Arkansas Adventures: Southern Springs & Wilson Wonders

In March, I found myself on two delightful escapades to Arkansas: one to Hot Springs and the other to Wilson. 

First stop- Hot Springs, where we arrived on a drizzly, chilly Saturday around lunchtime. Gone was the bustling scene of my previous Labor Day weekend visit, as it was replaced by an eerily peaceful atmosphere. 

Our adventure kicked off with a taco sample platter and some gloriously cheesy queso at Diablos Tacos & Mezcal. Yes, please! 

Next, we strolled down the national park strip, where sugary bliss awaited in a candy store stocked with quirky treats that could only be described as sugar-coated whimsy. We made the obligatory stops at a tourist trap, a few boutiques, and even a rock shop—because who doesn’t need a piece of Arkansas geology, right? 

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Naturally, I had to get my national park passport stamped, so we popped into the visitor center and the boathouse museum. Avoiding the rain, we meandered through Fordyce Bathhouse. Imagine a blend of beauty and eeriness; it felt like a Victorian ghost story waiting to unfold. We capped off our tour with a film about the park—refreshingly, it seemed sourced right out of the '80s, complete with nostalgia and some questionable fashion choices. But hey, learning while staying dry? That’s a win! 

The chill in the air was palpable, and we could practically see the steam rising from the hot springs like a dramatic movie scene. Oh, and I couldn’t resist filling up a jug with spring water to take home. Because nothing says "I’ve been to Arkansas" like a jug of water, right? 

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Now, let’s talk about the Airbnb. Believe it or not, I snapped zero pictures of the spot or the bachelorette party—though let’s just say the place had stories to tell! We rolled into the Pedal Pad to the melodious chirp of a low battery smoke detector, which was quite the ambiance enhancer during our three-night stay. And yes, we had to furnish our own toilet paper! Charming spot, but a smidge of customer service wouldn’t have hurt. 

This trip quickly turned into a food tour; we indulged at Eden at Hotel Hale and feasted at 501 Prime—both worthy of a second visit!

And of course, no trip to Hot Springs can go without a dip in the baths. We visited the Quapaw Baths and greatly enjoyed our soak. 

Fast forward just a week, and I took a spontaneous day trip to Wilson with the kids and my mom. Lesson learned: small-town Mondays can be a bit dull since many shops like to take a break. Nonetheless, we made the best of it. The town square was a postcard from a fairytale, bursting with photogenic buildings.

We ducked into a couple of stores to snag adorable souvenirs, all while the tulips put on a blooming show worthy of an Instagram filter. Of course, we couldn’t resist a little photoshoot action. 

We ended the day feasting at The Grove, where macaroni and cheese, donut breakfast sandwiches, and the pièce de résistance—candied bacon—made sure we left with our taste buds in a state of pure jubilance. 

Driving along I-40 and I-55 through Arkansas may be the epitome of snooze-fest highway, but trust me when I say this state has its hidden treasures—you just have to know where to look!