There is much to explore in Little Rock, Arkansas. Located just 2 hours outside of Memphis, Little Rock is home to pivotal historical sites, delicious southern food, and a newly renovated major museum.
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Little Rock, Arkansas played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement when Little Rock Central High admitted nine African American students to its all-white school. Since then, Little Rock has become a point of interest for history buffs and tourists alike. The Riverfront Park offers recreation for children and adults, with a splash park and a sculpture garden. South on Main is a trendy eatery that features dishes like lobster spaghetti and shrimp and grits. And opening in April 2023 is the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Their collection and programming boast an impressive array of visual, performing arts, and educational experiences.
A tribute to Eternal Grandmaster H.U. Lee, this gate and garden pays tribute to martial arts and serves to educate people about South Korea. Here you will find beautiful foliage, symbolic statues, and structures, including a fountain and a reflective pool. Photo: Zhenya | Unsplash
This park stretches for 11 blocks and makes up 33 acres of urban parkland used for events, activities, and to catch a glimpse of Arkansa’s history. Attractions include the Little Rock Civil War Marker, the Peabody Splash Park designed by kids for kids, the Margaret Clark Tree House, and the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. Photo: "Little Rock pano" by Daniel Schwen is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Equipped with walking pathways and bridges, the gardens and arboretum provide beauty and tranquility. Highlights include the Asian woodland garden, bruce garden, the boop water garden, the Butler arboretum, and the zahn rock garden. Photo: Robert Woeger | Unsplash
Situated just below Pinnacle Mountain along the Little Maumelle River in Pinnacle Mountain State Park, this 71-acre arboretum includes a .6-mile interpretive trail where you can view some of Arkansas native flora. Open year-round, this is a popular trail for birding and walking. Photo: Dave Hoefler | Unsplash
Two Rivers Park offers a 1000-acre tract with bike trails, walking trails, gardens and plenty of wildlife. Rent a kayak from Rock Town River Outfitters at the Two Rivers Bridge and paddle your way around the Little Maumelle or Arkansas Rivers. Photo: "Two Rivers Park Bridge, Little Rock Arkansas" by Kenneth C. Zirkel is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
A tribute to Eternal Grandmaster H.U. Lee, this gate and garden pays tribute to martial arts and serves to educate people about South Korea. Here you will find beautiful foliage, symbolic statues, and structures, including a fountain and a reflective pool. Photo: Zhenya | Unsplash
This park stretches for 11 blocks and makes up 33 acres of urban parkland used for events, activities, and to catch a glimpse of Arkansa’s history. Attractions include the Little Rock Civil War Marker, the Peabody Splash Park designed by kids for kids, the Margaret Clark Tree House, and the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. Photo: "Little Rock pano" by Daniel Schwen is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Equipped with walking pathways and bridges, the gardens and arboretum provide beauty and tranquility. Highlights include the Asian woodland garden, bruce garden, the boop water garden, the Butler arboretum, and the zahn rock garden. Photo: Robert Woeger | Unsplash
Situated just below Pinnacle Mountain along the Little Maumelle River in Pinnacle Mountain State Park, this 71-acre arboretum includes a .6-mile interpretive trail where you can view some of Arkansas native flora. Open year-round, this is a popular trail for birding and walking. Photo: Dave Hoefler | Unsplash
Two Rivers Park offers a 1000-acre tract with bike trails, walking trails, gardens and plenty of wildlife. Rent a kayak from Rock Town River Outfitters at the Two Rivers Bridge and paddle your way around the Little Maumelle or Arkansas Rivers. Photo: "Two Rivers Park Bridge, Little Rock Arkansas" by Kenneth C. Zirkel is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Described as having a “down-to-earth, no-frills southern atmosphere,” this Delta diner with rustic charm serves up hot tamales with chili and mouth-watering steaks. It was also once the unofficial headquarters for former President Bill Clinton’s campaign staff during the early 90s. Photo: "Delta cuisine 1" by Brandonrush is is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
This upscale bistro and James Beard award-winning restaurant is housed in a hotel dating back to 1876, and serves an international mix of seasonal dishes, including potato gnocchi and pork belly and scallops. Photo: Hermes Rivera | Unsplash
This eclectic diner sources most of their food from small farms and producers here in Arkansas. And with an equally eclectic menu–with spicy banh mis and deviled egg salad sandwiches–there is something for everyone. Photo: Dana Tentis | Pexels
This trendy eatery, located in a 1920s building, features southern cuisine with a flare. Main dishes include lobster spaghetti and shrimp and grits, as well as a healthy list of signature cocktails. Try the spicy too far South, with lunazul smoked blanco, ancho reyes poblano liqueur, fresh chili, house sweet and sour, passionfruit, and orange. Photo: Ryan 'O' Niel | Unsplash
This diner is adorned with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and dozens of singing fish on the wall. But the main feature is its seafood-centered menu, which includes catfish, shrimp, oysters, crab, gumbo, and more. All of their catfish is farm-raised in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Photo: " Panorama of Flying Fish Seafood Restaurant - Little Rock - Arkansas - USA" by Adam Jones, Ph.D. is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Described as having a “down-to-earth, no-frills southern atmosphere,” this Delta diner with rustic charm serves up hot tamales with chili and mouth-watering steaks. It was also once the unofficial headquarters for former President Bill Clinton’s campaign staff during the early 90s. Photo: "Delta cuisine 1" by Brandonrush is is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
This upscale bistro and James Beard award-winning restaurant is housed in a hotel dating back to 1876, and serves an international mix of seasonal dishes, including potato gnocchi and pork belly and scallops. Photo: Hermes Rivera | Unsplash
This eclectic diner sources most of their food from small farms and producers here in Arkansas. And with an equally eclectic menu–with spicy banh mis and deviled egg salad sandwiches–there is something for everyone. Photo: Dana Tentis | Pexels
This trendy eatery, located in a 1920s building, features southern cuisine with a flare. Main dishes include lobster spaghetti and shrimp and grits, as well as a healthy list of signature cocktails. Try the spicy too far South, with lunazul smoked blanco, ancho reyes poblano liqueur, fresh chili, house sweet and sour, passionfruit, and orange. Photo: Ryan 'O' Niel | Unsplash
This diner is adorned with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and dozens of singing fish on the wall. But the main feature is its seafood-centered menu, which includes catfish, shrimp, oysters, crab, gumbo, and more. All of their catfish is farm-raised in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Photo: " Panorama of Flying Fish Seafood Restaurant - Little Rock - Arkansas - USA" by Adam Jones, Ph.D. is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
In the fall of 1957, Little Rock Central High School made history when it sought to desegregate by admitting nine African American students to its all-white school. This moment served as the catalyst for change, which helped to enforce African American civil rights across the country. Take a guided tour of the historic campus to learn more about its connection to the civil rights movement. Photo: "Little Rock Central High School 13" by Jwbutler00 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to be President of the United States, this library and museum is the perfect place to live out your fantasy, or help establish a dream, with its interactive replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Permanent exhibits utilize documents, photographs, videos and interactive stations. A timeline and alcoves highlight domestic and foreign policy, as well as life in the White House. Photo: "Clinton Presidential Center, Airport, and School of Public Service, aerial" by Toniklemm is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening in April 2023, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the culmination of a $128-million vision that sought to reimagine what was once called the Arkansas Arts Center. And with an array of visual, performing arts, and educational experiences, along with 14,000 objects already in their permanent collection, this museum promises to be among the major fine arts institutions in the country. Photo: "Museum of Fine Arts, MacArthur Park, Little Rock, Ark" by Boston Public Library is licensed under CC BY 2.0
A world-class concert and performing arts venue, with a state-of-the-art meeting facility, this historical site, located in Downtown Arkansas, plays host to programs like the Nutcracker ballet, as well as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performing Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Shutterstock | 173868215
Located in the downtown River Market District, this riverside hub has an international food hall, a twice-weekly farmer's market, and frequent live concerts. Ottenheimer Hall is a good place from which to start exploring this vibrant downtown neighborhood. Photo: Mick Haupt | Unsplash
Not your traditional antique mall, South Main Creative is located in Little Rock’s historic SoMa district and sells an array of antiques, vintage, and art. You can also take a macrame class where you’ll learn how to make a macrame plant hanger. Photo: Kevin Crosby | Unsplash
In the fall of 1957, Little Rock Central High School made history when it sought to desegregate by admitting nine African American students to its all-white school. This moment served as the catalyst for change, which helped to enforce African American civil rights across the country. Take a guided tour of the historic campus to learn more about its connection to the civil rights movement. Photo: "Little Rock Central High School 13" by Jwbutler00 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to be President of the United States, this library and museum is the perfect place to live out your fantasy, or help establish a dream, with its interactive replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Permanent exhibits utilize documents, photographs, videos and interactive stations. A timeline and alcoves highlight domestic and foreign policy, as well as life in the White House. Photo: "Clinton Presidential Center, Airport, and School of Public Service, aerial" by Toniklemm is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening in April 2023, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the culmination of a $128-million vision that sought to reimagine what was once called the Arkansas Arts Center. And with an array of visual, performing arts, and educational experiences, along with 14,000 objects already in their permanent collection, this museum promises to be among the major fine arts institutions in the country. Photo: "Museum of Fine Arts, MacArthur Park, Little Rock, Ark" by Boston Public Library is licensed under CC BY 2.0
A world-class concert and performing arts venue, with a state-of-the-art meeting facility, this historical site, located in Downtown Arkansas, plays host to programs like the Nutcracker ballet, as well as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performing Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Shutterstock | 173868215
Located in the downtown River Market District, this riverside hub has an international food hall, a twice-weekly farmer's market, and frequent live concerts. Ottenheimer Hall is a good place from which to start exploring this vibrant downtown neighborhood. Photo: Mick Haupt | Unsplash
Not your traditional antique mall, South Main Creative is located in Little Rock’s historic SoMa district and sells an array of antiques, vintage, and art. You can also take a macrame class where you’ll learn how to make a macrame plant hanger. Photo: Kevin Crosby | Unsplash
