Hot Springs This Week

Neal Gladner
  • 5.0 (8)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

About Hot Springs, Arkansas - things to do in the Spa City, and the interesting people that make Hot Springs a top tourist destination. Check us out on Twitter @hsthisweek.

  1. 12/02/2019

    Episode #19 - The Hot Water - at Hot Springs National Park

    Part of what makes Hot Springs both special and unusual is the downtown portion of the city is surrounded by Hot Springs National Park. If you've never visited, the main street through downtown is Central Avenue. One side of the street is the city, the other side is the iconic "Bath House Row". In this episode, we visit with the HSNP Superintendent, Laura Miller.  From the famous thermal water, to the rehabilitation of the bath houses into privately owned businesses to hiking and camping, you'll hear it all from her. Plus, we'll run down a variety of seasonal things you can enjoy in Hot Springs. #HSNP #VisitHotSprings #Thermalwater #tourism #bathhouse

    52 min

  2. 11/04/2019

    Episode 18 - The "See you later, Alligator" Episode

    One of the oldest and still operating attractions in Hot Springs features alligators, turtles, goats, wolves, peacocks and rabbits. And the list of animals there is longer than that. It's the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo. In this episode, meet Jamie Bridges. He is the General Manager and one of the owners of this family based business. It's history dates back to 1902. It's been a Bridges family operation since 1947. How many alligators do they have? And what about the wolves? And how about the turtle that's over 100 years old? And, has an alligator ever escaped?  To get the answers, you'll have to listen. Plus, Jennifer and I run down things to do in November. #alligators #visithotsprings #tourism #pettingzoo

    51 min

  3. 09/15/2019

    Episode 14 - The Hotel Hale Story

    For many years, the buildings that made up Bath House Row in Hot Springs were closed and shuttered. Years ago, the National Park Service entered into public-private partnerships, leasing the historic structures to people who wanted to house a business in one of those buildings. Bath House Row is a robust part of the Hot Springs Tourism business. The most recent to open is Hotel Hale, a boutique hotel with two separate dining rooms. Located in the former Hale Bath House, Hotel Hale is operated by Ellen and Pat McCabe. This conversation is with Pat McCabe, and as you'll hear, Hotel Hale was years in the making. #Visit Hot Springs #HotelHale #tourism #Hot Springs  #National Park Service

    40 min

  4. 09/09/2019

    Episode 13 - The Spa Con Convention in Hot Springs

    The 4th Annual SpaCon Convention is the topic for this episode. SpaCon is a three day celebration of everything from animation to Cosplay, from Cult movies to laser tag. And that doesn't even cover it all.  My guest is Bill Solleder, Director of Marketing for Visit Hot Springs. When he joined the organization in 2016, planning for SpaCon was already underway. So as you'll hear, he had a lot of learning to do. We'll discuss how SpaCon has grown and what you can expect if you attend the annual convention. I also talk with Jennifer Bailey from KLAZ about things to do in the coming weeks, and with Kimberly Bogart about levels on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine, plus the Ouachita River. #VisitHotSprings #SpaCon #Rockyhorrorpictureshow #tourism #HotSprings

    41 min

  5. 08/24/2019

    Episode 12 - Meet Mrs. Garvan of Garvan Gardens

    In this episode, you'll meet Verna Cook Garvan, the woman who donated the land that became Garvan Woodland Gardens. She died in 1993, so you'll hear from her by way of Susan Harper. Susan has been with Garvan Gardens since its' start. Over the years, she researched the life of Mrs. Garvan, and now speaks as Mrs. Garvan in public appearances, complete with wardrobe from that era. By any measure of that time. Mrs. Garvan was an amazing woman, elevated to the CEO position of her father's empire upon his death in 1934. Women CEO's were rare in that time period. And as you'll hear, many years of her life were personally difficult. The land donation to the University of Arkansas' Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design came with legal stipulations and you'll hear about them in this episode. Plus, Jennifer Bailey joins me to run down things you can do in Hot Springs in the weeks ahead, and we visit with Kimberly Bogart of Entergy Arkansas Hydro operations about the lakes and rivers controlled by the utility. #GarvanGardens #UniversityofArkansas #VisitHotSprings #gardens #flowers

    40 min

  6. 08/12/2019

    Episode 10 - Bill Barnes and Mountain Harbor Resort

    The story of Mountain Harbor Resort starts with a man taking his son fishing in a newly formed lake. Mountain Harbor Resort remains a very popular destination for everything from families to anglers to business conferences. Bill Barnes owns and operates the resort, and tells the story of how it started, the struggle to keep it going, and even disagreements with his Father years ago on the direction of the Resort. Like many of the conversations in this podcast series, we find out its really a story of being an entrepreneur.  Plus, Jennifer Bailey returns and we'll run down events you can enjoy from this posting through Labor Day. #Lake Ouachita #Mountain Harbor #Bill Barnes #Hot Springs #Vacation #Visit Hot Springs  #Arkansas Tourism #Resort .

    42 min

  7. 08/03/2019

    Episode 9 - Call to the Post - with Louis Cella from Oaklawn Park

    Louis Cella is the 4th generation of his family to oversee what is now Oaklawn Racing Gaming and Resort.  As you'll hear, it's no coincidence that "Racing" comes first in the name. Oaklawn Park has been in operation since 1905. It's now in the midst of a $110 Million Dollar expansion for it‘s expanded casino, plus construction of a resort hotel and event center. In our conversation, Cella talks about everything from the expansion to the family's long love of and dedication to thoroughbred racing.  After the conversation, Bill Solleder from Visit Hot Springs joins me for a rundown of things to do in Hot Springs over the next couple of weeks, plus a quick preview of Spa-Con. #Oaklawn #LouisCella #visithotsprings #horseracing #casino #paramutualwagering #Zenyatta #AmericanPharoah

    1h 28m

  8. 07/28/2019

    Episode 8 - The FLW returns to Hot Springs

    For three days in August, 52 of the best bass anglers in the world will converge on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs for the FLW Cup. Called by many the biggest bass tournament of all, they are competing for the first place prize of $300,000. In this episode, with talk with the FLW Director of Public Relations, Joe Opager. And, one of the anglers, Billy McCaghren of Mayflower, Ar, who has earned his first ever chance to compete in the FLW cup.  Plus, we'll have our regular visit with Jennifer Bailey about things you can do in Hot Springs in the coming weeks. #FLW #FLWCup #Fishing #HotSprings #Tourism #VisitHotSprings #events

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

About Hot Springs, Arkansas - things to do in the Spa City, and the interesting people that make Hot Springs a top tourist destination. Check us out on Twitter @hsthisweek.

Information

  • Creator
    Neal Gladner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Neal Gladner
  • Show Website
    Hot Springs This Week