Located into the Ouachita Mountains of Central Arkansas, Hot Springs is a small city whose fame owes to natural thermal springs. Downtown, historic red-brick bathhouses line Central Avenue’s Bathhouse Row, a unique sight in America. In 2025 Hot Springs’ population is about 38,000, making it Arkansas’s 10th-largest city (and the largest in its mountain region). It serves as the county seat of Garland County and is the largest city in the Ouachita Mountains. Despite its size, Hot Springs punches above its weight as a resort town: visitors come for hiking trails, horse racing, spring training baseball lore, and – of course – spa relaxation. Its average household income is around $46,000 with a poverty rate near 21%, reflecting a mix of working families and retirees drawn by the mild climate.
Hot Springs covers roughly 35 square miles in the valley of the Ouachita foothills. The city’s racial makeup is predominantly White (about 73%) with African Americans making up roughly 16%. Hispanic/Latino and Asian communities are small (each under 2%), and the rest is mixed/other. The median age is about 45 years, reflecting a significant population of retirees attracted to the town’s quiet charm and healthcare facilities. Per-capita and household incomes are below national average, and a fifth of residents live in poverty. Tourism, healthcare (including the VA hospital and regional medical centers), and retail are key economic sectors in Hot Springs, with bathhouse tourism historically the foundation of prosperity.
Hot Springs lies in south-central Arkansas, in the northern fringes of the Ouachita Mountains. Geographically it is part of the U.S. Interior Highlands, a rugged forested region spanning Arkansas-Oklahoma. The city is on rolling hills; the downtown bathhouses sit at the base of Hot Springs Mountain (1,058 ft), which is flanked by North Mountain and West Mountain. Its valley location means elevation changes within the city, offering many scenic overlooks. Hot Springs is about 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Little Rock, the nearest large city (with an international airport), and roughly 250 miles northwest of Memphis. The region has a humid subtropical climate: summers are hot and humid (with July highs averaging over 90°F), and winters are mild to cool. Rainfall is abundant (about 50 inches/year) and heaviest in spring and fall due to the orographic effect of the Ouachita range. Hot Springs’ climate and forests encourage year-round tourism (hiking, boating on nearby lakes, plus fall foliage in October).
Human history in the Hot Springs valley stretches back millennia: Native Americans (especially the Caddo and Quapaw) long revered the thermal springs for their healing properties. In the colonial era the area changed hands (French, Spanish, U.S.) before William Dunbar and George Hunter visited the springs in 1804. The first modern settler, Prudhomme, arrived in 1807 and built a cabin near the springs. The name Hot Springs derives from these natural thermal waters (about 47 springs flow 1,000,000 gallons daily at around 143°F). In 1832 the U.S. Congress took the unprecedented step of preserving the springs as a federal reservation – making it America’s oldest national reserve (later the first national park in 1921). Around this protected springhead, the town of Hot Springs grew into a booming spa resort by the late 19th century, with numerous bathhouses, hotels, and even casinos.
By the 20th century Hot Springs had gained a colorful reputation. Major League baseball teams trained here every spring from the 1880s onward (earning it the moniker “birthplace of spring training”). During Prohibition, the town became a haven for gamblers and gangsters: famous figures like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano were known to visit Hot Springs’ speakeasies and Oaklawn racetrack. Despite this rowdy side, the city preserved much of its historic character. The 1920s–30s saw a building boom of Art Deco bathhouses and hotels, many of which survive today. During World War II the nearby Army-Navy Hospital treated the wounded, and in 1953 a young Jackie Robinson played an exhibition game in Hot Springs. In recent decades, Hot Springs has embraced its heritage: Bathhouse Row and much of downtown are preserved as a National Historic Landmark district, and festivals like the Hot Springs Music Festival and Documentary Film Festival celebrate the arts each year.
Hot Springs feels like a classic Southern resort town with a cosmopolitan twist. The vast majority of residents speak English, and Southern accents are common. The pace of life is unhurried by big-city standards – locals greet visitors warmly and often casually dress (shorts and sandals are fine anywhere). There’s a bit of a small-town “friendly neighbor” charm mixed with a hint of Las Vegas-era flair in downtown’s art deco façade. English and “Memorial City charm” aside, Hot Springs sees visitors from around the world, so you may also hear Spanish or tour guides’ French in the bathhouses. The culture leans Southern in hospitality, but also embraces the healing and wellness traditions of its springs. Annual events reflect this blend: for example, Hot Springs hosts a major baseball heritage trail (with 26 historic markers) due to its storied past, and arts festivals (from jazz and film festivals to rodeos) enliven the calendar.
The heart of Hot Springs is Bathhouse Row – eight surviving turn-of-the-century bathhouses along Central Avenue, now part of Hot Springs National Park. Today you can tour historic bathhouses such as the Fordyce (the park visitor center) or even enjoy a traditional soak at Buckstaff Bathhouse. These brick-and-mortar relics recall the golden age of “taking the waters.” Nearby, the Garland County Courthouse and Arlington Hotel (1920s Art Deco icon) anchor the National Historic District along Central Ave.
Just uphill is Hot Springs Mountain Tower (216 ft tall): an observation tower offering 360° views of the city, lakes, and piney peaks. The surrounding Hot Springs National Park (the smallest U.S. national park) features 26 miles of trails through pine forest and waterfalls – an ideal hike is the Sunset Trail, which ascends Hot Springs Mountain. Don’t miss the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, a microbrewery that occupies the old Superior Bathhouse (it even uses thermal spring water in its beer).
Other highlights: Garvan Woodland Gardens (just south of town) is a 210-acre botanical garden on Lake Hamilton with lush trails, Japanese gardens, and a spectacular fall foliage display. For family fun, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park (a few miles east) offers roller coasters and slides. Sports fans come for Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, a historic racetrack (Arkansas Derby site) with year-round simulcast betting, or to attend the world’s largest rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (held in Houston, note!). History buffs will appreciate the Gangster Museum of America, the Spring Training Baseball Museum, and the Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo (a quirky century-old zoo downtown).
Hot Springs has no major airport of its own. The nearest commercial airport is Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock, about a one-hour drive northeast (55 miles). Little Rock offers direct flights from major hubs. Alternatively, Memphis (TN) is about 3 hours away. Hot Springs is best reached by car: it sits at the junction of U.S. 70 and Arkansas 7, roughly midway between Little Rock and Texarkana on I-30. (The city once had passenger rail service, but today only freight lines remain.)
Hot Springs is compact; downtown and nearby Bathhouse Row are easily walkable. However, the city is hilly, so hiking or shuttles are common for reaching overlooks. A local trolley (“Hot Springs Heritage Trolley”) runs around downtown seasonally. Otherwise, most visitors drive or use rideshares. Parking on Central Avenue is usually free and abundant. To reach attractions outside the core (e.g. Garvan Gardens, Hot Springs Mountain Tower, or Magic Springs), a car is strongly recommended.
Basic Tips:
Currency: US Dollar (USD). As in the rest of the U.S., credit cards are widely accepted, and tipping ~15–20% in restaurants is customary.
Language: English. Virtually all signage and services are English-only.
Etiquette: Hospitality is genuine here – locals will hold doors, wave “Howdy” or “y’all,” and often strike up friendly conversation. Dress is casual (jeans and shorts are fine). If visiting historic bathhouses, observe quiet and cleanliness out of respect.
Safety: Hot Springs is generally safe and laid-back. Normal city precautions suffice (park in well-lit areas at night, etc.). Nature hazards include rocky trails and sun exposure on the lakes; swim only in designated areas.
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