I live about an hour from the loveliest little spot for a vacation. Seriously, it has EVERYTHING!
Let me count the ways:
- Antiquing. Lots of antique stores for your viewing/shopping pleasure. One huge mall and many small near-museums with absolutely everything. Seriously, I almost hate to share this part of it. I want it all for myself…
- Horse racing. If you’re into that. I’m not.
- Art. Galleries galore, including such well-knowns as Kinkade and Chihuly, and several with geological finds that have been made into art, such as geodes. It’s been judged the fourth art-friendliest city in the nation.
- Riverboat ride with dinner and live music.
- Al fresco dining in a below ground restaurant–always cool by dinnertime.
- Real museums, including a Tussaud wax museum.
- Amazing architecture. Totally astonishing architecture, at every turn.
- Breath-taking vistas
- Impeccable groundskeeping
- History, history, history–built with government moneys, yes, by your great-grandfather’s hands to keep your great-grandmother alive, before we paid people to do nothing.
- Food. Oh my. And prices that make you want to live there. One whole restaurant devoted to the breakfast of your dreams. On fun place decorated all over with pennies glued to the walls. Another, gourmet and pristine, a sanctuary for its guests and for its workers, who are legal immigrants, escaped from Romania, who wait on you perfectly and cheerily, with charming accents.
- Hotels. We’re talking, here, of totally expensive, but enchantingly historic, insanely beautiful, antique hotels…
- And–tada–fountains. Fountains full of water so hot, you can use it to make your tea; so pure, it’s piped to the public straight from the ground, to drink. Famously healing hot waters…
And now you know where it is: Hot Springs, Arkansas.
So impressive, the first time I went there, I was five, and even then, I knew I had to go there someday when I could see the whole thing.
Been there so many times, and haven’t seen it all, yet. Talking about it (to my history-loving heart) is never overdone.
For more photos, view here.
For more about Hot Springs, view here, and here.
Home's Cool! 
My favorite Staycation is Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. It’s FREE, beautiful, and free and beautiful! Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, a museum, a wonderful little restaurant and gift shop tucked away in a nook, gold-panning for the kids, and more. I never get tired of going there. And it’s only about 25 minutes from my house.
Perfect! I’ll come live with you some summer! 😉
I live in the small town of New Braunfels, TX, home to Schlitterbahn. Schlitterbahn is rated as one of the top water parks in the US. We also have 2 rivers for tubing, antique and gift shops, and Gruene Hall (the oldest dance hall in TX), and Nagelins (a great German bakery billed as the oldest bakery in TX).
New Braunfels is about 30 minutes from San Antonio where you will find the Alamo, River Walk, Mission Trail (a group of Spanish Missions built during the 1600’s and 1700’s), Sea World, and Fiesta Texas. Not to mention tex-mex and barbecue.
This area is a great vacation spot, so come on down and enjoy.
Oooh! I might have to spend a summer with you, too! 🙂 Thanks for a great addition to this list!
A stay-cation is a place you can drive to and come home at night, right? Hmm… my favorite would have to be Los Angeles. There is so much to do and something for everyone!
Los Angeles! I’ve heard so much about it! I certainly could not get there in time to go home! 🙂 But if I lived there, I’d count on you to show me the ropes! I’m sure you know a few secret “best places”! 🙂
Absolutely! There are so many awesome sites in LA. If you’re ever out my way, let me know; I’ll be your personal tour guide! 😎
😀
Ahhh! My home town! 😃
Bingo! I knew I’d hit someone, but you surprised me! 🙂
When my husband was working at my dad’s sign company, Seiz Signs, on Central in H.S., he built the Magic Springs sign. Most of my family is in Hot Springs. Even though I’m in L.R., now, we’re pretty sure we’ll move back to H.S. one day!
Amber, when you move back, we’ll get together, okay? As I said, it’s just a bit over an hour, for me to get there. Yay!
But wouldn’t you agree it has EVERYTHING! 🙂
Yes! Absolutely!!
Vacation to me screams BEACH…Sun, Sand, and Surf. My two favorite spots are Sugar Beach in Destin, Florida, and Hilton Head, North Carolina. Just the sound of their names cause my eyes to glaze and I’m there! Both destinations have sensational food. Nothing like Low Country Cookin’ in the Carolinas. And Destin? Super great seafood. Beach and food…what more could a body need? 🙂
Oh! That sounds so perfect, Diane! Where do I sign up for the guided tour?! 🙂
We have Land Between the Lakes here and Nashville or St. Louis is only 4 hours away.
You are right in the middle of almost everything! I love St. Louis, where my grandparents used to live and several cousins and an aunt still do live. Used to go there for school field trips. Been up in the arch and in that cathedral nearby. Also have visited around in KY/TN to see friends in Elizabethtown–hiked trails around LBL and visited Lincoln’s original log cabin, etc. All the kinds of things we do to help educate our children. 🙂 I always loved those places! Thanks for the comment!
I love Hot Springs – such a unique place! I used to take weekend getaways to Hot Springs Village when I lived in Little Rock. Now, my favorite staycation destinations are Branson, Springfield, and all the surrounding natural attractions and adorable small towns.
Hi, Fawn! Thanks so much for this comment and WELCOME to Home’s Cool! 🙂
Missouri is my stompin’ grounds and we lived in several of its towns and cities before we went south!. Ha.
We often stop at Mammoth Springs on our way up to see family or on our way back home. I guess I like the amazing geology a lot. 🙂
You’ve made me want to go there. It sounds like Europe as you describe it. (Until you get to the price part!) My best friend goes to AR all the time, and she has been wanting me to go with her for EVER. Next time she goes, I’m hopping into the car! 🙂
Whoa! Marsha!
I did not see this comment! Huh!
You do need to come see me. Absolutely! We’ll do a bunch of great things! 😀
That would be so fun! 🙂