People have been coming to the area for decades, and for good reason. There is so much that the area has to offer, it's hard to fit it all in. If you're tight on time and only visiting for a short period of time, you'll want to be sure to make time to visit the following attractions. You're sure to have a great time and get the most out of your visit.
For Everyone...
- Oaklawn Park. Oaklawn Park is located in Hot Springs and is home to the Racing Festival of the South and "the best corned beef sandwich in the universe." To experience horse racing in all of its glory, Oaklawn Park is the place to go. Stay for a few races to fill up an hour or so of your time or stay an entire day to really get into the sport.
- Magic Springs Theme Park and Crystal Falls. This theme park is located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Here you will find the thrills of a theme park added to the fun of a water park. Enjoy thrill rides like the Arkansas Twister or Dr. Dean's Rocket Machine. Then head on over to the water park (included in admission) to ride the slides and wave pools. This is definitely an all-day attraction.
- Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo. If you're looking for adventure, this is the place to spend an hour or two of your time. At the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo, you will find over 300 alligators, some up to ten feet long! You'll also see deer, pygmy goats, llamas and other animals. The museum is home to a variety of monkeys, mountain lions and 100-lb turtles. While there, you have to see the "Mer-Man" that was featured on Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not. This is one stop that you cannot leave off your list. The farm is open year round, so anytime is a good time to visit.
- Arkansas Walk of Fame. Arkansas isn't only home to beautiful scenery and exciting attractions, it's also the home-town of many famous individuals. Take an hour or two and see the Arkansas Walk of Fame honor the individuals who have made great contributions to society in their lifetimes. Recent inductees include President Bill Clinton, Dr. James Dobson and General Douglas MacArthur.
For The Outdoor Enthusiast...
- Hot Springs National Park. Hot Springs National Park is the oldest National Park in the National Park System. This is where the Hot Springs originate, and this is the one place you absolutely have to stop by when you are traveling to the area. The Reservation was established in 1832 to protect the hot springs that flowed from Hot Springs Mountain. The water from these springs is used as a natural therapeutic remedy to treat physical ailments. The Park is home to eight historic bath houses. The former Fordyce Bathhouse is now the park's visitor's center. The area not only offers bath and spa services, but the park also offers visitors an array of picnic, boating, hiking and scenic driving opportunities. There is a lot to do here, depending on how much you like the outdoors you can spend as little as a few hours or as much as a full day at the park.
- Fiddlers Ridge Rock Shop and Crystal Mine. The area isn't only known for spas and relaxation; it is also rich in crystal mining opportunities. Get your mining permit at the rock shop and take a 20-minute ride to the mines where you will dig for your very own crystals. You should allow for about an hour to enjoy this activity.
For the Spa Enthusiast...
- Buckstaff Bathhouse Company. This bathhouse has been in operation since 1912 and is the only thermal bathhouse facility that has continuously remained operational on Historic Bath House Row. Here you can treat yourself to mineral baths, hot packs, sitz baths, steam cabinets or Swedish massages, all activities that the area is famous for. If you're only going for an hour massage, your stay at this attraction can be short, but some people opt for an all day spa treatment.
- Turtle Cove Spa. If you came to Hot Springs to get rid of stress and tension, Turtle Cove Spa is the place to see. Located on Lake Ouachita, this spa was built to bring balance back to your life. The spa serves as Arkansas' only full-service lake resort spa. Here you can enjoy massage therapy, spa facials, body treatments, spa pedicures and manicures as well as other numerous luxury services. This is another place where the amount of time you spend depends on your personal preferences.
