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 great for kids of all ages and adults alike…read more There are many interactive displays and exhibits in addition to the educational content and recreational outdoor and indoor fun areas at this museum. I recommend it - especially for younger to elementary and jr high kids.

Great for kids of all ages! There are more than enough engaging interactive exhibits both indoors…read moreand outside. The kids especially loved the indoor mine play area and Tesla Theater presentation. Would definitely go again during our next visit to Hot Springs.

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!

Interesting place to visit Not very large but gives a nice view of purses through the decades…read morefrom 1900 - 1990s. Also some fun vintage cosmetics and the like. $10 self guided tour. The gift shop has some BEAUTIFUL purses!

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

If you go to Hot Springs, this is a must. It costs about $16.50 for adults. I'm not sure if…read moredifferent prices for children or other discounts. It's about an hour and half guided tour. If you get Bird, aka "the Bird Man," as a tour guide it will be informative and entertaining. Reminder...you can tip the tour guides. Doesn't seem like people remember to do that. He takes you "through time" and gives you the history of gangsters and Hot Springs. It was so informative and you learn about so many people and places of Hot Springs. They sell hats for men and women. They also sell souvenirs and books. The lady at the check-in desk was very friendly and helpful.

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!

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.

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.

I was in Texarkana in December for work at the same time that we had our short government shut down…read moreso I had a day we had to kill before the defense budget was passed and we got back to work the next day. I found this house on Yelp's things to do search...it was slim pickins for sure. I rounded up four other coworkers to go as well. We couldn't take pics inside so I just have the exterior. It's been a few months so I don't totally recall the history but I think that the original owner was the only lawyer in town. His wife would fly to Neiman Marcus in Dallas twice a year to shop. The photos of the shoes that are on yelp from the business owner are just a small snapshot of all the shoes. There were so many that were cute by today's standards. I loved looking at the shoes. The house was made so that all rooms were an octagon, I think I recall the reasoning was because you get the most light that way. But again...I could be butchering this story. The house had many rooms and a lot of detail. The family donated it to the city as a museum and left a lot of the decor and just took stuff that was sentimental. I think a nephew still lives in town. The house and the grounds definitely needed TLC and preservation. But that costs money and I don't think they're raking in the dough. When we got to work the next day I told one of the dudes that lives in Texarkana that we went there and he knew all about it and mentioned the wife flying to Dallas for shopping lol. So...long story short...if you're in the area and looking for something to do I think this is a great choice. It's cute and informational and supports the community.

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.

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.

Hot Springs National Park is the second smallest national park in the country. It's an urban park…read morethat was built around the city center. Bathhouse Row -- eight buildings constructed between 1892 and 1923 -- are located in the center of Hot Springs National Park. The star of the show on Bathhouse Row is the thermal water, of course. The mineral-rich water has been bubbling from the land for more than 4,000 years. On Bathhouse Row, you can experience the water in many ways. Note that there are no public outdoor bathhouses, but you can still get all up in the water. One of the most relaxing ways is to soak in the healing waters at one of the bathhouses on the Row. There used to be several bathhouses open, but now only two bathhouses exist in the area. I only visited the Buckstaff Bathhouse, which offers a traditional bathhouse experience, using original bathtubs and equipment from when the bathhouse opened in 1912. More info about this place in a separate review. There's also the Quapaw Baths & Spa, which is more modern, like a typical spa. As you walk along Bathhouse Row, you'll notice many public fountains, some with people at them filling up jugs. The water that comes from the fountains on Bathhouse Row is free. Just bring your own cup or fill a jug to take home. I was surprised by how hot the water was when I tried it -- it's around 143 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also three public places where you can touch the thermal water with your hands. These include the Display Spring, located behind the Maurice Bathhouse; Hot Water Cascade, located at Arlington Lawn; and the Fordyce Fountains, located near the visitor's center. All of these are located at various places along Bathhouse Row. Bathhouse Row (and Hot Springs National Park) is completely free to explore. It's a must when visiting the area!

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.

The museum here, though small, deserves to be savored. Walk through and give yourself plenty of…read moretime to read and observe. The collection of arrowheads and Caddo pottery collected at the site is exquisite. It is very well documented and lets one get a true feel for the history of this site. The outdoor exhibit is also thoughtfully and respectfully done. The attendant on the day we were there, Kolton, was very well informed and helpful.