Hot Springs, Arkansas has been a steamy escape for centuries—first for Indigenous peoples, then for 19th‑century health seekers, baseball greats, and even a few notorious gangsters. Today, it’s the only U.S. national park that wraps around a historic downtown, where ornate bathhouses pour thermal mineral water and art-deco facades glow at sunset. With mountains, lakes, and forest all around, it’s a rare blend of spa town and outdoor playground.

Expect hot, sunny weather most of the year—ideal for soaking, hiking, and boating. Mornings are perfect for trails like West Mountain and Gulpha Gorge; afternoons belong to Lake Hamilton cruises and shaded gardens; evenings call for classic bars and live music. The food scene leans deliciously local: barbecue smokehouses, wood-fired pizza, and a brewery that uses thermal spring water.

Practical notes: Hydrate, wear sun protection, and book spa services and dinner spots ahead, especially on weekends and holidays. A car makes exploring lakes and trailheads easy, though downtown is very walkable. This 7-day Hot Springs itinerary layers history, nature, and fun so you can truly slow down and savor the South.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs anchors the Ouachita Mountains and the country’s oldest protected land set aside for recreation. Bathhouse Row—eight grand structures from the early 1900s—lines Central Avenue, while the surrounding hills hide quiet overlooks and short, rewarding hikes.

• Top sights: Fordyce Bathhouse (visitor center museum), Buckstaff Bathhouse spa, Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Garvan Woodland Gardens & Anthony Chapel, West Mountain and Gulpha Gorge trails.
• On the water: Lake Hamilton dinner and sightseeing cruises; Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita for kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
• Good to know: Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the first brewery in a U.S. national park—and the only one brewing with thermal spring water.

Where to stay: For walk-right-out-the-door access to Bathhouse Row, pick downtown. For sunset decks and boat slips, choose Lake Hamilton. Browse stays on VRBO (lake houses, cabins, and condos) or compare boutique hotels and resorts on Hotels.com.

Getting there: Fly into Little Rock (LIT), then drive ~1 hour to Hot Springs. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Memphis (MEM) is an alternate gateway (~3 hours’ drive). Expect compact car rentals in Arkansas to run roughly $40–80/day; rideshares from LIT to Hot Springs typically cost more than a day’s rental.

Day 1: Arrival, Bathhouse Row Stroll, and a First Taste of Downtown

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late-morning or midday arrival to Little Rock (LIT). If flying, compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Pick up your car and drive about an hour to Hot Springs.

Afternoon: Check in downtown or lakeside. Stretch your legs along Bathhouse Row and pop into the Fordyce Bathhouse museum for a beautiful primer on bathing culture (tilework, stained glass, vintage hydrotherapy gear). Grab a light bite at Kollective Coffee + Tea (thoughtful espresso, seasonal toasts, and vegan-friendly options).

Evening: Dinner at Superior Bathhouse Brewery—try a thermal-water beer flight and the pretzel with beer cheese. Then wander to The Ohio Club, Arkansas’s oldest bar (1905), for live music and a nightcap steeped in gangster-era lore.

Day 2: Thermal Tradition and Mountain Views

Morning: Fuel up at The Pancake Shop (since 1940) for buckwheat pancakes or a ham-and-egg plate. Then book a classic soak and services at Buckstaff Bathhouse, operating since 1912—opt for a traditional thermal bath and steam cabinet to experience the park’s original draw.

Afternoon: Drive up to Hot Springs Mountain Tower for 360-degree views of the Ouachitas. Continue the scenic loop along West Mountain Drive, stopping at overlooks for short walks on the Oertel and Dead Chief trails. Enrich the drive with the Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour for context on geology, bathhouses, and hidden viewpoints.

Evening: Dine at Rolando’s Restaurante (Latin fare with Andean touches; get the tamales or pescado de cuba). For a late drink, slip into Maxine’s Live for craft cocktails and music in a storied venue.

Day 3: Garvan Woodland Gardens and Lake Hamilton

Morning: Coffee and a cinnamon roll at Will’s Cinnamon Shop, then head 15 minutes to Garvan Woodland Gardens. Stroll shaded paths, koi ponds, and the dramatic glass-and-wood Anthony Chapel—a true Arkansas icon for architecture lovers.

Afternoon: Lunch at Cafe 1217 (seasonal salads, standout sandwiches, lemon icebox pie). Spend the afternoon on Lake Hamilton: join a scenic cruise or rent a pontoon to explore coves and watch herons. Expect easy swims at day-use areas and mellow waters for beginners.

Evening: Reserve 501 Prime for dinner—excellent steaks, oysters, and a serious wine list. Cap the night with a rooftop or riverside stroll to catch the last glow over the water.

Day 4: Zipline Thrills and a Waterfall Hike

Morning: Wake up early for a forest adventure on the Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs. You’ll fly across 10 lines through old-growth canopy and over water features—great for families and first-timers (ages 8+). Wear closed-toe shoes and bring your sense of humor.

Afternoon: Refuel at Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Beer Garden (try the Tree Hugger or the Maui Wowie). Then drive 20 minutes to Lake Catherine State Park for the Falls Branch Trail—a shady 2-mile loop to a pretty waterfall with cooling pools.

Evening: Sunset dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf right on Lake Hamilton—blackened catfish, peel-and-eat shrimp, and a breezy deck. Toast the day at Crystal Ridge Distillery with a moonshine flight or craft cocktail.

Day 5: Lake Ouachita and Crystal Digging

Morning: Pack a picnic and drive ~40 minutes to Lake Ouachita, famed for clear water and island-dotted horizons. Rent kayaks or paddleboards for a calm shoreline paddle; keep an eye out for turtles and osprey.

Afternoon: Head into the Ouachitas for an Arkansas original: quartz crystal digging at a local mine near Jessieville. Buy a day pass, borrow tools on-site, and see who unearths the biggest point—great for kids and rockhounds. On the way back, stop at the Blakely Mountain Dam overlook for big lake views.

Evening: Dinner at DeLuca’s Pizzeria Napoletana (reserve early; long-fermented dough, market-driven toppings) or grab inventive pies and house-made sodas at SQZBX Brewery & Pizza. Nightcap downtown or a quiet lakeside porch sit under the stars.

Day 6: Downtown Culture, Games, and a Sunset Soak

Morning: Espresso at Kollective Coffee + Tea, then explore murals and boutiques along Central Avenue. History buffs can pop into the Gangster Museum of America for stories of Prohibition-era intrigue that once swirled through these streets.

Afternoon: Tackle the city with a playful twist on the Hot Springs Hop Scavenger Hunt—a hosted, app-guided romp that nudges you toward quirky landmarks and photo ops while keeping score.

Evening: One more spa session—return to Buckstaff Bathhouse for a twilight unwind or book a massage at a local spa. Dinner at The Vault (steaks, seafood, and craft cocktails in a century-old bank building). Finish at The Ohio Club if you missed live music earlier in the week.

Day 7: Last Hike, Last Bite, Departure

Morning: Grab a quick breakfast at Best Cafe & Bar (retro diner vibes, strong coffee). Walk a segment of the Sunset Trail or the Gulpha Gorge Trail for one final forest fix—both close to town with shaded sections.

Afternoon: Pick up edible souvenirs (local BBQ rubs, pralines) and fill a water jug at a thermal spring tap like Happy Hollow. Depart for LIT (~1 hour) or MEM (~3 hours). If you prefer a driver, book a private ride: Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer or Hot Springs to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Private Transfer.

Evening: Fly home; keep this itinerary handy for your next warm-weather weekend—Hot Springs is easy to love and even easier to revisit.

Where to book your stay: Find lake houses, cabins, and downtown condos on VRBO, or compare boutique hotels and resorts on Hotels.com. For flights, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Seven days in Hot Springs delivers exactly what a hot-weather escape should: languid spa mornings, shady hikes, lake breezes, and plates that taste like the South. Whether you zip through the canopy or linger over a thermal-water beer, you’ll leave rested, sun-kissed, and a little bit smitten.