1st time in Hot Springs

I am planning a trip to Hot Springs for Oct 13-16. I have never been and would like any and all suggestions for places to eat and things to do. We are planning to stay at the Andrea Rose cottage. Has anyone heard anything about it? I was also wondering about the winery and various bathhouses.

1st time in Hot Springs

There are plenty of things to do and see in hot springs. First of all the foliage will be beautiful by then. There is a mountain tower that would give you a view for miles. It should be a beautiful sight with all the colors changing.

www.hotspringsar.com/info/tower/tower.htm

http://www.hotsprings.org/things_to_do/

I%26#39;ll post more to see and do later. I%26#39;m off to work.

1st time in Hot Springs

There is our famous horse track that has simulcast racing that time of year. ANd it has casino type betting machines that can be fun...

http://www.oaklawn.com/

Avoid the aquarium, it is a waste of money and time.

As far as the andrea rose cottage is a good place to stay. Hot springs has many fine B%26amp;B%26#39;s.

The Belle of hot springs is a nice dinner / cruise boat that you can ride on lake hamilton. It would be really nice by october.

http://www.belleriverboat.com/

A really unique little known place to eat is Mr Millers- Located in Hot springs in an old house right on the banks of Lake Hamilton, Serving Hot springs for over 50 years.With fried chicken, fried quail, Chicken livers and chicken pot pie...Located at 4723 Central Ave.; 501 525-8861

The locals love it.

Make sure to check out the arlington hotel and it%26#39;s hotel the majestic.

And another unique place to eat is .Molly%26#39;s- Located in Hot springs, ) This place has been around for at least 60 years. It%26#39;s in an old house. This is only restaurant in the state where you can get Jewish specialties such as chicken in the pot (best thing on a large menu), kreplach and matzo ball soup.538 W. Grand Ave.; 501 623-6582

If you%26#39;ll plan your trip a little earlier you can be in Hot Springs during their annual OktoberFest, here%26#39;s a site with information:

hotspringschamber.com/events/oktoberfest.asp

Another outstanding attraction is Garvan Woodland Gardens

http://www.garvangardens.org/

Bathhouse Row on Central Ave in downtown Hot Springs is a great place to walk and see what brought visitors to Hot Springs in the past. Here%26#39;s a link with bathhouse information:

www.hot.springs.national-park.com/sights.htm

You mention a winery, I don%26#39;t believe there is an actual winery in the area although there is a shop by that name that sells Arkansas wines.

For restaurants McClard%26#39;s is a must and Mollies, the Brickhouse Grill, Coy%26#39;s and Bella Arti are all fine locally owned places.

Unfortunatly you won%26#39;t be able to try Mrs. (Mr.?) Miller%26#39;s as it closed a year or two ago.

You may be too early for fall leaves. The color depends on the weather. Here%26#39;s the State Parks site for fall foliage:

arkansas.com/calendar/fall_foliage_pg1.asp

One other thing, also Oaklawn Park Racetrack is currently having simulcasting but has not yet begin with video poker and probably won%26#39;t until November.

Do visit the Arlington Hotel. It%26#39;s a great place for drinks in the lobby bar.

well, they already have machines in place at the race track, and have for a couple of years now, I personally have used one ..they are set up at the far end of the building , just down from the paddocks. The machines are set up like slot machines, But are about horse races,they are called instant racing. We are getting regular gambling machines in the future.so there are indeed machines. And sorry about the resturant closing, One of the last times I was there it was still open...The fall colors are subjective, I have seen color as early as mid october, and leaves on the ground by end of october..They are already changing a bit now...Fall comes early when we have had a dry spell. The colors are just not as nicee. But no matter. Hot springs is beautiful no matter. I am sure you will enjoy it.

You won%26#39;t find instant racing machines in casinos, here%26#39;s Oaklawn%26#39;s web page explaining them:

www.oaklawn.com/instant_racing/story.asp

Oldcpa is dead-on in his recommendations. Belle Arti for Italian, McClard%26#39;s for barbeque, and the Arlington for drinks in the lobby (or possibly Sunday buffet brunch). Mrs. Miller%26#39;s is history. The Fordyce bath house tour is pretty interesting. Garvan Gardens is worth a visit. You didn%26#39;t mention kids but should they be along, try Mid America Museum. My favorite thing in Hot Springs is to ';look up'; and ';around';. Downtown has a history which never ceases to amaze me. Look up and past the T-shirt shops and you will see the remnants of Historic Hot Springs...from Capone years and before. Gambling and assorted other vices went on in this bawdy old town and the remnants of the historical roots are still there...but you have to look kind of hard (as the city has a poor record of historic preservation). For example, the wax museum on Central Avenue was once the Southern Club, one of the largest wide-open illegal gambling clubs in the country for decades. Capone supposedly had a room at the Arlington Hotel with a view of the Southern Club front door (not sure why). So prowl around, walk through the old neighborhoods and downtown and be observant of the unusual hostory of the place. I wish you were to be there the following weekend as they have a great event...the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, one of the best events of its kind in the country.

If you like Mexican, definately try Jose%26#39;s..It is on central coming into

Hot Springs. Also, they are putting the finishing touches on the

new Olive Garden on Central Ave., across from Wal-Mart. Buffalo

Wings is also a new eating establishment on Central. You might

try Cajun Boilers(seafood, even has ';gator';) or the Whistlestop. They both have excellent food. Make sure you go up the mountain

tower. You can see for miles......

Thank you all for your help. I am getting very excited now. Any more information you have would be great. Thanks again.

Lookout Point Lakeside Inn is definetly the place to stay in Hot Springs (www.lookoutpointinn.com), it was even featured in Southern Living!

I highly recommend Cafe Pompeii for an intimate atmosphere with an amazing eclectic menu!! Like the others said, you definetly have to go to the gardens.

Good Luck!