100 Things to Do in Hot Springs Before You Die

by Cassidy Kendall

Overview

Hot Springs National Park is unlike any other National Park you will visit. It’s a unique oasis in Arkansas, and not just because the park is a place where ancient thermal water springs thought to be medicinal can be found. There’s a community in Hot Springs that has worked to develop this National Park and the city that surrounds it into what it is today. In 100 Things to Do in Hot Springs Before You Die, readers will get a taste of what Spa City has for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll be inspired to try the unique things that keep Hot Springs zany and fun. Find out where you can find fountains to indulge in the thermal waters, as well as what historic bath houses allow you to bathe in them. Learn of the town’s history in an illegal gambling era that drew in infamous gangsters like Al Capone and Owney Madden at The Gangster Museum of America. Explore the three lakes and numerous hiking trails in and around the city or attend the largest celebratory bashes the city holds annually, like the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Local author and journalist Cassidy Kendall guides you through the quirky and intriguing history of the place she’s loved for years. With no stone unturned and no hidden gem remaining in the dark, this book will help you find out where to begin when experiencing and exploring Hot Springs National Park.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681063485
Publisher:	Reedy press, LLC.
Publication date:	05/15/2022
Series:	100 Things to Do Before You Die Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Cassidy Kendall is a Hot Springs, Arkansas-based freelance journalist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Print Journalism from the University of Central Arkansas in December 2018. A South Arkansas native, Cassidy was first introduced to Hot Springs as a child, when her grandparents would take her and her two older sisters on vacation there during the summers. She has spent her postgrad years getting acquainted and falling in love with the community inside what used to be a mere vacation destination.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

Food and Drink

1 Step into History and Savor an Ohio Club Burger 2

2 Stuff Your Big Mouth with the Bailey's Special 3

3 Bathe in Thermal Water Brew at Superior 4

4 Head to Will's for the Best Cinnamon Roll of Your Life 6

5 Go Home to The Pancake Shop 7

6 Squeeze In a SQZBX Pie and Brew 8

7 Snag a Pretzel from the Biergarten of Steinhaus Keller 10

8 Have Your Pick at 420 Eats Food Truck Court 11

9 Take a Sip from the Creek at Crystal Ridge Distillery 12

10 Sip a Banana Pina Colada at Sunset at Bubba Brews 13

11 Brunch Your Heart Out at Eden 14

12 Bring Your Bottom to Fat Bottomed Girl's 16

13 Build a Unique Plate at Café 1217 17

14 Cool Off at Mamoo's Creamery 18

15 Take Your Shoes off, Have a Roll, and Stay Awhile at Osaka 20

16 Enjoy a Drink and a View from the Rooftop of The Waters 21

17 Eat Gourmet On-the-Go at BubbaLu's 22

18 Taste the Flavor Burst at King Kone 23

19 Get Dirty with the Cheese at Picante's 24

20 Make a Splash at the Wine Bar 26

21 Love the Wine You're with at the Wineries 27

22 Drink a Cup of Locally Roasted Coffee at Red Light 28

23 Get Acquainted with Madam Maxine 30

24 Visit the Argentinian Bars 32

25 Dine on the Dock of the Wharf 33

Music and Entertainment

26 Get Lucky at Oaklawn's Casino 36

27 Experience Life as an '80s Kid at The Galaxy Connection 38

28 Tour the Biggest Tiny Town 39

29 Blow Your Mind at a Maxwell Blade Magic Show 40

30 Visit the Local Library 41

31 Have Your Palm Read by Psychic Lauren 42

32 Take a Scenic Drive through the Mountains 43

33 Catch a Show at The Pocket Theatre 44

34 Party on the Lake with Captain Jack 45

35 Admire the Talent and Beauty of The Foul Play Cabaret 46

36 Check Out the Busking in Adair Park 47

37 Cheer On the Running of the Tubs 48

38 Watch Nine Days of Doc Films 49

39 Celebrate Like the Irish at the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade 50

40 See the Holiday Lights of the Chili Cook-Off 52

41 Attend a Bridge Street Block Party 53

42 Embrace Your Fandom at Spa-Con 54

43 Glow on the Row for Halloween 55

44 Get Your Groove On at the Hot Springs Music Festival 56

Sports and Recreation

45 Meet George the Peacock at Garvan Woodland Gardens 60

46 Get a Better Look from the Mountain Tower 61

47 Go Full Auto at Machine Gun Grotto 62

48 Meet the Pirates of the Cove 63

49 Hop on a Bike at the Touring Company 64

50 Bike the Northwoods 65

51 Make a Narrow Escape 66

52 Get Educated at Mid-America Science Museum 68

53 Pet a Gator at the Farm 69

54 Brunch and Bathe at The Arlington 70

55 Swim at Lake Ouachita State Park 72

56 Break into Your Creative Side at Emergent Arts 73

57 Dig for Treasure at Ron Coleman's 74

58 Visit the Waterfall at Lake Catherine 75

59 Follow the Red Brick Road of the Grand Promenade 76

60 Hike the Gulpha Gorge Trail 77

61 Escape to Hollywood Park 78

62 Play in the Trees at Adventureworks 80

63 Blow Off Some Steam at Big Axe Battleground 81

64 See What Destinations Await You 82

65 Take a Kahuna Bay Pontoon on Lake Hamilton 84

66 Make a Splash at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park 86

67 Go Down to the Fairgrounds for Some Outdoor Fun 88

68 Place a Bet on a Kentucky Derby Hopeful in the Arkansas Derby 89

Culture and History

69 Quaff the Elixir of the Park 92

70 Visit Bathhouse Row 93

71 See How the Bathing Used to Be Done at the Fordyce Bathhouse 94

72 Meet Another Kind of Spring Water at Mountain Valley Spring Co 95

73 Learn About Hot Springs's Outlaw Past at the Gangster Museum of America 96

74 Explore the Ruins of the Abandoned Chewaukla Bottling Factory 98

75 Hear Local Ghost Stories on the Haunted Walking Tours 100

76 Get Acquainted with the Historians of the Historical Society 101

77 Hop on a Trolley for a Tour 102

78 Enter a World of Wax at the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum 103

79 Stroll through the Walk of Fame 104

80 Walk the Historic Baseball Trail 105

81 Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride 106

82 Attend the Longest Continuously Running Wednesday Night Poetry 107

83 Admire Local Art on a Gallery Walk 108

84 Craft and Celebrate at Arts and the Park 110

Shopping and Fashion

85 Browse the Farmers Market 114

86 Scrub-a-Dub at the Bathhouse Soapery and Caldarium 115

87 Play Dress Up at the Hot Springy Dingy 116

88 Get Witchy at The Parlour 117

89 Seize the Clay at Dryden Pottery 118

90 Find Your Zen at It's All About Rocks 119

91 Celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, All Year at Kringle's 120

92 Discover Toys from Your Childhood at the Toy Chest 121

93 Thrift through Retired Local Articles 122

94 Top Yourself Off at the Hot Springs Hat Company 124

95 Explore the Extraordinary at Stella Mae's 125

96 Experience Mexico through the Doors of La Bodeguita 126

97 Get to Know the Larkins at Fox Pass 128

98 Discover the Novelty of Miracle Electronics 129

99 Shop the Boutiques of the Spa City 130

100 Peruse the Friends of the Library Book Sale 132

Activities by Season 133

Suggested Itineraries 135

Index 140