Who would have thought that a city dedicated to bathing would have such a dirty and shameful past? However, Hot Springs, Arkansas remained a hotbed of organized crime for a century until Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and Circuit Judge Henry M. Britt shut the whole thing down in 1967 with the help of a corps of state troopers.
Hot Springs' gang past is the inspiration for this list of a dozen dirty things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We've traveled to Hot Springs and know that these are the best attractions, and we're here to tell it with flair to all the aspiring good buddies.
American Gangster Museum
When Carlito Briganti claimed, “You're a gangster now… you can't learn about that at school,” he forgot to mention that you could learn about “family affairs” at school. American Gangster Museum. It is a historical and entertaining account of how America's most notorious criminals coexisted with the attractive residents of Hot Springs through a seven-gallery audio-visual experience.
Like most border towns, Hot Springs started out a bit rough around the edges. However, this city was different from most cities due to its abundance of natural hot springs. The healing waters brought a steady stream of tourists, who in turn brought “Boss Gambler” Frank Flynn to the city in the late 1870s.
Flynn subverted the local police and built a gangster's paradise of fraternities and gambling. He was eventually run out of the city in 1899 after the infamous Hot Springs Gunfight, but corruption remained. In 1926, Leo McLaughlin was elected mayor with a promise to run Hot Springs as an “open city.” He fulfilled a campaign promise on a grand scale and ruled as Hot Springs' undisputed crime boss for 20 years.
During McLaughlin's tenure came the most famous gangsters of the 1920s and 1930s, including Owen Vincent “Onnie” Madden, Bugs Moran, Charles “Lucky” Luciano, and Al Capone. Hot Springs was a vacation town for the Chicagoland gang. Although they were violent thugs in Chi-Town, they were polite and generous tipper drivers in Hot Springs and generally accepted by the local service-based industry.
Hot Springs National Park
The National Park Service encourages you to never forget this. For this Hot Springs National Park It includes parts of the historic downtown, including Bathhouse Row. In fact, the famous Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the park's visitor center.
Hot Springs National Park has many interesting facts and features. It is the oldest park operated by the National Park Service and was the smallest national park by area until Gateway Arch received its park designation. It's also one of the most accessible national parks, which you can visit by simply strolling down Bathhouse Row or hiking the many short trails heading out of town.
Pigeon row
Al Capone once said: “I don't even know what street Canada is on.” He knew which street the Hot Spring Baths were on. Of course, that's not that hard when it's called Bathhouse Row, and is now part of Hot Springs National Park.
Pigeon row It contains eight pools along Hot Springs Creek: Backstaff, Fordyce, Hill, Lamar, Morris, Ozark, Quapaw, And The finest. It is a collection of eclectic turn-of-the-century buildings in neoclassical, Renaissance, Spanish and Italianate styles, complete with parks and elaborate landscaping.
Fordyce bathroom
the Fordyce bathroom It is the largest, most detailed and most expensive in the class. It was also the first to close in 1962 and has been the park's visitor center since 1989. Today, it is open for self-guided or ranger-led tours every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
in casino“Las Vegas washes away your sins,” said Robert De Niro. “It’s like an ethical car wash.” But Fordyce was no gangster. He made his fortune on the railroad. He believed he owed his life to the healing powers of hot springs, and he built his spa to be the pinnacle of The American bathing industry, rivaling that of Europe, provided for the luxury of the entire patron—body, mind, and spirit, and even included a museum where prehistoric Native American relics were displayed.
Buckstaff and Quapaw doves
I'll make you an offer you can't refuse: relax in a historic bathhouse. Buckstaff and Quapaw Bathhouses are the only establishments still offering treatments.
the Backstaff bathroomDating back to 1912, it is the oldest continuously operating bathhouse in Arkansas. Using authentic bathtubs and equipment, you can enjoy history surrounded by mineral-rich thermal waters.
the Quapaw pigeons It is a classic Spanish Colonial Renaissance building dating back to 1922 and offers thermal baths, private bathrooms and spa services. There are four thermal baths under a magnificent stained-glass skylight.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Capone was talking about gambling when he said, “I never heard of anyone being forced to go somewhere to have some fun,” but he could just as easily have been referring to gambling. Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
You can drive up the mountain or take a 1.5-mile trail from Fountain Street to reach the tower. Once you arrive, the tower's elevator will take you 216 feet to the observation deck, where you'll enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. Between going up the hill and taking the elevator, you'll be 1,256 feet above sea level.
Small town and Tussauds wax museum
Like many old-fashioned tourist towns, Hot Springs has its share of classic attractions. Two of them are Tiny Town and the Josephine Tussauds Wax Museum.
The Moshinski family invites you to say hello to their little friends, who have been making these products by hand for over 75 years, in Small town. Here, model trains pass through scenes of 22 states in dollhouse, including Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and the Colorado Rockies.
Unlike Tiny Town, Josephine Tussauds Wax Museum It contains life-size wax replicas of historical and fictional people, as well as gambling paraphernalia. It also has an unusual gift shop that may be the highlight of your visit
Garvan Woodland Gardens / Anthony Chappell
The Godfather says: “A man who does not spend time with his family cannot be a real man.” We ask you if there is a better way to spend time with your family in Hot Springs than by visiting Garvan Woodland Gardens And Anthony Chappell.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre botanical garden along the shores of Lake Hamilton. Anthony's Church is architecturally similar to Thorncrown Church in Eureka Spring and one of Buzz Feed's Most Amazing Wedding Venues in America!
Lake Ouachita
The poetics of Once Upon a Time in America might want the smell of the streets to cleanse his lungs. For the rest of us, there is Lake Ouachita. It is the largest lake in Arkansas, with 690 miles of shoreline, and is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest.
Of course, boating, swimming, kayaking and fishing are very popular here. What is surprising is that the water is clear enough Diving Some places were flooded when the lake was filled in 1952.
Lake Katherine State Park
Louis Brasi sleeps with fish, and so can you Lake Katherine State Park. We're not talking about a cement shoes scenario here. The park has 20 full-service cabins, 70 campsites, and even a yurt. Visitors can enjoy hiking, waterfalls, guided horseback riding, and a full-service marina.
Diamond Crater State Park
Don Corleone is old school. He still believes in respect, which probably includes giving the girl diamonds. What's more old school than digging those diamonds yourself?
Crater of Diamonds State Park It is one of the few places in the world where you can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source. Visitors can search the 37 acres of eroded volcanic crater and keep any gemstones they find, including natural diamonds!
Wegener Quartz Crystal Mines
A wise man (man?) warns you not to make promises you can't keep. Unlike searching at Crater of Diamonds State Park, searching for gemstones in Wegener Crystal Mines It is a sure thing. A full day of treasure hunting includes excavation of the Gem Gate, a ride to the Crystal Forest Mine, and a full day pass to the Tailings area.
Wrapping up the best things to do in hot springs
The hot springs consist of water and little volcanic activity. You'll find these things in abundance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, from the national park's 47 natural hot springs to gems and minerals brought to the surface. Just an hour from Little Rock, Hot Springs is an excellent place to spend a day or a weekend!
You'll also see the history, architecture and nature of this beautiful corner of The Natural State, just ask any wise person!
Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
