Hot Springs, Ark., a town of about 36,000 residents, is one of those cities that benefitted from having natural springs whose waters were thought to be healthful in the Victorian era.

What makes Hot Springs a little different from other such cities is that the entire downtown is centered on the springs, which are now part of Hot Springs National Park.

Hot Springs is one of two national parks that will experience total darkness during the solar eclipse April 8, 2024. If you plan to go to watch the eclipse, here are some other things to check out.

The springs

The “hot springs” for which the city is named so interesting. There are several springs and fountains and faucets are placed around the downtown area so residents and tourists can fill containers with the water the bubbles out. And, yes, it is hot water. Stores sell plastic gallon jugs and souvenir glass bottles so visitors can take the mineral water home. About 1 million gallons flow from the springs every day.

The bathhouses

Hot Springs was given federal protection in 1832 and quickly became a spa town. One of the most fascinating features is a row of historic bathhouses directly across from downtown shops and restaurants. The eight surviving historical bathhouse are being preserved in a variety of ways. Two still offer spa treatments, one is a National Park Welcome Center and museum, one is a brewery and others are shops. The buildings are fascinating from the outside, as well, with beautiful and ornate architecture.

The museum is definitely worth the tour. The website says: “In 1915, reviews proclaimed the Fordyce Bathhouse as the best in Hot Springs. Now you can tour the Fordyce and see the splendor. In May 1989, the Fordyce Bathhouse opened as the Park Visitor Center; the bathhouse had actually gone out of business in 1962. It took extensive restoration, but the result is a look at the bathhouse as it was in the early years of business, complete with beautiful stained glass ceilings, marble walls, and statues. You can tour the building, look at exhibits and watch movies on taking the baths and the park story.”

Shopping and activities

Across from the bathhouses, visitors will find shopping, dining and a variety of entertainment. The Central Avenue Historic District also features some interesting architecture. Boutiques, toy stores, candy and souvenir shops, galleries and more line the street, interspersed with the kind of unusual entertainment you might find in a tourist town. There’s the Gangster Museum of America, Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Maxwell Blade’s Curiosity Museum and the Galaxy Connection, which is a Star Wars museum.

Other attractions

Away from downtown, you’ll find wacky tourist attractions like the Alligator Farm, a tribute to Babe Ruth’s first homerun and Bill Clinton’s high school.

At one time, Hot Springs was a destination for gamblers and ball players. Baseball players like Babe Ruth came to train and used the springs to ease sore muscles. Apparently, Al Capone, Owney Madden and other mobsters enjoyed spa treatments, as well, and at one time the city had 10 casinos.

Hot Springs is definitely worth the drive any time of year.

Find lodging in the area at booking.com or hotels.com. If you plan to camp, check out rentals at RVshare.com.