Sightseeing in Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas was not at the top of my travel list. However, when I found myself heading there for work, I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity to be in a new city.
I didn’t have much of an agenda. I also didn’t have a lot of time. A day is all you need to get familiar with a city, though. Whether you have 24 hours or longer, here are my favorite finds to kick off sightseeing in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Little Rock Downtown
Whether you have one day or several to explore a city, downtown is always a good place to start your sightseeing adventure. Typically, a downtown is a blend of history and modern vibes, giving you the best sense of a city’s energy.
While many cities offer a downtown that you can walk to all of the well known spots, the things that Little Rock is famous for are spread out around the city. Even though you can’t easily walk from the River Market District to the historic SOMA neighborhood or from the State Capitol to historic Central High - all of these neighborhoods and destinations are worth visiting. Moreover, they can all be visited in one day!
Hilton Little Rock
Even though you can see many of the places Little Rock is famous for in a day, it is most enjoyable if you can spend at least one night as part of your adventure. This will give you time to rest the night before your adventure or to relax after a long day of wandering.
The first time I visited Little Rock I stayed in the Downtown Little Rock Hampton Inn. Typically a fan of older hotels and Hampton Inn hotels, this was not my favorite find. However, during my second trip I moved a few blocks down to the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Little Rock and absolutely loved it!
This newer hotel has modern rooms and is a bit closer to the River Market District. My favorite part of the hotel? The rooftop bar! The rooftop bar at the Hilton Garden Inn is the perfect place to regroup and watch the sunset after sightseeing.
Little Rock River Market
If you are up for a walking tour, head out on foot from the hotel to explore the River Market District. If you are not feeling up to the walk, or you plan to add on other adventures, it is a quick drive to the River Market. There are plenty of parking garages around the market that make it easy to park and walk.
The River Market District in Little Rock, Arkansas, is in the heart of downtown and is known for its lively atmosphere, diverse dining options, and cultural attractions. Situated along the Arkansas River, the district serves as a hub for entertainment, shopping, and local events.
The River Market is also home to a popular farmer’s market, live music performances, and seasonal events such as food festivals and holiday celebrations. Check out the River Market Events page to see what events are happening during your visit.
Even if you visit during a slow season (or in the middle of the work week) there is still plenty to enjoy. One of the best attractions is the scenic Riverfront Park which stretches along the river. It features walking trails, public art installations, and the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge that you can walk across to take in stunning views of the city and the Arkansas River.
Little Rock Library
Another popular (and also free) attraction is the nearby Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art located on President Clinton Ave (the main street that runs through the River Market). Whether you love literature, history, art, or all three, this is a fun stop where you can take a quiet moment amidst a day of exploring.
This library is located right in the center of the River Market District, but it’s not the only famous library in Little Rock. Only a few miles away from the River Market is the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. While a bit of a walk from the River Market, it is a short drive. Therefore, you can add it on as a stop to your next destination.
Only ten minutes from the Little Rock Airport, it can even be added as a quick stop on the way out of town. However, since it is not free to visit, you may want to plan a more intentional visit. I did not make it inside this library because I did not plan enough time, but if you plan
Whether you choose to add on a visit to the Presidential Library and Museum or spend more time at the River Market, make sure to try at least one of the popular eateries down by the river. Even if you just grab a coffee.
Little Rock Food
Biscuits and gravy at The Root Cafe in Little Rock, Arkansas
All of my wanderings are fueled by coffee, so finding “coffee nearby” is a regular search on Apple maps. I also enjoy that even though coffee is a common thing shared from city to city, each city has its own unique coffee shops.
My favorite coffee find in Little Rock was Nexus Coffee and Creative. Located right on President Clinton Ave., this local coffee shop would have been my go-to work destination if I had been in town longer. While you could easily spend time getting cozy inside this local spot, it’s also a great place to get a pick-me-up between meals and other destinations
I tried out a few different local spots for eats during my stay, but only had time for one down by the river - Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken. I’m all about eating the local cuisine when traveling and famous fried chicken with baked beans, a slice of white bread, and a beer was the perfect casual meal in the midst of wandering.
The meal that kicked off my day in Little Rock was probably my favorite of the day, though.
Soma Little Rock
Historic SOMA neighborhood on South Main Street in downtown Little Rock
My favorite meal of the day in Little Rock was at The Root cafe. Located in the creative and historic neighborhood of Soma (South Main), The Root Cafe was the epitome of Southern home cooking.
It wasn’t just the hearty biscuits and gravy that made this cafe memorable, but the atmosphere. From the cozy covered patios to the eclectic collection of coffee mugs (that you get to choose from) it felt like eating a meal at home - that you didn’t have!
The only downside of a rich home-cooked breakfast that you didn’t cook is that you also can’t lie down to go to sleep afterwards. Thankfully, The Root Cafe is right in the heart of the neighborhood so you can walk around to wake up.
Depending on how early you grab breakfast, you may find yourself only glimpsing what is in the storefront windows, but if your day in Little Rock is centered around history rather than shopping, you won’t mind having extra time to visit one of Little Rock’s most famous spots.
What is Little Rock famous for?
Front of Central High School in Little Rock, AR
“Famous” may not be the best word for the location at the center of Little Rock’s history because while what happened there is well known, it was not done to create fame. It was done to change history.
Little Rock Central High School is where nine African American high school students, known as The Little Rock Nine, attempted to end segregation in public schools in 1957. This historic event followed the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling and became a significant act in teh Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
While it is a historical event - it’s not as far back in history as some may think. The school that The Little Rock Nine is not only still standing, it is an active public high school.
As an active high school, you cannot go inside Central High; however, you don’t need to go inside to appreciate this historic site. You also don’t have to go inside the high school to learn about the history of it since there is a National Historic Site visitors center across the street.
It is free to enter the visitor center, but it is only open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, so you want to make sure to plan this earlier in your day. If going on a weekday, you may also want to plan earlier in the afternoon so you can avoid school traffic.
If you head here right after breakfast in Soma, then you will most likely miss school traffic and have plenty of time to explore the visitors center and the school grounds. You will also have time to stop by the Arkansas State Capitol for another historic stop.
Arkansas State Capitol
Arkansas State Capitol Building
In addition to any current exhibits inside the Capitol Building, there are several monuments to visit outside on the grounds. If you want to continue exploring Civil Rights History in Little Rock, you will want to stop by the Little Rock Nine Monument. “Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument” features bronze statues of the nine students who attended Central High in the right for integration in 1957.
Since The Little Rock Nine Monument is located outside the Capitol Building, you have more flexibility in where it falls in your sightseeing itinerary. It’s an easy drive from The Root Cafe if you want to stop there before heading to Central High. It’s also a quick stop on the way back from Central High before heading down to the River Front Market for lunch or dinner and more wandering.
Pinnacle State Park
View from the scenic overlook at Rock Valley Trail in Pinnacle Mountain State Park
On my first visit to Little Rock I started my day with a quick drive up to Pinnacle Mountain State Park before heading to The Root Cafe. Since it was January when I visited, for me this was just a quick drive up the mountain to the lookout. While I didn’t get to enjoy the full beauty of Pinnacle Mountain, I enjoyed the views and could see how beautiful this state park would be at other times of year.
I also enjoyed how easy it was to get to the park from downtown Little Rock. Whether you are looking for a full outdoor adventure or just to take in the views, Pinnacle Mountain State Park is an excellent place to get a sense of why this is called The Natural State.
More Places to See in Little Rock
Although I have not had a chance to explore these other popular destinations in Little Rock, they are on my list for my next visit. So, if you get there before me, let me know where you go and what you love!
Arkansas River Trail: The Arkansas River Trail runs along the Arkansas River in central Arkansas, primarily in Little Rock and North Little Rock and links to Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Burns Park, and Two Rivers Park. You can also access the Clinton Presidential Library and other cultural and historical sites from the trail.
Little Rock Visitor Center: The Little Rock Visitor Center isn’t just a one-stop shop for insider info on the city but also a historical place. It is housed in the historic Curran Hall, which is one of a few antebellum houses still standing in the Little Rock area.
Historic Arkansas Museum: The Historic Arkansas Museum is not just one museum but an entire city block full of Arkansas history. This city block includes the oldest building in Little Rock and art galleries that highlight Arkansas history.
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History: The MacArthur Museum is located in the historic Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal - one of Central Arkansas’ oldest buildings. Inside are exhibits and artifacts that portray and honor the men and women from Arkansas who have served in the military.
Esse Purse Museum: One of only two purse museums in the world, Esse Purse Museum offers a unique opportunity to view exhibits that highlight the art form of handbags. The museum highlights not only handbags, but other related art forms in various exhibits throughout the year.
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts: Previously known as the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock has an international collection of over 14,000 works of art. In addition to the core collection, they have new exhibitions and installations throughout the year.
Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden: The Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is an outdoor art experience in Riverfront Park. The 90 sculptures in the park are not only art, as they are “housed” in outdoor “rooms” created through landscape architecture.
Hu Lee International Gate: Located in the downtown River Market District is the Hu Lee International Gate and garden. The gate is a memorial in honor of Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, the founder of the American Taekwondo Association (ATA),
Mount Holly Cemetery: Still an active cemetery, Mount Holly Cemetery attracts locals and tourists who want to enjoy the park-like grounds. Beyond the peaceful grounds, some come to view the wide range of monuments and funerary art that includes ancient, Neo-Classical, Victorian, and Art Deco.
Rock Town: After wandering around Little Rock, you may want to stop by Rock Town Distillery for a sip. This local distillery sources ingredients from around Arkansas that you can taste during a guided tour or cocktail class.
Little Rock Zoo: For over 100 years, the Little Rock Zoo has been a popular Little Rock attraction for tourists and locals. With over 400 species, the zoo aims not only to provide an enjoyable experience but to highlight and educate visitors on animal conservation.
Hot Springs National Park: If you have time, consider leaving the city for a day trip to Hot Springs National Park. Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this National Park has a rich history you can explore indoors and outdoors - including a soak in the thermal water.
Arkansas Outdoor Recreation: If you become intrigued with Arkansas after visiting Little Rock, consider exploring more of the state through outdoor adventures. From Little Rock in Central Arkansas to the Ozark Mountains and lakes of West Arkansas Natural State Outdoor Recreation | Arkansas.com is a great guide to experiencing outdoor adventures in The Natural State.
