Cold Tuesday Morning: Our Second Anniversary Trip

This year, for our anniversary, we went to Hot Springs, Arkansas. We had not accrued a ton of vacation days at work, so we decided to take a mini-trip since we only had a few days available.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is known for none other than it's natural hot springs! Located in Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federal reserve in the United States! This was a great addition to our collection of stamps in the National Parks Passport Program.

The park is literally a mountain plus the adjoining roadside which houses many spas and bathhouses, called Bathhouse Row. You can go take a bath in the natural hot water, or get a massage, or other spa things. We did not participate in taking a bath, but I did feel the water in several fountains on the mountain side. The signs stated 143 degrees Fahrenheit! Wowzer.

Nicknamed "Spa City," we learned that Hot Springs was once a frequented vacation spot for many gangsters! We visited the Gangster Museum of America which told of the history and influence that gangsters had on Hot Springs. We ate at The historic Ohio Club and listened to live music. Who knows, had we visited 80 years earlier we could've dined with Al Capone, himself!

Lastly, we went to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water & Theme Park. No historic value, but lots of fun value. [Great sentence I just wrote right there....]