Around Town - Magic Springs in Hot Springs ARBreak out that "Magic Springs in Hot Springs AR" map again, or open it rather. I'd suggest leaving it open so you can refer
back and forth while 
Magic Springs (Deal #1) is a theme park with dozens of great rides that range from "kid friendly"...
...to "Hang on Bessie!" 
And there's a new one you won't want to miss, so listen up thrill seekers...something wicked this way comes! They call it THE X-COASTER! This $4 million coaster features the highest inversion in the world! Riders are suspended, upside down, some 150 feet above the ground before proceeding down a rolling corkscrew track at more than 65 mph! Only the second coaster of it's type in the world, this puppy is drawing quite a crowd. Especially the "coaster groupies"! It should definitely make the "must ride" list! But don't forget The Gauntlet, the suspended seats on this coaster give you the sensation of flight as you twist and turn at speeds up to 60 mph! Then there's Crystal Falls (Deal #2), Arkansas' greatest water park, where you can "cool your summer heels". My personal favorite, being the lazy "water baby" that I am, is the Kodiak Canyon Lazy River. You get on a big tube, kick back and let the current carry you along, floating your cares away. It doesn't end until you want it to, or until somebody wakes you up for a much needed application of sunscreen! And if all that's not enough, there's also the Timberwood Amphitheater (Deal #3), where the summer music scene sizzles! We've had the pleasure of some really great concerts from big-name entertainers like Loverboy, the Charlie Daniels Band, the Platters, Tracy Lawrence and 38 Special. One reasonable price for all three avenues of entertainment, what a deal! I can't wait to see who's coming to the Timberwood Amphitheater & Magic Springs in Hot Springs AR in 2007! Admission includes all day use of most rides. A limited few are excluded. The concerts are included in your ticket price if you attend on one of the concert dates. I suggest a season pass if you plan on regular visits to Magic Springs in Hot Springs AR. They're only a few dolars more than a day pass and include unlimited access, as often as you want, to all the rides, thrills and concerts at Crystal Falls and Timberwood Amphitheater and Magic Springs in Hot Springs AR. Also high on the "hit list" for the East side is the Music Mountain Jamboree Entertainment Complex. (MAP) Now there's a place with entertainment options! Truly a family affair, for 22 consecutive years the Mullenix Family has been the #1 night-time attraction in Hot Springs AR. They offer a fast-paced, high energy show with great music and lots of laughs. Plus there's indoor, yes INDOOR mini-golf. Better yet, it's in a rain forest! Make your way through the challenging indoor course while walking by a 20 foot waterfall, alongside a babbling brook, through a croc infested jungle. After this challenge stop by their concession area for your favorite beverage or snack and rest at the picnic area next to the waterfall. There's also an arcade room and Thunder Mountain Speedway with Indy-style go carts. You need more? Follow along as we explore "Around Town". Right next to Magic Springs is Mill Creek Road. Follow that a few miles back in the woods and you can go horseback riding at Panther Valley Ranch Got a 4x4 or ATV? How about a dirt bike or mountain bike? Superlift is the place to take 'em for sure. Superlift Off-road Vehicle Park is just down the road from Panther Valley Ranch. There's over 1200 acres of hills, trails, mud and creeks. The trails are mapped and rated by degree of difficulty. One of Hot Springs AR's newest attractions, Superlift provided a perfect setting for the 2005 Ouachita Fall Jeep Jamboree. Now, head West around that smile a bit and you'll find another of our newest attractions, Garvan Woodland Gardens. (MAP) It was the dream of Verna Cook Garvan who donated the land to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture. This 210-acre wooded peninsula, surrounded by Lake Hamilton, has been meticulously transformed into a world-class botanical garden. An example of "The Natural State" at its best, Garvan Woodland Gardens boasts a 4 acre Asian garden, two picturesque waterfalls, three unique bridges and the Hamilton Woods Nature Preserve. Their holiday lights display is not to be missed with over half a million lights twinkling daily from mid November through December 31. Off again, still heading West, to about the middle of the smile (MAP) 'cause we are getting back to Central Avenue. I referred to it elsewhere as " Eat Em Up Row ", well add "Shopper's Paradise" and you've got it! If you're a shop-till-you-drop, have-a-great-lunch and then, shop-some-more kind of person, the "7 South" area is the place for you! For Suzy-Shopper there's the Hot Springs Mall When it's time for that great lunch we talked about you can choose from seafood, steak, Chinese, Mexican (traditional and Tex-Mex), Italian, and home cooking, or buffet style. Or you can even take a lunch/sight-seeing cruise on beautiful Lake Hamilton on the "Belle of Hot Springs" riverboat! Aquatic attractions Around Town in Hot Springs AR Another "must know" in the "7 South" area is the wonderful world of boating! Let's face it, no Hot Springs AR vacation is complete without a boat ride on Lake Hamilton. And you poor out-of-towners don't seem to have a clue where to get one, if you didn't bring your own! That's why I'm doing this; because there is no sign with a big arrow that reads; "---> BOAT RENTAL HOT SPRINGS AR <---"!! If you want a boat rental in Hot Springs AR I'd call the folks at Hot Springs Marina on Lakeland Drive (501-525-7776), then there's also Kahuna Bay & Salty Dog Boat Rentals on Hwy 7 South. They both rent party barges & Kahuna Bay/Salty Dog also offer deck boats and jet skis. A special mention is due here for the world famous Doe's Eat Place on the lake next to Kahuna Bay. Accessible by boat or car, Doe's has a full bar and a great menu but what makes 'em famous? It's those steaks and tamales, the house salad is killer too! Let's see some more attractions Around Town in Hot Springs AR West-we-go on the road again to the other side of that happy smile, the West side of town for a bit of "higher education" at the Mid-America Science Museum Who says a vacation can't be a learning experience and fun too? This museum is just that because it's an interactive experience. A hands on journey into scientific principles relating to life, matter, energy and perception. You and your kids will have a blast! Other fun things to do on the west side include "Safari-style" miniature golf at Safari Falls and bumper boats, go carts and arcade room at Fun Trackers. The "rock-hounds" in your group will appreciate a stop at Wright's Rock Shop. Their trade is quartz crystals, minerals, gemstones and jewelry with many 1000's of mineral specimens displayed. I don't get it myself, but people have been coming to our mineral & crystal rich lands for years to find rocks to take home. Whatever makes you happy people, glad to have you, come get you some! On Target is a state-of-the-art indoor firing range with rental handguns available in case you need a cap-poppin fix away from home. (I can relate) (MAP) Before I close on the West side/Around Town, my side by the way, I must mention three particular restaurants. They are favorites of mine & believe me, I know good food. (And it knows me!) The first is Don Juan Authentic Mexican Restaurant Now mind you, Mexican food is my absolute favorite so I tend to go for the chips and salsa but this place is like no other! The second is Wok Express Chinese food, prepared to order, but quick and convenient. I'm not "dis-ing" any of the other Chinese places in town! There are a couple pretty popular buffet style Chinese restaurants over on Central Ave., but if you want a freshly prepared single-dish Chinese dinner you go to "the Wok"! The third, but certainly not least, is Sabrena's Drive In It's just a tiny little hole-in-the-wall and I'm sure Sabrena won't mind me saying so! Tiny it may be but it's huge on flavor! This is an old-school, malts & soft serve, burger so juicy it runs down your arm kind of a place. Mmmmm, I wish she was open right now! There are so many attractions around Magic Springs in Hot Springs AR that you better plan another day or two to cover these other areas! Things to do in Hot Springs AR Attractions in Hot Springs AR
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