Things to do · Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, US
Things to Do in Hot Springs National Park
Scan the list, tap + on what you love, and watch your Hot Springs National Park days take shape on the right.
- Getting there
- Most visitors fly into Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), roughly 80 km west of Hot Springs, then take a 1‑hour drive along US‑70. A smaller number arrive via Memorial Field Airport (HOT) just 6 km away, which handles regional commuter flights. Amtrak service reaches nearby Malvern, and a scenic drive on I‑30 from Little Rock is also common.
- Who goes
- The park draws around 2 million guests each year, with families, history buffs, and outdoor enthusiasts making up the core crowd. Summer weekends and the fall foliage period are the busiest, while winter weekdays see the quietest trails. The mix of historic bathhouses and moderate hikes appeals to both casual tourists and dedicated hikers.
- Budgeting
- A careful traveler can expect to spend roughly $80‑$120 per day (about $85‑$130 USD), while a comfortable visitor might budget $150‑$200 daily (around $160‑$215 USD). Accommodations and dining typically account for the biggest share of costs; purchasing a multi‑day park pass can shave a few dollars off entrance fees and save on individual ticket purchases. Estimate →
Garvan Woodland Gardens
attraction · 4.7 rating
A botanical garden and woodland preserve with landscaped trails, water features, and seasonal floral displays along Lake Hamilton. A scenic destination for nature and garden lovers.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
attraction · 4.3 rating
An observation tower atop Hot Springs Mountain offering panoramic views of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains and the city below.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center And Museum
attraction · 4.7 rating
A restored historic bathhouse on Bathhouse Row serving as the park's visitor center and museum, showcasing the site's bathing heritage.
Bathhouse Row Emporium
attraction · 4.5 rating
A gift shop located along historic Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park offering souvenirs and park merchandise. Travelers stop in for gifts and keepsakes.
Quapaw Baths & Spa
attraction · 4.4 rating
A historic bathhouse on Bathhouse Row offering thermal spring soaking pools and spa treatments in a restored early-20th-century building.
Hot Springs National Park
attraction · 4.4 rating
A national park famous for its thermal springs, historic bathhouse row, and forested mountain trails in central Arkansas.
Buckstaff Bathhouse
attraction · 4.3 rating
Gangster Museum of America
attraction · 3.9 rating
A museum chronicling Hot Springs' colorful history as a haven for gangsters and gambling in the early 20th century. Visitors come for guided tours and mob-era memorabilia.
Thai-Me Spa
attraction · 4.7 rating
Anthony Chapel
attraction · 4.9 rating
The Grand Promenade
attraction · 4.6 rating
A historic landscaped walkway running behind Bathhouse Row, offering brick-paved strolls among magnolias and greenery in the heart of the national park. A scenic, easy walk showcasing the park's architecture and nature.
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
attraction · 3.8 rating
A wildlife attraction in Hot Springs featuring alligators and a petting zoo with various animals. Travelers, especially families, visit to see and interact with the animals.
Crystal Ridge Distillery
attraction · 4.8 rating
Bathhouse Soapery
attraction · 4.9 rating
Tiny Town
attraction · 4.4 rating
An indoor miniature village exhibit featuring handcrafted animated models and buildings. A quirky family attraction in Hot Springs.
Your Hot Springs National Park trip
Plan Hot Springs National Park with AI
Build your Itinerary for Hot Springs National Park
Plan your days in Hot Springs National Park, your way — tap anything below to add it to your day.