Long known as an escape for visitors of all backgrounds, Hot Springs was also an outpost for organized crime to some of the most notorious mobsters from Chicago, Las Vegas and New York City.

Visitors can relive this illustrious piece of the Spa City's past at The Gangster Museum of America, one of Hot Springs' newest attractions and the first museum of its kind in the nation.

Opened in April 2008 on Central Avenue just down from the Arlington Hotel -- the once part-time residence of Al Capone -- the museum tells the story of the healing waters of the springs and the illegal gambling that both made Hot Springs a sanctuary for gangsters like Charlie "Lucky" Luciano, Frank Costello and Owen "Owney" Madden.

Packed with photos and gangster memorabilia, including a Thompson submachine gun and all kinds of casino items, knowledgeable tour guides provide plenty of color and details to round out a vibrant history lesson for adults and kids alike.

The museum itself consists of four galleries:

• The Power Brokers Gallery, which tells the stories of Mayor Leo P. McLaughlin, Judge Vern Ledgerwood and the rise of gambling in the "open town."
• The Owen Madden Gallery, named after the  one gangster who was exiled from New York after a round in Sing Sing and who settled down and married the daughter of the local postmaster in Hot Springs.
• The Casino Gallery, which showcases the history of the popular clubs that used to line the stree  the other side of Bathhouse Row.
• The Felony Theater, where visitors can watch a specially-produced featurette on the museum's exploration into the catacombs under the city's streets reportedly used by gangsters.
• Along the way, visitors learn about the moon shining industry and why Hot Springs was an ideal place for such operations. Find out why the town was considered "sacred ground" and off-limits for turf wars between rivals. And discover who came to town to straighten out and "go legit."

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $4 for kids ages 6-12. You'll find The Gangster Museum of America at 113 Central Ave. For more information, call (501) 318-1717 or visit TGMOA.com.