Hot Springs is located in the state of Arkansas and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Hot Springs (Arkansas), you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Hot Springs, Arkansas is a gorgeous, outdoorsy city nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. The city is built around Hot Springs National Park, which contains 47 hot springs! The hot springs have been a popular destination for tourists since the early 1800s, and today Hot Springs is a top destination for nature lovers and those seeking rest and relaxation.
There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities in Hot Springs. The national park offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as camping and picnicking areas. Visitors can also take a dip in one of the springs, or soaking pools that are open to the public.
For a more luxurious experience, visitors can check out one of the many spas in the city that offer treatments and therapies utilizing the naturally occurring hot springs water. There are also several golf courses in Hot Springs, as well as tennis courts, fishing lakes, and other sports facilities.
In addition to its outdoor attractions, Hot Springs is also home to a number of interesting museums, galleries, and shops. The Garvan Woodland Gardens is a mustsee for plant and flower lovers, while history buffs will enjoy the MidAmerica Science Museum.
Whether you’re looking for an active or passive vacation, Hot Springs has something to offer everyone. With its combination of natural beauty and manmade amenities, it’s no wonder this Arkansas city is such a popular tourist destination.
Sights in Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Hot Springs is a city in the American state of Arkansas and the county seat of Garland County. The city is located in the Ouachita Mountains among the U.S. Interior Highlands, and is set among several natural hot springs for which the city is named. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 35,193. In 2015, the estimated population was 35,525. The center of Hot Springs is the oldest federal reserve in the United States, today preserved as Hot Springs National Park. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. Following federal protection in 1832, the city developed into a successful spa town.
One of the main features of the city is its seven lakeside parks, which offer visitors a wide range of outdoor activities. Park Lake is a 90acre (360,000 m2) manmade lake in the city’s downtown area. It was created in 1875 when the city built a dam on the hot springsfed West Fork of the Ouachita River. Another popular park is Hot Springs Mountain Tower, an observation deck and elevator located atop Hot Springs Mountain. The tower offers views of the city and surrounding area from an elevation of 216 feet (66 m).
The Hot Springs Convention Center is located downtown and hosts various conventions, trade shows, and other events throughout the year. The Arlington Hotel and Spa, which opened in 1924, is one of the city’s historic landmarks. Other historic hotels in the city include The Majestic Hotel, The EQUiPP Hotel, and The Fordyce Bathhouse.
The Hot Springs World Class High School is the city’s public high school. It was ranked as the 351st best public high school in the nation by Newsweek in 2007. In 2015, the school was ranked #1337 out of all public high schools in the country by Niche. Private schools in the city include Lakeside School, a K12 institution, and Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic High School.
Hot Springs National Park is the city’s top tourist attraction. The park includes Hot Springs Mountain, North Mountain, West Mountain, East Mountain, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Other attractions in the city include Garvan Woodland Gardens, Magic Springs and Crystal Falls, the MidAmerica Science Museum, and the Hot Springs Music Festival.
History of Hot Springs (Arkansas)
Hot Springs is a city in the state of Arkansas and the county seat of Garland County. The city is located in the Ouachita Mountains among the U.S. Interior Highlands, and is one of the oldest cities in the state of Arkansas. The city’s namesake is the naturally occurring hot springs found in the area.
The Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832 to be preserved for future recreation. Hot Springs National Park was established as a federal reserve on March 3, 1921.
It was designed to protect the nearby hot spring water from any private development. The hot springs flow from the feet of the Ouachita Mountains, part of the U.S. Interior Highlands.
The native peoples who lived in the area for thousands of years before European American settlement called the springs “The Valley of the Vapors” at the time of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s expedition in 1541. French explorer and trader Louis Jolliet was the first recorded European American to visit the area, in 1673.
This attracted more people to the area, some of them intended to cure illnesses and others simply seeking a pleasurable place to bathe. In addition to rustic bathing facilities, by 1892 the Arlington Hotel and more than 500 other private and public bathhouses operated in Hot Springs.
Early history records tell that the hot springs were used by Native Americans for centuries. Many tribes travelled to the springs to bath in and refresh their bodies and minds. The springs were thought to have healing powers and many sought refuge here to heal their ailments.
The first European to visit the hot springs was Hernando de Soto in 1541. The famous French explorer, Louis Jolliet, also visited the hot springs in 1673. These early explorers did not settle the area but their visits brought more attention to the hot springs.
The first permanent white settlers in the area were Dr. George and Sylvester Harrington who arrived in 1804. The brothers built a log cabin to serve as a shelter and trading post.
In 1818, the U.S. Government purchased the hot springs and the surrounding land from the Harringtons. This area became known as “The Valley of the Vapors” and was later renamed Hot Springs National Park.
The Hot Springs National Park was established by an act of Congress on April 20, 1832. This marked the beginning of the Federal involvement in the management of the hot springs.
The following year, the Hot Springs Reservation was created by another act of Congress. The purpose of the reservation was to protect the hot springs for future recreation.
Over the next few decades, the number of visitors to Hot Springs increased. More bathhouses were built to accommodate the growing number of people coming to the area to enjoy the hot springs.
There were a number of devastating fires in Hot Springs during the late 1800s. The first major fire occurred in 1878 which destroyed much of the central business district.
Another fire in 1884 destroyed several blocks of businesses on Central Avenue. The last major fire occurred in 1923 and destroyed a large portion of the eastern part of the city.
Despite these setbacks, the city continued to grow and thrive. The establishment of the military post at Fort Hot Springs in 1881 brought new life to the city.
The arrival of the railroad in 1892 further boosted the city’s economy. Hot Springs became a popular tourist destination for people from all over the country.
The city continued to grow and prosper during the early 1900s. New hotels and businesses were constructed and the population continued to increase.
The Great Depression took a toll on Hot Springs but the city was able to rebound relatively quickly. The870s saw a resurgence in the tourist industry as people were again able to afford to travel.
During World War II, Hot Springs was once again a popular destination for soldiers stationed at Camp Robinson. The soldiers patronized the local businesses and helped to keep the city afloat during the war years.
After the war, Hot Springs continued to be a popular tourist destination. The city saw a lot of growth and development during the 1950s and 1960s.
New businesses and attractions were established and the city’s infrastructure was expanded. Hot Springs became known as the “World’s Shortest Railway” when the Hot Springs Railway was built in 1963.
The 1970s brought more changes to Hot Springs. The Hot Springs Convention Center was built in 1971 and the Mt. Park Pavilion followed in 1974.
The Hot Springs National Park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. The city was also nominated to be a National Historic Landmark District in 1978 but the designation was not approved.
The city continued to grow and prosper during the 1980s and 1990s.
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