If there weren’t already plenty of fun things to do in Hot Springs, add to your list the five concerts coming to town presented by The Finish Line Concert Series at Oaklawn.

So, plan your Hot Springs vacation around one of the great concerts and, of course, make your reservations to stay our Hot Springs B&B!

The outstanding series includes a concert a month for five months:

• June 7 The Oak Ridge Boys. OK, maybe they should be called the Oak Ridge Old Dudes.
  

  Boys? Really??

  But their four-part harmonies and upbeat songs have spawned dozens of Country hits and awards.

• July 19 Diamond Rio performs their show-stopping country hits. They’ve sold more than 10 million albums, receiving Grammy and Country Music awards.

• Aug. 23 Paul Revere and The Raiders
  

  Fashion style?

  come to Oaklawn with a style (do they still dress colonial?) and sixth sense for pleasing an audience.

• Sept. 27 Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers take the stage representing a four-decade career from dusty Texas stages to the White House to Broadway.

• Oct. 25 The Texas-bred band Lonestar finishes the concert series marking their 20^th anniversary. The band is well known for merging their country roots with rich melodies and vocals.

Tickets for all the performances go on sale 10 days before each concert at 9 a.m. Call 501-623-4411 ext. 340 for reservations. Ticket prices start at only $19.95, and the theatre seats only 700–very intimate.

If you haven’t stayed in a bed and breakfast or an inn recently or ever, you’re missing pure pleasure in travel adventure.

Years ago bed & breakfasts conjured up visions of old Victorian houses that smelled funny and had white doilies (looks like a crocheted placemat that your grandmother made) on every table top. That just isn’t the case anymore. Take a look at the  Death to Doilies video and make your next reservation at a bed and breakfast. We would especially love having you visit us at Lookout Point Inn in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here you’ll have an escapade of pure pampering and luxury.

Lookout Point is the vision Ray and I had years ago to provide a beautiful, serene setting on Lake Hamilton that would serve as a sanctuary of peace and tranquility for our special guests who were looking for a place to relax and unplug.

If you have never had a bed and breakfast experience or it’s been a long time since you treated yourself, you’ll be amazed at the extraordinary opportunity that awaits you. —- by Kristie Rosset

At Lookout Point Inn we love dogs and because of that we really love to welcome pooches  at the inn along with their owners.

Ray and I have had numerous dogs in our lives throughout the years, each with funny and touching stories. When we were planning the inn, we decided to make sure we could accommodate dogs – from tiny to large breed – when they traveled with their owners.

When we have our guests’ special four-legged

Water loving dog, Nikki

friends stay with us, they are welcomed with a gift including custom-made doggie treats. Of course, they also receive their own personal welcome letter.

Please let us know you’re bringing your furry friend when you make reservations and we’ll be sure you are reserved in one of our dog-friendly rooms (four of our rooms are dog-friendly with direct access to the gardens).  We can help plan a perfect dog-friendly itinerary during your stay in Hot Springs.

As far as we know, Lookout Point Inn is the only Hot Springs B&B/Inn to welcome dogs. We look forward to pampering your special family member on your next visit.

This world class exhibit features hundreds of authentic shipwreck artifacts,

Shipwreck exploration by Odyssey

gold and silver treasures, as well as the incredible science and technology used to work thousands of feet below the surface of the ocean. Experience hurricane-force winds, pick up treasure with a robotic arm and explore the mysteries of the deep! How cool!

Running through September, you’ll want to make a special effort to visit Hot Springs and see this incredible, fun exhibit that fascinates people of all ages.

We invite you to stay at our award-winning Hot Springs B&B whenever you are in the area.

One of the year’s biggest events, the Racing Festival of the South, brings tens of thousands race fans to Hot Springs.

Thoroughbreds at Oaklawn

Major races and special events happen through the week.  On Saturday mornings, Dawn at Oaklawn provides horse enthusiasts up-close and personal experience with the horses, trainers, and jockeys. It’s a time to see the horses in a stress-free, non-racing environment, when they’re way more playful!

For the Apple Blossom race on Friday, April 13, we’re awaiting official news of Havre de Grace, the current Horse of the Year, defending her crown. Apparently her owners will decide by April 7 if she will make another appearance at Oaklawn. What an opportunity to see an amazing horse!

On Saturday, don a hat and come to the Arkansas Derby. You’ll see top horses, have fun, and spend the day in a beautiful setting.

We’d love to welcome you to Lookout Point for the Racing Festival!

The typical response for everyone that steps  into our gardens is lots of oohing and aahing.   Our gardens really take your

Glimpse of the gardens

breath away with stunning beauty. Such beauty doesn’t just happen: the gardens were lovingly and painstakingly planned with the help of local landscape architect Liz Frazier.

For years our gardener Pat lovingly cared for “his babies”, as he referred to the many plants and trees. Pat became a dear friend and member of the Lookout Point family. Even as he struggled with chemo and radiation, he still came to the inn to check on “his babies”.

Prior to Pat’s passing in 2011, he hand-picked his replacement: Sonja.  For a full year, Pat taught Sonja the secrets to our gardens.

We proudly announce that Sonja (who does NOT like getting her picture taken), is now a certified Master Gardener.

We celebrate this achievement,

Master Gardener Sonja!

and appreciate all the artistic work that Sonja puts into making our Hot Springs B&B gardens so incredibly beautiful! She is one hard-working woman.

The Garvan Gardens Boat Show, March 30-April 1, features antique and classic boats.  These boats,

Antique Boats on Display

lovingly restored by proud owners, value over $1 million. Owners from across the country are available to discuss the process for restoring these beautiful and priceless vessels.

If you’re bringing a boat to enter in the show, Lookout Point offers a complimentary boat stall during your stay. Right on Lake Hamilton, our Hot Springs B&B is only minutes from Garvan Gardens–by boat or land.

Yesterday Ray & I went to the Garvan Gardens,

Awesome Beauty

expecting to see the last of the daffodils. Instead, we were treated to a feast for the eyes: seas of tulips in early bloom. The sight is breathtakingly beautiful.

The riotous colors tickle the senses, and invite us to stop, pause, and just take in the wonder.

As an added bonus, the handsome peacocks were strutting their colors at the entrance to the gardens. Doesn’t get much better than this on a lovely spring day!

If you can getaway on March 7 or 8 to see the tulips, Lookout Point has a special offer. We also have a very few rooms remaining available for Friday, March 9 (one night stay).

Greeter at Garvan Gardens

Seas of tulips

The editor of Better Homes & Gardens Country Gardens magazine,

BHG Country Gardens editor James Baggett

James Baggett recently included Hot Springs, Garvan Gardens, and our inn in the  BHG blog.  It was our honor to welcome James to the inn!He’s been a magazine editor for 30 years, and he is full of life, and great ideas. Rarely one to sit still, when he had a few extra minutes James could be found in our gardens, deadheading flowers.

When James asked if he could re-pot our house plants, I was speechless! Within a week of his departure, our houseplants had all been lovingly tended.

Here’s James’ comments about our Hot Springs B&B:

But the highlight of my too-short visit had to be my impeccable accommodations at Lookout Point Lakeside Inn. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains overlooking a serene bay of Lake Hamilton, the inn—built in 2003 in the Arts and Crafts architectural style—is surrounded by pretty manicured gardens and pathways and waterfalls that lead to the lake itself, where turtles gently paddle near the water’s edge. Innkeepers Ray and Kristie Rosset have created a labyrinth for guests to explore, above. (Remember, you get lost in a maze and find yourself in a labyrinth.) While I slowly followed the twists and turns of the labyrinth, hummingbirds were busy sipping nectar from the many flowering shrubs and perennials that line the paths that crisscross this idyllic getaway. Like I said, it’s especially comforting to reflect on just such an escape at precisely this time of year.

Thank you, James! We would love to welcome YOU to enjoy Hot Springs, Garvan Gardens,  our inn, and perhaps find yourself in our labyrinth.

Hot Springs is becoming known as one of the great places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! On March 17, the hilarious “First Ever 9th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade”

World's Shortest St. Patrick's Parade

is held on Bridge St., in the historic downtown. Really. This parade is only 98 feet long–the entire length of Bridge St.

Never a town that takes itself too seriously, this day is full of green celebration and green libation. Live, free concerts fill the air before and after the parade. You can also join in the kissing of the Blarney Stone.

This year’s grand marshal: Otter (Tim Matheson) from Animal House.

Come on and stay at our Hot Springs B&B—away from the crowds and noise, but close enough to the fun. We’ll provide tips on the best parking and viewing areas.