Interested in a road trip soon? Why not visit Arkansas' capital, Little Rock (or LR as all we locals call it). We have a lot more to do then you might, and probably, expect we do! Now here are a few things to do the next time you're in our lovely city!
1. Climb Pinnacle Mountain
Okay, so Pinnacle might be nothing compared to Colorado mountains or anything but it's our little mountain and we love it. It's a fun thing to climb and it's SUPER easy! Only takes you about 30-35 minutes to get up. The top of the mountain overlooks parts of the Arkansas River. I would recommend climbing either at sunset or sunrise for the best view and to be speechless at how beautiful it is.
2. Little Rock Central High School (LRCH, Central)
LRCH, built in the '20s, was named America's Most Beautiful and biggest high school. Central later was put in the national spotlight during the Civil Rights era. In the fall of 1957 nine African American students tried to enter the white high school. After not being let in and the governor not allowing it, Eisenhower sent in an order down to Little Rock saying to let the nine students in. They later came to be known as The Little Rock 9. The school is still a functioning high school and is the only high school in the United States to be on the national registry site for Historic Sites. There is a museum across the street from the school that gives tours of the historic school several times a day. (So plot twist, I actually went to high school here so I can account for the tours being worth it.) But p.s., if you try and take pictures of us we'll probably get super annoyed.
3. EAT!!!!
Here in LR we are blessed with great food and sometimes we forget about it. But if you do visit, eating at one of our local places is a MUST. We have great local restaurants of all types of food you could want!
4. Take a stroll in the River Market
The River Market district runs along the Arkansas River downtown and is place full of shopping, museums, great nightlife, bars, businesses and food! The river market offers trolley rides (for a small fee) that will take you all around the area and even across the bridge into North Little Rock's Argenta Arts District. The river market offers music venues that will have concerts throughout the week, and a farmers market on the weekends. Market Hall offers unique and international food options (10/10 would recommend the bubble tea) and River Front Park offers playgrounds and walking paths along the river. It's a beautiful area and a must if you're a visitor!
5. Visit The Clinton Presidential Library
Located downtown at the end of the River Market along The Arkansas River, The Clinton Presidential Library is a top tourist destination in the city. The Library often has visiting exhibits (the most recent was an Olympic one), and permanent ones as well. The Library includes three floors of memorabilia from the 42nd Presidents time while in office. Somethings you can see while touring is a replica of the Presidential Oval Office, and located on the bottom floor is the former Presidents limo. If you're hungry, located below the library is Forty Two, the library's official restaurant.
6. The Old Mill
So, the Old Mill is technically across the river in North Little Rock (yes they are different cities and yes Little Rock is better in my opinion), butThe Mill is a popular spot for Arkansans and tourists alike to visit. It is situated on a park surrounded by beautiful landscaping and water features. And if you're asking yourself if you have seen this before or questioning why it looks familiar, the mill was used in the opening scene of the classic movie "Gone With The Wind".
7. The Heights
Located between Midtown and next to Hillcrest, the Heights is one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in. Located within walking distance of popular restaurants, trendy boutiques, coffee shops, doctors offices, stores and churches, most of these are situated along the Heights main street, Kavanaugh Blvd. ZaZa's is always a favorite of mine. Their salads and brick oven pizzas are to die for. Be sure to finish off the night at Le Pops, a gourmet popsicle store.
So on the next time you think about taking a road trip why not add Little Rock into the mix? I highlighted a few things, but our city offers more than this. And our state as a whole offers MUCH more. (P.S., we are the only state in the country where you can dig for diamonds and keep them. I mean what could you want more?) I hope you'll enjoy LR as much as us locals do.
