Our favorite spots in Hot Springs and on Lake Hamilton
Bill and Kathy have lived in Hot Springs and on the lake most of their lives. These are the places we send our own family to — and the places we send our guests when they ask us where to eat, what to see, and what to do.
Food & drink
As life-long locals, these are some of our favorite places to eat and drink in Hot Springs.
McClard's Bar-B-Q
A Randel family tradition for generations
A Hot Springs institution for 70+ years. Small, intimate, diner-like feel with a lunch counter — our family has been eating here for generations.
Cafe 1217
Our favorite lunch spot — and the pies
A great lunch spot with a variety of fresh choices. The pies are worth the trip on their own.
SQZBX Brewery & Pizza
Our go-to for pizza
A brewery and pizza joint inside a former piano shop downtown. The atmosphere is part of the appeal.
Taco Mama — Side Town
Mexican in a quirky setting
Great Mexican food served inside a kitchen-and-restaurant-supply store in one of downtown's historic buildings. Worth it for the food and the setting.
Superior Bathhouse Brewery
The first brewery in a U.S. National Park
A local brewery inside one of the historic bathhouses on Bathhouse Row — the first brewery in any U.S. National Park, and the only one that uses thermal spring water as its main ingredient.
Best Cafe & Bar
A bit pricey but worth it
Really good food at a recently restored historic motel downtown. Not cheap, but a memorable evening out.
Fat Bottomed Girl's Cupcake Shoppe
Always a hit with the kids
A bright downtown cupcake shop that's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with kids — and most of the adults, too.
Ambrosia Bakery
Where we go for the birthday cake
A long-time local favorite for birthday and celebration cakes. Also serves tasty quiches and sandwiches if you find yourself there at lunch.
Scoops Homemade Ice Cream
Just down the road — and worth the walk
Homemade ice cream less than a mile down Central Avenue from the house. Our family's pick for after-dinner cones — and easy enough that the walk is part of the appeal. More at scoopshomemadeicecream.com.
Alexa's Creperie
Closest crepes to the house
A great spot for crepes, only a few minutes from The 416. Easy breakfast or light dinner option.
Luna Bella
Long-time local Italian — and seafood
A long-standing local favorite for Italian and seafood, just a few minutes from the house.
501 Prime
Hot Springs' best steakhouse
Hot Springs' best steakhouse and the spot we send guests for a special occasion. Downtown.
Sightseeing
Stops worth building into your stay — most are within fifteen minutes of the house.
The Happy Hollow
Where our family fills jugs with spring water
This is where many locals — including everyone in our family — go to fill jugs with the local spring water. A fun stop for kids before a stroll on the Grand Promenade, a walk down Central Avenue, or a hike up the mountain.
The Grand Promenade
Our go-to for a downtown picnic
A casual stroll downtown and our family's favorite spot for a downtown picnic, tucked just behind Bathhouse Row.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Best view of the region
The best view of the region and easily accessible from downtown. A short drive plus a quick elevator ride.
Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail
The birthplace of spring training
Professional baseball's spring training began here. The Historic Baseball Trail marks the places where Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Honus Wagner and other legends trained and roamed the Spa City. Easy self-guided tour for any fan of the game. More info at hotspringsbaseballtrail.com.
Mid-America Science Museum
The rainy-day-with-the-kids stop
A great place to take the kids for a change of pace after a few days on the lake. Hands-on exhibits, a Tesla coil show, and an outdoor trail.
Quapaw Baths & Spa
A modern spa in a historic bathhouse
An authentic bath experience in one of the original bathhouses on Bathhouse Row, with a modern spa feel. Book in advance — it fills up.
Buckstaff Bath House
The most traditional bath experience
For the most traditional bath experience available. Buckstaff has operated continuously since 1912 — it's not fancy or high-end, but the experience is the real thing and very rejuvenating.
Oaklawn Park
The area's biggest entertainment venue
Live thoroughbred racing in season (December through May), a casino open year-round, and a steady calendar of concerts and shows. About ten minutes from the house and worth checking the events calendar before your trip.
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Beautiful any season — magical at holiday time
A botanical garden tucked into the Ouachita foothills along the south end of Lake Hamilton, with wandering trails through woodland and water gardens. Lights up for one of the region's most beloved holiday displays from late November through New Year's. About fifteen minutes from the house.
Outdoor activities
Days off the dock — biking, boating, hiking, and a state park within easy reach.
Hot Springs Bicycle Touring Company
Bike rentals for downtown or the trails
A great place to rent a bike for a downtown tour or for tackling the growing mountain-bike trail system out at Northwoods.
Hot Springs Marina
Boat rentals and everything you forgot
Just a couple of minutes from the house. Pontoon and other boat rentals, plus life jackets, fishing tackle, water skis, tubes, and towables.
Northwoods Trails
World-class mountain biking, twenty minutes from the house
31+ miles of world-class single-track just five minutes from downtown Hot Springs and about twenty minutes from the house. The Northwoods system includes green, blue, and black trails, multi-track, flow trails, jump lines, and the Lucky 13 expert section. The Cedar Glades trailhead has a bike-skills park. Northwoods hosts the annual Gudrun MTB Festival each November. Bikers, hikers, and trail runners all welcome.
Lake Catherine State Park
A half-day worth of hiking and views
About twenty-five minutes from the house. Lake Catherine State Park offers wooded hiking trails, a swimming beach, fishing, and one of the most scenic short hikes in the area to Falls Branch Falls. A worthy day off Lake Hamilton.
Nearby services
The everyday essentials, within walking distance or a short drive.
Kroger
Walking distance from the house
Full-service grocery store within walking distance of The 416. Pharmacy, fresh produce, deli, and beer/wine all on site.
Walmart Supercenter
About a mile from the house
The Central Avenue Supercenter at 4019 Central Ave, about a mile from The 416. Groceries, pharmacy, and anything you forgot to pack, plus fishing rods, tackle, bait, and Arkansas fishing licenses. Store hours and details.
