Fordyce Bathhouse
Fordyce Bathhouse
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Once one of the bathhouses on Bathhouse Row, this building has been renovated and now serves as the visitors center.
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See what travelers are saying
- OliviaV23Clarksville, Tennessee80 contributionsFree & Beautiful!The Fordyce Bathhouse was a friendly, at your own pace, site. The care into each exhibit was clearly evident. We are big national park travelers so this was a must on our trip. It was really neat to see the original work and the spring directly in the lowest level. The sun was out today and the stained glass colorings were breathtaking. Absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a good spot. It is also free!Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 27, 2023
- scott rSilver Spring, Maryland701 contributionsAnd you thought resistance machines were new :)Really interesting visit to bathhouse row and the one open as a museum (you can bathe even today down the street at the last one still operating "we accept walk-ins"). Preserved at a moment in time, along with some of the back story and period equipment, clothing, furnishings, the experience is not 'gilded age' but it is thorough and informative. Seems some people miss part of the third floor past the locker rooms; check out the exercise equipment - Dr Whatsis ahead of his time. Between the elevated path behind the row and main street with places to eat and shop, you can make a decent day trip out of it if that's your intention.Visited May 2023Traveled soloWritten May 23, 2023
- Tim LJefferson, Georgia1,867 contributionsAn excellent glimpse into the past.Located in a former bath house, this facility is now under the National Park Service. It is now set up as a museum with artifacts and pictures of how the facility was set up and operating “back in the day,” with various rooms containing furniture and equipment along with pictures and postings to give better understanding. The gymnasium is set up with training equipment used during that era. Included are names of many public figures who visited the waters of the hot springs utilized in the area.Visited June 2023Written June 26, 2023
- Anonymous8551,712 contributionsNot to be missed...the heart of the Hot Springs experienceWe walked around the first floor looking at exhibits but nearly missed the upper and lower floors until I read the brochure of the self-guided tour. Yikes! There was more to the story. The "lift" is a history story in it's own right. Kids will be amused but older adults will enjoy it most.Visited July 2023Written July 16, 2023
- Angela DTyler, Texas6 contributionsA Tour Through Time!You literally feel like you have stepped back in time! Much of the museum is how the Fordyce Bathhouse operated many years ago! The furniture, stained glass ceilings on the top floor, and tile floors are beautiful! We laughed and were entertained by the types of treatments that were given! I'm so glad we did not walk by and skip the self-guided tour!Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 3, 2023
- shaunaFlorence, Mississippi23 contributionsMust see in Hot SpringsMy husband and I had a weekend getaway to Hot Springs and this was one of my favorite things we did. I loved being able to explore the whole bathhouse and learn the history. They have it set up so nicely. Amazing that it’s free! We have paid a lot of money for historic tours that weren’t nearly as good. Also loved that they had stamps for our National Park Passport book!Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 1, 2024
- Joseph P6 contributionsMust stop while in Hot Springs!Free & informative, friendly staff. My small kids were excited about becoming junior rangers. This is a must stop for everyone visiting Hot Springs. Free parking garage about a 3 minute walk away.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,185 reviews
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Joseph P
6 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Free & informative, friendly staff. My small kids were excited about becoming junior rangers. This is a must stop for everyone visiting Hot Springs. Free parking garage about a 3 minute walk away.
Written February 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shauna
Florence, MS23 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
My husband and I had a weekend getaway to Hot Springs and this was one of my favorite things we did. I loved being able to explore the whole bathhouse and learn the history. They have it set up so nicely. Amazing that it’s free! We have paid a lot of money for historic tours that weren’t nearly as good. Also loved that they had stamps for our National Park Passport book!
Written February 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A.R.
6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Very interesting place, lots of history and free to explore. Read the plaques and enjoy the older establishment.
Written January 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad H
Nashville, TN307 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
The staff with the National Parks at this visitor center is amazing- they are excited and happy to answer questions and share their passion of history with you. The exhibits show a good understanding of what the bath houses were like and the building and entire bathhouse row is exceptionally clean.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennifera399
Reading, Pennsylvania, United States174 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Only bathhouse that you can tour and photograph top to bottom and get a history tour of the bathhouse. Also downstairs if you're lucky you can see one of the hot springs in action. This sight is absolutely free to tour and they have park rangers available to answer your questions on things to do.
Written December 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hoagland5
12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
It was very interesting to see everything as it once was used. I was previously unaware of steam boxes. I learned something new! :) I loved the stained glass windows and ceiling. Don't miss it!
Written October 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand3,818 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Interesting historical bath house, now serving as the National Park Service Visitor Center for the Hot Springs National Park. The self-guided tour provides a fascinating glimpse of the old era of resort bathing.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim S
Macomb, IL134 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Very informative and out of the ordinary piece of history. Loved thinking of the historical significance and changes and similarities in the way we think of “spa”,
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne F
Marietta, GA68 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Great overview of Bathhouse Row. Take the free tour so you can go experience a bath in one of the 2 bathhouses.
Written October 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela D
Tyler, TX6 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
You literally feel like you have stepped back in time! Much of the museum is how the Fordyce Bathhouse operated many years ago! The furniture, stained glass ceilings on the top floor, and tile floors are beautiful! We laughed and were entertained by the types of treatments that were given! I'm so glad we did not walk by and skip the self-guided tour!
Written October 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the cost for a bath massage and a day at the spa
DutchLace
Holland, MI753 contributions
This one is only a museum. No spa. Free self tour. They do have guided tours roo at different time. There are two different bathhouse that have functional spas nearby.
bevmik
Dyersburg, TN223 contributions
Is the museum open now?
Mawmawhays
Alba, TX12 contributions
I know when we went it was open on a Sunday so I would call!
Where do you park when visiting the bathhouse?
Only B
Malvern, AR98 contributions
We parked at the beginning of bath house row in the Visitor's Center Parking Lot. It's a wonderful walk looking at the bath houses going one directions and hitting the all cute little shops on the other side of the street coming back. There are some metered parking areas and pay to park areas on the opposite side of the street too.
Stephanie E
Austin, TX35 contributions
Which bath house sells beer?
Jessie S
Pineville, LA30 contributions
Superior Bath House on the northern end of the row.
Hello! Were you able to visit during the government shut down?
Thanks!
Riley
Lucinda S
Lafe, AR36 contributions
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas and the famous BathHouse ROW is always open to casual strolling and visiting places featuring stunning history and the 'Great Gangster Eras'. Unfortunately, as of this date. many of the National Park doors are temporarily closed for the Federal Shutdown.
Please be reminded that Arkansas is layered with many Parks that are open and offer special seasonal opportunities.
Some of the Spa's are taking reservations as of this day.
Superior Bathhouse is open and various Spas in the area
always have their welcome mat out.
Do Come visit the 'Natural State' of Arkansas.
AngelaBTXOH
Reynoldsburg, OH4 contributions
How often or at what times are guided tours given?
John S
Falls Church, VA138 contributions
The guided tour is probably over-kill on this museum. Just seeing the spas from back in the day are well worth the visit. But I suspect that a Park Ranger will be glad to give you a tour upon request. Be sure to watch the movie prior to walking thru the bath house.
AngelaBTXOH
Reynoldsburg, OH4 contributions
How often or at what times are the guided tours given?
Anthony A
Covington, United States23 contributions
They do have Ranger guided tours during the open hours. While they may have set times for them, it is very easy to just walk up and ask when the next one is. They may offer them as a first come first served basis, or they may wait until they have a certain number of people before they start one. Depending on when you go, you should keep this note in mind: “The Ranger guided tours of the Fordyce Bathhouse will be cancelled on July 17th and 18th, 2018. The Fordyce Bathhouse will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for self-guided tours.”
What ever you finally reside to do, a self-guided tour is just as enlightening.
Ashley E
Tennessee362 contributions
Suggestions for dog friendly places in Hot Springs please
Hpmg87a
25 contributions
Rolandos had a great outside patio that we ate several times with our dog. You have to enter via the parking lot. But it was cool enough to leave the dog in the car while we did the Buckstaff and Visitor center
There was another nice bar and grill that allowed us to take the dog into the restaurant. It was Fat Jacks..
But besides these two places it was not too great for the dog
any other cool things to do/see in the area with a 12 and 9 year old after visiting Hot Springs NP?
eb4
Tyler, TX39 contributions
The Tower, The Gardens, lots of lakes nearby to hike around and fish, and I think there's an amusement park nearby as well. We didn't do it but there's a bathhouse you can go into if you need a bad weather day activity. There's also a wax museum downtown that we didn't go to, and a neat Duck Tour that was really interesting. There's also mini golf that looks like a dinosaur theme, and I believe there's one of those adventure rooms somewhere downtown. My youngest is 19 so we don't do too many of those things now, but I hope this helped!
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Claim your listingFORDYCE BATHHOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fordyce Bathhouse
- Fordyce Bathhouse is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Fordyce Bathhouse:
- (0.31 km) Hotel Hale
- (0.30 km) The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- (0.22 km) New Lower Rates! Amazing 8 Bedroom 3 Story Downtown Hot Springs! No Admin Fee!!
- (0.26 km) In the Heart of Downtown Historic Hot Springs
- (0.39 km) The Hotel Hot Springs
- Restaurants near Fordyce Bathhouse:
- (0.06 km) Diablos Taco & Mezcal
- (0.17 km) BubbaLu's Bodacious Burgers & Classy Dogs
- (0.21 km) The Porterhouse
- (0.22 km) Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Beer Garden
- (0.15 km) Maxine's Live