A Dog-Friendly Trip to the Gangster Museum of America: Capone, Canines, and Cops
Did you know that Hot Springs, Arkansas was the original “Las Vegas”? I didn’t until we took our dogs on a fun visit to the Gangster Museum of America.
Before Las Vegas became “Sin City”, Hot Springs was THE vacation spot for mobsters and the American gangster. With Hot Springs known as having one of the largest illegal gambling operations in the United States, it’s easy to see why visitors involved in organized crime would find this city an ideal vacation spot.
While touring this mob museum, you’ll hear stories about notorious criminals like Al Capone, Frank Costello, and Meyer Lansky. You’ll learn the history of the not-so-underground casinos and the relationship between mobsters and law enforcement while enjoying the air-conditioned building with your pup!
Is the Gangster Museum of America Dog Friendly?
Yes, the Gangster Museum of America is dog-friendly! Your pup needs to remain leashed, be people-friendly, and be able to sit or stand quietly during the presentations. Basically, your dog shouldn’t be a distraction to your guide or the other guests on the tour.
What to Expect at the Gangster Museum of America
The Gangster Museum of America is located on Central Avenue near the National Park’s visitor center. During your tour, you’ll get to see exhibits throughout 8 rooms while learning about the history of gambling in Hot Springs, the relationship between mobsters, politicians, and different levels of law enforcement. As well as visiting celebrities, and some of the most infamous visitors from some of the top crime families in the United States.
Gangster Museum of America Prices and Hours
The Gangster Museum of America is open year-round. Hours are typically 10 am to 6 pm Sunday to Thursday and 10 am – 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Remember to check for special hours on holidays.
Tickets cost $15 a person for anyone 12 and over, $14 for seniors, and $6 for children ages 8-12. Anyone under the age of 8 is free. Tours typically start on the hour and will last 1-1.5 hours.
Parking at the Gangster Museum of America
There is no designated parking for this mob museum however, you can find metered street parking (pay with app) or park in one of the nearby garages or paid lots.
Are there Bathrooms at the Gangster Museum of America?
Public bathrooms will be to your right when you walk into the lobby. This is the only bathroom, so be sure to use it before your tour starts so you don’t miss anything.
Where to Stay When Visiting the Gangster Museum of America
There’s no shortage of places (especially dog-friendly) to choose from when visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas. From hotels, private rentals, to even camping outside of the city- just take your pick!
Visiting the Gangster Museum of America
Visiting the Gangster Museum of America will be different than other museum visits because the only way to see the exhibits is during your tour. You can stop in anytime to buy your tickets at the checkout counter in the gift shop. There is a limit on how many people are allowed on each tour, so you might have to wait for the next available time on busier days.
Remember that the tours start on the hour (it’s not a firm time, which means it may start a few minutes earlier or later) and will last around 1- 1 ½ hours. I recommend stopping in about 15 minutes before your preferred tour time so you have time to buy tickets, use the restroom, and get situated.
The Gangster Museum of America’s Gift Shop
The gift shop is full of fun organized crime memorabilia like t-shirts, hats, etc. You can also buy books and posters about notorious gangsters in America. This is also where you will wait for your tour to start.
The Gangster Museum of America Tour
Your tour will start at the bank vault, where you will meet your guide. After introductions, you’ll walk through the door, and your tour will officially begin. You’ll be taken to 8 different rooms, each with a different theme.
The first room you will enter is the Power Brokers Gallery. This room will set the stage by going over the history of Hot Springs and the on-and-off again relationship it had with gambling, depending on the mayor in charge at the time. This city had it all with horse racing, thermal springs, casinos, and more.
Next, you’ll enter the Madden Gallery is where you will hear about Owen Madden’s role in Hot Springs. Exiled from New York, Madden quickly became an integral part of the city with both his generosity and the respect given to him by visiting crime lords seeking his advice.
The Capone Gallery features none other than Al Capone, who visited Hot Springs often enough that he eventually owned a suite at the Arlington Hotel.
After Capone, you’ll learn how baseball’s spring training evolved from one team’s off-season visit to the springs, race tracks, and casinos. Baseball fans should take note of the baseball players who visited Hot Springs, like Babe Ruth, before he got famous.
The Outlaws Gallery comes next, since the city was considered a haven for criminals of all types because of the deal made between the city and the state police. Alvin Karpis (who planned heists for outlaws like John Dillinger and the Barker Gang) settled down in Hot Springs with his common-law wife, Grace Goldstein. Grace herself ran a successful brothel in town called the Hatterie Hotel, also frequented by the local police.”
The New York Connection talks about how unlucky Charles “Lucky” Luciano was during his last visit to the spa city. We learned that Hot Springs is split into federal and state property. The state police left the gangsters alone, unfortunately, the federal police did not. Lucky accidentally walked on the wrong side of the street and was arrested by the F.B.I..
The Casino Gallery is full of gambling tables and slot machines (for show only). You’ll learn more about the illegal casinos and hear from Maxine Harris Jones via video interview. Maxine ran a well-known brothel up until the 70s with clients that ranged from mobsters to politicians until it was shut down.
The Felony Theatre is where your tour will end. After the video, you will get your chance to pose with some fun mobster-inspired props and even a statue of Al Capone!
Tips for Visiting the Gangster Museum of America
To get the most out of seeing the exhibits in the room, you need to be proactive. Here are some of the things I wish someone had told me before our visit.
Once you enter a room, you’ll have a few minutes to look at the photos and exhibits while everyone gets situated. This is also the time to find your seat or place to stand while your guide gives you a brief introduction to that room’s topic. You will then watch a short video that will dive deeper into the subject. After the video is over, your tour guide will give you a little more information before leading you to the next area.
Make sure you take advantage of the time before and right after the video starts to look at the exhibits. You won’t have a lot of time to examine things closely, so this is not the time to stroll leisurely around if you see something that interests you.
You’ll get the most time to look around in the last two rooms during the tour. To be fair, these are also the two rooms with the most interesting items: props and casino memorabilia.
I found the tour super interesting, and our dogs loved the A.C.! My only complaint is that I didn’t feel like we had enough time in each room to be able to see everything.
Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Gangster Museum of America
We took our 3 dogs on the tour of the Gangster Museum in Hot Springs and put together some tips so you and your furry friends can have a successful visit:
- Make sure your pup is people and dog-friendly. Some of the rooms you will be walking through can be a tight fit if your tour is fully booked, so you want your dog to be comfortable around strangers.
- Give your dog a bathroom break before your tour. The tour is indoors and over an hour long. Make sure your dog goes to the bathroom first to avoid embarrassing accidents and so you don’t miss out on your tour. You can leave and come back, but they won’t pause the tour for anyone.
- Keep your pets on a tight leash. Keep your dog close so you can make sure they keep back from artifacts on display and out of the way of your fellow visitors. You can also put them in a backpack carrier or stroller if that’s easier.
- Schedule your visit for the heat of the day. This museum has A.C., which makes it the perfect stop when it’s hot or raining. A break from the weather will be appreciated by you and your pups!
- Grab a spot in each room with your dog in mind. Pick a chair near the end of a row, or stand against a wall so your dog will have plenty of space during the presentations in each room.
Nearby Attractions to the Gangster Museum of America:
For ideas of places to visit in or close to the Gangster Museum of America, check out these stops:
Attractions near the Ganster Museum of America
- Duck Tours
- Wax Museum
- Oaklawn (Horse racing and casino)
- Buckstaff Bathhouse
- Quawpaw Baths and Spa
Dog-Friendly Attractions near the Gangster Museum of America
For a more complete list, check out our dog-friendly Hot Springs, Arkansas post!
A Museum with Mobsters and Mutts
Whether you’re into history, famous mobsters and outlaws, or looking for an interesting way to beat the heat with your pup, the Gangster Museum of America offers a fascinating glimpse into Hot Springs’ shady history. This dog-friendly museum will surprise you with interesting facts about the not-so-distant past and uneasy alliances amongst infamous gangsters, sketchy politicians, and law enforcement.
Our pups appreciated the cool A.C., and we loved hearing about the city’s notorious history and how Hot Springs has evolved over the years. Gangsters and good dogs? This museum has put together a winning combination!
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