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I'm thinking about going to Little Rock and wondered if anyone has any tips regarding the middle of the night arrival here (is it a problem)? Also, anything about restaurants, good places to walk around, and sites to visit (other than the capitol, Clinton library, and Central High School, all of which I know about)--but keep in mind I'll be downtown and won't have a car.
I also think I might like to see Hot Springs. There seem to be flat fares via something like a taxi, but not cheap. (The Greyhound, on the other hand, does not sound very convenient given my time restraints etc.) Would it be worth going?
I've given up on the idea of going one way via New Orleans. It means staying over in NO, and I don't have the time or money. So I think it will be TX Eagle via Chicago both ways.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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The bride and I honeymooned at Hot Springs, circa 1966. If you go there "in season" (like the next 2 months), be sure and take in the races at Oaklawn Park.
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I don't know much about Little Rock except that it was one of the first cities to have a revival of its streetcar system. It serves the downtown area (but not Amtrak or the Capitol) and goes out to the Clinton library. Might be worth finding a hotel near one of its stops. There is a link to a route map and schedule from this River Rail site.
We spent a couple days in Hot Springs as we have a relative that lives nearby. I certainly enjoyed it as it felt like one of those old towns where time has stood still. Unfortunately that's mostly because of the poor economy in that area. But it did preserve the city as it must have been in better times. The National Park System has also helped. By all means treat yourself to a day at the only remaining hot springs bath in the downtown area. The Buckstaff is a real time warp and not too expensive. One of the old attendants told me tales of taking care of passengers who arrived on the overnight Pullmans from Chicago. For an excellent meal in a historic hotel, also on the main street in town, try the Arlington Hotel. Rooms there are pretty reasonable - starting at $108 less 10% for seniors/AAA for the 'historic rooms' or $145 for larger rooms with the mineral water pumped in for your bath water.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thank you both for the tips. I am going to try very hard to get to Hot Springs too. I don't know if I'll have time for both the race track and spa treatment but if I want to do the latter, do I need to bring a bathing suit? Or does one do it in the raw, or in some garment they give you there?
palmland Member # 4344
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Sojourner, the only suit you will need is your birthday one. But, keep in mind this is not a posh spa. It's strictly old school - lots of exposed pipes and hissing steam and you are marched from one treatment to another.
Expect to be treated to an icy shower, a steam bath and mineral bath suitable for a lobster, and then massaged as if you were tenderizing a hunk of meat. But, it's worth it. I'm sure my blood pressure was in single digits and I was too relaxed to move for some time.
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