Hot Springs Arkansas is a great weekend getaway. There are many places to stay, for all budgets. But I personally recommend The Gables bed and breakfast. First class treatment, great breakfast, walking distance to bathhouse row. Not a large lot, but so pretty the wife and I renewed our vows in backyard.
Want a city kind of weekend, you see the bathhouse row, visit the shops, go to the horse races in season.
Want country, walk nature trails, go to lookout tower, relax at Lake Hamilton ( or Lake Ouachita state park, 20 miles east ).
Okay two lakes, two personalitys;
Lake Hamilton is a great recreational lake with ski boats, wave runners, and runabouts for rent. You can also book the day cruise on the Hot Springs Belle, a riverboat that tours the lake. In summer, take the dinner cruise in the evening.
Lake Ouachita ( Wash-ah-tah, it's french spelling of a Native American tribal name ) is for fishing and other more outdoorsy activities. There are walking trails in the state park and boats for rent at the marina. This lake is in the top two percent for purity in the lower forty eight states. You can book scuba diving on this lake, it's that clear!
I could say more, but you want to discover some things for yourself, right? So if you're going to be in South Arkansas sometime, spend a little time in Hot Water and being rubbed the right way. Hot Springs!