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Hot Springs is a spa and resort town at the base of the Ouachita Mountains and is a short drive to the state’s capital. In this area you will find 47 natural hot springs, a national park, and many other interesting sites. It is home to Garvan Woodland Gardens, Mid-America Science Museum, and Oaklawn Race Track. On paper, Hot Springs has just about everything you might be looking for when it comes to choosing a place to live. However, before considering it as a place to call home, you’ll want to consider the good and the bad. There are countless things to do in the city, from shopping, to hiking, to visiting lakes, to walking downtown and visiting museums, but if you want to know what it’s really like to live here – then read on!

Living the Lake Life – Is it For You?

Even in the cold winter months, when you cannot swim, you can still enjoy any of the three lakes located in Hot Springs. Many residents enjoy fishing year-round. While you cannot live or build property around Lake Ouachita, you can own beautiful properties right on Lake Hamilton. Entergy controls the water levels here, and the overall opinion is that they do a wonderful job. However, the strict and often changing rules of Entergy in regard to boat docks and seawalls can be confusing. Another possible “con” of owning property on Lake Hamilton is that, technically, Entergy owns the entire lake. This means that fishermen and boats can hang out on the part of the lake you consider your backyard.  

Must See Attractions

Hot Springs is full of history, and you can find adventure high and low. Many of the historical sites and museums are located predominantly in the downtown area. In this area you will find the Gangster Museum of America, Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum, and the History of Hot Springs Gambling Museum (just to name a few). In addition, Most of the historical sites offer free access (and even free mineral water)! Also in the heart of Hot Springs, you’ll find a casino and horse racing track! However, you might find some of the hottest attractions on the outskirts of town. Such as the popular interactive science museum (Mid-America Science museum) which is located next door to National Park College in the northwest corner of town. These popular, and even famous attractions, bring many tourists in from all over, especially during the horse racing season. With all of these tourist attractions, the town will become busier than usual during certain times of the year. This can cause increased traffic or overcrowded restaurants which can be an inconvenience for residents.

If you don’t like the weather – give it a minute!

Living in Hot Springs you might experience anything from beautiful temperate spring conditions to 12” of snow (all within a few days). While it is rare to see such a wide swing in weather conditions, the weather is known to vary greatly in the spring and fall months. Overall, residents experience warm, sunny summers, bright springs, colorful autumns, and moderate winters. During the summer, the lakes are at their best, and open for swimming, fishing, and boating. The spring often brings beautiful flower blooms, but along with those blooms – pollen. The pollen blankets the town for weeks, and is certainly a chief complaint amongst residents.

Hot Springs Caters to All Age Groups

Everyone can find something in Hot Springs. Most of the schools in Hot Springs are highly rated and the town is a great place to raise a family. However, it’s also a great place for retirement, and home to the nation’s largest gated community. No matter what you’re looking for – Hot Springs has it!