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Historic Malco Theatre, Hot Springs, AR

Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Theatre & EventsHistory BuffIconicDate Night

Historic Malco Theatre

817 Central Avenue · Hot Springs, AR

Why you should go…

The Malco Theatre opened in 1946 in an Art Moderne style on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, on the site of the earlier Princess Theatre. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010, and its Broadway-side entrance is one of the few surviving formerly segregated theater entrances in the country. Today the historic theatre hosts the Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic and Comedy, a live illusion, comedy and music show.

  • #theatre
  • #magic show
  • #history
  • #live show
  • #date night

Good to know

General theatre & events guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Curtain time is firm

    Latecomers are commonly held at the back until a scene break, so build in a buffer.

  • Study the seating chart

    Price and sightline vary a lot within the same house. A few rows back can be the better seat.

  • Rush and lottery seats exist

    Many venues release same-day tickets at a discount if you are flexible about where you sit.

  • Arrive with time to spare

    Parking, bag check, and finding your row all take longer than you think on a full house.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Historic Malco Theatre, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Tours
    Local Gem

    Hot Springs Trolleys

    Under $25

    A narrated 90-minute trolley tour through downtown Hot Springs and up into the mountains of the national park.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Machine Gun Grotto

    $25–$50

    An indoor basement firing range in downtown Hot Springs where you can rent and fire machine guns alongside the Mountain Valley Armory shop.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Buckstaff Bathhouse

    $25–$50

    A historic 1912 bathhouse on Bathhouse Row offering traditional thermal mineral baths and spa services.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    National Park Duck Tours

    $25–$50

    A 75-minute amphibious DUKW ride that rolls past Bathhouse Row in downtown Hot Springs, then splashes into Lake Hamilton to circle St. John's Island.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    TNT Fun Play

    Under $25

    Indoor playcenter in Hot Springs with a jungle gym, ball pit, trampolines and a small arcade for young kids.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Bathhouse Row

    Free

    Stroll past eight historic bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park, two of which still offer thermal baths.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing