I’m sure those of you reading this are a lot like me. I love traveling to new cities, exploring, and finding different and exciting things to eat and do while on the road. One thing I hope to do during my life time is visit all the national parks in the United States. I went to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas a few weeks ago and I wanted to share my experience with you guys so hopefully you can take the trip as well.

It is a perfect weekend getaway and a little less than 5 hours away from Jackson, Ms, where I began. We left early Saturday morning, arriving at our hotel around noon. We stayed at a Wyndham Microtel about 5 minutes from the Downtown and bath house area. We then drove to Bath House row and parked in the free parking lot.

Quapaw path house allows the public to pay $20 everyday to soak in the bath house for as long as you want. It’s been around since the 1920s and have houses lots of famous people, including Alcapone. It was a very memorable experience I recommend doing!

As the day progressed and we realized how starving we were, we headed next door to the Superior Bathouse Brewery. The beer there is brewed with the natural hot springs, the only place in the United States that does this. I ordered the beer flight And got to choose 4 local beers. The food was honestly so fresh and delicious. Then we headed back to our hotel and it called it a day, we were both so exhausted.

The next morning we went to Garvan Woodland Gardens and played around. It’s a beautiful outdoor maze of flowers, bridges, plants, and a geometrical 2 story treehouse in the middle of the woods. There was a lovely little peacock walking the grounds who was very friendly. There was also a huge koi pond filled with all different colored fish and food to feed them with. These were some of the biggest fish I have ever seen in my life.

After spending some time outdoors we went back backdown and had some tacos and beer at Diablos Tacos and Mezcal. We walked around the city again and stopped in a few shops. I bought an amazing hat at a little hippie shop. We went back to the hotel after shopping and I took a nap, Charlie did some research and edited pictures/ videos. Then we ate dinner at The Pho House. I highly recommend going here if you want something cheap, a little lighter, and if you love pho :) with full bellies and a long day behind us, we went back to the hotel and passed out.

Monday, our final day in Arkansas, started with continental breakfast and coffee at a local coffee shop called Kollective coffee + tea. We spent some time there reflecting on our trip and wishing we could stay longer. For the conclusion of our trip, we went back to Garvan Woodland Gardens and drove to the back (you don’t have to buy tickets this time just FYI) and walked to Anthony Chapel. A beautiful wooden and glass chapel deep in the woods. It was one of the most peaceful moments I’ve had in a while. The chapel was intricately built and the way the sun hits the glass walls is stunning. We spent some time there and then got back on the road to make the drive back home.