We reached Hot Springs, Arkansas, by lunchtime yesterday. The road from Poteau leads through the Ouachita National Forest. It's very pretty country, richly wooded hills, tree lined winding roads.
The weather continued fair, bright and warm - couldn't have been better if we'd ordered it. Travel Lodge seemed the nearest motel to center town so we booked in for 2 nights, dumped our stuff and went exploring.
It's such a treat to find towns with sidewalks, shops, galleries etc. all together in one place, such places can be found all over the UK. You can park the car and walk, walk, walk. In this are of the USA such cities are few and far between. Hot Springs is quite different from any other city I've seen so far, and it is a walking city, medium sized, and probably very busy in season, there's a lake nearby and lovely country all around.
The old center town is a tad touristy but not too much, just enough to ensure there are few nice, independently owned, restaurants - something else few and far between in this part of the US. The more recently developed area of the city, with chain restaurants and stores lies a few miles up the highway.
The whole city lies within a National Park - the only American city with this honour. The area has a varied history. Natural hot springs attracted Native Americans centuries ago. It was, to them, a place of peace where tribes put aside their differences and gathered to enjoy the mysteries of The Valley of the Vapors.
Later, as a city grew up around the springs, it became a swinging playground of excess for gangsters and the like, as well as a spa for those rich enough to avail themselves of the bathhouses. Its heyday was betwen 1911 and 1939. The famous bathhouses, 8 of them along Bathhouse Row still stand, and are being lovingly restored. (One is shown above). They are of strikingly different architectural styles, varying fom Spanish Colonial to Californian Art Deco. Only one still remains functional for bathing, another is now a museum.
Today we shall explore further, and look to find the hot springs .
I forgot to mention -Bill Clinton grew up and went to school in this town.
The weather has changed, this morning the sky is overcast and it rained overnight. Storms were forecast, so our explorations may be curtailed.
The weather continued fair, bright and warm - couldn't have been better if we'd ordered it. Travel Lodge seemed the nearest motel to center town so we booked in for 2 nights, dumped our stuff and went exploring.
It's such a treat to find towns with sidewalks, shops, galleries etc. all together in one place, such places can be found all over the UK. You can park the car and walk, walk, walk. In this are of the USA such cities are few and far between. Hot Springs is quite different from any other city I've seen so far, and it is a walking city, medium sized, and probably very busy in season, there's a lake nearby and lovely country all around.
The old center town is a tad touristy but not too much, just enough to ensure there are few nice, independently owned, restaurants - something else few and far between in this part of the US. The more recently developed area of the city, with chain restaurants and stores lies a few miles up the highway.
The whole city lies within a National Park - the only American city with this honour. The area has a varied history. Natural hot springs attracted Native Americans centuries ago. It was, to them, a place of peace where tribes put aside their differences and gathered to enjoy the mysteries of The Valley of the Vapors.
Later, as a city grew up around the springs, it became a swinging playground of excess for gangsters and the like, as well as a spa for those rich enough to avail themselves of the bathhouses. Its heyday was betwen 1911 and 1939. The famous bathhouses, 8 of them along Bathhouse Row still stand, and are being lovingly restored. (One is shown above). They are of strikingly different architectural styles, varying fom Spanish Colonial to Californian Art Deco. Only one still remains functional for bathing, another is now a museum.
Today we shall explore further, and look to find the hot springs .
I forgot to mention -Bill Clinton grew up and went to school in this town.
The weather has changed, this morning the sky is overcast and it rained overnight. Storms were forecast, so our explorations may be curtailed.
2 comments:
Welcome to Hot Springs! My husband and I visited here only one time six years ago before deciding to make it our home three months later.
Named as the No. 1 place in America to retire by geographer Warren Bland , Hot Springs' was confirmed as a top retirement destination on a recent Today Show segment by realtor Barbara Corcoran.
I gotta admit, Hot Springs is a pretty cool place to live, even for those of us who aren't yet retired.
To get a sneak preview, check out Spa Vlogger.
Rebecca McCormick,
Travel Journalist and Photographer,
The Sentinel-Record
Ready Maid - Hi!
Thank you for that informaion - I'll follow those links later, from home. I envy your choice of hometown. I really feel at home here myself!
There's a definite European feel to the town. It's small enough to be friendly but big enough not to feel too countrified. It's arty without being snobby and over-priced - that appeals to me a lot! The people here arejust as fiendly as Okies too - another plus.
If we ever think of moving it'll be on my list for sure. We'll certainly be back for more visits.
Thanks for your visit and comment. :-)
Struggle for Justice
Hi - thnk you for visiting and commenting - nice to see you!
I agree, we need more walking, more sidewalks and more areas where the car isn't needed for every little journey - perhaps global warming will start a swing to the type of development you menion. The time will come when it's a necessity I reckon. :-)
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