Blog Archive

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Best of Hot Springs, Arkansas!


     It's fall yall!!!! Autumn is my favorite time of year......the cool crisp air, the colorful leaves, the festivals and all those yummy sweet scents and foods that make you feel all warm and cozy! It's a time we tend to think a lot about family, and also my absolute favorite time to travel! So, last November I set off with my parents on a long weekend road trip through Oklahoma and Arkansas. The idea was to bask in all the glory that nature has to offer in the fall.

     Our first stop was Beavers Bend State Park in Oklahoma to check out the Beaver's Bend Folk Festival and craft show at the The Forest Heritage Center Museum.  It took a little over three hours to get there from Dallas, and we arrived just in time to start sampling all the yummy festival foods. We shared a variety of food truck specialties from tator twisters to chicken gyros, and of course kettle corn!

     We roamed through the crowded halls of the museum checking out the many handy crafts, artwork and gift items before heading outside into the lively outdoor festivities. There were a variety of stalls with live demonstrations of craft working from days gone by.  Make some hand dipped candles, learn how to make lye soap, watch the basket weavers in action, or just tap your feet along to the rhythm of the live folk bands keeping everyone entertained.  There's something for everyone at this small mountain festival, and it's worth stopping in for a couple of hours for the beautiful mountain scenery alone! Be sure and take the kids to pet the baby goats before you head out!  This year's festival is November 10th-12th, 2017 and you can get all the details at http://www.forestry.ok.gov/folk-festival

     Next, we were off to Mena, Arkansas to join the Talimena Scenic Byway Trail, a 52.8 mile trail through the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. We made a brief stop in Mena to visit the Mena Art Gallery at 607 Mena St. The small gallery displays and sells the crafty handiwork of local artisans while hosting various crafting events and art parties. It was the perfect place to stop for a break before starting our long drive on the scenic trail. It's a beautiful drive with a variety of scenic overlooks and is most enjoyable when decked out it's fall finest. You can check the progress of the fall foliage and get other tourist information at http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com.   It was a bit sad to see some blackened areas from fires, and barren areas from tornadoes, but there was plenty of beauty to behold along the way. We ventured off the trail for dinner at Mountain Harbor Resort Restaurant just as the sun was setting. We sat by the window and enjoyed some yummy southern cooking in the quiet restaurant before taking a quick walk to the edge of the lake.  We stood for a few minutes in the cool night air watching the last sun rays dance on the water before we headed back to the scenic trail.

     The trail wasn't quite as fun at night. It was really dark on those mountain roads with few lights, so we hurried on to our destination for the night. I booked Ark Manor bed and breakfast on Airbnb, and it was a really comfortable house about 15 minutes north of Hot Springs in Blue Springs, Arkansas. Our hosts, John and Monica were amazing and we felt right at home! They had a pool table for us upstairs, and a bon fire going outside. We loved our breakfasts, and enjoyed watching Hallmark movies in the living room. I highly recommend you stay there if you are looking to meet new people and want a cozy affordable place off the beaten path.

The next day we took a quick drive to Ouachita State Park for a hike around the lake. It wasn't a super easy trail, but it was quiet and beautiful. We passed very few people during the three or four hours we spent hiking. It was quite a work out! We definitely worked up an appetite before driving into downtown Hot Springs for lunch. We enjoyed the most amazing burgers at Arkansas' oldest bar, The Ohio Club. This place is really historical, and had an amazing antique bar that looked like parts of it came from a ship. It opened as a bar in 1905 and later became speakeasy fronting as a cigar shop. Many famous people were known to hangout in the hidden casino including notorious gangsters like Al Capone and Bugsy Segel. Amusing historical memorabilia decorates the walls, so you will have plenty of amusement while you wait for your meal.


Ouachita State Park




The famous and historical Ohio Club




 



     Downtown Hot Springs has plenty of art galleries, boutiques and eateries to explore. I had a beautiful and delicious lavender-lemon cupcake from Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcake Shoppe. It was one of the best cupcakes I've ever tasted, and I love cupcakes! We popped in the Arlington Resort Hotel to have a look around, and were delighted to see they had historical treasures on display as well as a few shops to explore beneath the hotel. My favorite was the beautiful dining room and it's antique style furnishings and décor.

     You can't visit Hot Springs and not visit bath house row!  A few of them are now museums that you can explore, so take advantage of the free trip back in time as you learn about the interesting bath house history. I loved it!




 



     Once you've finished browsing in all the shops and galleries, wind down with a stroll on The Grand Promenade, a level up from the main drag. It's beautiful and offers a different view of this quaint historical town. Poke your feet in the natural bubbling hot springs if you dare! They're supposed to be therapeutic and cure what ails you!

     Our last nature stop was a trip to the beautiful Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical gardens a short drive from downtown Hot Springs. We got lots of exercise walking the quiet gardens and exploring the different trails. They were in the process of decorating the gardens for Christmas, so there were lots of need light displays an fun winter décor. There was a small café near the miniature train village, and we enjoyed sandwiches and lemonade while watching the little trains travel through the village. I loved the beautiful trails, small fairy village, and fun gift shop. I highly recommend a trip to these gardens as a fun way to get exercise in a beautiful natural environment. Do save time to see the majestic Anthony Chapel on your way out, you don't want to miss it! Tickets are about $15 for adults, and you can check out all the details at www.garvangardens.org.


Beware of the Yeti!



Fairy Village







Anthony Chapel




     There are a variety of things to see and do near Hot Springs, especially if you are craving time in the great outdoors. You can rent a cabin at one of the nearby lakes and go fishing, hiking, or boating. Take a dinner cruise on DeGray Lake or ride the roller coasters at the Magic Springs amusement park, there is something for everyone! Enjoy!



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