Soaking Up Wellness in Hot Springs, cont.
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| Lovely Lake Ouachita |
Day 3
On Saturday morning, I woke up early, put on my hiking gear, and headed to the Hot Springs Farmer's Market to see if I could rustle up some breakfast. The market is in a cute little area not too far from Bathhouse Row, and it was a beautiful morning. (I was blessed with great weather the whole time I was in Arkansas.)
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| The Hot Springs Farmers' Market is nestled under this sweet pavilion. |
A very short drive away, I located the Hideaway Coffee Cafe, which turned out to be perfect. This charming little cafe has set up shop in an old house, and the whole place feels homey. I ordered the breakfast sammie with hash browns and a coffee and settled myself on the cafe's flower-filled porch to eat. The food was fresh and filling, and then I was on my way!
I wanted to get an early start, because I was hiking this morning, and I wanted to get some miles in before it got too hot! I navigated back to Hot Springs National Park, parked my car on the street (I found some convenient metered parking right on Bathhouse Row.), and started my hike on the Grand Promenade. The plan was to string several trails together to get to a hike of about four miles. From the Grand Promenade, I took the Peak Trail up, up, up, until it intersected with Hot Springs Mountain Trail (which is a loop). I basically took this route, but skipped the out-and-back to Gulpha Gorge.
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| The view from Goat Rock Overlook |
It ended up being perfect! The weather was aces, the trail had lots of good elevation, and views from Goat Rock Overlook were beautiful. These trails are almost completely shaded, which kept me from overheating. (Still - bring water, wear sunscreen/a hat, and don't forget your hiking boots!)
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| Hot Springs Mountain Tower |
route takes you by the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. In addition to being a great place to re-fill your water bottle, use the restroom, or get a snack, this is a fun attraction that offers sweeping views of the area. I bought a token to go to the top, hopped on the elevator, and was treated to a panoramic view of all of Hot Springs laid out below me, with the mountains rising around it. Lovely. The attraction also has a lower-floor museum that delves into the town's history. This was a great, fun stop!
After my hike, I headed back to Bathhouse Row for an afternoon spa appointment. I'd pre-booked a reservation at Quapaw Bathhouse for a "Mountain Dream Package" - a 30-minute massage, a 30-minute facial, and a hot stone alignment ($110). A word about spa services in Hot Springs - they are plentiful, and I found them to be affordable. If you'd like to actually soak in the thermal waters, you have several options:
- Stay at a property that has access. Hotels like the Arlington and the Hale allow guests on-property (and often in-room) access to the thermal waters.
- Visit the public baths in places like Buckstaff Bathhouse or Quapaw Bathhouse. These are typically first come, first served. Bathers wear a bathing suit and water shoes, pay a small fee (something like $25), and enjoy the pools with other bathers.
- Book a private bath. This allows you to enjoy the baths in privacy for a short period of time.
I did none of the above, as I decided ahead of time to book a spa package. However, when I return to Hot Springs, I will likely add a private bath to my spa visit.
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| From the tower's vantage point, Hot Springs stretches out below you |
I checked into the bathhouse and enjoyed a frozen strawberry lemonade while I waited to be called back. They provided a robe, slippers, and changing room, and then I met up with my aesthetician. We started with a nice massage, which felt so good after the morning's hike! Then, we moved on to the hot stone alignment and the facial. After my treatments were complete, I lingered in the lounge, sipping a cup of mint tea and reading.
My rumbling stomach finally convinced me to leave. I'd had a filling breakfast, as well as some trail snacks, but it was now nearly 2 p.m., and I was hungry! I changed back into my clothes and headed to Rolando's, a "Nuevo Latino" restaurant that online reviews raved about. They seated me on their pretty shaded deck, and I ordered the Pollo Bohemios, which was filling and deliciously sauced. I washed it down with a mojito and chased it with a (very green) slice of key lime pie. Everything was delicious, and this meal hit the spot!
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| So much to learn about at Crystal Ridge Distillery! |
Then, we enjoyed a tasting1 The tasting is only $10, and you get to try A LOT of spirits. It gives you a good idea of their product range, so you can better decide what you might like to purchase. (They also have an on-site bar where you can order cocktails and other mixed drinks made with Crystal Ridge spirits.) I loved their canned vodka sodas, which taste like a drink you'd make for yourself, but come pre-mixed for you in a can. I also bought a bottle of their honey lemonade moonshine. Both purchases will make for great drinks this summer!
After I finished up at the distillery, I knew I needed to get a small nibble for dinner. I wasn't very hungry, because I'd had such a late lunch. However, I needed a little snack. Google sent me to The Bourbon Bar at 501 Prime. Just what I was looking for! I had them seat me on their second-floor porch, then ordered a Moscow Mule and a phyllo-wrapped fried brie appetizer. Perfection. The night was beautiful, the drink hit just right, and the plate of food was enough but not too much. I also couldn't help but peruse the very impressive menu of this place. It looked so good that I resolved to return and eat a full dinner here.
Then, it was off to the rental and bed!
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| Who loves a lake view? This girl right here. |
Day 4
On my last full day in Hot Springs, I again woke early and dressed for outdoor adventure. Today was lake day!
I started my morning at The Pancake Shop. I'd heard that this place was a Hot Springs institution, and now I know why. They open at 7 a.m., and I arrived shortly thereafter. I was immediately seated, and I ordered coffee, one blueberry pancake (Their pancakes are the size of a dinner plate.), a couple of strips of bacon, and a fruit bowl of blueberries and bananas.
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| Get ready for rocks on Caddo Bend Trail! |
Also as I enjoyed my breakfast, a fellow solo female traveler, seated at the table next to me, began chatting with me. She's been coming to Hot Springs for years and had all kinds of good tips! We compared notes on what we'd done so far, what we'd ordered for breakfast, and what we planned to do next. This is one of the serendipitous things about solo travel - you are open to the universe in a different way than you are when you travel with others.
I finished up my breakfast, paid my bill, and headed for my next stop - Lake Ouachita State Park! This was another place that had been on my wish list for a long time, and I was thrilled to be making a trip here! At 40,000 acres, Lake Ouachita is Arkansas' largest lake, and it's said to be one of the clearest, cleanest lakes in America. I started my adventure by parking in a shaded spot at the Visitors' Center to orient myself. The main trail out at Lake Ouachita State Park is called Caddo Bend Trail, and it's a four-mile loop.
In a word, it's fantastic. Be prepared for elevation the whole way - lots of ups and downs. And also be prepared for lots of rocks. I wouldn't have hiked this trail without my hiking boots. But the trail itself is a wonder, winding through gorgeous forests and offering amazing lake views. There are a few steep descents off the main trail where you can get right down to the lakeside, and I waved to kayakers and boaters on the water. I found tons of cool rocks with thick ribbons of quartz running through them. I saw deer. There's an observation deck that gives you a wide view of the lake, as well as a couple of sweet little bridges. The trail is extremely well marked and very well maintained, and even though it was a busy holiday weekend, I saw maybe four people on the trail the whole time. (Frankly, I heard more noise from boaters on the lake!)
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| Three Sisters Springs |
When I'd finished up my hike, it was back to the Visitors' Center, where I changed into my bathing suit and cover up, re-filled my water bottle, and bought a few snacks for munching. Then, I drove to one of the park's two swimming beaches (the one near Three Sisters Springs), where I laid out my towel and headed for a swim!
The water was cold, but not nearly as cold as Barton Creek and the Colorado River, where Mel and I swam in April. I established a pattern - lie in the sun and get warm, the jump in the water to cool off. Swim a few laps, then get back out and lie in the sun until warm and dry again. Repeat. Intersperse with eating chips. (Heh.) I spent at least a couple of hours at this swimming beach, and it was a very enjoyable afternoon! (I also love eavesdropping on other people when I travel solo, and there were some FUN conversations happening at this beach!)
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| Did I swim in one of the clearest, cleanest lakes in the nation? You bet I did. |
Right next to this location in the park, you'll also find the Three Sisters Springs, which were historically marketed as some of the healing thermal springs in the area. You can still see them, along with signage that tells you what each spring was rumored to cure, in an area next to the parking lot for this swimming beach.
Tuckered out, I drove back to my rental, where I took a shower and a quick nap.
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| Happy hiker in Arkansas |
For dinner that night, I headed back to 501 Prime, as I'd been dreaming of a steak there ever since seeing their menu the night before! Excellent, excellent. I didn't have a reservation, but I was fairly early for dinner and also a solo diner, so they seated me immediately. I ordered a glass of red wine, a steak, some garlic mash, and some asparagus. Soooooo. Goooooood. I ate it up while I read my book! Then, I got a cup of coffee and the lemon blueberry cheesecake to finish. I was veryvery full when I left, but also veryvery happy! The price point at this place is high, especially for a steak, but I can't imagine you'd regret it. Service and food were both impeccable, and surroundings are lovely. Recommended!
After dinner, I fairly rolled back to my rental and went to bed.
Then next morning was pack-drive-home, with few stops, so I could hug my sweeties again! I LOVED my first visit to Hot Springs and would absolutely recommend it to anyone. I bet it would also be a great fall destination (Lake Ouachita included).
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