Little Rock
A modern city with a lot of history and culture
It is beautiful outside of Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas River is to the north, and the Ouachita Mountains are to the west. People often think of this busy capital city when they consider it politically and historically important. Some of the most important events in the American Civil Rights Movement happened in Little Rock, and the city has ties to both Bill and Hillary Clinton. But it’s also known as a welcoming, modern, and easy-to-get-to Southern city with a lively eating scene, a wide range of nightlife options, and lots of art galleries.
Surprise Attractions
Learn about the city on a walk through downtown Little Rock by bike or kayak with a guide. Explore the lovely Riverfront Park, which has the Arkansas River Trail, a sculpture park, two free splash pads, and River Lights in the Rock, which are three illuminated bridges that put on free light shows every night. The Museum of Discovery is one of the many attractions in the famous River Market District, which also has many places to eat and have fun. The city is known for its great food and drinks. There are many breweries, wineries, and an award-winning distillery where you can get alcoholic drinks. You can also eat all kinds of food, from barbecue joints and food festivals that happen all year to restaurants run by James Beard award-winning cooks.
The Little Rock Zoo and its unique Arkansas Carousel are fun for people of all kinds. It is one of only three purse museums in the world. The ESSE Purse Museum is a secret gem in Little Rock. Heifer Village is an interactive learning center that was created to support Heifer International’s goal to end poverty and hunger around the world through environmentally friendly methods.
Places that made history
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum has copies of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room as they looked when he was president, giving visitors a look into his life and work. Visit six sites in the Little Rock area with the Arkansas Civil Rights History Tour app. One of these is the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, which tells the story of the brave Little Rock Nine and the important role they played in the Civil Rights movement by integrating the school in 1957. Check out the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. This is where General Douglas MacArthur was born and where he became supreme leader of the U.S. forces in World War II.
The Arkansas State Capitol building is open for tours, and the Historic Arkansas Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Old State House Museum are all interesting places to learn about the state’s political, African American, and territorial past. First Ladies’ Gowns at the Old State House is the biggest exhibit of its kind in the United States outside of the Smithsonian.
Magic in the Outdoors
The Big Dam Bridge is the largest bridge in North America designed for both pedestrians and bikes. It spans 1,288 meters across Murray Lock and Dam and the Arkansas River. For great views of the river, walk or ride a bike. Two Rivers Park is a 400-hectare park where the Arkansas and Little Maumelle Rivers meet. It’s a great place to spend the afternoon with your family doing things like walks, biking, horseback riding, and more. It also links to Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail, a 27-kilometer loop that goes through Riverfront Park in downtown Little Rock and shows off the city.