in office, and his post-Presidential work with the Clinton Foundation & Clinton Global Initiative. The exhibit areas are located on all 3 floors of the Library. The Ground Floor houses the Presidential limousine & Temporary Galleries. The 2nd Floor has the Orientation Theater, a replica of the White House Cabinet Room, the Presidential timeline & exhibit alcoves featuring the work of the Clinton administration. The 3rd Floor houses a replica of the Oval Office, a Temporary Gallery & exhibits about life in the White House. There were lots of videos, photographs, correspondences, and artifacts from Bill's childhood, family, administration, and overall life. We ended in a large gift shop where we purchased a photo of us in the oval office.

On our visit to Hot Springs, we were told to check out Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was definitely a…read moregreat decision to come by and have a nice long stroll through the various gardens, forests, streams, and just nature. Its not too hard to find and there's plenty of parking out front. Leaving the parking lot is a little confusing though (signs would be helpful...). But its well worth the trip out! There were a variety of slices of nature and we spent a few hours here and still did not get to see it all. There's a whole nature preserve that's part of it and apparently great in the dawn/dusk to spot and hear various birds. We did see quite a bit of wildlife and fun plants around so even if we missed the preserve it was fun to see everything else. I think this is a great spot to reconnect with nature for a bit. There were well marked paths so it wasn't too strenuous and there were some more kid friendly areas as well for them to explore and run around.

Options for autumn when Canada was "closed" (1 of 2)…read more - - - - - Covid may seemingly be a thing of the past, but, for some, it will never be forgotten because it affected them or their loved ones in far more serious ways. It changed how we interacted, shopped, circulated, and even limited our options as to where we could travel. For a while, Canada was closed and it always comes to the top of my list when it comes to fall colors. That said, other options became New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Ozarks. Garvan Woodland Gardens is located just outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas, thus in the general Ozarks area. Hot Springs itself was already on the map as place of touristic import. Along a major avenue there is nationally registered "Bathhouse Row," a string of private spas in ornate mansion-sized facilities that rose to fame during the 20th Century. Its most famous visitor may have been Al Capone. I came to learn that Capone died a natural death. One might have thought otherwise. I vaguely knew about these gardens - the Garvan Woodland Gardens. However, if in town and you ask questions about things to do, their existence, and their details, become front and center. It's an easy drive from the small city of Hot Springs. The gardens began as a private garden that then flourished when they were donated and "privatized," or realistically operated by the University of Arkansas. As such, there is an admission fee. As can be expected, the gardens are segmented and themed. The most notable might be the Japanese Garden and the manicured plantings that go with that. There are also other themed areas, including some areas which are a little natural, or scruffier, if you prefer that word. There are other areas such as a toy railroad sort of old town, walkways abutting the lake, and odd contraptions that serve as stairs, bridges, and tree houses. Then, there are some areas with art installations of sort that look sort of granola. I didn't have time to read every placard explaining the logic, if any, of some of these things. There is also a non-denominational chapel on the grounds and it closely resembles the state's Thorncrown Chapel designed by the University of Arkansas's famed alumnus E. Fay Jones. I had already seen that chapel in Eureka Springs, but, if you can't make it to its remote corner of the state (actually just south of and somewhat close to Branson, Missouri), this one will almost enable you to check Thorncrown Chapel off your list. Seasonal blooms will affect what you see. Note that, if seeking fall color in the state, it will come later than other parts of America owing to the more southerly latitude. In the fall, it won't be as "flowery." The forested lands in which Garvan Wooodlands Gardens sits appear to be studded in Southern pine, and reminded me of the vegetation surrounding the Atlanta area. The employees on hand were very helpful. Note that, in this state, your bucket list ,at the very minimum, would be about 3 state parks, 2 more rugged natural areas, the historic areas of Little Rock, Eureka Springs, and Hot Springs, which would include these gardens. The beauty of everything you see may exceed your expectations. Just about everyone is giving Garvan Woodlands Gardens 5 stars. For its context and area, it should fetch 5 stars. However, compared to other places with a similar admission fee, I felt it was closer to 4 stars. It is nonetheless impressive and recommended and you should also consider the month in which you plan to visit. However, it could also be that the few hippie-dippy things there made for an eye roll. They always do.