15 Romantic Things To Do In Hot Springs For Couples
Known for its natural hot springs, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a charming and relaxing destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway. With its historic bathhouses, scenic mountain setting, and an array of couples-friendly activities, Hot Springs offers many memorable ways for duos to connect and rekindle their bond.
This comprehensive guide covers the top romantic things to do in Hot Springs, from nostalgic attractions and outdoor adventures to intimate dining and rejuvenating spa treatments. We'll explore both historic and modern sites, organizing them based on location and theme. You'll also find recommendations for romantic restaurants and accommodations strictly within Hot Springs to complete your idyllic couples' vacation.
So, let's get started!
1. Bathhouse Row
Bathhouse Row is an iconic stretch in Hot Springs National Park featuring eight beautifully preserved bathhouses built between the early 1890s and 1923. These historic buildings—constructed in architectural styles ranging from Renaissance Revival to Spanish Colonial—face a broad promenade lined with magnolia trees and fountains, offering a memorable urban stroll through spa-era elegance.
Each structure reflects the golden age of American spa culture. The Fordyce Bathhouse today serves as the national park's visitor center, restored with its original interiors and detailing intact. The Buckstaff Bathhouse has operated continuously since 1912, offering traditional thermal baths and massages in an atmosphere rooted in authenticity. Meanwhile, Quapaw Baths & Spa blends history with modern rejuvenation, housing thermal pools beneath a tiled dome and offering treatments from hydrotherapy to facials.
Bathhouse Row is more than architecture—it’s a living legacy of wellness, design, and community. The district, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, invites visitors to pause at spring-fed fountains, walk through grand interiors, or experience soothing mineral waters that have shaped the town’s identity for centuries
2. Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park stands as a unique blend of natural wonder and urban accessibility, preserving 47 thermal springs that have drawn visitors for centuries. Established in 1832, it’s the oldest protected area in the U.S. park system—predating even Yellowstone. The park covers more than 5,000 acres of forested mountains, steeped in geology and health history.
Bathhouse Row anchors its cultural core, where restored buildings like Fordyce and active spas like Quapaw and Buckstaff reflect the city's spa heritage. But beyond the baths, the park offers miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, and panoramic overlooks that invite exploration. Oak and hickory woodlands, bubbling springs, and historic architecture make it a national treasure tucked right into downtown Hot Springs.
3. Gulpha Gorge Campground
Gulpha Gorge Campground lies just east of downtown Hot Springs within the national park, offering quiet forested sites amid wooded slopes. The campground features approximately 43 sites, all equipped with full hookups including 30- and 50-amp electrical service, water, sewer, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and paved parking—though no showers are available on-site. Sites require advance reservation via Recreation.gov and typically cost $34 per night.
Campers here are steps away from the Gulpha Gorge Trail, a scenic path that climbs into the Ouachita foothills and links up with longer routes like the Hot Springs Mountain and Goat Rock trails—ideal for hikers seeking elevated views or natural escape within walking distance of their campsite. The atmosphere remains peaceful year-round—early awnings of sunlight, shared campfire stories, and the soft rustle of leaves.
Together, Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park and Gulpha Gorge Campground offer a layered experience: deep history in stately bathhouses and hidden marvels in forested trails and quiet campsites.
4. Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center & Museum
The Fordyce Bathhouse opened in 1915 as the grandest and most luxurious of Bathhouse Row's eight thermal spa houses. Designed in Renaissance Revival style by architects Mann and Stern for Samuel Fordyce’s family, the lavish facility cost over $212,000—both a health retreat and architectural showpiece. Covering nearly 28,000 square feet across three floors, the building features marble lobbies, stained glass windows, ornate bath halls, and the original Fordyce Spring in the basement.
Closed in 1962 amid declining spa popularity, it was restored and reopened in 1989 as the visitor center and museum for Hot Springs National Park. Today, visitors can tour the historic rooms, explore exhibits illustrating the era's spa culture, and watch an orientation film about the geology and history behind the thermal springs.
It remains a vivid window into a bygone era when America’s elite flocked here for healing and leisure—now preserved and interpreted with warmth by the National Park Service. Its elegance still speaks, story by story.
5. Boating on Lake Ouachita
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas’s largest lake, spans over 40,000 acres with crystal-clear waters bordered by the Ouachita National Forest. Known for its purity and protected shoreline, the lake draws outdoor lovers year-round. Boaters can navigate nearly 700 miles of winding shorelines and more than 200 islands—many open for overnight camping.
The lake’s marinas rent everything from kayaks and paddleboards to ski boats and houseboats, making it easy to explore, relax, or fish. The Geo-Float Trail, marked by buoys, turns a casual ride into a floating geology lesson, while sunset cruises from Lake Ouachita State Park offer peaceful immersion in the landscape. Whether for sport or serenity, the lake is a haven for water-bound adventure.
6. Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan Woodland Gardens, a 210-acre botanical gem owned by the University of Arkansas, stretches along approximately 4.5 miles of shoreline beside Lake Hamilton in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains . Created over decades by philanthropist Verna Cook Garvan, the garden blends artful design with native landscape: rocky inclines, streams, wildflowers, and hundreds of varieties of shrubs and azaleas set a tone of contemplative beauty.
Highlights include the serene Anthony Chapel—an open-air pavilion of redwood, glass, and steel—alongside whimsical features like a treehouse, Japanese-inspired garden segments, and the Garvan Pavilion, both designed by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings.
Open daily during fair weather hours with standard admission, the garden includes accessible walking trails, occasional golf cart tours, and seasonal programming like floral festivals and art installations. It balances grandeur and intimacy: a place to learn, reflect, and marvel at nature’s design in the heart of Arkansas
7. Mid‑America Science Museum
Located on a wooded campus just outside downtown Hot Springs, the Mid‑America Science Museum is Arkansas’s premier hands-on science destination and a Smithsonian affiliate. With over 100 interactive exhibits, it blends mechanical marvels, kinetic art, and educational fun in a setting built for exploration and curiosity.
One of its standout features is the Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk—a 32-foot elevated walkway packed with exhibits and outdoor learning space. Indoors, visitors marvel at the powerful conical Tesla coil capable of generating 1.5 million volts, along with Rowland Emett kinetic sculptures originally seen in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Other galleries—like DinoTrek and the oak-lined energy exhibits—appeal to all ages through dynamic, tactile displays.
Following a major renovation in 2015, the museum added dozens of new exhibits and updated classics to ensure the experience feels fresh and engaging. Whether you're guiding kids or revisiting childhood fascination yourself, this museum delivers learning that feels like play—and reminds you why science can still spark wide-eyed wonder.
8. Gangster Museum of America
Touring the Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs is like stepping into a film noir cityscape—from its unassuming storefront to richly themed galleries. Located on Central Avenue, it brings to life Hot Springs’ era as a Prohibition-era playground for infamous mobsters such as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Owney Madden. Your guide leads you through seven immersive galleries—including the Capone Gallery and Casino Gallery—paired with video narratives, historical photos, and curated artifacts that flesh out the city’s gambling, bootlegging, and spa-era intrigues.
As you move from room to room, many stories unfold—from how Luciano brushed off New York detectives while walking Bathhouse Row to Madden’s legendary betting switchboard and Hot Springs' clandestine gambling circuit. At the end, a gift shop offers themed books, apparel, and headwear for mementos. This museum doesn’t glamorize its subject but captures the gritty human drama and historical quirks that made Hot Springs a notorious stop in America's criminal underworld. Budget a couple of hours—it may surprise you with its depth and detail
In addition to the bathhouse and gangster history, guides share amusing tales of famous past visitors. Hear how Babe Ruth loved visiting Hot Springs baseball training camps so much he'd sneak away from Yankee training to play here. Learn how world-famous pianist Liberace first performed in the city. You'll gain insight into Hot Springs' glamorous past as a hideaway for celebrities, musicians, politicians, and athletes.
For a touch of romance, the Ozark Romance trolley includes champagne to toast the sights with your darling. Or enjoy melodies from a live singer crooning love songs as you tour past rose gardens and fountains. However you choose to experience it, seeing the city's sights by vintage trolley makes history come to life.
9. Oaklawn Hot Springs (Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort)
Oaklawn in Hot Springs is far more than a racetrack—it’s a seamless blend of sport, hospitality, and heritage. Home to one of America’s premier thoroughbred tracks since 1904, Oaklawn hosts events like the Arkansas Derby and “Racing Festival of the South” each spring. The property also houses a luxury resort hotel, spa, and a smoke-free casino, all walking distance from the National Park and Bathhouse Row.
Evenings here extend beyond the finish line to include fine dining in The OAK Room & bar, casual meals at the Track Kitchen, or cocktails at The Bugler, all under one roof. The Astral Spa completes the experience with treatments like infrared saunas, needle showers, and a Himalayan salt wall echoing the opulence of Bathhouse Row
10. Lake Catherine State Park
Lake Catherine State Park is a scenic haven just eight miles southeast of Hot Springs, Arkansas, set along a 1,940-acre mountain lake backed by the Ouachita foothills. Established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park still displays charming rustic cabins, historic stone-and-wood structures—including two built by German POWs—and trails that echo an era of thoughtful design.
Outdoor enthusiasts find plenty to do here. Miles of forested trails lead to scenic viewpoints and a hidden waterfall just a short hike from the Falls Branch trailhead. The park’s marina offers summer rentals of boats, kayaks, paddleboards, and party barges, while anglers cast lines for bass, catfish, crappie, and more.
Accommodations include lakeside cabins with private docks, Class A campsites, primitive tent sites, and even a Rent‑A‑Yurt—all set amid serene woodlands or waterfront views. Park staff lead guided hikes, horseback rides, and interpretive programs in warmer months.
Lake Catherine State Park strikes an elegant balance between history and recreation. It invites you to explore quietly, stay comfortably, and reconnect with nature in a timeless Arkansas setting.
11. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (Oaklawn Hot Springs)
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is Arkansas’s premier destination for entertainment, sport, and relaxation. Founded in 1904 in Hot Springs, the resort combines world-class thoroughbred racing—home of the Arkansas Derby—with upscale accommodations, emerging spa experiences, and a vibrant casino scene.
The modern eight-story hotel features elegantly appointed rooms with trackside views, plush linens, and upscale amenities. Guests can watch races from patios or enjoy spa services including infrared saunas, needle showers, and signature Himalayan salt-wall rooms at the Astral Spa. Dining spans award-winning fine cuisine and casual meals, while the 24/7 smoke-free casino offers table games, slots, live entertainment, and sports betting at the Silks Bar & Grill.
Beyond the racetrack, the resort hosts a 15,000-square-foot event center for concerts and conferences, plus seasonal festivals tied to the Kentucky Derby calendar. Oaklawn honors tradition while embracing modern hospitality—a blend of adrenaline, elegance, and Arkansas spirit.
12. Quapaw Baths & Spa
Quapaw Baths & Spa offers a serene retreat on Bathhouse Row within Hot Springs National Park, combining historic architecture and modern relaxation. Built in 1922 in Spanish Colonial Revival style and recently restored, Quapaw features four generous thermal spring pools and private soaking rooms. Its mosaic-tiled dome and elegant interior evoke the city’s spa-era legacy while providing wellness-focused services like massages, facials, and body polishes for full rejuvenation.
The spa experience is complemented by a café serving healthy smoothies, Elixir tonics, wraps, and fair-trade coffee. A boutique showcases organic body-care products and local art. Reviews praise the facility’s cleanliness, friendly staff, and calming ambiance—perfect after a day of sightseeing or hiking in the national park.
Open daily (closed Tuesdays), Quapaw sits squarely at the convergence of history and healing, inviting visitors to soak, slow down, and refresh amidst architectural grace and thermal waters
13. Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
The Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo, established in 1902 on Whittington Avenue, combines animal encounters with a slice of Hot Springs lore. Housing roughly 200 alligators, it also features cougars, turtles, bobcats, lemurs, and a petting zoo with goats, emus, deer, pigs, and even baby alligators you can hold—alongside a preserved “merman” in the small museum exhibit.
A daily alligator feeding show at noon (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday) delivers both thrills and education. Staff explain reptile biology, safety protocols, and local history—making it accessible and engaging for kids and curious adults alike. This quirky institution also holds baseball legend: on March 17, 1918, Babe Ruth famously hit a home run that landed inside the farm—shaping his profile as a hitter.
Part zoo, part time capsule, and part living roadside oddity, the Alligator Farm offers a memorable dose of nature, nostalgia, and regional uniqueness.
14. Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum
Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum, open since 1971 in downtown Hot Springs, stands as Arkansas’s only wax museum. Situated in the historic Southern Club building, the 14,000-square-foot Romanesque-style venue features over 100 life-size wax figures arranged in thematic galleries, along with scenes that blend celebrity, legend, and era-specific history including gambling artifacts.
Its seven themed areas—ranging from fairy tales to “World of Horrors”—offer a mix of nostalgia, whimsy, and occasional campy thrills. Visitors note its vintage charm and quirky vibe, with stories of an escape tunnel once used during raids and scenes depicting both Hollywood icons and local pastimes.
Accessible and open daily, Josephine Tussaud delivers entertainment with historical flair—an oddball yet enduring part of Hot Springs’ cultural tapestry.
15. DeSoto Golf Course
DeSoto Golf Course in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, opened in 1972 as the community’s inaugural course—and remains a cornerstone of the Village’s nine-course golf destination. Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, DeSoto is a traditional 18‑hole layout boasting a par of 72 and measuring approximately 6,733 yards from the championship tees. The course guides players through rolling fairways and wooded terrain with three memorable finishing holes—a par‑5 at 16, a par‑4 at 17, and another par‑5 at 18 offering both challenge and reward.
Fairways are maintained with 419 Bermuda grass, and plush Champion Ultra‑Dwarf Bermuda greens ensure a forgiving but firm putting surface. Beyond the course, amenities include a clubhouse with the DeSoto Club restaurant, a driving range, putting green, and a pro shop for equipment and instruction.
Welcoming to families and players of all skill levels, DeSoto blends approachable design with quality conditions and serves as a fitting starting point for any golfing excursion in the Village.
Conclusion
With its stunning natural scenery, rich history, rejuvenating thermal waters, and an array of couples-friendly activities, Hot Springs provides the recipe for an unforgettable romantic getaway.
From nostalgic glimpses into Hot Springs' storied past in its bathhouses, gangster tours, and old-world hotels, to active outdoor couples experiences like hiking, boating, and horseback riding in the Ouachita mountains - Hot Springs has it all. The city's unique history and culture shine through in attractions like the artistic Culture Trail and Historic Trolley Tours.
Let Hot Springs ignite a spark between you and your significant other. Make time to enjoy leisurely soaks and dinners built for two in between your discoveries. Return home feeling refreshed, renewed, and reconnected after days spent focusing on each other in this charming, romantic getaway spot.
Planning to visit? Karta has some amazing deals on Hot Springs vacation rentals for you.
FAQ
1. Is Hot Springs, Arkansas worth visiting for a weekend getaway?
Absolutely—Hot Springs is one of Arkansas’s most unique weekend escapes. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, it’s the only city inside a U.S. national park, offering a rare blend of natural beauty, historical charm, and wellness tourism. People often rave about the bathhouse row experience—especially soaking in the thermal waters at Quapaw Baths or Buckstaff Bathhouse. But there’s more than just spa vibes. You’ve got scenic trails in Hot Springs National Park, quirky shops downtown, and live horse racing at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. It’s perfect for couples, solo travelers, and families. In two days, you can hike, soak, eat well, and still feel relaxed. Just avoid peak summer weekends—they get crowded fast.
2. What’s the best time of year to visit Hot Springs, Arkansas?
Spring (March to May) and fall (late September through November) are the best times to visit. In spring, you’ll find blooming dogwoods and mild hiking temps, while fall gives you colorful foliage and fewer crowds. Summer can be brutally humid, with highs in the 90s—and because it’s school break season, it’s usually packed with families. Winter is quieter, but still beautiful, especially if you’re here for spa time or a cozy retreat. Bonus: Bathhouse Row is warm and welcoming even in January. If you’re planning a trip, try mid-week in spring or early November for ideal conditions and better hotel rates.
3. Which hot springs are actually open to the public for soaking?
This one gets asked a lot because many people assume the natural springs in the park are for swimming—they’re not. The hot springs in Hot Springs National Park are protected and too hot to bathe in directly, and none of the outdoor springs are open for public soaking. If you want the full thermal bath experience, head to Quapaw Baths & Spa (more modern, with pools) or Buckstaff Bathhouse (old-school and very historic). Both tap directly into the natural springs. Quapaw is better for group relaxation, while Buckstaff offers a traditional bathhouse circuit with a private soak, loofah scrub, and massage. Expect 100–104°F mineral-rich water piped straight from the source—no chlorine, no gimmicks.
4. Is Hot Springs family-friendly or better for couples/adults?
Hot Springs actually strikes a nice balance. Kids love spots like the Mid-America Science Museum, Magic Springs Theme & Water Park, and hiking trails like the easy Hot Springs Mountain Tower Trail. Meanwhile, adults can relax in spa baths, tour the historic Gangster Museum of America, or gamble and enjoy cocktails at Oaklawn. That said, Bathhouse Row is mostly geared toward adults, and some spas have age limits (usually 14+ or 18+). Families typically stay near Lake Hamilton, which has cabin rentals, boating, and space for kids to roam. Couples often opt for downtown boutique hotels like The Waters or Hotel Hale for a more romantic, walkable vibe.
5. How touristy is Hot Springs—and does it still feel authentic?
It’s touristy, but not in a bad way. Reddit threads generally reflect a love-hate relationship: people appreciate the history and charm, but note that certain areas (like Bathhouse Row or Central Ave) can feel overly polished. That said, the authenticity is still very much alive. Locals frequent the trails, the Superior Bathhouse Brewery (the only brewery in a national park!), and hidden gems like Kollective Coffee+Tea or the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market. If you want a more laid-back, less commercial vibe, explore beyond downtown. Hike West Mountain, catch sunset at Balanced Rock, or head to Garvan Woodland Gardens for a quiet, curated nature walk.
6. Do you need a car to get around Hot Springs, or is it walkable?
Downtown Hot Springs is surprisingly walkable—if you’re staying in or near Central Avenue, you can easily reach Bathhouse Row, shops, trails, restaurants, and the visitor center on foot. However, To really enjoy the region, a car is helpful, especially if you plan to explore Lake Ouachita, Garvan Woodland Gardens, or head into the Ouachita Mountains for hiking or kayaking. Public transportation is very limited, and rideshare availability (like Uber) can be hit or miss. If you're flying into Little Rock, rent a car—Hot Springs is about an hour away, and having your own wheels opens up the full experience beyond the bathhouses.
