Hot Springs | USA Arkansas

Hot Springs serves as the administrative seat of Garland County and is a premier national center for thermal hydrotherapy and tourism. It is situated in the Zigzag Mountains of the Ouachita Range, approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Little Rock.

Historical Timeline

The area was originally utilized by Indigenous peoples as a neutral site for healing before being claimed by French and Spanish explorers. In 1832, President Andrew Jackson set the hot springs aside as a federal reserve, making it the first federally protected area in U.S. history. The city was incorporated in 1851. The most significant architectural and socioeconomic shift occurred between 1880 and 1930, during which the city became a major destination for the American Mafia, including Al Capone, who utilized the city's "neutral ground" status to evade federal scrutiny. The primary event shaping the current urban form was the 1921 redesignation of the federal reserve as Hot Springs National Park, integrating the urban Bathhouse Row directly into the national park system.

Demographics & Population

The total population within city limits is 38,370. The top three demographics are White (71.2%), Black or African American (16.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.9%). The median age is 43.1 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Bathhouse Row (Central): A National Historic Landmark district featuring eight preserved turn-of-the-century bathhouses along Central Avenue.

Downtown / Central Avenue (North): The primary commercial corridor featuring art galleries, historic hotels, and boutique retail.

The Southside (South): A focused area for modern retail, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, and regional medical facilities.

Lake Hamilton Area (Southwest): A high-density residential and recreational zone focused on water-based tourism.

Top City Landmarks

Hot Springs National Park: The only national park located within an urban area.

Bathhouse Row: Specifically the Fordyce Bathhouse, which serves as the park's visitor center.

The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa: A 1924 landmark known for its historic ties to Al Capone.

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort: A historic Thoroughbred racetrack operating since 1904.

Garvan Woodland Gardens: A 210-acre botanical garden on Lake Hamilton.

Transportation Network

Movement is facilitated by the Hot Springs Intracity Transit (IT), which operates three fixed bus routes. There is no metro or tram. Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft is active and reliable. Traffic density is moderate, with significant seasonal congestion on Central Avenue (Hwy 7) during the spring racing season and summer months.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is moderate. Violent and property crime rates are statistically higher than the national average, primarily localized to neighborhoods east of the downtown core and south of the Greenwood district. Travelers should exercise standard vigilance in parking areas. Common scams involve predatory towing in private lots and aggressive solicitation near popular thermal fountains.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 200–400 Mbps, with fiber optic services provided by AT&T and Resort TV Cable. Main mobile carriers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Card acceptance is universal. ATMs are widely available at local bank branches (Simmons, Regions) and throughout the Oaklawn complex.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from 1°C to 12°C in winter (January) and 22°C to 34°C in summer (July). Specific weather risks include high humidity and flash flooding due to the mountainous terrain and narrow valley floor. Air quality is high, benefiting from the surrounding Ouachita National Forest.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping rate is 18–20%. Greetings are informal but polite. Dress code is "resort casual," though formal attire is common at the Arlington Hotel or Oaklawn’s fine dining venues. Smoking is prohibited in public indoor spaces; public consumption of alcohol is permitted within the designated "Bridge Street Live" entertainment district during specific events.

Accommodation Zones

Downtown / Central Avenue: Stay here for immediate access to the bathhouses, national park trails, and historic nightlife.

Lake Hamilton: Stay here for resort-style hotels, boat rentals, and waterfront dining.

Oaklawn Area: Stay at the Oaklawn hotel for proximity to the casino and Thoroughbred racing.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.75

1 Standard Lunch: $16.00

1 Transit Ticket: $1.25

Nearby Day Trips

Little Rock, AR: (85 km)

Lake Ouachita State Park: (30 km)

Crater of Diamonds State Park: (95 km)

Mount Ida (Quartz Crystal Capital): (60 km)

Facts & Legends

Hot Springs is the birthplace of Major League Baseball spring training; the "Golden Era" of the city saw legends like Babe Ruth training here to utilize the thermal waters for recovery. A local legend involves the "Al Capone Suite" (Room 443) at the Arlington, where it is claimed the gangster’s ghost still occupies the room, accompanied by the smell of cigar smoke. A verified historical oddity is that the 47 thermal springs produce approximately 700,000 gallons of 61°C (143°F) water daily, which is cooled naturally through a gravity-fed system for modern public use.