I am going to switch things up for the next few weeks as I explore my “new” home. Though I came to Hot Springs for work several times over the years, I was never in town long enough to truly wander. So last week I treated myself to the opening day of the local farmers market. You can read about that experience HERE.

This weekend I got a little help from my friend, Aíxa, to check out more of Historic Downtown Hot Springs.

We started out at one of my favorite guilty pleasures Colonial Pancake and Waffle which is dangerously close to my new job so it’s a good thing I have easy access to a treadmill.

I don’t know how but the cook always manages to get my bacon 🥓 just right every time. While we were there we even saw a Minion running around outside, but I could get a good picture of him and my food really did command my attention.

After packing in a hefty breakfast we had to walk some of that food off so we pitter-patted down the street taking in the architectural gems and historic plaques up and down Bathhouse Row.

We stumbled upon a beautiful little alcove along the way as well.

We even got in on a little gangster action towards the end of our walk.

We took a break to go look at some real estate options before stopping off at my new favorite nail spa Envy Nails for a little pampering and prep for out girls night out.

I am so glad that I made an Open Table reservation because it slipped my mind that a lot of people would be out celebrating with dinner dates with it being Mother’s Day weekend. We decided to try out Steinhaus Keller, a German-cuisine option in the historic district.

Getting there was half the fun because it is carved into the side of the hill. The atmosphere was fantastic because it gave you the feeling of being in an underground tavern back during prohibition.

I ordered the bacon wrapped fillet with blue crab, mashed potatoes and green beans and I was not disappointed.

Chef David McGuire was in the house that night and he definitely did his thing! I didn’t get to thank him for that meal but I plan to go back and do so next time.

I am so glad my sis came down to hang out with me so that we could both really explore Hot Springs for the first time. I wonder what I’ll get into next weekend…

Marta C. Youngblood is a writer, education and social entrepreneur based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information on her current projects visit https://about.me/MCyoungblood.