Hot Springs is just as romantic by day as it is by night, making it the perfect destination for a quick couple’s getaway or a fun first date. See the itinerary below for the most woo-worthy ideas and attractions.
11:00 a.m.
Start your date with a relaxed yet refined brunch in a beautiful setting. Hotel Hale’s on-sight restaurant, Eden, is located in the former bathhouse’s atrium and features a living wall and expansive sunlight. Stay inside the atrium or dine outside on their patio and soak up the atmosphere of Historict Downtown Hot Springs! Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays and includes delectable menu items and a variety of breakfast cocktails.
12:30 p.m.
Enjoy a romantic stroll through Garvan Woodland Gardens. This world-class botanical garden explodes with natural beauty, especially in spring with thousands of blooming daffodils and tulips, or during the holidays when 8 million twinkling lights illuminate the gardens. Laced with long footpaths that meander through the gardens, it’s the perfect place to let love blossom. Don't miss the four-story treehouse and the Anthony Chapel.
2:30 p.m.
Head back downtown to share a soak at Quapaw Baths & Spa, one of the few places where you can bathe in Hot Springs’ namesake thermal waters. The Quapaw has four large public pools ranging in temperature from from 95 to 104 degrees. For a more intimate experience, consider booking a private couples bath. Couples massages are also available.
5:00 p.m.
Impress your date with a swanky dinner at one of downtown’s more upscale restaurants like The Vault or 501 Prime. Other good dinner date options include The Rooftop located atop The Waters hotel, or Rolando’s Restaurante & Speakeasy, a Cuban and Latin American restaurant with an outdoor patio and upstairs lounge.
7:00 p.m.
Before heading home, take the Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive to the summit to catch the sunset and enjoy expansive views of Hot Springs. The route begins at the end of Fountain Street, just off Central Avenue, and meanders to the top where you will find a picnic area, a Pagoda overlook, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. A 216-foot tall tower with 360 degree views of the National Park, the tower is open until 8 p.m. during the summer months and is the perfect way to end your date on a high point. Another great option is the very romantic horse and carriage rides through historic downtown Hot Springs. The carriages pick up from the front of the Arlington Hotel starting between 5PM and 7PM, depending on the time of year. Call ahead to make a reservation at 501-520-9955.
