At the end of October me and my travel companion for life road tripped it to check another National Park off our list. Little did I know, Hot Springs State Park would end up being the most interesting visit I have ever experienced visiting a National Park.
Hot Springs, Arkansas is a city that resides inside of a National Park. You drive into this city that has a row of centuries old bath houses originally constructed to pump in mineral water from the hot springs. These springs naturally stay at 140 degrees all year round! The bathhouses are at the food of a mountain that has walking trails that take you right up to natural flowing springs pooling out of the hills that will eventually lead you up to the observation tower. There is also a one way driving trail loop that leads up the mountain and provides amazing scenic outlooks. The driving loop also leads to a small parking lot at the foot of the observation tower where you can park. The main strip of bath house row also offers many touristy attractions and has the historic Arlington Hotel, which is where we stayed at. There is the only a brewery in a National Park located on bath house row, Superior Bathhouse Brewery, who brews beer with the natural spring water. You know that was right up my alley, the beer was so amazing!!
In all this was such an enjoyable trip that combined the comforts of a small town and the beauty of our country's natural wonders. I highly suggest this to anyone wanting a 6 hour get away from the Missouri and especially anyone with kids 10 and older. This was truly a relaxing getaway!