We headed to Hot Springs National Park first on Thursday to check out what should be our last National Park of this trip. It is quite an interesting park in an urban setting, very different from any that we have been to so far. The hot springs located in Arkansas were throught to have medicinal/therapeutic benefits so bathhouses were built and it became known as a “spa” for wealthy. People would also travel to come just to visit the bathhouses. Today Bathhouse row houses the visitor center and other businesses like the gift shop, a spa, brewery, etc. We stopped at the visitors center which also has a museum, walked the promenade, purchased a growler from the gift shop so we could bottle and take home some water from the springs and our youngest completed her final Jr Ranger program for this trip.
We didn’t know that Hot Springs was the boyhood home of President Bill Clinton until we got here. Since Little Rock was only 45 minutes away, we decided to head over to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library on the campus of University of Arkansas. It was our first visit to a presidential library and we all had a good time. It was fascinating to see the collection of documents, letters, gifts, memorabilia, etc. over his 8 years in office. They also have exact replicas to size of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Afterwards we headed to grab dinner at Whole Hog Cafe which Joe and the kids have seen on BBQ Championship shows they have watched. The food was delicious! We also grabbed pies on the way home from another local spot recommended on on Food Network called Honey Pies… also delicious!
We had a great day in Arkansas and tomorrow we head to Nashville for a few days before home. 5 days left in our trip!
Hot Springs
Little Rock
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