Magic Springs and Crystal Falls

A lot of people leave Hot Springs for summer break, whether they go out of town, to another state or maybe even country to vacation. But those who do expect to stay in Hot Springs don’t have to be disappointed. Even if you aren’t leaving town, there are a number of activities around, though it may not seem that way, to keep your summer entertaining.

Magic Springs and Crystal Falls has plenty of things for you to do to keep up an entertaining summer. From their moderate to extreme thrill rides, to the water slides at Crystal Falls, Magic Springs is a large theme park full of fun attractions. The park includes over twenty rides for all ages like the Rum Runner Pirate Ship, a pendulum ship which swings riders back and forth, or the Twist N' Shout that will have you screaming on every quick shifting turn of each corner. Magic Springs doesn't only have kid and family rides, oh no. Those of you who are up for the thrill and searching for that extreme adrenaline rush have your own set of nerve-jerking rides. One coaster not for the faint of heart at the park is The Gauntlet, with its 8 story drop, racing up to 50Mph and inverted loops all while being suspended beneath the coasters track. It is definitely a must for all adrenaline junkies. If that doesn't unnerve you, then the latest attraction to Magic Springs, the X-Coaster, surely will as you propel 150 feet into the air through a 360 degree corkscrew faster than 65mph, talk about a rush!

The park also has many areas in which you may play games to win prizes, and buy Magic Springs and Crystal Falls souvenirs. The park has several food areas scattered all over the area such as Deep Woods Diner, Split Rock Grill, Pizza Di Lago, and Ouachita Mountain Barbeque Company. You can also find cold treats like hand dipped ice cream at Edy's Ice Cream Parlor and Slush Puppie Mix-em Up Station where you can create your own slush puppie.

            Although cold treats can only cool you down for so long in the summer sun, you can head to the water park and get refreshed with even more fun attractions. Crystal Falls has the ever so popular Crystal Cove wave pool which creates all different sized waves, along with the Kodiak Canyon Adventure River for when you just feel like floating in a tube and letting the river take you along on its course. With three different areas for water slide fun, the thrill seeker is even entertained at the water park. The High Sierra Slide Tower includes four different water slides with their own fun bends and turns sure to get you soaked. The water park also has Seven Falls, which has three exciting body slides and four thrilling tube slides along with a play pool for family fun. If you're in the mood for racing, just head over to Rapid Falls Raceway, with over 310 feet of slide and 50 feet high, it’s an awesome adventure for any thrill seeker. Bring your friends and see who will win, with six racing slides and two large hills that take you on a plunge it’s sure to be a blast.

            Magic Springs and Crystal Falls hold a Pepsi Concert Series every year, where bands and musicians come and play for park goers at the Timber Wood Amphitheater. The 2011 Pepsi Concert Series takes place May 28^th  through August 13^th and includes the following artists; Easton Corbin, All-star Weekend with Kicking Daisies, Neon Trees, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Rodney Atkins, Blake Shelton, 3 Doors Down, Rick Springfield, Emily Osment, Sara Evans, and Casting Crowns. Season pass holders get free admission to the concerts at Magic Springs, but may pay extra for a ticket for VIP seating. The series of concerts begin soon after the parks season opening on April 30^th.

            Season passes at Magic Springs and Crystal Falls are $59.99 with tax, for a summer full of fun and even through till October. The park is open from 10am-7pm on opening day, 11am-7pm Sundays in May, and 10am-8pm Saturdays in May. Magic Springs open and closing times change to11am-8pm on weekdays and 10am-9pm on Saturdays at the end of May through August, when it is only open on weekends. Although Crystal Falls water park closes for the season on September 5^th, 2011 the rest of the park will be open even longer for the rest of the attractions. So if you’re sticking around in Hot Springs for your summer break, and are looking for a more than entertaining event, head down to Magic Springs and Crystal Falls at 1701 East Grand Avenue Hot Springs Arkansas, for your season pass!

-Ashley Hill