Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens is Hot Springs' most beautiful ticketed attraction. The 210-acre garden is set on a pine-covered peninsula that reaches into Lake Hamilton, with about four and a half miles of wooded shoreline, and it is run by the University of Arkansas. Paths wind through woodland, past waterfalls, bridges, streams and formal beds, and the layout invites slow wandering rather than a rush. Highlights include the Garden of the Pine Wind, an Asian-inspired garden with a stone lantern and a teahouse feel, and the Anthony Chapel, a soaring structure of glass and timber by the architect E. Fay Jones, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, that is a favorite for weddings and quiet moments. There is also a children's garden with a four-story treehouse, a model train area and play spaces.

Every season has its own show. In March more than 150,000 Dutch tulips bloom in drifts, an annual spring spectacle that draws crowds. Azaleas, dogwoods and redbuds follow, then summer perennials and shade gardens, and in autumn the hardwoods and Japanese maples turn color. Winter brings the holiday light display, with millions of lights stretched across the trails and ponds, a ticketed event that has become a fixture of the Hot Springs calendar.

The garden is open most of the year but closes for a stretch each winter and on certain holidays, so check before you go.

Getting around is easy. Paths vary from paved to packed gravel, and some slopes can be steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Guided golf cart tours are available on a first-come basis for those who need help with the distance, and wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed. Leashed dogs are welcome on most days, though not during the holiday lights. Bring water and sunscreen in summer, plan at least two hours, and consider arriving early in warm months when the garden is quiet and the light on the lake is lovely.

Garvan pairs well with a picnic or lunch in town and a visit to the lake. It is a favorite for couples, garden lovers, photographers and families with children who want a gentler day. If the weather turns, the chapel and covered areas offer shelter, and the gift shop is stocked with local plants. For anyone who thinks Hot Springs is only about baths and bets, Garvan is a lovely correction.

The garden has a strong sense of design, which is part of why it feels so peaceful. Native pines and hardwoods have been left in place, and the planting beds, ponds and bridges are tucked into the contours of the land rather than imposed on it. The Anthony Chapel, with its high glass walls and timber framing, pulls the forest into the room, and visitors often sit for a while just to look.

The Garden of the Pine Wind, designed in an Asian style, uses stone, water and clipped plants to create a contemplative space with a view across the lake. If you are a photographer, early morning and late afternoon bring the best light, and the lake gives you reflections and mist in the cooler months. Allow extra time if you plan to join a cart tour or linger over lunch or coffee on site.