City Overview

Located in central Arkansas and serving as its state capital, Little Rock has the look and tempo of a big city but offers visitors the warm southern hospitality that has become a trademark of Dixie tourism. Little Rock provides all the modern amenities expected of a major city, however, most visitors come to Little Rock to enjoy Arkansas’ historic sites and scenic beauty.

Many travelers enjoy guided tours of the Arkansas State Capitol, which provide a background of the construction of the building, its artwork, monuments, and the history of AR government. A scaled down version of the U.S. Capitol, the AR State Capitol has been used as a stand-in for several Hollywood movies. After touring the Capitol, visitors may be interested in viewing Little Rock’s Old State House Museum, Arkansas’ first seat of government. The State House focuses on AR history and is home to many Civil War artifacts.

Visitors can also see one of Little Rock’s newest historical landmarks, Central High School National Historic Site, which opened to the public in 1997. This site commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Central High’s desegregation, commonly known as the “Central High Crisis,” a pivotal point in the fall of segregation in the United States.

Also, AR visitors will certainly want to tour the Clinton Presidential Library located on the banks of the Arkansas River in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock. Designed by Appelbaum and Associates of New York (popularly known for the creation of the powerful exhibits at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.), the 20,000 square foot, $160 million structure includes a replica of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room.

The construction of the Presidential Library is just one of the revitalization projects in Little Rock’s downtown River Market District. In the past decade, rows of abandoned warehouses along the AR River have been replaced by restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, museums, and bars. These entertainment hotspots have become a source of local pride and provide residents and guests with weekday, weekend, and nightlife options.

For larger events in Little Rock, visitors may want to check out Riverfront Amphitheater and Alltel Arena. Riverfront Amphitheater, located next to the Little Rock River Market, hosts all major outdoor concerts, while Alltel Arena, providing seating for up to 18,000, hosts dozens of sporting events and concerts year round.

Little Rock, AR is a revitalized community and its residents are proud to call it home. With the grace of a small town and the sophistication of a thriving city, Little Rock makes a wonderful place to visit and an even better place to live.