We love taking short weekend getaways from Memphis, and one of our favorite destinations is Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s just about 3.5 hours away, making it an easy lake getaway for families looking to escape for a few days without a long drive. We usually make a trip to Lake Hamilton every year, and we’re already looking forward to spending Labor Day weekend there again this year. If you’re planning a trip to Lake Hamilton, here are some of our favorite places to stay, things to do, and restaurants we always look forward to visiting.
We stayed in a house on Lake Hamilton that was tucked away in a quiet cove, and it was the perfect setup for our family. The house had a private dock where we could keep our waverunner, and since the cove is a no-wake zone, the kids could safely swim right off the dock. Most of our family came along, so having plenty of space for everyone made the trip even more enjoyable. We spent our days swimming, riding Big Mabel, cruising on the waverunner, and soaking up as much time on the water as possible. In the evenings, we all gathered together to watch movies and relax. It was the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and cozy family time.
Hot Springs is home to the first National Park in the US. They have The Hot Springs Mountain Tower you can visit and do some hiking. They also have a great brewery Superior Bathhouse, restaurants and tons of shopping downtown. They also have bathhouses you can visit, Fordyce Bathhouse that you can tour, and you can’t forget Garvan Woodland Gardens. Seriously, you could spend an entire week here, and I love how family friendly and outdoorsy the area is too!
We already can’t wait to come back next year. One of the reasons we love visiting Hot Springs is how easy it is to get to from Memphis. In just a few hours, you can be relaxing on the lake or exploring everything the area has to offer. Beyond Lake Hamilton, you’ll find great restaurants, shopping, hiking trails, family attractions and the charming downtown area, making it a destination you can enjoy year after year.
Have you been to Hot Springs before? What is your favorite lake to visit?
