Lake Hamilton (Above), Garvan Woodland Gardens (Left) and Oaklawn Park (Right)
Things To Do in Hot Springs Arkansas
A national park, a leading thoroughbred racetrack, a 210-acre botanical garden, a combination theme and water park, and an arts community that’s earned the city a ranking among America’s Top 10 small arts towns are just some of the reasons the bustling resort town of Hot Springs -- the boyhood home of former U.S. President Bill Clinton -- is Arkansas’s top tourist destination. Its host of family attractions includes live music and magic shows and the Mid America Science Museum. The city’s new Summit Arena, which opened in late 2003, hosts concerts, sports events and touring shows.
Lakes & Baths Three area lakes -- Hamilton, Catherine and Ouachita -- accommodate water-based recreation, private resorts and two state parks. The town and Hot Springs National Park owe their existence to a remarkable array of springs, which still supply naturally heated water for thermal bathers. The Fordyce Bathhouse, located on famous Bathhouse Row, serves as the park’s visitors center.
Parks & Gardens Oaklawn Park offers live thoroughbred racing from late January to mid-April and simulcast races during the rest of the year. Garvan Woodland Gardens, located on the shores of Lake Hamilton, is one of the state’s newest major attractions.
Among the many features at Magic Springs/Crystal Springs theme and water parks are the Arkansas Twister roller coaster and the Arkansas Ocean, a 350,000-gallon wave pool. The Gaunlet, opened in 2004, is a suspended, looping roller coaster that reaches 110 feet high on its 2,260 feet of track and will offer a series of twelve summer concerts in its amphitheater.
More Information Learn more about the Hot Springs National Park area by following these links: