Mid-America Museum in Hot Springs, AR

The Mid-America Museum in Hot Springs, AR is an educational wonder for both young and old alike. To give you an idea, this museum is a Smithsonian affiliate and it takes to great exhibits and demonstrations to earn that status. Hands down, it is the one of the best hand-on science museums around. Plus, the staff and museum volunteers are very knowledge and love answering questions.

You will discover the wonder of visiting an actual underground cave where you will feel like a spelunker yourself, navigating twists and turns and using rope ladders, slides and swinging bridges to get from point A to point B.  A thermal waterfall completes quite a fun experience down below.

Up above, there is a simulator ride to try as well as checking out the laser light show. The tesla coil is one of the largest displays of caged lighting that is really wild. And if you and the family are of the tactile variety, there are hundreds of hands-on science displays that both adults and kids will enjoy. From the hair-raising electrostatic generator to the fanciful sir Roland Emmett's creations that were featured on such movies as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, there is something for everyone to see and experience first hand.

For the best bang for your buck, be sure to get the package deal that includes not only the museum but also the simulator and laser show extras. Allow for several hours at the minimum to enjoy the highlights of the Mid-America Science Museum but really it should be an all day event.