HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — An iconic riverboat could soon be making a comeback in Hot Springs — but there’s still plenty of work to be done.

The boat in question is the Belle of Hot Springs, which has been a Hot Springs tourist attraction since the early 1980s, hosting tours, dinner cruises, and more.

However, it’s not just for tourists. Arkansas natives like Doug Kramer explained that they have fond memories of the boat.

“We got married on the Belle with all of our family and friends,” Kramer said. “And it was, you know, one of those nights that everybody still talks about.”

Unfortunately, around 2020, the Belle started to deteriorate.

“When COVID hit, it was pretty rough on the Belle,” explained Matt Barrett, the latest in a line of the boat’s owners. “We had to shut down.”

To make matter

See Full Page