Eagle Watching in Arkansas

Did you know Arkansas ranks in the top 10 states for wintering bald eagles?    The best time to view our nation's symbol in Arkansas is from December through February.  So if you've been planning a Hot Springs Arkansas travel getaway, now is the time to do it!
DeGray Lake will host their 33rd annual "Eagles Et Cetera" on January 27 & 28.  You can enjoy guided bird walks, live bird demonstrations, slide presentations, owl prowls and eagle-watching lake tours.  On Friday, don't miss the live falconry hunt!  You will take a short boat ride to an island, then help a hungry hawk flush out game in the wild.  If you're lucky, you'll get to see a successful hunt where the prey is captured & consumed.  We were able to do this last year, and it was absolutely amazing!
If you can't make it that weekend, you might also want to consider "Bald Eagle Bonanza" at Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs on January 20-22.  Bald eagles are increasingly staying in Arkansas year-round and nesting, and you can catch an eagle tour nearly any weekend during the winter on an area lake.

Live Thoroughbred Racing in Hot Springs

Since 1904, Oaklawn has been the site of live racing in Hot Springs.  The 2012 season begins January 13 with a special four-day weekend, and continues through April 14 with the running of the $1 million Arkansas Derby.  Oaklawn is one of the premier tracks in the country, and plays host to some of the top horses such as Smarty Jones, Zenyatta, and Rachel Alexandra.

2012 promises record purses, and the barn area is at full capacity with contenders eager to share in the wealth!  Races are held Thursday through Sunday with post times at 1:30 pm weekdays and Sundays, and 1:00 pm Saturdays.  General admission is $2.00; reserved seats are $2.50 on weekdays or $4.50 on Saturdays and Sundays.  After an exciting day of racing, return to the peacefulness of our Arkansas bed and breakfast where you can relax and hopefully enjoy your day's winnings!

Hot Springs AR Christmas

When we opened our Hot Springs Bed and Breakfast, the first thing everyone told us was, "You've got to see the Christmas lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens!"  While the gardens are beautiful all year round, they take on a magical transformation during the holidays.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, you can enjoy nearly two million "Lights on the Landscape".  There are butterflies in flight, a life-sized locomotive, and a gingerbread house.  You can stroll down Candy Cane Lane, through a forest of Christmas trees, and experience the tranquility of the Garden of Pine Wind.  Several concerts will be offered throughout the season, as well as an occasional visit from Santa!
The Gardens are open from noon to 9pm.  Special admission rates apply at 5pm when the lights are turned on.  They will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

Pumpkin Pie Chex Mix Recipe

Searching for a new & fun snack for the holidays?  Our Hot Springs bed and breakfast guests love Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch!  As usual, I've modified the original recipe just a bit:

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex cereal
2 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
2 cups mini pretzels
8 oz. pecan halves

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice; set aside.  In small microwave-safe  dish, microwave butter on high until melted.  Stir in vanilla.  In large microwavable bowl, mix all cereals, pretzels and pecans.  Pour butter mixture over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.  Add sugar and spice mixture and stir until coated.

Microwave uncovered on high 5 minutes or until mixture begins to brown, stirring every minute.  Spread on was paper or a cookie sheet to cool.  Store in airtight container - IF there is any left after serving!

Honoring our Veterans

Veterans are our heroes, and on Veteran's Day 2011, Tiffany's Bed and Breakfast plans to honor 3 of these heroes with a very special recognition.  For the second year in a row, hundreds of bed and breakfasts across the US and Canada will be saying "thank you" to those who have served by offering a free room on Nov. 10.

Our Hot Springs bed and breakfast will again be participating in "B&B's for Vets" by offering one free room to a veteran or active duty military and one guest for one night November 10, 2011.  The remaining two rooms will also be free that night with at least one consecutive paid night in the same room.   Three vets and their guests joined us for breakfast at Tiffany's on Veteran's Day morning 2010, - and we were honored to be in their presence!

Our free room for one night only has already been booked, but we do have one room left that is free with a paid consecutive night's stay.  Please call us soon at 501-865-6060 as these rooms are reserved on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

Hot Springs to Host Film Festival

The 20th Annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival  will be held at the historic Malco Theater and other downtown venues October 14-23, 2011.  Tickets are $5/film, $20/day, or $125/festival.
Since 1992,  the festival has attracted Academy Award nominees and winners. Leading filmmakers meet with audiences after the screenings and participate in lecture series as well.  James Earl Jones has said the HSDFF is "one of the genre's most important venues". 

Out of nearly 1,000 films submitted from all over the world, The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute selects 100 to be viewed.  The 2011 Final Film list has been announced, and it includes world premiers such as "Beyond Iconic", about photographer Dennis Stock, knows for his "iconic" photos of James Dean, Miles Davis and others.  Just one more reason why Hot Springs National Park should be on your "bucket list" for vacation getaways!

Hot Springs Balloon Rally

How do you experience two amazing days in Hot Springs for FREE?  Attend the 2011 Legends Balloon Rally on Sept. 23 & 24 at Hot Springs Memorial Field Airport.  This free event features hot-air balloonists from across the country competing in races, skills exhibitions, displays, and fun!  And all you need to bring is a lawn chair for the evening concerts - which by the way are also FREE!

Friday events:
5:30 PM - Balloon Fly Out
7:00 PM - Balloon Glow
7:30 PM - The Charlie Daniels Band Concert

Saturday events:
11:30 AM - Hot Springs Junior Auxiliary Kids Zone
12:00 PM - Classic Car Show
5:30 PM - Balloon Fly Out
7:00 PM - Balloon Glow
7:30 PM - Three Dog Night Concert