Hot Springs, Arkansas (x3)
On the way across the country from Tennessee to Kansas, we were looking for an interesting place to spend a day as a family. Hot Springs, Arkansas piqued my husband’s curiosity because he has long had a desire to soak in a natural hot spring. Doesn’t a name like “Hot Springs” seem like the perfect ticket for just such an activity? As it turns out, no.
The water springs from the ground at a steamy 143 degrees Fahrenheit, hence the reason for the dearth of all-natural bathing options. Instead, one can experience the spring water via one of the bathhouses along “Bathhouse Row.“
One thing that confused me when researching and making plans for our day in Hot Springs was the multiple areas that included the “Hot Springs” name. It was apparent once we were in the area that there are three distinct sections: Hot Springs Village, Historic Hot Springs [National Park], and the modern Hot Springs city.
We ended up booking a place to stay in Hot Springs Village without fully realizing that the area is a gated resort community. What a welcome surprise! The condo was extremely spacious, we had a pool right out our kitchen door, and the price was considerably less than the hotels in Hot Springs proper. The other perk was relatively close proximity to our main activity and the highlight of our time there: a private kayak tour on Lake Ouachita.
Long-time kayak enthusiast, Lisa, of Ouachita Kayak Tours, was our personal tour guide for a 4-hour excursion among the Buckville Islands of Lake Ouachita. This was by far a highlight of the trip and we would highly recommend the experience for anyone traveling through or to the Hot Springs, Arkansas area!
