Arkansas is one of those mid-America states often overlooked when it comes to tourism. As I have traveled through more of the US, I am finding that each and every region has its own unique, natural treasures. From its small-town shopping to mountain valley waters and family-friendly hikes, Hot Springs, Arkansas has much to offer your weekend getaway. If you are able to road trip from a few hours away, I’ve put together a guide to seeing and doing as much as possible while still relaxing with your loved ones. We all need moments to reconnect with life outside of work and the relationships that matter most. Why not do so in a beautiful and adventurous way!?
Wanna see how I packed for this trip? View my full weekend trip packing guide!
Friday
Friday early evening after work (husband and I both work full-time jobs), we hopped in the car and headed north from Louisiana. The drive through this part of the country is very eye-catching! I try to find beauty in any road trip — the United States or otherwise. Since I grew up in Indiana where roads are flat and the views are mainly corn or soybean fields (pretty in their own way too!).
Where We Stayed
About three hours later we arrived in Hot Springs and checked into the cutest and most hospitable bed and breakfast called The Gables Inn. We always try to stay in a unique place when we go on a trip, rather than opting for chain hotels if possible. When we arrived, Judy was there to greet us with information on all the best restaurants and city guides! She explained that since the pandemic, they have taken extra measures for cleaning and safe distancing. Everything about the inn made us feel comfortable and taken care of.
There is a string of turn-of-the-century inns near the famous Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs but The Gables in Bed & Breakfast has been run by the same people longer than any other B&B in the area — and I think you will be able to tell. Their attention to care and detail cannot be missed and with only four guest rooms, you know you will be in for a time of peace and quiet. The Gables Inn embraces the full Victorian style, with many historical relics on display.
When we settled in Friday and realized we hadn’t eaten dinner, Judy suggested a local German restaurant called Steinhaus Keller so we decided to give it a try. I recommend the dumpling and Black Forest Cake!
Each morning as breakfast was served, we spent a little time getting to know the other couples staying in the house. One couple had been coming back this time every year for the past 2o years! It was sweet to start our mornings with a delicious homemade breakfast while chatting away with new friends and discussing our walks of life. I give The Gables Inn 5 stars and would definitely visit again!
Saturday
Breakfast at the inn was served promptly at 9am. Then we headed off for a day packed with exploring the national park and the town of Hot Springs.
Hiking at Lake Catherine
From downtown Hot Springs, Lake Catherine takes about 30 minute driving, but it is worth it! The views within Ouachita National Forest are stunning and the hikes are very family friendly. Falls Branch Trail was highly rated in one of our travel brochures and you can see why! At the end of the trek, you are rewarded with a stunning view of the falls.
The end of the trail places you back on the main campground at the lake. At this point it was around 11:30am, so we decided to head back into town to explore more sites. Near Bathhouse Row, about 3 minutes away from our bed and breakfast, is an entrance to one of the most popular lookouts of the area.
Touring Downtown: After some more driving around in the mountains, it was a little after noon. We headed to our inn for a quick rest stop. I made a wardrobe change and we headed back out to the city streets to see the historically famous Bathhouse Row. You can read the captions on my images to learn more about the bathhouses. Of course, we did some shopping too. It was the perfect way to spend our Saturday afternoon!
Buckstaff Bathhouse
Bathhouse History
Did you know that there are old bathhouses in the United States? Native Americans used natural hot springs in Arkansas for healing purposes long before the turn of the 20th century. But it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s that business started booming as bathhouses (more like spas) were built to attract people from afar.
The wealthy visited for luxury vacations and the chronically ill soaked in the mineral waters hoping for relief from their ailment After WWII, rapid advancements in medicine lessened the attraction of these natural springs and many bathhouses closed. Today, some are still functioning with that same special water available to the public.
These buildings located on Bathhouse Row were all designed using Italian, Greek, and Spanish architecture, with nods to the Native tribes who introduced the springs’ special purpose to the settlers. They were truly beautiful to see! If you want to take a trip back in time, I definitely recommend you visiting the bathhouses and even try booking an appointment for a spa treatment!
Enjoyed one scoop at Mamoos Paradise! Mamoo’s Paradise Ice Cream. 
Had to try the famous Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcakes!
Saturday Evening
Dinner: After a day of hiking and walking hours around town, we had worked up quite an appetite! Caleb discovered a place called Fisherman’s Wharf situated right on Lake Hamilton. The town of Hot Springs is nestled between Lake Catherine, where we had hiked earlier, and Lake Hamilton. There were no reservations required for the restaurant even though it is a very popular spot. Dinner overlooking the water at sunset was perfect, and the food was delicious, too.
Golf and Go-Karts: With the night still open, we decided to try something a little fun and reminiscent of our dating days. At T-Rex Fun Spot, we played a round of “Black Light Mini Golf” then raced the go-karts! We probably had more fun laughing at the teenagers who were racing in our group — they were truly hysterical out there! I highly recommend trying something silly and care-free to take the edge of a long day. It really helped us end our eventful day on a light and fun note!
Sunday
Horseback Riding: After a good night’s rest, we started Sunday morning off with another homemade breakfast at the inn (included in the price). Before making the journey home, we wanted to spend a little more time outdoors. Back toward Lake Catherine, we noticed some horse tours going on so I went ahead and scheduled a time slot for us for Sunday. It seems like every few years I get to go horseback riding and I always enjoy it so much! It was beautiful to experience the national park on a horse trail in the peace and quiet of the woods. The staff at Arkansas Riding Stables were excellent and the horses were wonderful too! If you plan to go, definitely call ahead and make a booking.
Itinerary Recap
Friday:
- Drive and check in at Bed & Breakfast
- Late Dinner at Steinhaus Keller
Saturday:
- Breakfast at B&B
- Hiking at Lake Catherine (Falls Branch Trail)
- Mountain driving and site seeing
- Rest Stop at B&B
- Afternoon downtown (Bathhouses, shopping)
- Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf
- TRex Fun Spot for golf and go-karts
Sunday:
- Breakfast and check out
- Lake Catherine Riding Stables (horse trails)
- Head home!
Don’t forget, everything I packed for this trip can be found here!
This looks like such a relaxing trip. The AirBnB was very pretty.
This looks like such a relaxing trip. The AirBnB was very pretty.
That b&b looks so cute!! What an awesome trip!
This looks like such beautiful time. I love all of the pictures! The AirBnB looks and sounds like a great place to book a stay.
– Setitra @ setitraymccain.com