Highlights

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Hot Springs, AR – Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

Arrive today in Hot Springs, AR, known as “America’s First Resort.”  While Yellowstone became the country’s first official national park in 1872, Hot Springs was the first federally reserved land, a four-acre tract set aside by Congress in 1832 to protect the hot water for public use. Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a picturesque and eclectic city that prides itself on offering a little something for everyone.

Check into the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa for a three-night stay.  The colorful history of the three eras of Arlington hotels is not architectural beauty and uniqueness alone. Always the center of activities in Hot Springs, the Arlington has hosted hundreds of grand balls and social events since 1875. Politicians, dignitaries, actors, gangsters and entertainment and sports legends bathed in our bath house, danced to our music and enjoyed our splendor and charm. The Arlington has survived a devastating fire, economic downturns, changing social attitudes and much more. Steeped in history, The Arlington is truly a legend.

The Arlington is also known for its Thermal Water Spa which allows guests to bathe in the hot spring water that is pumped directly into the hotel.  Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 2 – Bathhouse Row Tour – Fordyce Bathhouse Museum – Bathhouse Brewery – Dinner at the Porterhouse Restaurant – Maxwell Blade Magic Show

Hot Springs used to be a playground for the rich and famous, Gangsters like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano, Baseball Player Babe Ruth and many Hollywood Celebrities spent time here.  Hot Springs is also the proud hometown of our nation’s 42nd president, former President Bill Clinton.

This morning, meet your local guide for a tour of Hot Springs’ Bathhouse Row.  Bathhouse Row, as it exists today, is a collection of eight architecturally significant bathhouses, most of which were built between 1912 and 1923 along Central Avenue, the main road through downtown. Two of the structures, the Buckstaff and the Quapaw, currently operate as bathhouses offering spa services.

Many of the buildings on Bathhouse Row were constructed during the time when Hot Springs rivaled Las Vegas and Atlantic City as a gambling mecca. Now the buildings house shops, art galleries, restaurants, music venues, shows and museums.

There is also a public fountain located on Bathhouse Row where can get sample some of the thermal water for yourself.  Enjoy some free time for lunch on own and shopping.

Visit the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museum. Named after owner Colonel Samuel Fordyce, the Fordyce operated as a bathhouse from 1915 to 1962. It remained vacant until it reopened as the park visitor center in 1989. Located in the middle of Bathhouse Row, the Fordyce has exhibits on the thermal bathing industry. See many of the different rooms as they appeared during the time it served as a bathhouse.

The afternoon also includes a stop at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only Brewery in a US National Park and the only brewery in the world to utilize thermal spring water as their main ingredient.

Dinner is included this evening at The Porterhouse serving the finest selection of Prime-only sizzling steaks and seafood cuisine in the Hot Springs area.

Following dinner, enjoy the Maxwell Blade Show.  Located in the newly renovated historic Malco theatre, no less than twelve cast members present to you two mesmerizing hours of large-scale illusions, close up magic, comedy, and live music–played on piano by the grand illusionist himself. You think you’ve seen every trick in the book? Look again! The Maxwell Blade Show is unlike anything in the world today. It’s an emotional ride–Maxwell Blade and his fantastic crew don’t pause to catch breath or savor applause but keep the show rolling to keep you dismayed, inspired, mind-boggled, and tickled. (B,D)

Day 3 – Gangster Museum – Afternoon Racing & Lunch at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – Dinner Cruise

Start the day at the Gangster Museum of America. Take yourself back to the days of the 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s when mineral water, gambling, bootlegging, and other extreme pleasures brought visitors like Al Capone to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Learn how the residents this little valley town in the mountains of central Arkansas co-existed with some of the most notorious criminals in America.  There are seven different galleries to explore, you can play in the antique casino and hear the historian in the museum theater relate who, what, when, and where stories that are fascinating, informative, and educational.

The afternoon features horse racing and lunch at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. (Oaklawn racing season is December to May – Thursday, Friday, Saturday.  Simulcast races rest of the year).  Home to the Racing Festival of the South and Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn has hosted champions like American Pharoah, Temperence Hill, Cigar, Curlin, Azeri, Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Zenyatta and many more. Live thoroughbred racing is just the ticket for high pulse rates and high purses. Oaklawn Gaming is home to year-round good times with a High Limits area, Poker Room, all your favorite Vegas-style games.

Dinner tonight will be at Fisherman’s Wharf, a casual , family style restaurant located on Lake Hamilton.  (B,L,D)

Day 4 – Garvan Woodland Gardens – Depart for Home

After breakfast, visit Garvan Woodland Gardens, the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas. Numerous attractions are on the grounds including architectural structures like the Anthony Chapel, the Bob and Sunny Evans Treehouse, and botanical landscapes offering breathtaking sights and great photo opportunities.

Depart for home after your visit. (B)

Tour Map