The Hidden Gem

09/04/2024

Did you know that on a holiday weekend we will make an average of 35 whole pies a day. This weekend (Friday-Monday) we made a total of 143 whole pies.

09/04/2024

The Fordyce is not like other visitor centers. The Fordyce is a cool* visitor center.

*Thermally and thematically

It's also a museum! Stepping into the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center & Museum requires a bit more etiquette than many other NPS visitor centers. Here are some tricks and tips to visiting the Fordyce safely and respectfully:

💡 Do not touch, sit, or lay down on the historic furniture.
To keep our museum objects, clean and safe, please do not touch the furniture, or stand on the benches in the dressing halls. Your touch may not seem like much, but even the slightest contact can damage the surface of the porcelain, discolor marble, and even rust metal. The oils that are on our hands and in our skin can damage the museum’s pieces.

💡 Do not lean on walls or cases.
This helps keep displays hung on the walls or displayed in cases safe. Feel free to sit on the benches as you talk, write, or draw.

💡 Food and drink must be left outside of the building (even the lobby)
The four floors of exhibit content will provide plenty of food for thought and even a feast for the eyes!

💡 For your safety, please walk, don’t run.
Running, pushing, and roughhousing are not allowed in the museum.

💡 Take your time!
There is A LOT to see. Appropriate museum behavior is necessary to avoid accidentally bumping into and damaging the artifacts or historic furniture.

💡 Be aware of your volume (and the volume of your group)
People visit museums for a variety of reasons. To respect other visitors, use your indoor voice. Please do not text or make phone calls during tours or talk on speaker.

💡 Pets are not allowed in the museum.
We love your furry friends just about as much as you do, just not in the museum. There are 26 miles of dog-friendly trail that your whole family can enjoy.

Following proper museum etiquette helps all visitors (including yourself!) have a meaningful and enjoyable experience in the Fordyce.

Photo: NPS/M. Smith

09/04/2024

What a weekend! 🌟

08/31/2024

When you book your Mount Ida stay at The Hidden Gem 💎 be sure to make time to visit WaySeekers coffee shop!

Sip & Find your favorite fall flavor this Friday!

08/29/2024

08/28/2024

08/24/2024

Tonight starting at 7:00 pm...the McWilliams Family Bluegrass Band at the Front Porch stage in the courthouse square in Mount Ida. Bring a lawn chair, sit back, and enjoy the evening's show!

08/23/2024

Book your stay in Mount Ida at The Hidden Gem 💎 just minutes from Lake Ouachita's southern shoreline! Book Online through VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/3301103

⛅️ The sun may be setting on summer, but Hot Springs has plenty of summer fun left!

Book a weekend getaway exploring one of our three area lakes, soak up thermal spring water on Bathhouse Row, and make plans to attend one of several events as we close out summer.

🗓️ Save the date for one of Hot Springs’ upcoming events to close out your summer right ⬇️

-7th Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend | August 23 & 24 at the Hot Springs Convention Center

-Roots & Boots - Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, & Sammy Kershaw live at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park | August 24

-Gabby Barrett live at Oaklawn Hot Springs | August 30

-Labor Day Fireworks | September 1 on Lake Hamilton

-Arkanbrawl Roller Derby Invitational | September 7 at the Hot Springs Convention Center

-Gin Blossoms live at Oaklawn | September 13

-September Gallery Walk | September 6 in Historic Downtown Hot Springs

-Spa-Con Pop Culture & Comic Convention | September 20 - 22 at the Hot Springs Convention Center

📸:
📍 Lake Hamilton

08/21/2024

Our readers were asked what their three favorite adventure towns were in February 2022. The last time we did this was over 6 years ago and it turned into a popular post. This survey has some surprises and also demonstrates that some places are made for adventure.

08/20/2024

When you book your Mount Ida stay at The Hidden Gem 💎 be sure to make time to visit the cafe at Shangri-La Resort for a slice of their famous pie 🥧!

Pie of the day: Dutch apple pie at the Shangri-La Resort near Mt. Ida.

08/02/2024

Did you know that The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa in Hot Springs, Arkansas, will turn 100 next year? It's just as charming as it is historic. Book a getaway! arlingtonhotel.com

07/27/2024

07/21/2024

Nice night for some good tunes 🎶 by The Ouachita River Band at The Front Porch Stage in Mount Ida!

07/19/2024

07/15/2024

It's nice and cool inside the museum! Stop by for a visit.

07/10/2024

07/10/2024

07/09/2024

“Where can I get in a Hot Spring?”

The short answer is NOWHERE. There are many ways to experience the thermal water in Hot Springs National Park, but sitting in a hot spring is not one of them.

The environmental and cultural characteristics of Hot Springs’ water make it impossible to bathe directly in the thermal springs. At an average of 143 degrees Fahrenheit, Hot Springs National Park has the hottest natural spring water east of the Rocky Mountains! That means the water is far too hot to submerge your body.

To protect the thermal water and ensure access to the resource for as many as possible, the NPS collects and distributes the water to spaces where visitors can easily experience it. These include bathhouses, fountains, fill-up stations, and display springs. At the display springs, visitors can witness the waters come out of the ground after a 4,000+ year journey. They can also experience the living organisms that thrive in a natural thermal environment as well as the rocks formed by mineral deposits.

So, remember: the water makes the spring sites TOO HOT to jump in. Enjoy Hot Springs National Park safely by approaching springs carefully, being considerate of the ecosystem and visitors around you.

Photo: NPS/D. Chmill

07/07/2024

Book your stay in Mount Ida at The Hidden Gem 💎 and Lake Ouachita views like this are just down the road! Plus, at Shangri-La Resort there’s pie 🥧!

We currently have availability July 12-18.

Rise and shine!☀️

07/07/2024

Great night for some bluegrass with The Gravel Yard at The Front Porch Stage in Mount Ida!

07/06/2024

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for our fireworks show at 9pm on the marina point!

07/03/2024

07/03/2024

We're looking forward to celebrating Independence Day at the lake. To help maximize your holiday weekend, our Ship's Store and Fuel Dock will be open a little longer starting Thursday, July 4th, to Saturday, July 6th. Their hours these days will be 8am to 8pm. We hope to fuel a weekend full of fun. Don't forget, all Members in good standing receive fuel at our cost!

The annual fireworks show will be on Saturday, July 6th at 9pm. We will also have live music on Friday, July 5th at the restaurant. Singer/songwriter, Larry Womack will be performing from 6pm to 9pm. He'll be playing classic country, rock, blues, and original music.

07/02/2024

Lake Ouachita Public Fireworks displays are as follows:

Brady Mountain Resort-Saturday, July 6th
Mountain Harbor Resort-Thursday , July 4th
*Fireworks by private parties are prohibited on Corps land.
With thousands of people recreating on Arkansas' waterways over the next week, it is extremely important to practice safe boating. Some safety tips are as follows:

*Always wear your lifejacket while boating
*Watch your children-it only takes a few seconds for a child to drown.
*Inspect your boat BEFORE hitting the water!
*Don't overload your boat
*Don't let anyone ride in the back of your pickup truck or on boats while traveling to and from the boat ramps.
*ALWAYS use navigation lights if night boating
*Alcohol and boating or swimming do not mix!
We want everyone to have an enjoyable time at the lake and return home safe to their families!

07/02/2024

Friendly reminder!

06/23/2024

If you go there, you won't find a mountain named Ida!

06/23/2024

What a great show tonight put on by Interstate 30!🎤🪕

Make sure you join us again next week for Common Ground! We are expecting another great show!
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06/17/2024

Home to 47 natural hot springs, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is beloved for its ancient thermal activity as well as creeks and forests, all of which can be explored via 26 miles of hiking trails. Its nickname, ‘The American Spa’ comes from the many opportunities to include the hot springs, including along historic Bathhouse Row, which is a National Historic Landmark District and is the most extensive bathhouse collection in North America.

For your next outdoor adventure.

06/09/2024

Do you want to try the thermal waters of Hot Springs but forgot to schedule a spa service? No problem, our hot soaking pools are open to the public on a first come first serve basis with no reservations needed. For only $25 plus tax you can enjoy the pools for as long as you like. Must be 14 years and older, have swimwear, and plastic sandals such as flip flops or crocs. No worries, we have swimwear options and sandals at the Quapaw Boutique. We will be open from 10 am until 6 pm everyday except on Tuesdays, stop by and see us!