Hot Springs National Park - Day 1
Bathhouse Row - A Walk Through Time
Hot Springs National Park was quite surprising! Unlike most national parks that focus on preserving natural landscapes, Hot Springs protects a collection of historic bathhouses along Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs. This Bathhouse Row includes eight bathhouses built between 1892 and 1923. Each bathhouse has its own architectural style, from the Romanesque Revival of the Arlington Bathhouse to the Beaux-Arts grandeur of the Lamar Bathhouse. These were once popular destinations for people wanting the healing waters of the natural springs.
Fordyce Bathhouse - A Glimpse into Luxurious Spa Days
The park’s visitor center in the former Fordyce Bathhouse offered a glimpse into those spa days. Inspired by European spas and opened in 1915, the Fordyce Bathhouse has a luxurious interior. The eye-catcher for me was the beautiful colored stained-glass ceiling in the men’s bath hall.
Date
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Distance
4.21 miles
Moving Time
1:42:37 hours
WEATHER
77 °F, sunny, gentle breeze