Bathhouse Row
Top ways to experience Bathhouse Row and nearby attractions
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Bathhouse Row - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Bathhouse Row – Hot Springs National Park
Hot springs national park – visiting historic bathhouses row & attractions.
Seven of the original historic Hot Springs bathhouses along Bathhouse Row remain and have been restored or in the process of restoration. Some offer classic hot springs spa experiences, others are open for tours, and some have been repurposed for other uses (like a restaurant or brew house).
The historic Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the National Park Visitor Center. In addition to information on the park and activities, the various rooms and services of the original bathhouse have been preserved and restored and can be seen in a self-guided tour. Also a small theater with a 15 minute movie presentation of the bathhouse era. Touring the bathhouse facilities can take from 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much time one wants to spend with each exhibit.
Touring the Fordyce provides a fascinating look into an era and the forerunner of the todays resort spas. The facilities served a wide variety of patrons from those with quite serious maladies to the wealthy leisure class looking to be pampered and enjoying what was essentially a club-like ambience.
Open Bathhouses on Bathhouse Row
Two of the bathhouses currently serve patrons. The Quapaw Bathhouse operates much as it did back years ago, offering both a large communal bathing pool as well as private bathing tubs. Their principal appeal is to those who are looking to soak in the hot, mineral rich waters. The second operating bath house, the Buckstaff Bathhouse , offers a more modern version and a complete array of spa services. In addition to soaking in a tub, they offer loafa scrubbing sponges and massages.
We decided to try out one of Bathhouses. We chose Quapaw because it had a package that fit our needs -a private spa for two. While the large public spa pools are refurbished versions of the pools from the 1920s our private spa room was somewhat newer and more modern – basically a Jacuzzi for two. So we didn’t step back 90 years to sample a replica of what had been in the heyday of Quapaw. But none-the-less the spa was soothing – you could feel something different in the water – it wasn’t the same as our hot tub at home. But afterword Jo and I decided next time we’d have a go at the public pool because you could move around more and get a little water aerobic exercise. And the public spa is a from the original bath house.
Other bathhouses are being converted to other uses. The Ozark Bathhouse is the home of the Hot Springs Museum of Contemporary Art. The Hale Bathhouse offers a café and bookstore and now offers Hotel accommodations. The Superior Bathhouse is now the only Brewery in a National Park and the only brewery in the world to utilize thermal spring water in their beer. The Lamar Bathhouse serves as the parks official gift shop, bookstore, and souvenir shop.
The Hot Springs National Park’s website offers some interesting tidbits on the history of Bathhouse Row plus links to learning more about each of the current bathhouses.
The Promenade walk & Hot Springs
The bathhouses are set in an attractive landscaped park against the base of Hot Springs Mountain where up to 20 springs perculate out of the ground. The street in front of the bathhouses originally was Hot Springs creek, formed from the numerous springs eminating from the mountain. The creek still exists but now it runs in a tunnel underneath Central Avenue.
A few of the springs have been left untouched, flowing out of the rock and cascading into pools of water, so visitors can see how they looked years ago. However 44 of the springs are now routed to reservoirs. Some of these provide the water sources for the bathhouses. Three fountains are located in the bathhouse row park, each of them with several spigots for filling up water jugs. The minerals in the water are believed by many to be healthful to drink as well as for bathing and soaking. The water is uncontaminated as it boils up from deep within the earth, estimated to be 4000 feet below the surface. Scientists estimate that the water being drunk today originally fell as rainwater over 3000 years ago!
The Promenade is a tiled and landscaped walkway that runs along the hillside behind and above the bathhouses. At several points along the walkway one can view the active springs coming out of the ground. Numerous walking and hiking trails intersect with or cross the Promenade. These trails and walkways were constructed as part of the therapy plan of the spas. They cover a wide range of difficulty. The Promenade is the most gentle walkway and is handicapped accessible. Other trails go up the mountain or across the side hills of the mountain. Some are paved and have staircases, others are graveled and several are well-worn dirt trails through dense woods. In the 1920s Dr. Max Oertel designed the original network to provide spa patients an increasing level of difficulty. They could start out on short and relatively level paths and as their endurance and strength increased progress to steeper and more lengthy trails.
Gulpha Gorge Campground & Hiking Trails – The extensive network of hiking trails also connects downtown to the park’s Gulpha Gorge Campground which is on the other end of Hot Springs Mountain.
Other Attractions & Things to See and Do in Hot Springs National Park – Scenic Drives, Restaurants, Hiking and Nature Trails, etc.
More Hot Springs Travel and Attractions Links:
- Hot Springs Restaurant Reviews
- Hot Springs National Park is located near the southern end of Arkansas Scenic Highway 7 .
- Hot Springs National Park website
- Visiting Hot Springs Arkansas – Hot Springs Visitor and Tourism Website
- Camping and Hiking in Ouachita Mountain National Forest
101 Things to see and do in Arkansas
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A Tour of Hot Springs’ Iconic Bathhouse Row
One of the most iconic stretches in Hot Springs, Ark., home to Oaklawn Park , is Bathhouse Row. This elegant collection of buildings and gardens was built over the thermal waters that first drew tourists to the small, southern resort. The eight buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1923 and are third- and fourth-generation structures. Although the bathing industry declined with the rise of modern medicine, Bathhouse Row has found new ways to thrive and is still at the core of the identity of Hot Springs.
Here is a look at each bathhouse, traveling down Central Avenue from south to north.
Bathhouse years: April 16, 1923 – Nov. 30, 1985
Named for: Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, who was Secretary of the Interior when the first bathhouse was built in 1888
Features: The Lamar is one of six bathhouses with a Spanish flavor. It offered a range of tub lengths for people of various heights and a co-ed gym with a separate area just for women.
Today: The Lamar is home to Bathhouse Row Emporium and National Park offices. The Emporium’s items include bottles to fill with hot springs water, spa items, and history books.
Bathhouse years: Feb.1, 1912 – present
Named for: Controlling shareholders George and Milo Buckstaff
Features: Although it has undergone many changes over the years, the Buckstaff is one of the best preserved of all the bathhouses. The 27,000 square feet, three-story facility provides the traditional bathing experience that was offered years ago.
Today: The Buckstaff is the only bathhouse to be in continuous operation since opening.
Bathhouse years: 1922 – 1977
Named for: The surrounding mountain range then considered to be a part of the Ozark range but now known as the Ouachita Mountains
Features: The Ozark is set between two low towers and was built in the style of the Art Deco movement. It was one of the smaller bathhouses, with 14,000 square feet and 27 tubs. It catered to bathers who did not want to pay for a lavish experience.
Today: The Ozark is home to Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center, featuring gallery spaces for the park’s artist-in-residence program and other temporary exhibitions. It is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and also for special events.
Bathhouse years: 1922 – 1968, 1969 – 1984
Named for: An American Indian tribe who lived in the area
Features: The Quapaw is the longest building on Bathhouse Row, occupying the site of two previous bathhouses. Its tiled dome is one of the most distinct features on Bathhouse Row.
Today: Quapaw Baths and Spa offers modern spa services in the renovated building. The thermal pools currently are undergoing extensive repairs, but according to the Quapaw website, “We are getting close to the finish line.”
Bathhouse years: March 1, 1915 – June 30, 1962
Named for: Owner Sam Fordyce
Features: With 28,000 square feet, the Fordyce is the largest bathhouse on the row. It has three floors, two courtyards and a large basement. The basement had a bowling alley and display of the springs. It provided more services than any other bathhouse. It had a beauty parlor, an assembly room with a grand piano, a shoeshine stand, a pool table in the men’s parlor, and a roof garden.
Today: It was extensively restored and now functions as a museum and the park’s visitor center. People can see treatment rooms, parlors, gymnasium, bathtubs, and equipment used in the bathhouse. In the basement, visitors can see the Fordyce Spring that supplied the thermal waters to the facility.
Bathhouse years: Jan. 1, 1912 – Nov. 1974
Named for: Charles Maurice, who owned the Independent Bathhouse, which the Maurice replaced
Features: The Maurice had a gymnasium, a roof garden, two elevators, and was the only bathhouse on the row to have a pool. The third floor had a Craftsman-style den with a stained glass ceiling and a frieze hand-painted by artist Frederick Wernicke.
Today: The Maurice is the only bathhouse that does not have a tenant. The National Parks Service is accepting proposals for a long-term lease.
Bathhouse years: 1892 – Oct. 31, 1978
Named for: Early bathhouse owner John Hale
Features: The Hale is the oldest bathhouse on the row. The Hot Springs run through a tiled enclosure in the basement. The bathhouse was also connected to a thermal cave carved out of the mountain that was used as a hot room.
Today: The Hale has been turned into a boutique hotel with nine suites, each with a large soaking tub that runs the thermal mineral water. It also includes the restaurant Eden and meeting spaces.
Bathhouse years: Feb. 1, 1916 – Nov. 1983
Named for: The superior service the business strived to provide
Features: The 11,000 square feet Superior is the smallest bathhouse on the row. It had the lowest rates and offered basic services.
Today: Superior Bathhouse Brewery is a brewery, restaurant, and special event venue. They brew their beer with the thermal spring water.
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Bathhouse Row
Top ways to experience Bathhouse Row and nearby attractions
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Also popular with travellers
Bathhouse Row - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
Bathhouse Row
Top ways to experience Bathhouse Row and nearby attractions
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Also popular with travellers
Bathhouse Row - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Bathhouse Row Winery | Hot Springs National Park Arkansas
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Bathhouse Row Winery
Come taste the finest native wines in Arkansas at our two winery locations, The Winery of Hot Springs & BathHouse Row Winery.
At the Winery of Hot Springs, you can enjoy a tour of a branch of the Arkansas Historic Wine Museum followed by the opportunity to taste a wide variety of Arkansas Wines. Once your tasting is completed, wine can be purchased by the bottle or case. We also carry a wide variety of gifts and accessories in our main lobby.
The new BathHouse Row Winery showcases our newest wine selections developed to not only share the delicious native wines produced and sold only here in Arkansas, but also adds the historic & regional flare that travelers from all over the worlds enjoy about the Spa City.
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Beef jerky outlet, u-win travel, mariposa : vintage decor & design.
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Fordyce Tours - Join a ranger for a 20-30-minute program inside of the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center. Tours happen daily at 11:00am and 3:00pm. Themes and topics vary from ranger to ranger. Reservations are not required. ... Locations 1-7 are on Bathhouse Row, 8 on the North Mountain Loop, 9 at Gulpha Gorge Campground, and 10-11 on West ...
DannyWasserman. Virginia Beach, Virginia4,450 contributions. Bathhouse Row is rich in history! Bathhouse Row is a special place for travelers who have never experienced this special place. Many bathhouses scattered along this historic street in the heart of downtown Hot Springs. Some are new, some are old, some are open, some are closed.
The Hale Bathhouse, initially built in 1892, is one of only three on Bathhouse Row that still functions as a bathhouse hotel. It retains its vintage charm as the oldest one while offering modern amenities. Continuing along Bathhouse Row, the Hale now welcomes guests as the Hale Hotel - an elegant boutique property with nods to its early 1900s ...
The final metamorphosis of Bathhouse Row was completed when the Lamar Bathhouse opened its doors for business in 1923. The bathhouses, all of which are still standing today, ushered in a new age of spa luxury. Four women enjoy a stroll down bathhouse row in the late 1940s. The Buckstaff Bathhouse is in the foreground and the Ozark Bathhouse is ...
Hot Springs National Park Bathhouse Row Tour Bathhouse Row. A National Historic Landmark. Comprised of eight bathhouses, these stately structures owned by the National Park Service were constructed between the years of 1892 and 1923. The Row, described as "the grandest collection of bathhouses of [their] kind in the nation," along with the ...
The Superior is now a brewery.and distillery. 115-118 Central Avenue. Named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, consists of eight bathhouses built between 1911 and 1923; the Fordyce serves as the national park visitor center and museum of the bathing industry; the Buckstaff has operated continuously since 1912.
Bathhouse Row is a gorgeous walk in downtown Hot Springs, complete with a historical bathhouse one can tour. Two of the bath houses are in working condition and it is an experience I would encourage anyone to enjoy. The Superior Bathhouse has been converted to a brewery, with beer crafted from the springs. Another great experience.
The historic Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the National Park Visitor Center. In addition to information on the park and activities, the various rooms and services of the original bathhouse have been preserved and restored and can be seen in a self-guided tour. Also a small theater with a 15 minute movie presentation of the bathhouse era.
What a great way to end a tour down Bathhouse Row! If you find yourself needing a quick day trip or a weekend getaway, Bathhouse Row is a perfect spot. You can easily spend an entire day strolling around, enjoying a relaxing spa day, or testing out the local brews. Bathhouse Row is located by several restaurants and hotels which makes it easy ...
The Fordyce is located on Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark District with eight picturesque and historic bathhouses. Named after owner Colonel Samuel Fordyce, the Fordyce operated as a bathhouse from 1915 to 1962. It remained vacant until it reopened as the park visitor center in 1989. Located in the middle of Bathhouse Row, the ...
Events / Travel. January 22nd, 2024 by Sara Dacus. The Ozark bathhouse, now a cultural center with an art gallery, was built in the style of the Art Deco movement. (National Park Service images, courtesy of Hot Springs National Park) One of the most iconic stretches in Hot Springs, Ark., home to Oaklawn Park, is Bathhouse Row.
Totaling approximately 28,000 square feet, the Fordyce is the largest bathhouse on the Row. It has three main floors, two courtyards, and a basement under most of the building. The Fordyce became the first bathhouse on the Row to go out of business when it suspended operations on June 30, 1962, but it was extensively restored by 1989 and is now ...
May 10, 2024 - A collection of historic bathhouses where people flocked in the early 20th century for therapeutic hot springs baths.
DannyWasserman. Virginia Beach, Virginia4,443 contributions. Bathhouse Row is rich in history! Bathhouse Row is a special place for travelers who have never experienced this special place. Many bathhouses scattered along this historic street in the heart of downtown Hot Springs. Some are new, some are old, some are open, some are closed.
May 28, 2024 - A collection of historic bathhouses where people flocked in the early 20th century for therapeutic hot springs baths.
Apr 23, 2024 - A collection of historic bathhouses where people flocked in the early 20th century for therapeutic hot springs baths.
Welcome to Historic Hot Springs Arkansas, home of the healing waters of Bathhouse Row! Come inside one of our beautiful historic bathhouses and see the unbe...
Bathhouse Row is a collection of bathhouses, associated buildings, and gardens located at Hot Springs National Park in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.The bathhouses were included in 1832 when the Federal Government took over four parcels of land to preserve 47 natural hot springs, their mineral waters which lack the sulphur odor of most hot springs, and their area of origin on the lower ...
220 Central Avenue. Hot Springs, AR 71901. Phone 501-623-9463. Email [email protected]. Get Directions. View Website.
Attendees will take a walking tour of "downtown Hot Springs and Bathhouse Row ... (and) take in many of the historical and cultural stops that make Hot Springs such a special place," the release said.
It was the first bathhouse to close on Bathhouse Row due to declining business. The building remained vacant until reopening as the park visitor center in 1989. Today, rangers and volunteers staff the front desk and provide orientation and information about Hot Springs National Park. Visitors are welcome to take a free, self-guided tour of each ...