Hot Springs Museums
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Museums in Hot Springs, AR, Arkansas.
Hot Springs was once home to many of America's most famous gangsters, including Owney Madden, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello and Meyer Lanky, therefore it is fitting that Hot Springs also be home to The Gangster Museum of America. This museum provides a glimpse at the imprint that crime, gambling and prostitution had on the Hot Springs area from 1900 to to the mid 1960s.
The Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum features more than 30 themed settings complete with life-like wax figures. Depicting royalty, celebrities, presidents and more, this museum entertains all ages.
Over 300 alligators from 6 inches to 10 feet long are available at the Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo, as well as deer, llamas, lambs, ostriches and pygmy goats. The on-site museum features the Mer-Man as seen in Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not. The farm and petting zoo is open seven days a week, year-round from 9:30am-5pm. Alligator food shows are available Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at noon from May 1-October 15.
The Hot Springs Muscle Car Museum exhibits a large collection of completely restored classic cars. Features include a Mach 1Shelby GT 350 Camaro Roadrunner, a SS Chevelle Boss 302 Superbird and a Hemi Ram Air Firebird. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.
Located in the former Fordyce Bathhouse, the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center now houses a four-story museum. Visitors can learn about the history of bathhouse and view the many rooms of this former bathhouse, including the gymnasium, the changerooms, the bowling alley, the music room and more.
Arkansas Walk of Fame
The Arkansas Walk of Fame honors the lives of great individuals who have made a significant contribution to Arkansas. Some of the honored inductees include General Douglas MacArthur, President Bill Clinton, baseball great Brooks Robinson and Dr. James Dobson.
Mid - America Science Museum
The Mid-America Science Museum features hands-on and interactive science exhibits. The largest conical Tesla Coil in the world, producing 1.5 Million volts, is housed within the museum's permanent collection. Hours of operation from Memorial Day-Labor Day are 9:30am-6pm daily and Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm for the remainder of the year.
