How to spend a weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas with kids
Hot Springs is the perfect destination for a weekend filled with adventure, relaxation, and hands-on fun for kids. Known for its historic bathhouses, this charming town is sure to be the perfect adventure for all ages. Whether your family loves exploring nature, learning about history, or indulging in sweet treats, Hot Springs has it all. From tasting the thermal waters to exploring interactive museums and hiking through adventurous trails, here’s how we spent a weekend in Hot Springs!
Hot Springs National Park
We arrived at Hot Springs in the late morning, and headed straight downtown to explore the National Park. While it isn’t a traditional National Park, it really is a beautiful place to explore, and is rich in culture and history. Definitely don’t miss a visit!
Some things to do at Hot Springs National Park:
- Help your kids earn their Junior Ranger badges
- Talk a walk around Bathhouse Row
- Tour the free museum, located in Fordyce Visitor’s Center
- Browse the gift shop
- Fill up your jug from the natural spring
- Hike to Goat Rock Lookout
- Grab lunch from Superior Bathhouse Brewery
If you want more information, check out my post on how to spend a day at Hot Springs National Park.
Mid America Science Center
This epic science museum is the perfect way to spend a few hours in Hot Springs. It is part of the ASTC Passport program, which means you can get in free with your reciprocal membership.
We loved the Underground Arkansas exhibit, where you get to crawl through a maze that takes you through underneath the state of Arkansas. There were life sized dinosaurs scattered around the museums outdoor space, and the most incredible Skywalk, that my kids adored!
There is a cafe for lunch, or pack a lunch and use one of the picnic tables located near the front of the building. And if you have enough time, make sure to check out one of the Dome shows!
Crystal Digging at Ron Coleman Mining
By far, this epic adventure won the top spot for everyone’s favorite activity during our visit to Hot Springs. Such a unique and fun experience, and perfect for families with kids of any age.
You start in the Visitor’s Center, where you will pay for your admission and grab your digging bag. You can bring your own shovels from home, or they are available to purchase in the gift shop. Then, you will head to the dig site to start your search for crystals.
We spent about 2.5 hours digging, and found so many quartz crystals! The biggest one we found was a little larger than the size of my fist. Small hand shovels are sufficient for digging, no need for anything else.
You get to keep anything you find- there is no limit on how much or how big! It was seriously such a fun experience, and we had the best time searching for crystals and then going through our treasure once we got home.
Ron Coleman is open 7 days a week, from 8-4:30. Admission is $25/adult, kids aged 7-15 are $5, and kids 6 and under are free.
Lake Catherine State Park
Spend some time in nature by heading to Lake Catherine State Park to check out the beautiful waterfall, Falls Creek Falls. An easy 1 mile hike takes you past the stunning lake, over a swinging bridge, and to this crystal clear waterfall. Climb to the top, or take a dip in the refreshing water on a hot day.
Garvan Woodland Gardens
We love a good botanical garden! I find them to be a perfect mix of things for both kids and adults to enjoy, and Garvan Woodland Gardens was no exception!
The children’s garden here was absolutely incredible, and my kids could have spent the entire day here exploring. You cannot miss the treehouse- it is so cool! And make sure to head behind the waterfall to explore the secret cave!
