Travel Feature: Hot Springs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel
  • 19 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Not many cities can claim they are former vacation destinations for the likes of Al Capone and Babe Ruth. Hot Springs, Ark. is one of the few, and it is a city I've heard a lot about during my short time here at Little Rock Air Force Base. The city is appropriately named, with its 47 natural freshwater springs that spew out thermal water daily. Hot Springs is nationally famous for its spas and bathhouses that have capitalized on the mineral waters. The bathhouses themselves were built at the turn of the century and feature beautiful architecture that can't be missed while walking downtown. While I love a good massage as much as anyone else, the bathhouse spas aren't particularly easy on the wallet. So I set out to see what Hot Springs had to offer that an airman first class could afford.

A weekend had finally arrived when it wasn't too hot out, so I grabbed a friend and made the road trip to Hot Springs. The drive was a little more than an hour from base and included some winding hillside roads. We knew we were close to Hot Springs when we saw the brightly colored roller coasters from Magic Springs Amusement Park. It looked like a lot of fun from the outside for both thrill-seekers and families alike. However, my friend Kelsey was not a rollercoaster enthusiast, so we explored other options.

The first sight I wanted to see was a bird's eye view of Hot Springs. For that, we headed to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. It is centrally located and hard to miss. The drive up is very steep and scenic, offering colorful treetop views and stunning layouts of the historic town below. Once we got to the tower, we found out that you can either take an elevator or stairs to get to the top. We opted for the stairs, and truthfully, the 216-foot trek was slightly exhausting. But the view from the top was amazing. There is an indoor observatory at the top, as well as an outdoor view above it. The sights it offered reminded me why Arkansas is dubbed "The Natural State." At only $5 for military members, it was well worth the trip.

After the tower, we made the short drive back to downtown to do more exploring. We parked near the historic Arlington Hotel and walked down Central Avenue. There was a lot to see and do on the strip. We weren't able to stop at every interesting place we saw in one day. We passed a wax museum, gangster museum, small aquarium, an amphibious boat tour and a plethora of art galleries and restaurants. Our first stop was a store which stood out amongst the rest. It was called Romancing the Stone. It was filled with an assortment of unique worldly art and trinkets. It was eclectic but refreshing, compared to the tourist traps nearby. My friend and I both bought some canvas paintings, and while we were leaving, I spoke with the cashier. He was a local, and I asked him where we should eat for lunch. He responded without hesitation insisting that if we felt like having burgers to check out Bubbalu's. It was only a block away, so we headed there.

Bubbalu's is located right off Central Avenue. Kelsey and I both got the Black Angus hamburger, and it was delicious. It wasn't too expensive either at approximately $10 for a burger, fries and drink. The restaurant was reminiscent of a '50s diner. We sat near the window and watched people stroll down the avenue as we ate. Once we finished, we thought that walking off all those calories would be a good idea. So we decided to hit the trails.

We departed downtown and made the 15-minute drive to our last stop. Garvan Woodland Gardens was the perfect spot for a light hike. We arrived and were greeted by sweet elderly women who were passionate about the gardens and what they had to offer. The botanical gardens are nestled in the Ouachita Mountains and are open seven days a week. The variety of plants and the occasional views of the wooded shoreline were alluring. We were too hot and tired to walk the full trail, as it was a few miles. But from our short walk we were able to see some waterfalls and wildlife to include snakes, deer and hummingbirds. I'd say Garvan Gardens is a must for nature lovers and green thumbs alike. It was a great way to end the day at only $8 for military members.

As the day came to an end, Kelsey and I were ready to head back to base. We were wiped after walking the winding gardens, streets of downtown and stairs of the observation tower. The drive back was relaxing and much needed. Our visit to Hot Springs was definitely memorable. The city has a unique feel that felt worlds away from the 1-hour drive that it takes to get there. There was more to see in Hot Springs than we could do in one day, but it still made one incredible day trip.