|
| Support This Site |
| Donate |
Allow me, if you will, to clear up what I said elsewhere about the Up Town area. This is Central Avenue, heading South from Grand Avenue to the Highway 270 West By-pass.
I said we "the locals" don't really call it Up Town so what do we call it?
Well, it doesn't really have a name but rather a locale reference. We say, "Over there on Central" or "Over by the track" or it's "Across from the track"....that's all Up Town.
Need a MAP to help keep you on track?
So everything Up Town is North of the track, or across from the track, or down the street from the track....hmmm.
The track this, the track that!
What is this track that is so well known that it provides a directional reference for everything else around it?
It is the one-and-only Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn has provided visitors with excitement in the form of thoroughbred horse racing for over a century! Yep, it was Feb. 24th, 1905 when the very first racing card was presented to a crowd of 3000 or so. They say the Mayor of Hot Springs gave the whole town a 1/2 day off just for the occasion! (Wonder why don't they do that anymore?)
Over 100 years later and Oaklawn Park continues to bring the very best of thrilling racing action to Hot Springs. The 2006 season has been entertaining to say the least! You better hurry though, the big finale is theweekend of April 15th!
My wife thinks it's a real kick and I love her description of the over-all experience: "You're a little nervous if it's your first time. Then you gather the courage to place your first bet (a whopping $2 minimum) and go back to watch the race. The tension builds, the gates open at the bell a-a-a-n-d they're off! Your pulse starts racing, your heart starts pounding and before you know it you're up, on your feet jumping and screaming like everybody else!"
That's excellent phraseology, "Over-all experience", if I do say so myself. That's what it's all about at Oaklawn Park, not just the horses, or the people, or their famous corned-beef sandwich! (Now that son-of-a-gun is good I tell you!) It's a combination of all the above that creates the perfect atmosphere for a great time! It's actually difficult to describe effectively...you just gotta try it.
Family-friendly Hot Springs AR vacations
Ok, as I said earlier, "down the street from the track" you'll find more family-friendly things to do in case the Brady Bunch isn't quite ready for the ponies!
There's these ultra-cool go carts that look just like little Indy cars at the Family Fun Park. They run on a challenging, full 1/4-mile track. Guys, you can outrun your Dad! Or better yet, your sister! Girls, it's your chance to put the pedal-to-the-metal and show the boys who's boss behind the wheel!
Plus they've got indoor bumper cars, an arcade and a great miniature golf course. There's great fun at the Family Fun Park.
Hot Springs AR vacations can include a movie, right?
Movie-goers take heed! Imagine a cinema with your choice of 10 theaters! Take a deep breath and you can almost smell the popcorn. The Central City 10 Cinema is located directly behind the Central Station Marketplace.
Central Avenue is busy, busy, busy. Better to go around "the back-way" where you can for quicker, easier access and Higdon Ferry is the back way for everything from where it meets Central Uptown (across from the track!) to where it comes back to Central on the South end.
It's the back-way to Oaklawn Park, the mall and other shopping centers, Wal-Mart, and oodles of restaurants along Central Avenue. It's also where you will find St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center. I certainly hope you don't need them but it's good to know!
Hot Springs AR Shopping Vacations!
I mentioned the Central Station Marketplace, that's our favorite flea market. It is housed in a former supermarket building so you can imagine the size of it! Now don't go there without a little money and comfortable shoes because you WILL find something you want and you WILL walk your butt off finding it!
Shopping
thrives Up Town with antiques and specialty shops along Central Ave. My wife mentions in particular, Sa'voir, just a few blocks "south of the track". They offer a wide variety of women's goodies; handbags, jewelry, accessories and a really extensive collection of reasonably-priced perfumes. Dive in Ladies!
Hot Springs AR vacations Eating Guide
Now, I mentioned elsewhere a "literal Sea" of eating establishments in the Up Town area. Well, let's eat! The possibilities include all your favorite fast food joints and franchised "Family Style" restaurants like Colton's, Dixie Cafe and Perkins. Quite a few of those great "little-knowns" I spoke of can be found at...
Hot Springs Restaurants
Be sure to check out the other areas for attractions in Hot Springs AR. Ready to move on? Try one of these...
