Arkansas Vacation Destinations

Enjoy A Antique Walk In Hot Springs and the Annual HOG Rally In Arkansas, By Iris Dean: Antique Row, with over 15 shops, along with several restaurants and a hotel. In June Hot Spring's welcome Motorcyclists from around the country for the annual HOG Rally that is expected to bring more than 5,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Hot Springs, where the annual gathering of Harley-Davidson owners had grown into one of the largest HOG gatherings in America.

The Shopping District also includes wonderful upscale boutiques featuring ladies clothing, decorative accessories, jewelry, linens, gourmet food, luxury bath items and a children’s store. Restaurants include the Colonial Pancake and Waffle House celebrating its 45th year in the 100 Block, which has expanded its menu to include plate lunches, and Jernigan’s Restaurant celebrating its 12th year on the 100 Block serving up traditional Southern fare.

When out and about we often find ourselves wandering the little shops and hidden corners of towns we visit. In these out-of-the-way shops we discover many unique antiques and hidden treasures. Beginning Mid-March travelers visiting Hot Springs can explore the shops on Hot Springs’ Antique Row on Upper Central Avenue during their new monthly tradition the “Antique Walk.”

The “Antique Walk” event will be held the third Friday of each month, according to Davis Tillman, one of the city’s leading antiques dealers and an organizer of the monthly walk. This will be a great time for travelers to get out and enjoy a evening out to dinner and then visit “The antique dealers and boutiques at the north end of the downtown area, which will remain open until 8 p.m. during the walk, offering a unique shopping experience.”

Hot Springs has long been recognized as a City of the Arts, Tillman said. However, it is hoping to expand that designation to include antiques. The south end of the Downtown Historic District began to develop their art community in the early 1990’s. The north end is now developing a reputation for antique shops of quality. The renovation of the 100 Block of Central Avenue, known as Antique Row, boasts five stores with a diversity of fine antiques ranging from European and American furniture to rare porcelains, sterling and jewelry. A sixth store is expected to open soon that will add to the existing 27 antique businesses in Hot Springs.

Tillman’s Antiques, celebrating 25 years in the 100 block, has been joined by the new shops - Rampant Lion, Art-Tiques, Manor House Antiques and Joan Good Antiques of Royal Street, New Orleans. These dealers hope to attract others who will expand Antique Row further into the Historic District and create an area whose reputation for fine antiques will be unmatched in the Mid-South.

Did you know?

Did you know that in 1832 President Andrew Jackson signed the first law in history to preserve land for recreational purposes? That land was the area now known as Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Yellowstone National Park may have the official designation as the nation’s first National Park but now you know who really was first!

Rollin Down The Highway In Arkansas

Harley Rider Unite At The Annual HOG Rally In Arkansas

The annual HOG Rally sponsored by the Arkansas Chapter of the Harley Owners Group will return to Hot Springs in June. “We are extremely grateful that the organizers decided to come back to Hot Springs. We guarantee their members will have one of their greatest rallies ever,” comments Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Join The Annual Hot Springs Rally In September

Set your sights ahead to Mid-September when motorcycle enthusiasts of all makes of cycle will return to Hot Springs, AK. “I have had numerous positive comments from Hot Springs citizens and merchants who praised the size of the rally and the behavior of the participants as well as the significant positive economic impact it had on the city,” said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.