Things to Do in Little Rock
In Little Rock, you’ll not only witness a lively capital city, but a place that inspires greatness
Brimming with history, the options for museums and historic destinations are numerous. Walk the hallowed halls of the high school where the seeds of the Civil Rights Movement were planted. Or explore the city where a young Southern governor cut his political teeth en route to the White House. The city has a lighthearted side as well. If you have your kids in tow, head to the zoo to watch chimpanzees swing from the branches and explore the 60-plus urban parks, which provide wide-open space for adventurers of all ages.
1. Tour the Capitol Grounds
Get a feel for the inner workings of the state government at the Arkansas State Capitol. It represents the state’s political evolution, but the architecture alone is worth the trip. Admire the dome-topped building with its grand staircases, Corinthian columns and marble floors completed in 1915. You can schedule a free guided tour any weekday, opt for a self-guided adventure using a tour booklet or download the audio tour on your smartphone. If you appreciate the drama of debate, watch lawmakers in action from the public galleries in the House and Senate chambers. Other options include a stroll through the breathtaking rotunda and lush garden filled with 51 varieties of rose.
2. The Center Clinton Commissioned
Relive the two terms of our 42nd president and Arkansas native, Bill Clinton, at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park. You can take an audio tour for a small fee, narrated by the former Commander in Chief, or opt for one of the free guided tours offered three times daily. Peruse permanent exhibits outfitted with pictures, video and memorabilia detailing the president’s campaigns, life in the White House and childhood in Hope, a small town 90 minutes southwest of Little Rock. Highlights at the Clinton Presidential Center include the 28-foot columns—they hold nearly 5,000 historical documents pertaining to Clinton’s presidential policies—and the recreated cabinet room and oval office.
3. Artistic Landscape Interactions
Pay a visit to the Arkansas Art Center, home to the Arkansas Museum of Art, for some visual stimulation. Snake your way through the museum’s six galleries, which highlight works from the Western world and include everything from 16th-century European sketches to abstract paintings from American artists. Expose your kids to live theater—starring both kids and adults—at the Arkansas Children's Theatre, also located inside the center. Choose from nearly 10 shows each year that are split between the intimate black box space and larger main stage. Performances include plays and musicals based on children’s fairy tales and books.
4. The Changing Racial Landscape
Learn more about a tumultuous time in American history with a trip to Little Rock Central High School. At this National Historic Site, you’ll be taken back to 1957 when nine African-American students, escorted by federal troops, entered the then-segregated campus following the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision. Start your journey at the Visitor’s Center, where exhibits provide a timeline, photographs and videos documenting the events of and leading up to that historic day. You can also sign up for a guided, 1-hour weekday tour held when class is in session.
5. Animal Attractions Abound
Pretend you and the kids are on safari when you visit Little Rock Zoo, a 33-acre wildlife wonderland tucked away in War Memorial Park. You’ll interact with more than 600 animals from 170 diverse species, including gorillas, zebras, elephants and rhinos. A bonus for the kids is feeding lorikeets and fish at their coin-operated food stations. When your feet need a rest, take a break on the carousel or miniature train.
6. Science in the South
Let your kids explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and math at the Museum of Discovery. A Little Rock institution since 1927, it’s the city’s oldest museum-turned-science-center—equally as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. Children can run rampant through the seven galleries, where they’ll experience extreme weather in the Tornado Alley Theater, build models in the Tinkering Studio and learn the ins and outs of the human body in the Amazing You exhibit. The museum also hosts the monthly Science After Dark program, an adults-only evening for the scientifically inclined.
7. Play in the Park on the River
Enjoy a day of fun in the sun at the 33-acre Riverfront Park. Nestled along the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock, this urban park offers a dash of nature in the midst of a vibrant city. Walk the park’s 17 miles of waterfront trails, breathe the fragrance of cherry trees in the "Forever a Rose" garden and contemplate the works in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. If you’re traveling with children, head to Peabody Park. This refuge for youngsters is Riverfront Park’s heralded playground, where your kids can cool off in the spray pad, climb large stones and run through underground tunnels designed specifically for them.
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