New Kid In Town.

Moving into the haunts of a beloved eatery can be risky. But The House has a real chance of surviving in a rather difficult location.

The restaurant, contained within a two story house and patio off Kavanaugh in Hillcrest, received a lot of buzz in the two months before it opened, through a fan page on Facebook and hubbub on various message boards (including a rousing debate on the Eat Arkansas blog). Of course, word of mouth like that can both save and sink ships, so I was very interested to see if the place measured up to its advanced press.

Like everyone else, my traveling companion and I ordered at the counter on arrival before going upstairs to take a seat. Fresh paint and new artwork along with a plethora of old bicycles form the majority of the new décor; dark new composite topped tables and chairs do the rest.

Our server found us thanks to the number on our house-shaped numbered coaster and brought us our beverages. I was impressed with the “head” of foam on our drinks; too many coffeehouses choose to throw in whipped cream and other distractions to cover up a lack of hot bubble-blasted milk froth. My cappuccino ($3) wasn’t as strong as I expected, but still very good. My companion’s chai latte ($3) was very rich and spicy and pre-sweetened to an acceptable level -- but was served up in a tall ale glass, which he lamented was very hot to handle. He made do with a paper towel wrapped around the glass -- thank goodness there’s a roll on every table, along with a combination salt shaker and pepper grinder.

A lot of the items promised in the advance notice for the restaurant, such as the Turkey Apple Cheddar melt sandwich and the Avocado and Mozzarella sandwich, aren’t available yet. We instead opted for a couple of the burgers on the current menu and split on the side options (a house salad or herb fries are the two options available). My companion’s Surf and Turf Burger ($9) was delivered with a decent amount of fries on the side. The smattering of shrimp and red onions on top were pleasant enough, but the burger itself was a rather well spiced patty of meat with hints of Cajun spice and lots of black pepper and salt, almost to the point of being too salty. The spicy mayo was good, too -- but there was no sign of the lettuce and tomato advertised in the menu.

The herb fries were pretty good -- and obvious. The potatoes were definitely fresh-cut on-site and sprinkled with said herbs and salt. A small pile of herbs were left over after we had consumed them.

My Lamb Burger ($9) was a rather nice treat. The side salad offered with it was nothing more than mixed greens in a house vinaigrette, but the burger itself was quite tasty, with lots of mint and red wine overtones. What really made the burger, though, was the generous portion of sweet caramelized onion on top that brought together Gouda cheese and the bun quite nicely.

I can’t let pass mention of the buns -- all “House-made” on-site. The rustic country-type rolls are sweet and coarse, and made a good pairing for the Lamb Burger, but for the Surf and Turf couldn’t hold together long enough to get the sandwich to the mouth. Perhaps that’s the reason behind the super chic fork and knife offered with the burgers; maybe they’re meant to be brought to the mouth via utensil.

Right now, The House offers no desserts. But we were told by several of the servers that they are looking forward to the baked offerings to come as much as we are. They’re going to start with muffins and cookies -- which, if they’re as good as the rolls, will be spectacular.

The House offers far more beverage options than solid food items at this point -- including a beer list that features four types of Diamond Bear beer on tap as well as $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon and Stag beers by the can, six different red and white wines, and a wide variety of coffee and tea drinks. And that’s where this restaurant needs time to develop an identity. Will it be a trendy coffeeshop? Neighborhood bar? Late-night hang-out for the hungry? I’ll be very interested to see how The House develops in the coming months.

You can find The House at 722 N. Palm in Hillcrest (that’s off Kavanaugh). I’d suggest you plan to park in the nearby Kroger parking lot unless you’re going off-hours; there are only four spots out front, but there’s also on-street parking nearby. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., and closed on Monday. You can always call… (501) 663-4500.

Brand New Thing.

Starting a new festival is risky business. How do you go about building something new? How do you draw people in? And how do you prove it's popular enough to become an annual event?

The first step, of course, is to have a good idea. You don't want to have an eggplant festival if the town in the next country also has one -- it's not unique. You want a theme, an idea that can draw in a crowd and entertain.

North Little Rock's Argenta District just might have struck it right. The redeveloped district is growing, drawing in young professionals and folks of all ages seeking an upscale downtown lifestyle. The Argenta Foodie Festival fits right into all of that.

Of course, there's also a matter of venue. And for this first time out, that venue was... a parking lot. A parking lot next to another parking lot, but not just another parking lot -- the lot where the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market gathers each week. Across the street from the soon to open Argenta Market. Such a location... located within easy walking distance of plentiful parking and just blocks from many of the hot new restaurants in the district, is just full of win.

I ventured out with my youngest traveling companion to check out the first ever Argenta Foodie Festival this past Saturday. We arrived around 10am on this particular Independence Day, and were quite happy to find that the heat had not yet blossomed and the sun was still obscured by clouds.

We found easy parking a half-block off Main Street and set out quickly, following the sound of folk music. The span of the festival bloomed before us at the intersection of 6th and Main.

First off, a tour was in order. We wandered to the far end, past the musicians and a large tent set up for diners, to peruse what was being offered. The open lot was patched in sections of concrete and gravel, and was dotted by a line of pop-up tents manned by crews from the 14 participating chefs.

One of the first we encountered was a table selling fried apple and peach pies from Chef Richard Lindsey for $2 -- a perfectly reasonable price.

Next door, offerings from The House, a brand new restaurant and bar in Little Rock that's just opened -- in the form of an "Arkansas Beef Slider" -- hand patted beef patties on soft rolls with Arkansas Corn Relish.

And more offerings followed -- such as Peach Ginger Smoothies from Cregeen's Irish Pub, some incredible looking Arkansas boudin made from pork and rice from the Stuttgart area, purplehull peas with ham, and more.

There was a fantastic line of folks for roasted corn on the cob ($2 an ear or two ears for $3).

And right next to the corn folks -- somewhat strangely -- was a full service sushi bar. That's right, the folks from Eastern Flames had brought a mobile sushi bar to make up fresh rice-clad delights. They were even offering free samples of luminous sobe noodles, savory and light.

There was more -- lovely spring rolls from Lilly's DimSum Then Some, Arkansas grown Fried Green Tomatoes, and Arkansas Fruit Sorbet from Starving Artist Cafe.

The Trail's End BBQ Catering Company had set up a Texas-Style barbecue table with beef brisket and beef ribs, which delighted me to no end. Simply the Best Catering had rice horschata and shortcakes, and Petit Jean had a whole booth full of sausages, bacon, and ham.

We decided to do like many others were doing, and walk across the street to the Certified Arkansas Farmers Market. It's a picky market, sure. Every vendor allowed to set up has to be certified as an Arkansas producer or farmer. That means all the stuff you can find there, comes from here. Excellent.

It's just the beginning of the state's best harvest -- when the first batch of ready ripe tomatoes appear, the zucchini and squash start flooding the market, peppers are green and just beginning their journey to redness, peas are ready and the first watermelons are small but juicy. And the blackberries and blueberries are prime... that small window between just ripe and overripe so small, so short. Eggplants are still small, and potatoes are rampant, and it's all right there.

Also to be found at the market -- fresh meat. A couple of vendors were selling fresh-quick-frozen beef cuts and whole frozen pasture-raised ducks. Honeysuckle Farms had its cheese on display, and the Argenta Market folks were selling preparations of salsas and dips and fresh-made breads.

We picked up scallop squash and yellow squash for dinner, and oggled some rather prime looking heirloom tomatoes, before going back over to the Foodie Festival to eat.

That's where we tried fried pies and BBQ beef ribs and the like, and enjoyed ourselves rather a lot. The offering of hand-wipes were pleasantly and gratefully accepted, and except for the difficulty in finding a place at a table that wasn't directly in the sun did quite fine with our early lunch.

And the clouds parted, and the heat of the day began to rise, and my young companion's suddenly red-flushed complexion signalled that it was time to find shade and air conditioning.

The Argenta Foodie Festival seems to have been a success. We've heard that 600 people came out, which is not a bad showing for a first time festival. If I were to offer any sort of suggestion, it would be to consider a permanent sort of structure for the folks at the CAFM and for the festival... the empty lots wouldn't require a whole lot of work to make that happen, and the cover would be appreciated. Overhead fans could be installed to keep the air flow going. But of course, those are just suggestions. I'm very interested to see how this free festival will grow in the coming years.

Big Ol' Hunks of Catfish.

Local favorites are an interesting phenomenom. If you were to, say, go to the Amazon and were offered a local favorite, you wouldn't be surprised to find it was baked pirahna. Or if you were up in Maine, clams wouldn't surprise you.

So in Arkansas, when you're asked about local favorites and are offered catfish, you tend not to bat an eye.

Mississippi may have the cinch on being the capital of the U.S. catfish industry, but it's a pretty big deal here in Arkansas, too -- as evidenced not only by the plethora of catfish farming operations but also by the abundance of fish fry houses. In fact, when folks from out of state (and country) talk about how much fish the British must eat because of the popularity of the "fish and chips" shop, I just kinda smirk. If you think about it, that's exactly what we have.

And while there are many places around that do catfish and fries and hush puppies and a while lot more, Uncle Dean's in Cabot pretty much sticks to the staples. That is, if you don't count the egg rolls.

That's right -- I said egg rolls.

The mom and pop operation on Second Street in Cabot sits in-between the city's parks and recreation department and a place that sells nails and live bait. Can't get much homier than that. But it's been recognized by the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas for serving only American farm-raised catfish. Has to be pretty good, since the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has apparently reviewed them three times (as evidenced by the framed newspaper articles by the register).

You go in, you order at the counter, you sit down. An incongruous mix of country diner, Oriental restaurant decor, paintings of Christ and upholstered captain's chairs suit the carpeted dining room, while a room-length mirror is featured on the eastern wall.

We placed our orders and sat, and within moments out came our fried pickles ($2.99 for four). These are of the Vlassic variety, still crisp and coated with cornmeal batter and served up with Ranch dressing. While above average, our biggest complaint was that they were served way too hot. As if that should be a complaint, right?


Our dinners soon followed. We had both ordered the Catfish Dinner (3 pieces for $6.99). The catfish is a tiny bit on the salty side, but the muddiness is light, and the cornmeal-heavy batter is neither overpacked nor underdipped. Best of all, the portions are large and thick full filets, which means you actually get more fish than crust.

Dinners are almost identical -- fish, fries, slaw (which is similar to KFC's in its appearance and runny-ness but less sweet -- which is fine), hush puppies (made from buttermilk and spices, which gives them a savory kick that is neither sweet nor dry) and onion wedge. The only difference is how many of the filets you choose.

The pickled green tomatoes cost a dollar more -- but for me, that's an Arkansas staple that goes with catfish like rice with beans. Here they're both crisp and tangy, with a late heat to them that doesn't interrupt too much.

One complaint we did have was the temperature at which everything was served -- just as hot as it was coming out of the deep fryer. Hopefully, no one will get the idea of a McDonald's style coffee lawsuit

The pie special disappointed, though. I guess I've been spoiled by my travels, where every destination seems to have some sort of magnificent homemade dessert. I went back to order it, and was shocked to discovered my $2.19 pie was a pre-packaged foodservice carton containing a wedge of sweetness.

Well, I guess there's something for everyone out there. And while yeah, that was a surprise, it's not enough to sink the catfish at Uncle Dean's Catfish and Such. Gotta try the fried wings next time I go, since that (and the egg rolls and a cheeseburger and something incongruously called Heeya's Steak Sandwich) seems to be the entirety of the menu. I suppose it's a matter of "do one thing, do it well." And this is some mighty fine catfish.

You'll find Uncle Dean's Catfish and Such at 818 South Second Street in Cabot. They do take call-in orders -- (501) 941-FISH.

Something's Missing...

Ah, peaches. Forget the yellow-orange wedges that slide out of a can. Forget everything you know about peaches from a grocery store. Just think about the blistering heat of summer, the shade of a large tree, the tang of that first slightly-fuzzy bite, the syrupy sweetness of an over-ripe fruit, the way the juice rolls down your chin no matter how neat you are. Peaches are the first true taste of summer in Arkansas.

That's one of the many reasons I hit the road with my traveling companion and headed up to Clarksville for the Johnson County Peach Festival. The state's oldest outdoor festival was certainly worth a look-see.

And like many of the great festivals across Arkansas throughout the summer, we found people from around a community, coming together for a good time. But there was something missing this year.

It was a Friday morning, closing in on noon. We'd arrived a little too late for some of the more amusing entertainments, such as the greased pig race and the frog jumping contest. The terrapin derby had just wrapped up, and folks were starting to find their way over to the food vendors. Hawg Trough BBQ had their catering rig set up, and a couple of churches had booths selling burgers and sweets.
There was kettle corn and funnel cake and fresh-squeezed lemonade (with and without sugar), corn dogs on a stick and fried Oreos and all those lovely festival foods we wouldn't be caught dead consuming indoors or outside of festival time.
The aroma hanging over the relaxed crowd was one of satisfaction and deep fryer grease.

Vendors from around these parts had set up in carefully aligned rows on the Court Square, some hawking T-shirts and purses and jewelry, others with quilts and potholders and rag dolls, still others just handing out pamphlets and water bottles and information.

Kids were playing hard in the kids area, where giant inflatable slides and castles loomed over a lone ticket seller taking money for the right to take off your shoes and go bounce in a bouncy castle.

But something was missing.

We checked the schedule, noticed a gap, and decided to explore a bit around the nearby area. Right across the road from the courthouse grounds was Teeters Pharmacy -- at least, that's what it said on the marquee outside. We crossed the road to investigate, and discovered that a curio shop had invaded... but not entirely. Nestled among the wide range of antiques and whatnots, we found a pharmacy counter (complete with pharmacist and assistant!), a candy counter, a dish registry, and lots of neat little knick-knacks.

With stomachs rumbling (and my never-ending search for good food continuing) we walked down a bit to see what else we could find. We passed a shoe store, an antiques market, and turned down next to Fred's. No food to be seen.

We thought we'd hit the jackpot with this
little place called Joco Java that was on
the next corner. Indeed, it looked inviting
-- a two story building that had obviously
received much care, grape and
muscadine trellises overhead, a little oasis.


Sadly, strange signs greeted us, and we discovered we were looking at a defunct business -- that, for the humble price of $50,000, could be yours to "rock" the area.

Well, looked like it was definately fair fare for us for lunch. No problem.


We wandered back over to one of the stands operated by one of the church groups.

I always like this sort of stand -- the food tends to be cheaper and somehow enhanced by the humbleness of its nature.

Fried pies were being turned out of a deep fryer, and we couldn't resist ordering up a pair of blackberry.

The lady working the pies flicked a brush into a Cool Whip container, coated the pastries with something that was somewhat but not completely unlike Cool Whip, and we were handed very hot morsels of delight.

You just know when you're getting something homemade -- outside of the obvious crimping and icing of such pastries, there's that taste... that wild blackberry taste you can't replicate with pie filling.

Someone, maybe this year or the last, had hand-picked those blackberries, maybe on the side of the road or out on someone's farmland, but those berries had been obtained with scratches and bug bites and a lot of love.

I love summer blackberries.

The pies... were excellent. But yet, there was still something missing.

We went over to the gazebo for a seat and a chance to consume our pies. I watched one of the booths nearby for a while, where hair garlands and yarn puppets were being sold. Little girls clamored for the wreaths of artificial daisies.

I saw a young man "walk" a black chicken puppet across the lawn with a great deal of skill.

Another customer bought a little pink poodle puppet -- which was apparently lifelike enough to draw the attention of a nearby woman and her fine example of a miniature schnauzer.

After our soujourn in the shade, we went back out for more.

We perused a tie-dye T-shirt stand, looked over some local arts and crafts,

and peered in on the making of funnel cakes.


But still, something was missing... something essential. Our curiosity piqued, we entered the courthouse to find out what was really going on here.

And that's where we discovered the sad truth -- this Peach Festival, sadly enough, had no peaches. More than a month's worth of rain (six or seven inches' worth in some places) had delayed the crops. Peaches were still green on the trees, and it's likely to be the second week of July before the majority of this year's crop are ready.

Wow... a Peach Festival without peaches. Yet no one's enthusiasm had seemed to flag. There were still all sorts of things going on for everyone to do. I suppose it had turned into more of a celebration of the peach than anything else.

One o'clock was approaching, and we ventured out to the courthouse steps, where children of all ages were gathering. And that's where we actually saw our first peach -- a half-bin-full provided by Holben's Triple D Farms, a local operation that had sent over its first ripe fruit of the season. Yay, there would be a peach eating competition after all.

The kids were sorted into an older (8-12) and younger (under 8) age group. They each signed up for the contest and took a peach offered to them.

The rules were explained -- each competitor was to eat the peach all the way down to the pit, then hold it up. They were told that these were cling peaches, so don't be surprised if some of the yellow stubbornly held onto the pit. Heads were counted, roll was called, and then they were off! The splat of juice at the feet of competitors was barely audible over the cheers and encouragement of parents in the crowd.


In under a minute, several of the kids had held up their pits in glory.

The next heat was organized, with the younger kids.

As the rules were being explained, a couple of the kids misunderstood and started eating when "ready set eat" was mentioned -- and then they were all into it.




The younger kids seemed to go after the peaches with even more zeal... and even when the winners of the heat were declared, most of the kids continued to eat, enjoying and savoring their peaches with vigor.




One young lady was oblivious to the crowd and ate every bit of her peach, bent over to keep the juice from rolling down the front of her shirt.

The third heat began, and... well, see for yourself.




It was, indeed, a sight to behold.

Afterwards, we went inside the cool courthouse to await the beginning of the food competitions -- jams, jellies, and cobblers. It took some time before we saw the first of the cobblers laid out on a table, and we waited with anticipation for more. And we waited. And waited. And then we finally realized -- the single cobbler and single jar of jelly was all there was for the competition. The rules clearly state that the peaches used in the recipes have to come from Johnson County... and perhsps that's why there were so few entries.

The crowd that had formed around the judges table watched as the judges were interviewed -- Jennifer Breedlove, Queen Elberta 2008; Arissa Griffin, Miss Arkansas Valley 2008; and Miss Arkansas 2008, Ashlin Baston -- who told a reporter that she had better have some peach cobbler! When he mentioned that there was just one cobbler and that three of the judges were big burly law enforcement officers, she told him "I made it through 47 other girls at the Miss Arkansas Pageant; they have something to worry about."

The cobbler samples were passed around, notes were taken, the winner announced.

Hopes for more peaches were shared all around.

And this is where we left off, heading out the doors and back home. Another trip out west on I-40 is planned soon, as soon as we hear that peaches are ruddy orange and ready for picking, and we can savor that fruity delight on our own.

This was the 67th festival... and Arkansas' oldest outdoor festival gathering. I bet it will continue, peaches or not. Most years, the rain and the weather are agreeable to synching up on having the peaches ready. So they weren't this year? That's AOK.

If you'd like to learn more about the festival, peaches, or whatnot, contact the festival organizers.

Summertown, Arkansas -- Hot Springs.

There are a lot of good reasons to stay in Hot Springs this summer -- from outdoor fun on one of the area's three big lakes (Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita, and Lake Catherine) or at Magic Springs Crystal Falls Amusement and Water Parks -- to air conditioned action at Oaklawn Racing Park. Here's a quick rough guide to great places to eat, stay, and visit while you're in the Spa City.

Eating Hot Springs: Breakfast
Most hotels in the area offer some form of continental breakfast. And of course, what is a bed and breakfast without your first meal of the day? But if you must venture out, you’re making a mistake if you don’t try out The Pancake Shop on Bathhouse Row. Plate sized pancakes, fluffy omelets, and ham steaks grace the simple and inexpensive menu. Arrive early on festival days -- the restaurant fills up fast and you might have to wait.
Pancake Shop * 216 Central Avenue * (501) 624-5720 * pancakeshop.com

Staying near the racetrack and don’t want to head downtown? Among the area’s many chain restaurants, Perkin’s has a great variety. And the franchise’s popular Mega Muffins are easy to pick up and take with you.
Perkin’s * 3630 Central Avenue * (501) 624-5000 * perkinsrestaurants.com

Eating Hot Springs: Lunch Near The Track
Perhaps it’s the long ties Hot Springs has to its gangster history, or maybe it’s just local tastes. But the best places to grab grub near the track are of Italian flavor.

Facci’s is a longstanding tradition. A varied menu of pastas and sandwiches won’t strain your budget. And you can’t get a cheaper fill-up than the restaurant’s $2..99 spaghetti and garlic bread lunch special.
Facci’s Italian Ristorante * 2900 Central Avenue * (501) 623-9049 * faccis.com

For pizza, don’t miss Rod’s Pizza Cellar. The venerable institution’s legendary Rod’s Godfather pizza is a tribute to the pig -- with Canadian bacon, pepperoni, and pork toppings along with peppers and onions on a thick, hearty crust. Rod’s also sports one of the better appetizer platters in the area.
Rod’s Pizza Cellar * 3350 Central Avenue * (501) 321-2313 * rodspizzacellar.com

Closest to the park itself is Rocky’s Corner. The area pub features fantastic grinders (try the sausage), Chicago style pizza and cold cheap beer.
Rocky’s Corner * 2600 Central Avenue * (501) 624-0199 * http://www.rockyscorner.netfirm.com/

Not in the mood for Italian? Stubby’s BBQ is known for prok ribs that reportedly put those at Memphis’ Rendezvous to shame. A rich, sweet sauce and homemade side dishes are great food and easy on the pocketbook, too.
Stubby’s BBQ * 3024 Central Avenue * (501) 624-1552

Lunch Elsewhere
Head south towards Lake Hamilton, and you’ll find Fisherman’s Wharf. This local favorite, not surprisingly, features Southern style seafood and steaks and a legendary carrot cake served out in a building protruding above the lake.
Fisherman’s Wharf * 5101 Central Avenue * (501) 525-7437 * fishermanswharfhs.com

Out west, you’ll find the barbeque President Clinton had to have when he came to visit his childhood home. McClard’s Arkansas style barbeque comes in beef and pork, and the signature side dish is the restaurant’s own version of the tamale.

Don’t miss out on the homestyle malts.
McClard’s Bar-BQ * 505 Albert Pike Road * (501) 624-9586 * mcclards.com

Eating Hot Springs: Dinner Dining
Signature South American fare and fusion cuisine are tops downtown at Rolando’s. The colorful and bright eatery is one of the most romantic spots you’ll find on Bathhouse Row.

The shop’s legendary quesadillas and burritos levitate those normally plain offerings to a whole new level. Don’t skip Rolando’s Bananas -- the menu says they’re “Heaven in a Bowl” -- and that’s right.
Rolando’s Nuevo Latino Restorante * 210 Central Avenue * (501) 318-6054 * rolandosrestorante.com

Beautiful food can be found at Belle Arti, where Arkansas meets Italian. Handmade pastas and the best veal dishes in town paired with a formal, elegant atmosphere make this a great place to take anyone you’d like to impress. Try the tiramisu for a perfect dessert nightcap.
Belle Arti * 719 Central Avenue * (501) 624-7474 * belleartigroup.com

One of Arkansas’ few Three Diamond restaurant as cited by AAA just happens to be something of a secret as well. But you really shouldn’t miss out on Chef Paul’s. The exterior may be unassuming, but inside you’ll find elegance and extravagance with intricately prepared dishes and well-paired wines. Everything is prepared when you order from the finest and freshest ingredients available. Take your time to enjoy lamb, duck, scallops, and more, trusting yourself to the epic epicure’s fantastic creations.
Chef Paul’s * 4330 Central Avenue Suite #A * (501) 520-4187 * chefpaulsfinedining.com


*Tip*

Take your own bottles to fill at one of the many Hot Springs filling spots, like this one along Central Avenue. It's free.



Stay The Night
Planning a longer stay? Depending on your situation and the time you have to spend in town, there are several good options.

Looking to be close to the action, save a little money, but be comfortable? Check out one of the many hotels along southern Central Avenue. Among the more complete offerings: Comfort Inn and Suites. Its location at U.S. 270 (the MLK Expressway) and Central Avenue make it easy to find; an expanded continental breakfast buffet takes care of your first meal of the day, and businesses on the premises take care of your basic needs.
Comfort Inn and Suites * 3627 Central Avenue * (501) 623-1700 * choicehotels.com

If you’re more concerned about making your racing days luxurious, try out the Embassy Suites and Hotel. The hotel offers spacious suites with lots of room to spread out. There’s also a cooked-to-order breakfast for guests, a free shuttle to Oaklawn, and Spa Botanica -- a world class full service spa perfect for relaxing after a day at the track
Embassy Hotel and Suites * 400 Convention Boulevard * (501) 624-9200 * hotsprings.embassysuites.com

Many will opt for the more intimate comforts found at a bed and breakfast. Lookout Point Lakeside Inn is one of several in the area offering customizable packages for your stay. Ray and Kristie Rossett have created a secluded haven for travelers, complete with spectacular views from every comfortable room (named for Arkansas towns) and gourmet breakfasts catering to your needs.
Lookout Point Lakeside Inn * 104 Lookout Circle * (501) 525-6155 * lookoutpointinn.com

If you’re more interested in combining history with gaming, then you’re likely searching for the venerable Arlington Hotel and Spa. The rooms may be smaller than franchise offerings, but they’re packed with history. And the location is prime for those interested in visiting the bathhouses or shopping along Bathhouse Row.
Arlington Hotel and Spa * 239 Central Avenue * (501) 609-2514 * arlingtonhotel.com

*Tip*
Traffic can get hairy on Central Avenue. If you’re going somewhere other than the track, consider using alternate arteries Grand Avenue and the MLK expressway

Go Do Something
Searching for something to do while your traveling companion is watching the ponies or wanting to fulfill some other vacation desires? There are a lot of options.

The Gangster Museum of America opened last year along Bathhouse Row. This still-expanding museum covers the history of bootlegging and gambling in the Spa City, along with a big chunk of history. And it’s the only facility of its sort in the USA. Bring along your camera for a chance to pose with a life-size replica of Al Capone.
Gangster Museum of America * 113 Central Avenue * (501) 318-1717 * tgmoa.com

Check out the cheapest exhibit along Bathhouse Row for a heavy dose of history about the healing waters of the springs that gave Hot Springs its name. The Fordyce Bathhouse is run by the National Park Service and offers all sorts of information about Hot Springs National Park. Best of all, it’s free.
Fordyce Bathhouse Visitors Center * 369 Central Avenue * (501) 624-3383 * nps.gov

To take in everything from a better perspective, head up the mountain behind Bathhouse Row for an overview from Hot Springs Mountain Tower. The view from the 216-foot tower includes Oaklawn Park, Lake Hamilton, all of downtown Hot Springs, and much of the Ouachita Mountains. And yes, there’s an elevator.
Hot Springs Mountain Tower * 401 Hot Springs Mountain Drive * (501) 623-6035

Closer to the Earth but further from town, you’ll find Garvan Woodland Gardens, a little bit of paradise. Whether it’s for a few hours or all day, you’ll find acres of beautiful plant life, considerately placed flora, and gorgeous water gardens. Be sure to check out the striking Anthony Chapel. And if your trip takes you to Hot Springs on a Tuesday, see if you can join in a Tuesday Tea.
Garvan Woodland Gardens * 550 Arkridge Road * (501) 262-9300 * garvangardens.org

Want to bring the kids along? Children and adults alike will enjoy MidAmerica Science Museum on the western end of town. Adults who visited in their youth will rediscover many of the exhibits that once captured the imagination -- and also find new adventures and features to enjoy.
MidAmerica Science Museum * 500 MidAmerica Boulevard * (501) 767-3461 * midamericamuseum.org

Of course, you can’t call it the Spa City without talking about the spas. Many of the hotels in the area offer their own spa experiences. You’ll also find independent operators who specialize in different aspects of the spa experience.

The Swan Song Spa comes highly recommended. While not a traditional experience, the spa offers uniquely private baths and massages for individuals and couples with handmade soaps and rituals.
Spa Song Spa * 504 Park Avenue * (501) 623-5597 * swansongspa.com

One of Hot Springs’ newest attractions to check out is the Quapaw Baths and Spa. Recently opened in the renovated Quapaw Bathhouse next door to the Fordyce, the Spa hopes to welcome visitors to a historical and restorative experience with public baths and intimate massages and facials. The Spa will soon open new private baths to take in the waters to compliment the public baths.
Quapaw Baths and Spa * 413 Central Avenue * (501) 609-9822 * quapawbaths.com

*Tip*
Hot Springs is a mecca for artists. A plethora of galleries dot downtown. Whether it’s contemporary or traditional, paint or glass, sculpture or photography, you’ll find it here. Be sure to check out some of the many art events and happenings in the area at hotsprings.org.