Hot Springs National Park

The steaming pools of mineral-rich water that bubble up from the ground in central Arkansas have been magnetizing pilgrims since anyone can remember. First came the Native American shamans; then came the Prohibition gangsters (Al Capone even had a dip here). These days, the springs – which can hit temperatures of up to 143 F – can still be visited in the vintage spa houses of Bathhouse Row. Hot Springs National Park itself has hiking paths and nature trails and scenic drives on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains.

Hot Springs‘ claim to fame is that it was noted as a reserve by President Andrew Jackson long before the birth of the NPS movement. Before that, it was also a popular 19^th-century resort destination, which you’ll see in the lovely Central Avenue buildings.