Oaklawn Hot Springs, Arkansas
With a 100-plus-year history of horse racing, Oaklawn Hot Springs, Arkansas, is no stranger to excitement. What started as a 1,500-seat grandstand in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that hosted high-stakes thoroughbred racing has evolved to include a casino resort, an upscale destination worthy of a trip in its own right. Think Vegas meets the Kentucky Derby.
The resort seamlessly blends high-end finishes with historic touches that pay homage to its illustrious past. The state’s only casino resort opened in 2021 with gray and navy accommodations that pay homage to the track outside (racing art on the walls of the rooms and bed frames subtly mimic horse stalls). An elegant two-story lobby anchored by a dangling gold chandelier features a mural of silhouetted racehorses behind the reception desk. Imagery throughout the marble-clad corridors showcases the area’s more notorious visitors, like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano.
While the more nefarious activities have long since ended, above-board betting is still a mainstay at the Hot Springs hotel, as is sensational steakhouse fare, pampering at the vintage-inspired spa and, of course, horse racing, best viewed from one of the property’s elegant lounges.
- Mainline Sports Bar boasts family-friendly fun for gamblers and sports fans alike. Place your bets in the sportsbook area, try your hand at ax throwing, practice your swing in three Topgolf suites or just sit back and follow the game on one of the 90-plus TV screens lining the walls.
- Enjoy a front-row seat to the races without the crowds when you head to The First Turn. A heated terrace offers a cozy spot to watch the excitement, while those who would rather just sip their bourbon without fanfare can opt for the inviting indoor lounge, which provides plenty of seating.
- Escape from the frenzy of the races at the 8,000-square-foot Astral Spa. While services are certainly sumptuous, the facilities are the star, from the 1920s-bathhouse-inspired needle showers to Hot Springs’ only Himalayan salt wall.
- A newly expanded casino wins big with high rollers and first-timers alike. Visit the 24/7 smoke-free venue for craps, blackjack, slots, live music and an exclusive eatery plus sports betting for those who would rather sit back and watch the game, with a few extra stakes, of course.
- With its century-long legacy of high-stakes horseracing, Oaklawn is a great spot for newbies to get acquainted with the sport. Easy access to the track allows you to get up close to the contestants, and friendly staff will gladly explain how to place your first bet. Live racing takes place from December to May.
- Spend your winnings on upscale wood-fired fare at The Oak Room & Bar. The eclectic menu puts a Southern spin on steakhouse classics, like the honey-bourbon Duroc chop or New Orleans barbecue shrimp.
- The Bugler boasts a spacious terrace and walls of windows overlooking the resort’s signature track. For a showstopping evening, start with cocktails and the two-tier Fire & Ice Seafood Tower.
- Dig into classic diner fare any time of day at Big Al’s Diner & Deli. Chicken and waffles, pastrami and Swiss, and nostalgic strawberry milkshakes are all on offer here.
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