Hot Springs is a city in Garland County, Arkansas in the United States of America. The population was 35,750 at the 2000 census. Hot Springs is the county seat of Garland County, and the tenth most populous city in the state.

This town started because of the "healing" hot springs that come up out of the mountain. Indians and Civil War veterans found them beneficial for healing. (The secret is that low levels of radon are present in the water which is good for the body.) They are now capped springs, except for a couple of display springs. Visitors can take a bath in the mineral waters at the Buckstaff Bathhouse on the historic Bathhouse Row.

Hot Springs is home to many art galleries, particularly on the Bathhouse Row section of Central Avenue, and the Hot Springs Music Festival. The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, held each October at the historic Malco Theater, is considered one of the top documentary festivals in the world, attracting numerous Academy Award winning films and producers.

Other annual events in town include the Hot Springs Jazz Festival in Sept (free) , The Hot Springs Blues Festival in Sept (free), The downtown Bathtub Races (spring), The Big Barbecue Cook off (spring and fall), and The outdoor skating rink in December.

Educational institutes and conventions are also important events in the Spa city. Perhaps the most popular of these events is the Hot Springs Technology Institute (HSTI) drawing over 1300 participants each June. Hot Springs is also home to the annual alternate reality game Midnight Madness, based on the movie from which it gets its name. Teams race throughout the city at night, solving clues based on difficult puzzle and physical challenges. Games last 12 hours or more, with the winning team designing next year's game.

Off the beaten path places to visit- Downtown Farmers Market is open Saturday morning from 6am-9am. The two room cave up the hill in Desoto park (look for the unmarked trail going up the side of the mountain about 75 feet in back of the swings to the left. Lake Ouachita (25 minutes away) . Gulpha gorge hiking trails and streams for swimming. Bike trails in Ceder Glades park are top notch and get rave reviews- there is also a playground and wide stream in the park for the kids. Blues Jam Wed nights downtown at Maxines-Come play or just listen. Old time Jazz quartet in the Arlington Hotel Big Lobby on weekends. IRelax real juice bar and health food across from the Arlington Hotel. Garvin Gardens outdoor summer movies. Poets loft open mic poetry Wed nights (historic downtown). Happy Hallow Spring to get a great free bottle of spring water (Bring your own Bottle)

On the beaten path places- Colemans crystal mines, the free museum on bathhouse row in the Fordyce bathhouse, Duck boat rides on lake Hamilton, Magic Springs Amusement park and summer concert series, the Hot display spring. Garvin Gardens. Mid-America museum (great for kids). Strolling downtown at night (very safe). Oaklawn horse Racing Jan - April. Dont miss Art Gallery walk first friday of every month, its the place to see and be seen-and you dont have to know anything about Art to hang out, grab some free munchies and people watch. Visitors center for all the brochures and advice you can take with you.

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