things to do

We’re thrilled you’ve made the trip,
here is how we would spend the weekend.

Arrive and check into your hotel. Freshen up and grab dinner at one of the restaurants downtown (check out our list of recommended spots below!) before heading to The Reserve for the Welcome Party.
Morning: Wake up and grab a coffee at Kollective, take a stroll down the Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row. Walk up the Tufa Terrace trail to Mountain Tower to check out the views of Hot Springs.
Afternoon: Grab lunch before heading over to Oaklawn to test your luck at horse racing.

Evening: After the races, enjoy a short siesta and then grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants we recommended. Deluca’s is a must but make sure to reserve your pizza dough in advance! After dinner, join Evan & Cecile at Pop’s at 8pm for a final toast before the big day.
Morning: Spend the morning experiencing the beautiful landscape surrounding Hot Springs. You can head over to explore Garvan Woodland Gardens — our guests have free access on Saturday or hike one of the many Hot Springs National Park trails. If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, rest and restore at the award winning Astral Spa at Oaklawn.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch downtown, browse some of the local shops like Wrapped, The Savory Pantry or stop in the Mountain Valley Water gift shop. Enjoy the afternoon drinking beers on the patio at Superior, Diablo’s or Ouachita Bar & Grill.

Evening: The main event!

The Recs

Deluca’s - rivals even the best pizza spots in NYC, ask Dave Portnoy, make sure to call ahead and reserve your pizza! They WILL sell out
Capo’s Tacos - excellent tacos and conveniently located across from Oaklawn!
Superior Bathhouse Brewery & Distillery - great spot for lunch or an afternoon beer, a must visit!
The Bugler - if you find yourself at Oaklawn, this is a great spot for brunch, lunch or dinner
Cafe Kahlo - excellent spot for brunch, Cecile’s favorite is the chilaquiles with green salsa - they also have a nice patio for margs!
Diablo’s - funky spot for margaritas and tacos
Ouachita Bar & Grill - great patio for enjoying a beer on a sunny afternoon
The Ohio Club - opened in 1905 - traditional bar fare, great for lunch and live music nearly every night
Pancake Shop - family owned, breakfast only spot that has been around since 1940
Kollective Coffee + Tea - cozy spot to get your caffeine fix
Splash Wine Bar - take a stroll downtown and drop in for a quick glass - also a great spot for brunch on Sundays!
Colorado Grill - southwest inspired fare with solid fajitas

Bathhouse Row - the city is famous for it’s Hot Springs and their therapeutic benefits, we recommend Quapaw Baths And Spa or Buckstaff Bath House
Grand Promenade - take stroll down the promenade overlooking Central Avenue to enjoy some of the city’s historic architecture, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience first hand the city’s famous hot springs
Astral Spa - unwind and recover at the Forbes Travel Guide four-star recommended and Cecile Certified full-service spa located at the Oaklawn Casino & Racetrack
Garvan Woodland Gardens - beautiful and serene wooded escape that is great for an afternoon stroll or light hike. On Saturday April 26th, our wedding guest have free access in the morning, just mention our names at the ticket booth
Oaklawn Casino & Racetrack- try your luck at the casino games and get warmed up for our Day at the Races event!
Hot Springs National Park - 26 miles of trail that can be access directly from downtown
Hot Springs Mountain Tower - beautiful spot to overlook the mountains and downtown