Hot Springs Hitts and Mrs

Gracious, Independent, Retirement living

2011-10-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

This post won't apply to everyone, but for those of you that stumbled upon this blog by searching for a retirement community in Hot Springs then you have come to the RIGHT place.

Hot Springs offers several wonderful facilities to help seniors retire the way they should. But ONE place in particular stands out to me.

Crown Trace Villa in Hot Springs, Arkansas is the best choice for you to place your loved one in. Crown Trace Villa is like a lot of facilities in that they provide housekeeping, wonderful meals, travel to and from doctors and other places...but the staff there is AMAZING! The CNA's, The RN's, the cooks, the kitchen staff, the on-site managers... everyone is SO great!!!

If you want to visit a place that stands out for their service, attitudes, and faith, then visit Crown Trace Villa today!

501-623-6308

Look out for PEDESTRIANS!

2011-02-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

I understand that its Arkansas law that pedestrians have the right of way... BUT... in Hot Springs it tends to depend on where you are in town.

If you are leaving Oaklawn... traffic will stop for you. If you are downtown walking--EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE WALK SIGNAL--you will get runover. Nobody stops for you.

I've lived here for 8 years and I will never understand it. But i think as a person who may potentially visit Hot Springs, Arkansas... you HAVE to be warned.

Oaklawn-Hot Springs

2011-02-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

OAKLAWN has Triple Points on Mondays! Go to Oaklawn and try your luck and receive TRIPLE points! That doesn't mean much to most... BUT... keep this in mind. When you sign up at Oaklawn you receieve $10 to play (its cash... you can leave, or play) and then for every 100 points you earn on your PLAYERS card you receieve $10 bucks. So... go on Mondays and earn triple points.

And of COURSE Wednesdays has double points.

go to OAKLAWNS website by clicking here and get alllll the details :)
GOOD LUCK!

Bedding and More

2011-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

I realize that not TOO many vacationers come to Hot Springs or to Hot Springs Village to shop for furniture... BUT...after having been in the business for 5 years i have seen how many come to Hot Springs for vacation and end up buying a condo or a home on the lake. So... for that reason alone you should know WHERE to shop!!!

Bedding and More in Hot Springs Village is THE best place to shop for bedding and furniture! With low overhead, this place can sell things at a fraction of what they sell other places. And believe ME, i have sold furniture for years and been in hundreds of stores... i know what i'm talking about!

Rest easy on any of the mattresses, recliners, and liven up your home with a new sofa or a new dining room table!

Bedding and More located in Hot Springs Village right across from the main gate on Highway 7. It's a MUST shop if you are in the need for anything for your home!

Call owner Jere Matthews at 501-984-6644 today to ask any questions or for directions!

Bedding and More...where you leave on Cloud 9!

Mid America Pictures

2011-01-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

We went today for a day of family fun! I took these pictures with a blackberry so I apologize if they don't load very clear. But at least you can kinda get a glimpse into the GREAT family fun this museum is!

But i will say, it is DEFINITLEY a Mrs. :)

Build a mountain, create a river... all while having fun and learning!

Even the little kids can work the pumps!

Fun photo ops :)

Even grown ups enjoy this place!!!

Night crawler tunnel. Kids get to experience how worms move around under the ground. AND the best part for parents is that there are screens so you can see your child throughout the whole thing without having to crawl through it yourself.

FUN ways to learn about gravity!

Very cool steam engine... kids are learning and having fun! And parents are glad to be not be walking outside in the heat!

Experience underground Arkansas by going through the cave/tunnel. VERY cool! All ages can fit :)

Learn how all types of energy work.

How much would you weigh on the sun? Didn't you ALWAYS wonder :)

And the dreaded earth scale... don't worry its off by about 30 pounds!

And their off...

2011-01-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

Oaklawn. Hot Springs is known for hot water and fast horses. Those two things bring so many people to Hot Springs EVERY year!

Racing season for 2011 starts on January 15th(delayed a day because of weather) and will run through April 16th. This is the 107th year of Oaklawn. Kinda crazy, huh?!

A few years back Oaklawn expanded and we now have a casino in the newer half of Oaklawn. It's pretty cool.... ALMOST feels like Vegas. But you should know that everything is electronic. No real people are dealing anything... and I wish I could tell you WHY that is, but it just is. The slot machines aren't as fun as Vegas because you don't really "pull" any cranks to watch your numbers turn, but Oaklawn is a FUN FUN place!

http://www.oaklawn.com/offers/10-dollar-free-play/

Use this link up above to get $10 free gaming dollars. This is for FIRST timers only.

Whether you are going to Oaklawn to play black jack or to bet on the horses... this is TWO thumbs up, GREAT fun for you and your friends!

I'd write more but today is opening day.... and i'm OFF! :)

Going for a stroll

2011-01-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hot Springs is THE perfect place to just take an afternoon stroll. Whether its you and your love, or you and the family...this is for the Hitt's and the Mrs. My husband and I have spent many of afternoons and evenings going for a stroll downtown. It seems to NEVER get old. This town is beautiful. I gripe about the traffic, and the crowds that come with the races. I gripe about how impossible it is to drive from end of town to the next in under 45 minutes...but at the end of the day I am so glad to live in this little bit town. :)

So go for a stroll when you come to town. Bring your camera. Get some awesome pics. This town is too beautiful to go anywhere with a camera. I say that and I DO that... and i LIVE here :)

Here are some pictures from one of our most recent walks downtown. Just went for an afternoon stroll to look at the beautiful buildings all decked out for the holidays.

Another beautiful spot on bath house row

Walking down Central,aka Bath house Row

Arlington Hotel lobby. BEAUTIFUL Christmas decorations.

Kids come from ALL over to see this gingerbread house :)

This is in front of the Ozark Bath house.

What to jam to...

2011-01-15T07:25:00.000-08:00

Maybe this is not very important to the older people in the world (No offense), but for ME, I don't want to go anywhere that i haven't already figured out what the local radio station is. Even if you aren't tuning in to jam out, you at least want to know where to go find out local weather, road closings, wrecks, etc.

When I am not an aspiring writer, I work for a radio station. :) So yes, I am biast. But here is a lost of Hot Springs BIGGEST And AWESOME-EST stations.

US 97
BIG country! Number 1 station in the area. Always has been, always will be. Good blend of contemporary country with of course a few "flash backs." Weather updates every break by Alan Archer. (Listen closely, he talks fast and slurs a lot) Community calendar's at every other break SO... if you are visiting and want to know whats going on, this is the place to listen!

HOT 96.7
Hottest hits. TOP 40 station! All the new stuff, all the time! not as many weather updates.

ROCKET 101.9
Do you like classic rock? Then here ya go... weather updates periodically.

104.5 THE BULL
Classic country at its best :) Larry Mecom in the mornings. Lots of weather updates.

KZNG 1340AM
Talk radio. LOTS of info. Also lots of info about the Village.

KLAZ 105.9
I don't really know how to explain what music they play... sometimes its Top 40, sometimes its 2001 songs. So this ones tougher. So I will say a NICE blend of music from 1998-today. And don't forget the "Flashback Cafe". Every day at lunch flashing back to the oldies. News and weather not as many updates, but will hear it periodically.

AND... if you are planning a visit to the Spa City...go to http://www.myhotsprings.com/. GREAT website. You can listen live to US 97 and HOT 96 on this website, you can look at community events AND get great prices on some of Hot Springs COOLEST restaurants.

Doc's Pizza

2011-01-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

A lot of towns have cool places to eat... different, unique, blah blah... we ALL have them. BUT...if you are in the mood for pizza and lots of fun then head on over to Hot Springs BEST KEPT SECRET... Doc's Pizza on Airport Road.

GREAT prices, gourmet pizza, awesome service...these girls are AWESOME. They will take care of you like no other restaurant in town!!!!

The game room is huge, clean, lots of fun, cheap games...the bathrooms are the cleanest EVER... food is so good, so affordable. GREAT drink prices... you can't beat it!

So...head on over to Doc's pizza on Airport Road.

1018 airport road
501-760-2227

and look up http://www.docspizzeria.com/

Trust me... you will NOT be dissapointed!!!!!

Curfew

2011-01-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Technically Hot Springs does NOT have a curfew...but as a resident of this town I feel like it is my duty to warn all of the vacationers that make the journey to Hot Springs about where to be and when.

Downtown Hot Springs is the "Hot spot" so to speak. This is where vacationers spend their time. They go to the bath houses, walk down Bath House Row, take a stroll through Arlington Park... which is all good and great. Heck, even as someone who LIVES here I enjoy doing those things. But i know when to go home.

In Hot Springs, unfortunately, downtown is not the safest place to be. From Malvern and Grand on out 7 towards Hot Springs Village this is where vacationers and hang out, and also where crime takes place. You need to be OUT of downtown when it hits dark. Unless you are walking on the side of the street where all of the shops are, you don't need to be downtown after dark. On the OTHER side of the road, where the bath houses are, is NOT a place that you want to be once it is dark.

I don't have to tell you why, I just need you to trust me. Come and enjoy Hot Springs because this TRULY is a wonderful place to live AND vacation. But be smart, and trust me... go home for curfew...which in this town is after dark.

HYP

2011-01-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hyp Boutique in Hot Springs is one of THE best little boutiques in this town! Owner Karen Churchwell combines fun, fashion, style AND price to make this a truly unique place to shop. Boutique clothes without boutique prices. HYP has the latest fashions as Karen travels all over going to market after market to make sure that she has the latest styles at the best prices.

Shoes (TO DIE FOR), jeans, dresses, tops, leggings, jewelry... you name it, HYP has it!

HYP offers lay away which is ALWAYS a plus! HYP always has a sale selection... items up to 80% off!

You will be sure to find exactly what you are looking for at HYP Boutique here in Hot Springs in Temperance Hill Shopping Center.

4334 Central Avenue (cady cornered from the Hot Springs Mall)
501-525-0255

Find HYP on facebook by searching for HYP Boutique Hot Springs.

Other Information

2011-01-11T18:39:00.001-08:00

Curfew

Cajun Boilers

2011-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Want great cajun food?! In Hot Springs your choice for that is CAJUN BOILERS! Located right off of the lake on Albert Pike. You can dine in, or if its nice out I would reccomend the patio. This is the place where you are treated with southern hospitality and served authentic, amazing cajun food.

Prices are going to be in the middle range. For a couple who orders drinks with the meal an average ticket will be around $40.00. Great specials if you eat before 5.

Come by land or lake... you'll be glad that you did!

http://cajunboilers.com/

Mid America

2011-01-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

Needing something fun to do with the kiddos? I have the place for you. The Mid America Science Museum! Whether your kids are 2, or 12 this is a fun for all. Yes a LOT of the activities and exhibits are a tad on the "older kid" side, but my child is 5 and LOVES this place. And its actually a pretty cool place for me as an adult to hang out. You can go through the whole museum in 30 minutes, or you can take your time, try everything, learn some cool stuff and be in there for hours on end! There are 2 cool caves that anyone can fit through which makes it fun for all. Lots of water activities showing kids the scientific side of how things work! Very cool place, TWO thumbs up and i'd give it more if I had more hands.

It is a bit expensive so if this is a place you would visit more than once a year you should buy a family pass!

Here is the link to their website. PROMISE me you will give this place a shot!

http://www.midamericamuseum.org/

Wedding pictures from the promenade

2011-01-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

Pictures from Kozy's

2011-01-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

Where everybody knows your name...

2011-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Doesn't everyone want to go to "Cheers"? How cool is it to walk in a bar where everyone does TRULY know your name? Well...as a vacationer I can't guarantee that your name will be know and remembered...but i can tell you that if you go to KOZY's, you will be welcome as though you are from here and live down the street.

Kozy's in a "red neck" bar. :) Pool tables, small dance floor, not too many tables but I can personally guarantee a great time. Awesome prices on drinks. No cover charge. Dance floor. Karaoke. And good music. You will not find a club here in Hot Springs that is smaller or more PERFECT to get the Hot Springs experience.

Good times guarantee? go to Kozy's.

1218 Airport Road
501-767-7779

Trust me...you will be GLAD you called.

http://www.thekozy.com/

Jason's

2011-01-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

Looking for down home cooking? Wanting some food that is what you would EXPECT to get in Arkansas? Then go to Jason's. Jason's has been around forever. We eat there often... their shrimp specials on Wednesday nights are to die for! Their burgers are the best... and you are going to have a hard time finding a better steak.

Affordable pricing. A nice covered patio to eat on AND a closed in area with a fireplace for the cold winter nights. You will love the atmosphere, the service and no doubt the food. Give it a try if you are in Hot Springs. You'll be glad that you did!

Jason's
148 Amity Road
501-525-0919

google it. Check out the reviews. you will see that I am SO not lying :)

Luxe images

2011-01-09T20:41:00.000-08:00

When you chose to do a destination wedding OR just a wedding here locally, photographers are VERY important. You want someone that is AWESOME, but also AFFORDABLE. So what if I told you that I had someone that was absolutely PERFECT? Would you jump up and down? Ok...well start jumping.

LUXE IMAGES. They are perfect. They have taken the best pictures of my family and I. Affordable, easy to work with, flexible on times and days... all of the things that matter.

I take lots of pictures. I WANT lots of pictures... but I also can't spend a fortune. Michael and Lynsey will work with you and you can also TALK to them about what it is you want. If you don't want traditional wedding photos, they get that! Having dealt with LOTS of photographers before I know how important it is to be able to tell someone you want and don't want.

Call them. Check out their website. You will be SO glad that you did.

Call LUXE IMAGES. 501-609-5467 or go to http://luxeimages.org/

I will show you some of the work they did for us. And we were NOT super easy to deal with :)

Hot Springs Promenade Wedding

2011-01-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

There are lots of neat places to get married in Hot Springs. Lots of options close to the lake, out ON the lake, wedding chapels, etc.

I have found the PERFECT place to get married in Hot Springs. Yes, i am biast because I got married there myself last year. :) But I promise...it makes the perfect outdoor wedding.

Downtown Hot Springs on bathhouse row there is the promenade. The promenade is actually located in the Hot Springs National Park. So for YOU that means that you need a National Park Pass. Those can be aquired by calling the Lamar bathhouse. Approximate cost is $50.00.

It's beautiful, its outdoor in the beautiful scenary, and its different.

Getting married up on this promenade is the PERFECT destination wedding. Going to florida, Jamaica, etc is BEAUTIFUL but its not in everyones budget. So I recommend this place. For more specific details be sure and click on CONTACT and I can give you any additional information that you would need.

Rolando's

2011-01-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Rolando's Restaurant is located in downtown Hot Springs. It is about a block away from the Arlington. If you are looking for a unique place to eat...then here ya go! Best food you will eat. It's different... kind of a latin mix, lots of mexican favorites to pick from as well but very distinct. Once you have eaten here you will be happy to go back.

Rolando's is a great place to eat no matter what time of year, but if its not a 100 degree hot summer Arkansas day, then go here and eat outside. Live music, great drinks, and the salsa is to die for.

Go by, take a seat on the patio and tell them Cara sent you. You will be glad that you went!

210 Central Avenue
501-318-6054
http://www.rolandosrestaurante.com/

Hot Springs Historic Tours

2011-01-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

Hot Springs is known for the trails, the hot springs bubbling up downtown, the shopping and of course the races. You can see it all on your own OR you can take tours.

Hot Springs Historic Tours is one way to see a LOT of Hot Springs. There are some cool experiences along the way that will keep you and the kiddos interested and entertained. Fully air conditioned buses, non-stop tour of the town. Very educational, and some what boring BUT if you have never been to Hot Springs this is the best way to see a lot of the town. Hot Springs is not an easy town to navigate around in so I would give this two thumbs up if seeing a lot of the historical part of this town is what you are after.

Call 501-318-6077 to ask questions, set up times, and reserve tickets.

Mining for diamonds

2011-01-09T19:49:00.001-08:00

People come to Hot Springs to find healing waters and crystals. Evidentially that’s what we're known for. :) Well if coming down south to dig in the dirt for crystals is your thing then we JUST may be the place to go to.

This place is actually pretty cool. They have indoor minding, crystal mining tours, you get the CHANCE to mine crystals for yourself. You can find fossils, rocks. minerals, gemstones...and people REALLY do find some pretty cool stuff around here. Now for adults...I don't see many of us loving this but this is an event that can take up a lot of day or you can make it a quick in and out trip. This is downtown across from Bathhouse Row. Reasonable prices. Ther are better places to mine for crystals besides Crystal Park Mining but they are over an hour away so to keep your vacation going strong here in the heart of Hot Springs...this is the place to go! They also have night, walking ghost tours. Find out some of the legends and ghosts of Hot Springs. Open 7 days a week, rain or shine, this is the PERFECT family outing. Two thumbs up.

http://www.centralparkmining.net/
501-318-6077

2011-01-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Hi. My name is Cara Matthews. I was born Cara Hitt. So because of having a super cool last name like Hitt…sometimes a play on words is appropriate. I am now a Mrs. And I love being a Mrs….

I also love living in Hot Springs where I have lived for nearly 8 years. Before that I lived in a small town 30 miles south and spent my weekends and teen years hanging out in Hot Springs. There aren’t a lot of places that I haven’t been in this small, yet fairly large town. I don’t know everything there is to know about Hot Springs but I know enough to have plenty to say.

For a lot of years I wondered why people came to Hot Springs to visit. As I got older I began to realize all of the cool stuff this town has to offer. In the heart of Arkansas is an awesome town with a lot of history, a lot of life, and a LOT of diversity. And that is what I plan to inform you of. If you are planning a trip to Hot Springs I want to be the ONE thing you read before you come here! Of COURSE I will encourage visitors…Hot Springs wouldn’t survive without tourists, but I want you to have an informed opinion of what to do, where to stay, where to eat…and of course you will be informed of ALL of the Hitt’s…and the Mrs.

To use my blog to its FULL potential I must define to you that a HITT is something that is perfect for a younger person. Teens, young adults, and your MNK’s. (that would be married, no kids). And for all the Mrs. On my list… those would be PERFECT things to do for honeymooners, married folks, and families.

If you are planning a visit and have a question, please email me at HotSpringsHittsandMrs@aol.com

Arlington Hotel

2011-01-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

One of the first things I think of when planning a trip is where to stay. Probably most people at least have that on the top 10 list. Let me say this… Hot Springs has a LOT of hotels. Tons! But there are some that are nicer and newer…and be going to http://www.hotels.com/, you wouldn’t know that. They all have about the same amount of stars so I am here to help.

Let’s look at historic ones first…

Velda Rose, Arlington, Austin, Springs Hotel and the Park Hotel.

The Arlington hotel is a very well known hotel in this area. VERY historical, the architecture is beautiful, the lobby is fun and hopping on Friday and Saturday nights, a beautiful wrap around deck with cool, quaint furniture and it overlooks the Arlington lawn. Lots to be said about this hotel. This is an excellent place to have a wedding, reception or bridal portraits.

Al Capone has stayed at this hotel many times. His favorite room was #443. That’s a cool fact. And Babe Ruth liked to stay here. It’s located on Bath House Row and since many MANY people came to Hot Springs over the years to absorb our “healing waters” lots of famous people made the journey far and wide to make it to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

If you are very into history, and architecture then the Arlington is a must SEE. I don’t know that I would give it a must STAY. I am not knocking the Arlington… but going for a visit any time of year and seeing the beautiful lobby, staircase, and taking a tour is totally worth it. But I would invest in a much comfier and up to date hotel.

http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2987