Need advice/info on Hot Springs, AR

[chewiegand]

We're going next week to stay in a 2 BD at Sunbay resort. I called and was told our unit is facing the lake. It's 4 of us, dh & I, ds14 and ds10.

Can anyone give advice on restaurants, must do things and must see? I would appreciate it. A lot of the info online like tripadvisor.com is old.

TIA

[jamstew]

Originally Posted by chewiegand

We're going next week to stay in a 2 BD at Sunbay resort. I called and was told our unit is facing the lake. It's 4 of us, dh & I, ds14 and ds10.

Can anyone give advice on restaurants, must do things and must see? I would appreciate it. A lot of the info online like tripadvisor.com is old.

TIA

Sunbay is my home resort, although I haven't been in several years. Do you know which building you're in? The "Lodge" is the converted hotel section, and the rooms are very small and not very well done, IMO. Buildings "A" & "B" are much nicer and larger. All units face the lake. If you map it in google maps, satellite view, you can see the layout (4810 Central Avenue).

Although we spent most of our time on the lake (we took our boat), when my kids were young they loved Mid-America Science Museum (my ex and I loved it, too) (www.midamericamuseum.org), Magic Springs (although it may not be open this time of year), Hot Springs Mountain Tower, and the trails behind Bathhouse Row where you can actually see one of the springs that hasn't been capped. When they were a little older, we rented jet skis, and they went parasailing, but that's obviously out for this time of year. Be sure to take a ride on the "Duck" or the Belle of Hot Springs Riverboat. If you have any interest, the Dryden Pottery factory tour is cool. I still have several pieces I bought probably 20 years ago. Stop by the NP Visitor's Center. They have lots of good information. I don't know if one of the bathhouses is still open for touring, but if so, it's beautiful. Horseback riding is another nice option, depending on the weather. I've honestly never been at this time of year, so I don't know what will be open or what the weather will dictate. Definitely take a stroll through the lobby of the Arlington Hotel.

Hot Springs is definitely not known for fine dining. For pizza or Italian, try Rocky's Corner (2600 Central Avenue). It's a hole-in-the wall directly across from the race track and is an institution. The restaurant at Sunbay, Back Porch Grill, is actually very good (or it was the last time I was there)--www.backporchgrill.com/. Quite honestly, in all the time we've spent in Hot Springs, we never found much of anything worth going back to (Rocky's Corner being the exception). McClard's Barbeque is also a Hot Springs institution, but I've had better barbeque at home--depends on your taste. I'm sure there are new places that are good, but I don't know about them.

[dive-in]

I grew up 1.5 hrs from HS and went to college 30 minutes away. However, I really haven't done much there in 20 years except drive through on my way home. Here are a couple of favorites that look like they are still around.

Fine(?) dining - Not sure anything is "Fine" dining in Hot Springs but when you grow up in the middle of nowhere, these count.
Coy's - Actually had my parents' 50th Anniversary here two years ago and it was still pretty good.
Hamilton House - Had a nice view of the lake and pretty good food.

Casual dining
Rod's Pizza Cellar - They had lots of crust varieties and toppings before it was popular. Drove there from college for pizza.
McClard's - Gotta go just because it's a land mark. Just another variation of barbecue.
Colorado Grill - Pretty good. Had my niece's graduation celebration there last year. It's in an old building downtown in the Nat'l Park.
Fisherman's Wharf - Used to be pretty good on the river in Little Rock. Haven't been to the one in HS.

Activities
Oaklawn Park - The ponies are running? Your kids can go, too, and it's a cheap way to spend a couple of hours...if you don't bet and lose. It looked like reserved seats were still only $2.50 during the week. I used to get general admission and just sit/stand outside. It was a buck admission when I went last. It's just fun to watch the horse races and watch the peoples' emotions. Also, watch them saddle up and get ready for the race before heading to the track. I really liked the speed and the sounds (crowd roaring and hooves pounding) as they head to the finish line. Food and drink prices are like being at a movie or amusement park, i.e, high. Get a daily racing guide the night before you go and pick 'em before you get there.

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro (about 1.5 hours) - Do you like diamonds? If you find one, it's yours just for admission to the park. If it is raining, figure out when it is supposed to end and go the next day especially if it's sunny. The rain uncovers things and the sun makes the diamonds a little more visible. I won't say sparkle because they are raw diamonds.

Hiking - Check out the Ouachita (pronounced like wash-i-ta) National Forest trails. Many not too far from HS.

Little Rock is only an hour away. Lots more there.

Have fun.

[jamstew]

Originally Posted by dive-in

Fine(?) dining - Not sure anything is "Fine" dining in Hot Springs but when you grow up in the middle of nowhere, these count.
Coy's - Actually had my parents' 50th Anniversary here two years ago and it was still pretty good.
Hamilton House - Had a nice view of the lake and pretty good food.

I thought Hamilton House was excellent. I just didn't know whether or not it was still there.

[wandering gnome]

Restaurant.com has serveral certificates for Hot Springs restaurants.

[chewiegand]

Thanks to all that answered. Yes, the horses are running so we'll check that out. Thanks for all the other info. I appreciate it.

[ronandjoan]

If you get a room in the "Lodges" - they are not near the main building, but in another section - around about, still on the lake, though, but I would suggest not accepting them. They are one of two worst expierences we have had timesharing.

[bogey21]

Originally Posted by jamstew

For pizza or Italian, try Rocky's Corner (2600 Central Avenue). It's a hole-in-the wall directly across from the race track and is an institution. The restaurant at Sunbay, Back Porch Grill, is actually very good (or it was the last time I was there)--www.backporchgrill.com/. Quite honestly, in all the time we've spent in Hot Springs, we never found much of anything worth going back to (Rocky's Corner being the exception).

I concur with Rocky's Corner (love it) and Back Porch Grill (still good in my opinion). I also like Pompeii. Somebody else mentioned Coy's. It went way downhill and then was torched. No more Coy's.

A couple others you might try are Jason's (South on Hwy 7 past South Shore Resort; turn right at traffic light. It will be right in front of you) for burgers, etc. More upper scale is Angel's in the Park (turn right just before Arlington Hotel after going through much of downtown. It is in a small hotel on the left)

George

[jamstew]

Originally Posted by ronandjoan

If you get a room in the "Lodges" - they are not near the main building, but in another section - around about, still on the lake, though, but I would suggest not accepting them. They are one of two worst expierences we have had timesharing.

I don't think that's correct. The main building, Sunbay Lodge, is the converted hotel. On either side along the lakefront, are Buildings A and B, the larger units. The one on the left as you're facing the lake is the original building. The B building on the right is a couple of years newer. I own weeks in both buildings. Building A is next to the pool and restaurant, and has the playground in front. It only has 18 units, so it's definitely not far away from the main building. There's nothing in the main building anyway. Building B is next to the Athletic Club. It's bigger than Building A, but not that much bigger. There are other condos owned by the same group further down the road, but they aren't Sunbay. Maybe that's what you're thinking about??

AFAIK, the main/hotel building is the "Lodge" and Buildings A and B are "Sunbay Beach Club". I think the listings are wrong in the II directory as it shows Sunbay Lodge as all 2BR and the Beach Club as having other size units. This is definitely backwards. All of the units in Buildings A and B are 2BR. The condo conversions in the hotel building were sort of thrown together as an afterthought and, IMO, are not worth staying in. The balconies are so small that you hit your knees on the railing when you try to sit in a chair.

OK, so I pulled an owner's newsletter to confirm that I'm not crazy (we've owned there since 1984 and have been there probably a dozen times). The Lodge is the main/hotel building.