10 Jul 2023 Visit a Maritime Museum this summer
NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is located in North Shore Riverwalk Park along the shore of the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. The museum opened on May 31, 2005. Since that time, nearly 300,000 families from all 50 states and 81 countries have visited the museum.
Visit the Hours and Admission page to see when the Museum is open to the public. Groups of 8 people or more get a special group rate when booking their tours in advance.
The Museum is the only place in the world where you can see two floating Naval vessels that bookend World War II: the tugboat Hoga, designated a National Historic Landmark and recognized for her efforts during the Pearl Harbor attack of 1941; and the submarine USS Razorback, which was in Tokyo Bay during the formal surrender of Japan, ending World War II.
The submarine USS Razorback (SS-394) is 90 percent operational and kept as authentic as possible – meaning a 14-foot ladder climb into the space. Visitors experience the sights, sounds, and smells of submarine service when they step aboard the historic submarine USS Razorback.
For those unable or unwilling to make the climb, the museum topside offers plenty to peruse. The museum features exhibits on the following Naval vessels: the submarine USS Razorback (SS-394), the tugboat USS Hoga (YT-146), the battleship USS Arkansas (BB-33), and the missile cruiser USS Arkansas (CGN-41). The museum also holds a collection from the Arkansas River Historical Society featuring the history of the Arkansas River.
The tugboat Hoga (YT-146), designated a National Historic Landmark for her efforts in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, is currently undergoing renovations but her main deck is open for public, self-guided walk-through tours.
The North Shore Riverwalk surrounding the facility features two memorials dedicated to submarines USS Snook (SS-279) and USS Scorpion (SSN-589). There is also a Peace Garden for the community to celebrate the ideal of peace in this war-torn world.
