Sightseeing
I grew up right outside of Hot Springs and it’s one of my favorite cities in the US. Bathhouse Row downtown, spas, beautiful lakes, food, amazing local/boutique shopping downtown.. rich history here of gangsters, underground tunnels and speakeasies. Great night life. Oaklawn! Several golf courses. Magic Springs.
Favorite Restaurants in Hot Springs: Porterhouse for amazing steaks, McClards for best bbq around. Rolando’s downtown for Brazilian. They have live bands on weekends with really cool outside patio built into the mountains. Wonderful place. Arlington for Friday seafood feast and Sunday brunch. Fisherman’s Wharf on Lake Hamilton. Cafe 1217 for lunch and best bakery. Rods Pizza Cellar: Godfather pizza WILL BE the best pizza you’ve ever eaten. You can tell them Jillian sent you.
Hot Springs is a foodies paradise
145 locals recommend
Hot Springs
I grew up right outside of Hot Springs and it’s one of my favorite cities in the US. Bathhouse Row downtown, spas, beautiful lakes, food, amazing local/boutique shopping downtown.. rich history here of gangsters, underground tunnels and speakeasies. Great night life. Oaklawn! Several golf courses. Magic Springs.
Favorite Restaurants in Hot Springs: Porterhouse for amazing steaks, McClards for best bbq around. Rolando’s downtown for Brazilian. They have live bands on weekends with really cool outside patio built into the mountains. Wonderful place. Arlington for Friday seafood feast and Sunday brunch. Fisherman’s Wharf on Lake Hamilton. Cafe 1217 for lunch and best bakery. Rods Pizza Cellar: Godfather pizza WILL BE the best pizza you’ve ever eaten. You can tell them Jillian sent you.
Hot Springs is a foodies paradise
It's always a fun day at the track! Be sure and grab a corned beef sandwich. Local fave.
263 locals recommend
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
2705 Central AveIt's always a fun day at the track! Be sure and grab a corned beef sandwich. Local fave.
Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo
847 Whittington AveKids love it!
Mid-America Science Museum
500 Mid America BlvdFantastic for kids!
Water Park and amusement park in one! Weekend concerts during summer.
169 locals recommend
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
1701 E Grand AveWater Park and amusement park in one! Weekend concerts during summer.
T-Rex Golf
1115 Central AveGreat for kids of all ages.
The trails are wonderful here. The waterfall trail is a must! Clean beach, pavilions and store on property. Kayaks and paddle boats for rent.
81 locals recommend
Lake Catherine State Park
1200 Catherine Park RdThe trails are wonderful here. The waterfall trail is a must! Clean beach, pavilions and store on property. Kayaks and paddle boats for rent.
Shopping nearby
Closest shopping and dining
Closest Dining: JJs Truckstop. Ummm.. Truckstop? Yes! And it’s very, very good. Menu order or buffet.. they do a really great job from burgers to meatloaf to a fantastic breakfast.. they pretty much do it all. 3 minute drive.
The closest dining and shopping areas near cabin are going to be in Benton. About a 10-15 minute drive. Walmart, Kroger, Harps, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Academy Sports, Khols, Target, and many more. Shopping malls are brand new and very nice. Great to have them close by.
Benton
Closest Dining: JJs Truckstop. Ummm.. Truckstop? Yes! And it’s very, very good. Menu order or buffet.. they do a really great job from burgers to meatloaf to a fantastic breakfast.. they pretty much do it all. 3 minute drive.
The closest dining and shopping areas near cabin are going to be in Benton. About a 10-15 minute drive. Walmart, Kroger, Harps, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Academy Sports, Khols, Target, and many more. Shopping malls are brand new and very nice. Great to have them close by.
Dollar General
14331 US-67Close by for quick needs.
Malvern
Downtown Malvern area has a lot to offer by means of shopping and neat cafes.
T.J. Maxx & HomeGoods
20440 I-30 NorthRoughly 15 minutes away in Benton
Kohl's
7333 Alcoa RdWalmart Supercenter
If Dollar General doesn’t have it, Walmart does!
Food scene
Something for everyone. Great breakfast and daily specials or just a burger and fries.
JJ's Truck Stop
6106 Military RdSomething for everyone. Great breakfast and daily specials or just a burger and fries.
Blue House Bakery & Cafe
305 Progress WayLocal fave! Open for lunch, breakfast, and Saturday brunch is wonderful
Amazing Cuban cuisine and beautiful ambience. Be sure and eat upstairs on the outdoor deck! Deck is carved into the mountain and have live bands most weekends. One of our favorites.
104 locals recommend
Rolando's Restaurante
210 Central AveAmazing Cuban cuisine and beautiful ambience. Be sure and eat upstairs on the outdoor deck! Deck is carved into the mountain and have live bands most weekends. One of our favorites.
Rod's Pizza Cellar
3350 Central AveTry The Godfather! Best pizza on earth!
One of our all time favorite cafes. Wonderful bakery, lunches and take home dinners.
48 locals recommend
Cafe 1217
1217 Malvern AveOne of our all time favorite cafes. Wonderful bakery, lunches and take home dinners.
Chicken Salad Chick
20370 I-30NLost Pizza Co.
Wonderful pizza and fun atmosphere!
This place has become a local fave overnight! It’s about 10 minutes from the cabin and you’ll want to check out the menus and make your reservation! Great outdoor dining area during the warmer months. Awesome bar and foodie’s delight!
Blue Heaven Restaurant & Bar
15228 Interstate 30This place has become a local fave overnight! It’s about 10 minutes from the cabin and you’ll want to check out the menus and make your reservation! Great outdoor dining area during the warmer months. Awesome bar and foodie’s delight!
About a 15 minute drive and worth every second. Daily plate lunches, bbq ribs, catfish… just ask for the special of the day and you won’t be disappointed! Tell Rick we said hello! Fantastic people out at Riverside.
Riverside Grocery
About a 15 minute drive and worth every second. Daily plate lunches, bbq ribs, catfish… just ask for the special of the day and you won’t be disappointed! Tell Rick we said hello! Fantastic people out at Riverside.
River and Rapids Floating
We love our water here in AR! Lakes, rivers and creeks keep us natives cool during the summer 😎
The Ouachita River is home to some of the best floating for the adventurous guests. There are entry points just down the road from the cabin, in Malvern. This float is not for the faint at heart! Folks come from many states just to try their hand on this one, as well as many competitions held here each year.
Ouachita River Whitewater Park
904 Riverview DrThe Ouachita River is home to some of the best floating for the adventurous guests. There are entry points just down the road from the cabin, in Malvern. This float is not for the faint at heart! Folks come from many states just to try their hand on this one, as well as many competitions held here each year.
The Caddo River is roughly 25 minutes from the cabin and more of a “lazy river” to float. Tubes, kayaks, and canoes are available at several entry points.
Caddo River Rats Kayak & Tube Rental
116 Valley StThe Caddo River is roughly 25 minutes from the cabin and more of a “lazy river” to float. Tubes, kayaks, and canoes are available at several entry points.
The Saline River is also more of a lazy river to float and only 10 minutes away. Be sure to stop and eat at Riverside Grocery and tell Rick we said hello!
Saline River Canoe
The Saline River is also more of a lazy river to float and only 10 minutes away. Be sure to stop and eat at Riverside Grocery and tell Rick we said hello!
Fishing nearby
So many places to choose from! Whether boat fishing, dock fishing, bank fishing.. you can’t loose with any of these lakes and rivers.
Saline River is a local hotspot for fisherman. There’s a great spot near Riverside Grocery in Benton (out back), where you can drop a line. Plus the wonderful food, beautiful rock beach, swimming and even a picnic table or two.
Saline River
Saline River is a local hotspot for fisherman. There’s a great spot near Riverside Grocery in Benton (out back), where you can drop a line. Plus the wonderful food, beautiful rock beach, swimming and even a picnic table or two.
Fishing, 2 swim beaches, restaurant, public boat launch. Degray is a hidden gem about 30 minutes from cabin.
13 locals recommend
DeGray Lake State Park Resort
2027 State Park Entrance RdFishing, 2 swim beaches, restaurant, public boat launch. Degray is a hidden gem about 30 minutes from cabin.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Southern Hospitality
South of the AR River of AR, you will find the southern hospitality and charm books and movies are made of. I’ve traveled a lot of places internationally and domestic and proud to call AR my home for this reason. Friendly folks, kind smiles and always willing to help anyone, native or visitors. The simple, laid back culture of southern AR is the best ❤️ Our accents are the tell-tale sign of who’s who within our communities!