Ozark Bathhouse

The Ozark Bathhouse is a compact 1922 bathhouse on Hot Springs’ Bathhouse Row. Today the restored building holds Mystic Ozark, an interactive museum about the area’s thermal water and legends. I’d prioritize it with curious young kids; the hands-on activities are the main draw.

Mystic Ozark is arranged in four themed spaces with flowing water, changing light and sound, hands-on science and digital storytelling. Families often describe a short visit, though younger kids who want to try each activity can stay longer. It’s a small attraction, so teens and adults looking for a full museum may find it slight for the admission.

Admission is ticketed, so check current hours and prices before you go. Street parking around downtown is metered, and the Exchange Street garage is another option. The bathhouse has an elevator, restroom and wheelchair access.

Little Rock architects Mann and Stern designed the building in Spanish Colonial Revival style; it was completed in summer 1922. The 14,000-square-foot bathhouse held 27 tubs and was aimed at middle-income bathers who wanted the springs without expensive frills. It closed as a bathhouse in 1977.

The low square towers, red tile roof and receding tower windows give the building a distinct Spanish Colonial look, with a hint of early Art Deco. Its plaster-cast window boxes are unique on Bathhouse Row. The front cartouches carry a tree motif associated with health and life. From the public walkway, step back to fit both towers and the roofline, then move closer to see the sculpted details.

The Mid-America Science Museum developed Mystic Ozark through a historic building lease after more than five years of planning. Its water, light and sound exhibits give the former bathhouse a new way to tell stories about the springs while keeping the visit inside one of Bathhouse Row’s historic buildings.