Know Before You Go: About Little Rock
The magical Riverfront Park of Little Rock is home to a presidential library, a proudly restored wetlands and a kid-designed splash park
Can a 33-acre park hold enough attractions to provide a fun-filled family vacation? In Little Rock, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" The city's magical Riverfront Park is home to a presidential library, a proudly restored wetlands and a kid-designed splash park, the perfect antidote for hot summer days. This is just a small sample of the fun loved by locals and tourists alike in Arkansas' capital city.
Pleasant Weather
Little Rock's summer temperatures—in the high 80s and low 90s—pair with high humidity to produce triple-digit heat. October and November are a different story with plenty of sunshine, 75-degree days and jacket-cool evening temps in the 50s. Winter nighttime temperatures test—but seldom break—the freezing mark, and snow is almost unheard of. Frost is gone by March, and April sees Little Rock burst into glorious bloom as daytime highs return to the 70s. April and May are the rainiest months, averaging 11 days each with at least a sprinkle.
Family Fun in Little Rock
History and ecology are alive and well in Riverfront Park, where you can explore an exact replica of the White House Oval Office as it was during the Clinton years or tour the lovingly restored 13-acre William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlands next door. Turn the kids loose at the Peabody Splash Park's above- and below-ground tunnels, climbable boulders and fountain-studded spray pad. Stroll through the city's past at the History Pavilion, then cross the Junction Railroad Bridge for a one-of-a-kind river view. When you've had your fill of the riverfront, head for Pinnacle Mountain State Park, 7 miles west of the city. Hike to the summit for an eagle-eye view of the Arkansas River Valley, or enjoy a horseback trail ride—kids under 6 ride double with a parent—at lower elevations.
Little Rock Industires
Aerospace manufacturers, hospitals and the Little Rock Air Force Base put a majority of the locals to work here—hospital and medical workers make up well over 10 percent of the workforce. The aerospace and aviation industries employ close to 10,000 skilled workers and the Air Force base employs more than 5,000. Innovative industries that employ the highly skilled include IT, life sciences and marketing database development firms. Little Rock: Just a Plane Trip Away Two interstate highways, I-40 and I-30, connect to Little Rock. I-40 passes through the city on its way west to Barstow, California and east to Wilmington, North Carolina.
I-30 winds northeast from Fort Smith and merges into I-40 at Little Rock. Flying to the city is a snap, with six major carriers, including Southwest, Delta and American, serving the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport with 50 daily flights and nonstop service from more than 10 major cities. The Rock Region METRO provides daily bus service between the airport and downtown. Amtrak's Texas Eagle makes twice-daily stops at Little Rock's Union Station Square on its Los Angeles to Chicago run. Once you arrive, use the in-town METRO buses or River Rail streetcars to get around town.
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More to Explore
Things to do in Little Rock
Arkansas' capital city brims with museums and historic destinations everyone can enjoy.
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Expect to be enticed by food with local flair when you dine out in this Southern gem.
Little Rock Day Trips
Plan a day trip to discover more of what Arkansas has to offer travelers.