Gangster Museum of America

The Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs, Arkansas, delves into the city's unique and surprising history as a luxurious hideout for some of the nation's most notorious criminals during the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. While known for its therapeutic thermal waters, Hot Springs was also a "wide-open" town with illegal gambling and bootlegging, a haven for figures like Al Capone, "Lucky" Luciano, and Bugs Moran. Located across from the historic Bathhouse Row, the museum uses artifacts, audio-visual presentations, and guided tours to bring this a captivating era to life. Visitors can explore a series of themed galleries that explain how powerful local politicians protected the mobsters, how they coexisted with the local population, and even how the city became the original spring training home for Major League Baseball. The museum serves as a fascinating account of the town's duality, revealing a captivating and often overlooked chapter of American history.