A bustling state capital, Little Rock AR, offers exciting nightlife, a vibrant downtown convention and entertainment district, a wealth of unique sightseeing, day trip and tour opportunities, excellent restaurants and shopping, museums, and one-of-a-kind attractions. Famous for being the cradle of the civil rights movement, and the center of the beautiful Natural State - no city more represents a bridge from the treasured past to the exciting 21st century than Little Rock AR. Check out our Best Western hotel in Little Rock.
Things to do in Little Rock
"Little Rock"
Located near the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park is the "Little Rock," an outcropping of rock along the south bank of the Arkansas River for which Little Rock was named. The rock offered a natural landing for those traveling by boat and in 1820 Little Rock became the capital of the territory of Arkansas and the state capital when Arkansas was admitted to the union in 1836. A plaque located near the "Little Rock" tells its story and can be found in Riverfront Park. Find Best Western Little Rock Lodging nearby.
Aerospace Education Center & IMAX Theater
The Aerospace Education Center is home to Arkansas's 300-seat IMAX Theater. The IMAX delivers a true "you are there" experience with a six-story high screen and astounding six-channel sound system. Nine aircraft are permanently displayed. Best Western Little Rock lodging is nearby. Call 501-376-4232 for more information.
3301 East Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Artists' Gallery
This is a cooperative of Arkansas artists offering a wide variety of original artworks ranging from sculptures and pottery to watercolors, oils, and pen and inks with exhibits changing every three months. Call 501-376-1979 for more information.
120 South Commerce Street, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Arts Center
The Center offers world-class art exhibitions; seven galleries are available exhibiting internationally recognized drawing collections. A museum shop, Children's Theatre and over 10 areas in the center available for rent are all available on site. The Center is located at 9th & Commerce. Call 501-372-4000 for more information.
Arkansas Governor's Mansion
Home of all Arkansas Governors since its completion in 1950. The mansion has private and public rooms, historical grounds. A bust of former President Clinton is displayed just inside the grounds. Call 501-376-6884 for more information.
1800 Center Street, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Museum of Discovery
This is a fully interactive science and history Museum found in the River Market District. Experience the hands-on, high energy interactive exhibits. Call 501-396-7050 for more information.
500 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Professional repertory theatre running September - July. Well-known plays and original productions are offered. Theatre seating for 350, exhibit space and art galleries. Call 501-378-0405 for more information.
601 Main Street, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas State Capitol
This Neo-classical design was constructed from 1899-1915. A scaled-down replica of the nation's Capitol in Washington, DC. Construction started in 1899 and the Arkansas legislature continues to meet in the historical building. Located on the grounds are several monuments. Self-guided and guided tours available. Located at Capitol Avenue & Woodlane. Call 501-682-5080 for more information.
1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
The ASO features the best in symphonic and Pops Live! Concerts are offered featuring renowned guest artists. The ASO performs over 30 concerts September - May. Located at West Markham & Broadway, Robinson Center Music Hall Call 501 666-1761 for more information.
Ballet Arkansas
The worlds best loved ballets are brought to life by Arkansas' premiere Ballet Company. Located at the Robinson Center Music Hall West Markham & Broadway in Little Rock. Call 501 664 9509 for more information.
Burns Park
Burns Park contains two golf courses, disc and miniature golf courses, tennis and racquetball courts, state-of-the-art softball complex, soccer complex, playgrounds, amusement park, covered bridge, fishing docks, picnic and camping areas. A Visitor Information Center in the park is staffed seven days a week. Located in North Little Rock. Call 501-791-8537 for more information.
Central High School National Historic Site
Little Rock's Central High School gained international attention in 1957 during the struggle to integrate the city's public schools. The high school was designated a National Historic Site in 1998. Across the street from the high school in a restored service station is a museum and visitor center featuring an interactive exhibit depicting the history of the desegregation crisis, two audio-visual presentations and a gift shop. A commemorative garden opened in 2001. Call 501-374-1957 for more information.
2125 Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR
Clinton Presidential Library and Center
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Center will anchor the city's popular River Market District when completed in November of 2004. The library will be located within a 30-acre park, and will contain the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history. The exhibits are being designed by Ralph Appelbaum of New York, the designer of exhibits at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and will include a full-scale replica of the Oval Office. The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will also be located within the park. Call 501 370 8000 for more information.
1200 E. President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR
Emerald Park
This 135-acre development along the bluffs overlooking the Arkansas River features a one-mile paved walking trail and four scenic overlooks, designed to be accessible to the elderly and handicapped. Call 501 244 8501 for more information.
2200 Fort Roots Drive, Little Rock, AR
EMOBA
The Museum of Black Arkansans - Exhibits on the African American experience in Arkansas. Please call for a schedule and hours of operation. Call 501-372-0018 for more information.
1208 Louisiana Street, Little Rock, AR
Hillcrest Historic District
Historic early residential area listed on the National Register. Located at Kavanaugh & Cantrell. Call 501-371-0075 for more information.
Historic Arkansas Museum
This museum features five early 19th-century houses on their original block that have been restored to their antebellum appearance. The museum, formerly known as the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, includes Little Rock's oldest remaining building, the Hinderliter Grog Shop, built in 1827. During guided tours of four of the buildings, Little Rock's frontier history comes alive with actors portraying the homes' original residents. Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 1 - 5pm. Call 501-324-9351 for more information.
200 East Third Street, Little Rock, AR
Interstate Park
Located on Arch Street, Interstate Park is an ultra-modern softball complex with five lighted fields, grandstand and concessions. Call 501-372-3285 for more information.
Julius Breckling Riverfront Park
Located on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock, this park is on the north side of the Statehouse Convention Center, and is the home of Riverfest, the Memorial Day festival attracting over 200,000 annually. Call 501-371-4770 for more information.
Lake Maumelle
Located west of Little Rock off Ark. 10; popular for fishing, sailing, and weekend regattas. Call 501-376-4781 for more information.
Little Rock National Cemetery
Grounds were used as a Union campground and later as both a Union and Confederate graveyard. A wall erected between the Union and Confederate sections was taken down in 1913. Includes the Minnesota Monument and the Little Rock Confederate Memorial. Contains over 22,000 graves of veterans from Civil War to Desert Storm. Call 501-324-6401 for more information.
2523 Confederate Boulevard, Little Rock, AR
Little Rock Visitor Information Center at Curran Hall
One of only a handful of antebellum homes remaining in Little Rock today, the Walters-Curran-Bell home, commonly known as Curran Hall, was built in 1842 and owned by five families until it was purchased in 1996 by the Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission. A $1.4 million renovation, completed in the spring of 2002 has transformed the historic home into the city's visitor information center now operated by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call 501-370-3290 for more information.
615 East Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR
Little Rock Zoo
Nationally-accredited 40-acre zoological garden, housing over 600 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in a natural tree-shaded atmosphere; petting zoo, gift shop, food; miniature train rides. Call 501-666-2406 for more information.
1 Jonesboro Drive, Little Rock, AR
Little Rock's Hindman Park Golf Course
60 Brookview Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
National Landmark, constructed in the early 1840's depicting the military heritage of Arkansas from Territorial period to the present. Located in historic Little Rock Arsenal, the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur. Call 501-376-4602 for more information.
503 East 9th Street, Little Rock, AR
Mount Holly Cemetery
Includes the grave of 17-year-old David O. Dodd, who is sometimes referred to as "The Boy Martyr of the Confederacy" and was executed as a Confederate spy. Five Confederate generals are also buried here. Open 7 days a week - when gates are open and located at 12th & Broadway. Call 501 376 4781 for more information.
Murrays Dinner Playhouse
Enjoy a dinner Buffet combined with Broadway comedies and musicals as well as solo performances. Group rates available. Please call for a schedule and times. Call 501-562-3131 for more information.
6323 Asher Avenue, Little Rock, AR
Museum of Discovery
Explore many different worlds, visit the Imagination Station, see robots and conduct scientific experiments. A gift shop is on site. Call 501-396-7050 for more information.
500 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR
Old Mill
This is a historic re-creation of an 1800's water-powered gristmill, as seen in the opening scene of "Gone With the Wind". Features a rustic sculpture by Rodriguez.. Located at Lakeshore Drive & Fairway Avenue. Call 501-791-8537 for more information.
Old Statehouse Museum
Built in 1836, the Old State House was the state's original capitol until 1911 and served as the seat of both the Confederate and Unionists governments in Arkansas during the Civil War. It was also the site of the 1861 secession convention. Union General Frederick Steele quartered his army here during the occupation. It is now a museum of Arkansas history featuring permanent and changing exhibits and restored legislative chambers. Call 501-324-9685 for more information.
300 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
The park's diversity of habitats, from high upland peaks to bottomlands along the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers, provide many outdoor recreational and educational opportunities including interpretive canoe and boat tours led by park naturalists. Park facilities include picnic sites, a standard pavilion, launch ramps and hiking trails. Call 501-868-5806 for more information.
11901 Pinnacle Valley Road, Little Rock, AR
Quapaw Quarter Historic District
Historic neighborhoods in the downtown area -- MacArthur Park and Governor's Mansion districts -- feature many striking restored structures; brochures available from the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call 501-371-0075 for more information.
1315 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR
Rebsamen Park Golf Course, Championship Course
3400 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock, AR 72202
Riverfront Park
Located on the north side of the Arkansas River, this park offers picturesque views, lighted walkways & a jogging trail. This is the site of the Arkansas "Spirit" and Delta Queen Riverboat docking. Special events throughout the summer and fall are held here. Call 501-791-8537 for more information.
Rock Creek Public Golf Course
4419 Western Hills Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204
University of Arkansas at Littlle Rock Fine Arts Galleries
Features exhibitions of local, regional, national and international origin. Call 501-569 3182 for more information.
2801 South University, Little Rock, AR
University of Arkansas Little Rock Planetarium
The UALR Planetarium provides educational programs for groups during business hours; multi-media, star gazing shows. Shows for the general public are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Call 501 569-3259 for more information.
2801 South University, Little Rock, AR
War Memorial Park Golf Course
5511 W Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Weekend Theater-Off Broadway
This is a social issue theatre including musicals, comedy and drama from Broadway and Off-Broadway. Please call us for a schedule and times. Call 501-374-3761 for more information.
1001 W. 7th Street, Little Rock, AR
Western Hills Country Club
5207 Western Hills Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204
Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts
Come experience nature and the arts at Wildwood Park. Opera, jazz, cabaret, chamber performances and festivals are all held here throughout the year. Call 501-821-7275 for more information.
20919 Denny Road, Little Rock, AR