Family Things to Do in Hot Springs, Arkansas
If you’re looking for family things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas, you’ve come to the right place! This small town is located in the Ouachita Mountains and is known for its naturally heated springs. To the north, you’ll find Hot Springs National Park. You’ll also find Bathhouse Row, where you can visit 8 historic bathhouses dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visit Fordyce Bathhouse for a lobby fountain and the visitors center.
Bathhouse Row
If you’re looking for something to do with the whole family, head to Bathhouse Row, a historic strip of buildings that traces the town’s history back to its beginnings as a spa town. Bathhouse Row offers shops, restaurants, and other attractions for the whole family, including multiple escape room themes. Visitors can also learn about the history of Hot Springs’ notorious criminals by visiting the Gangster Museum of America.
If you’re looking for something a little less touristy, try a free activity at Bathhouse Row. You can fill bottles of water at the fountain and visit a small information booth about the park and national parks. You can also walk along the Grand Promenade, a paved walkway overlooking Bathhouse Row, the city of Hot Springs, and the surrounding green mountains. To access the Grand Promenade, walk up the stairs behind the Bathhouses and the Cascades.
After enjoying your family activities, you can explore Bathhouse Row’s historic architecture. Historic bathhouses, which were once open to the public, have been renovated to serve as museums and other attractions. The Fordyce Bathhouse is a part of the park’s Visitors Center. You can tour the renovated bathhouse and view its many artworks and exhibits. The park has a gift shop, too, where you can purchase souvenirs and collectibles.
If you’re looking for free activities in Hot Springs, Arkansas, consider taking your family hiking. There are 26 miles of hiking trails throughout the area and eight historic bathhouses. And, with the free admission, you can bring your dog, provided he stays on a leash no longer than six feet. Once you’re done, head back to Bathhouse Row for the nightlife.
Fordyce Bathhouse
In the olden days, the Fordyce Bathhouse was the swankiest bathhouse in town. Today, it’s a museum and visitor’s center. Visitors can still visit this quaint, historic building, which features antiquated therapy devices and exercise equipment that purported to cure all manner of ailments. At one time, the Fordyce Bathhouse was the exclusive domain of crooked politicians and well-heeled businessmen.
The Fordyce Bathhouse is free to enter, and park rangers are available to answer any questions about the bathhouse’s history and architecture. The museum is located on Fordyce Bathhouse Row, which comprises eight historic bathhouses. You can visit these bathhouses for free, but be sure to wear a face mask to avoid catching the smoky odors inside.
If you’re looking for more family activities in Hot Springs, consider visiting the Hot Springs National Park. Hot Springs, Arkansas is the smallest national park in the country, and it’s home to the world’s oldest spa. If you’re visiting the area, you’ll want to check out the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum, the main visitor center for bathhouse row. You can also take a free tour.
Hot Springs is home to a number of annual events, including the World Championship Running of the Tubs, which is an annual event. Aside from the Fordyce Bathhouse, there are many other activities to keep the family entertained. Whether you’re in town for a day or a weekend, you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy!
Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic & Comedy
Among the many family activities in Hot Springs, you can take your kids to Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic – a magical show featuring amazing tricks and hilarious antics. You can even catch a comedy show and laugh your way through it with your kids! It’s truly one of a kind! And if you have a sweet tooth, you can always order some popcorn and a drink at the local eateries.
Whether you want to see a magic show or a musical comedy show, you’ll have a blast with Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Music & Comedy. Blade is a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and began performing at an early age. In addition to magic, he learned how to play the piano and drums and played with a local band at a young age. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1980, Blade auditioned for a rock band. The group went on to record an album and tour.
While there are many attractions in Hot Springs, Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Magic combines music, magic and comedy to create an entertaining show for the entire family. The show is a multi-sensory overload of magic, comedy and music that will leave you speechless. Kids of all ages will enjoy it, and you’ll be surprised at just how much fun it is.
For some family entertainment, you can take your kids to see a magician perform tricks at Maxwell Blade’s Theatre of Music & Comedy. This family-friendly show has performed a magic illusion show that is sure to entertain your kids. The theatre is also located downtown. The theatre features a variety of other performances from local actors, including some that are quite hilarious.
Arkansas Alligator Farm
If you’re looking for something different to do in Hot Springs with your family, head over to the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo. This privately owned zoo is located on Whittington Avenue. Bring the whole family to visit this unique zoo and see the animals up close. You can even learn more about the animals’ history and culture.
For a unique experience, head to the Arkansas Alligator Farm, which opened in 1902. In addition to spotting alligators of all sizes, you can pet miniature goats, monkeys, wolves, mountain lions, deer, and even pygmy goats. And if you’re a foodie, make sure to stop by the farm’s feed show days, which take place on Saturdays and Sundays.
The alligator farm is not just about alligators – there’s a merman who lives in the winter holding area. These creatures are cold-blooded, so their behavior is completely different from human beings. But the staff are very nice and friendly, and you’ll have the chance to see some real gators. And if you’re a little squeamish, you can visit the merman’s headstone. During our visit, Wyatt was scared of the alligators. We also visited the farm’s petting zoo, where we saw turtles, donkeys, and birds.
The farm is open on weekends from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 and holds feed shows from May through October. During tourist season, it can get quite crowded, but it’s worth the wait. In addition to the alligators, there’s a small “zoo” with a cougar and primates. If you’re traveling with small children, consider this one of the family things to do in hot springs, Arkansas.
Garvan Woodland Gardens
If you’re looking for a fun family activity, consider a day trip to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. The gardens, located outside of town, offer many great family attractions, including a beautiful botanical garden, a 1.5-mile walking trail, and an architectural structure that resembles a Chinese bridge. The gardens are also home to many ancient fossils and provide an excellent photo opportunity.
You can take your entire family to the gardens during fall season, and many of the holiday lights will be shining during the day. If you’re traveling with small children, make sure you plan to arrive at least half an hour early. Visitors can enjoy the gardens’ shady pathways and fall foliage during the cool months of November and December. Admission is free, but you must depart by six p.m. For more information on the garden, check out their website and Facebook page.
The gardens are named after Verna Cook Garvan, who was a self-taught gardener and conservationist who spent more than thirty years developing her own garden. After her husband passed away, Verna continued to work on the grounds. In the late 1970s, she enlisted the help of renowned landscape architect Warren Bankson, who worked with her to build the infrastructure and plant thousands of native and exotic plants. The gardens are a must for any family vacation in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Located on a 210-acre peninsula, the Garvan Woodland Gardens is another of the family things to do in hot spring’s Arkansas. The botanical gardens of the University of Arkansas created this stunning oasis for the public to enjoy. It was the dream of Verna Cook Garvan, who purchased the peninsula in the early 1920s and inherited the family manufacturing business.https://www.youtube.com/embed/jkINl6QAlKQ
