This is a surprisingly very good museum. We stopped here to do some geocaches and saw that it was…read morefree. We were not expecting much but we were blown away at how interesting and how big it was - inside and outside. We had no idea about the oil industry in southern Arkansas so that in itself was fascinating. There was almost too much to take in. The exhibits were well done and covered a wide range of topics related to the 1920's oil boom and life in this area. You could easily spend two hours here. A hidden gem for those who like history and science.

Smackover: the town that God forgot after six o'clock. That sentiment was from Methodist preacher…read moreT.O. Rorie who wrote about Smackover in his 1920s book, 'Hellhole of the World.' The good reverend certainly knew how to craft a catchy title. Was it apt? Well, maybe God forgot about Smackover before six o'clock, too, based on the contents of this great museum that weaves a number of stories and timelines throughout the two-story complex and grounds. Don't let the very State Department of Transportation-looking exterior or dull name keep you away. This museum is a surprisingly good time for adults. Children will like it even more. You'll know that you're in for more than the average visit when you board the elevator. The slow ride to the second floor jump starts a narration with visual displays on two sides of the cab that are quite entertaining. Once off the elevator, take a look over the wood railing to see the town below you. Before you descend the steps, there are some interesting vitrines about oil history. My favorite was the origin of the term 'snake oil.' When you do make it to the first floor, the little town is quite realistic right down to the uneven mud grooves recreated in concrete. Old vehicles, old-timey storefronts filled with artifacts inside each of them, and sound effects add up to give an authentic feel to 1920s Smackover. Kids will run around excitedly to take in all the visuals. Adults can read the many captions and stories at every turn. Some of it is fascinating and some of it is heartbreaking. Life here was incredibly tough. (Even horses died of exhaustion and it wasn't unusual for them to collapse and drown on the rain-soaked mud streets.) Add in lawlessness, gambling, prostitution, and the daily dangers of working in the fledgling oil industry and it's a wonder that anyone survived to tell their tales. There is a lot to see outside on the grounds of museum, too, including a large oil derrick and an assortment of old machines and parts. Still not not sure if you want to visit? Well, there's a two-headed calf on display in a glass case. Still not sure? Well, there's a good gift shop and, yes, it sells Smackover t-shirts. That convinced you, didn't it?

This museum is a must see if visiting Hot Springs! Our toddler absolutely loved all the fun things…read moreto play with and see. Especially the indoor water physics machine thing (not sure how to describe it but it was so fun for all of us)! Didn't see the shows offered but we were content seeing all the dinosaurs.

This is a wonderful place for adults and children. I take my kids and grandkids as much as we can…read more It is a must for everyone locally and for miles around. Price of entry is great.

This was a wonderful surprise of a museum! Even those not into purses or fashion, will like this…read more It's much more than a purse museum. It's a walk through history. Everything is presented beautifully & in a way to appreciate the artistry but also the functionality & how those changed according to what was going on in the world at the time. The displays also include a wonderful collection of items women carried in their purses. Doesn't take long but you'll leave with a lot. I learned so much. My husband enjoyed it as much as I did. And the gift shop is filled with fabulous things!

The Esse purse Museum is a wonderful stop if you in Little Rock! Beautifully displayed purses, etc…read morefrom the 20th century with lots of details. Worth every bit & more of the $10 ticket price!

I would recommend the Gangster Museum if the history is interesting to you. It's a very…read more"tourist-y" place but it's also historically accurate and the staff is good at what they do. I have been 3 times total. Once as a tourist myself, and twice taking others after I moved here. Some loved it and found it very interesting and others were bored to tears, visibly yawning as we walked from room to room. I think it's terrific, but again, subjective. /Gangster

I cannot say this place is amazing but I will say they try very hard. It's amazing to me how much…read morehistory there is that ties the mob to Hot Springs and yet there's only this tiny little place capitalizing on it. So many cool stories that could be capitalized on. They don't have a ton of paraphernalia but the tour guide is very knowledgeable and the videos share a great deal of history and neat tidbits. If I was a millionaire, I'd be all over marketing this as the original vacation spot to the mob and bootleggers... so much that could be done. It's worth the hour here to check it out.

This is a great place to go for a little nostalgia. If you grew up in the '70s, '80s, or '90s--or…read morejust love vintage toys--you have to check out the Retroverse Museum. The toy collection is insanely fun and super well-curated. I saw everything from original Star Wars figures to Matchbox cars and He-Man. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the collections. You can tell a lot of love went into this place. New pieces are added as they are found "in the wild" or donated by collectors and families of collectors that have passed. They even have some duplicate/overflow items available to purchase in a little gift shop area. Tickets are a little pricy, but proceeds are used to maintain the museum, as well as a variety of community events.

My husband and I loved it here! They stayed open a little later so we could visit while we were…read morepassing through Hot Springs, and they were so easy to communicate with and really went our of their way for us! We didn't mind the price of admission, since they give so much back to the community. Excellent cause, such cool selection of collections, and a great tour with fun backstories! We came specifically for Star Wars nostalgia, but were pleasantly surprised with how much else was there! We would definitely come back if we are ever passing through Hot Springs again!

Just an amazing place. It was like walking back in time! This place out of all the places I…read morevisited made the trip worth it. The tour guides knew everything about the owners and history of the home. It gave a lot of insight on the time period when the home was build. The best part was five bucks gets you a very personal tour. This was one of the best tours I've been on. Worth a visit if our in the area and definitely worth a visit if your passing through.

Well preserved home from the late 19th century. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the…read morehome and very friendly. The home is only open by appointment during the week and is open for tours at certain times on Saturday. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in town and looking for something educational to do.

Excellent historical displays and artifact exhibits of Columbia County, AR. Areas included are…read moreMagnolia, McNeil, Waldo, Emerson, Calhoun, Taylor, Village, College Hill, Brister, Sharman, Bussey, Lydesdale, Spotsville, Atlanta, Magnesia Springs, Macedonia, Walkerville, Philadelphia, and Burnt Bridge.

Bathhouse row is so neat and clean. It's such a beautiful way to walk around Hot Springs. I…read moreactually went into Lamar Bathhouse and was not disappointed.. it has so many lovely options for you to choose from. I promise they don't disappoint.

There are 7 bathhouses still standing in Hot Springs National Park. The thermal springs gave it…read morethe name Spa City. Many from all walks of life came here for wellness & healing. Superior boathouse from 1829 is now a brewery restaurant. The fourth, is now the National Parks Visitor Center. We walked through the old bath house exhibits. We wandered into dressing rooms, hot tubs, medical rooms, and even a room with very old fitness equipment.

Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village is a cool shop. You can hunt for arrowheads and mine gems. I didn't try…read moreeither of those as it was close to closing time but they would have been cool. This is a cool giftshop. They have a lot of neat gifts from Minnetonka moccasins, arrowhead knives, salves, and a lot of other fun items. I bought a bucket of gems and dirt for my dad. He loved it! The price was really good compared to other similar quanities. This is a fun spot to stop and look around. They are pet-friendly. I was able to bring my pup in the giftshop. I was thankful for this as it was hot and didn't want to leave her in the car.

While visiting family in Arkansas from Florida, we decided to spend some time exploring local…read morehistory and stopped by Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village. The experience includes a small museum, preserved burial grounds, and an area where visitors can search for arrowheads. We spent over an hour there simply walking leisurely, reading plaques, exploring the grounds, and taking everything in. I actually enjoyed going through the museum twice -- once before touring the grounds and then again afterward because seeing the burial areas and artifacts in person gave much better context to what we were viewing inside. One detail that really stood out to me was the intricate beadwork on a pair of Indian baby shoes displayed in the museum. The craftsmanship and patience behind something like that was incredible to think about. The grounds were well maintained, peaceful, and you could tell they're continuing to improve and add additional features over time. Admission for our family of 5 was around $50 total. While that's not outrageous by today's standards for museums and historical attractions, it did feel a little high relative to the size and simplicity of the site itself. I'm glad we experienced it once and I do believe in supporting local historical sites and preservation efforts. If you enjoy history, archaeology, or quieter educational stops while traveling through the area, it's worth experiencing at least once.