Learn about Little Rock, Arkansas by reading Things are
Rockin’ in Little Rock by Charlie Spence, Travel Writer. It
features a mini, but thorough tour of the destination, plus all
you'll need to know to plan your trip including getting there,
objective information on places to stay and eat, and things to do.
At the end of the article, we've provided a summary of the contact
information for your easy reference. Enjoy!
Things are Rockin’
in Little Rock
by Charlie Spence,
Travel Writer and WTA Member
Little Rock skyline
during a balloon festival.
Courtesy Arkansas Dept. Parks and Tourism
Whatever your
political philosophy might be, a visit to a presidential library can be an
inspiring event focusing on the values of America. That’s why going to the
Clinton Presidential Center should be one of your first stops in a visit to
Little Rock, Arkansas.
Little Rock and
North Little Rock form the vibrant heart of Arkansas. Around this region you
will find fun, education, beauty, historic attractions, and opportunities for
leisurely visits to museums or active nightlife and day action.
As we
suggested, let’s start our visit down town at the Clinton Presidential Center.
It is right downtown on the banks of the Arkansas River. The main building takes
the form of a glass bridge, symbolizing President Clinton’s theme of “Building a
bridge to the 21st century.” In it we will visit replicas of the oval
office and the cabinet room. Then wander over to the 20,000-square-foot museum.
An adjacent building houses the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public
Service located in the renovated 1899 Choctaw Station.
Entertainment is one of the
attractions of the River Market District.
Courtesy Arkansas Dept. Parks and Tourism.
From here it is
a short walk to the River Market District. Until ten years ago, this was a
nearly-abandoned warehouse area but now is filled with shops, restaurants, art
galleries, bars, and seasonal farmers market. It is the site of some of
Arkansas’ art galleries, museums, theaters, concert halls, and other
entertainment facilities. There are dozens of small shops where you can lose
yourself in quests for interesting items from bath and body goods to antique
furniture and pieces of art. Some fine hotels are located here and the River
Market is enticing enough to spend your entire journey right here. But travel
on, we must as there is so much more to see and do.
Another
historic place to visit is the Central High School. This major U.S. Civil Rights
Landmark is still a working school. It was here in 1957 that a major
confrontation occurred between then-Governor Orval Faubus and President Dwight
Eisenhower. Faubus had called out the National Guard and stood in the doorway of
the school to prevent entry by the first African-American students - “the Little
Rock Nine.” Eisenhower sent in federal troops to enforce desegregation. Across
the street from the school the Central High Museum and Visitors’ Center features
a permanent exhibit that depicts the struggle through exhibits and photos.
For a full
exploration of Arkansas military, take in the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas
military history. It is located in the historic Tower Building, birthplace of
Gen. Douglas MacArthur. This National Landmark was built in the 1840s and
depicts Arkansas military from pioneer days to the present.
Now a national historical site,
Central High School is the site of the 1957 Civil Rights confrontation.
Courtesy Arkansas Dept. Parks and Tourism.
All of Little
Rock’s history can be found in the interesting visits to sites in the Quapaw
Quarter. This nine-square mile area includes the city’s central business
district and adjacent neighborhoods. (The word “Quapaw” is from the Quapaw
Indians who lived in central Arkansas in the early 19th century
before white settlers came.) It is here that you will find the MacArthur Museum,
Central High School, and many other restored buildings. The structures in this
area date from mid 1800s to about 1920. Most of them are occupied structures and
not open to the public, but a walking or driving tour past them can reveal how
the historic preservation efforts have progressed over the past 40 years.
Be sure to
spend some time at the Aerospace Education Center and IMAX theater. Several
different movies play daily on a six-story screen. There’s also a rare Sopwith
Camel F-1 aircraft and a full-size replica of Apollo command module.
As much as
there are interesting places in Little Rock, the surrounding area also holds
fine attractions. North Little Rock beckons. Wander over to the authentic
reproduction of a water-powered gristmill. If it looks familiar, you saw it in
the opening scene of classic film “Gone With The Wind” and is believed to be the
only building from this film that is still standing. Although built in 1933, it
was designed to look as though it was a product of the 1800s.
Also here in
North Little Rock is the 311-foot submarine that was present in Tokyo Bay at the
signing of the surrender ending World War II. (The USS Razorback was
named after the whale, not the fighting sports teams of the University of
Arkansas.) After it was decommissioned, it was sold to Turkey and thirty years
later obtained by North Little Rock and now serves as the foundation for the
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum.
Only 20 minutes
southeast of Little Rock visit two tiny communities - Scott/Keo - that have the
flavor of the old south. Antique aficionados will find Keo a delight. Morris
Antiques boasts more than 60,000 square feet of American and European pieces and
there are several other stores featuring a wide array of offerings. To satisfy
your sweet tooth, take a rest in Charlotte’s Eats and Sweets, a delightful stop
in an old pharmacy complete with an original walnut soda fountain and cabinets.
Scott is a plantation settlement depicting a typical plantation with Cotham’s, a
restaurant offering down-home cooking.
A fine way to
cap off one of your evenings is to take a river cruise on the beautiful Arkansas
River aboard the Arkansas Queen. You can enjoy a fine dinner, dance to
the music of the Riverboat Ramblers, or just relax stretched out on one of the
deck chairs. During the trip the captain’s commentary will give you a new
understanding of the area. You will see Little Rock and North Little Rock
differently than when touring the streets.
If you have
time to move away from the city attractions, take a tour through the Ozark
foothills for feel of the mountain living. Head out highway U.S. 67-167. One of
your first stops should be the William Carl Garner Visitor Center. This provides
museum exhibits, a movie, and information to help you enjoy the area. Take state
road 5-25 to the little town of Mountain View. You’ll see the sign directing you
to Ozark Folk Center. At the center enjoy the folk culture, hear traditional
American mountain music, and even learn to play the dulcimer, autoharp or
fiddle, or learn hand quilting or wing broom making.
If you like the
underground, a bit farther on you can visit the Blanchard Springs Caverns, which
are administered by the U.S. Park Service. Take your choice of any of the three
tours offered. They range from touring one level in relative ease of walking to
“I’am glad I’am still young enough to take this.”
Another unique
spot to get the flavor of the Ozarks is the town of Calico Rocks, on the banks
of the White River. Its historic downtown area will give you a fine sense of the
quiet atmosphere of small town mountain living.
In a few days
or an extended stay, you’ll pleasantly discover that there is nothing little
about Little Rock.
Little Rock Details
How to Get There
By
air, rail, or road, Little Rock is at the center of Arkansas and an
easy-to-get-to destination.
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By air: Seven major airlines serve the airport with more than 150
passenger flight arrivals or departures every day. There is non-stop
service to 18 national and international gateway cities. Rental cars
are available.
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By rail: AMTRAK’s Texas Eagle offers twice daily passenger service.
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By bus: Greyhound service
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By road: Little Rock is off Interstate highway 440.
Places to Stay
There’s a wide range of tourist accommodations in and around Little
Rock to suit your likes and purse. They range from inexpensive
motels to plush suites. Some are in the center of the River Market
District; others are only a short trolley ride away. Two Bed and
Breakfasts are popular. They are: Empress of Little Rock where you
can sleep on feather beds in the opulence of a 1800s structure; and
Rosemont in the River Market District that is a Victorian era’s
gentleman farmer’s in-town estate. Check the many lodging sites at http://www.arkansas.com.
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Places to Eat
Elegant dining or fast food eat-on-the-run places, Little Rock area
has the eating places to meet your personal tastes. A few of the
spots you may want to check out are:
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Cajuns Wharf Seafood Restaurant: Dine overlooking the Arkansas River
and enjoy entertainment and dancing.
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Cotham’s in the City: The legendary Hubcap hamburger must be tried
before you leave the area. They also feature southern-fried catfish
and Mississippi Mud deserts.
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Ernie Biggs: Not just good food but an entertaining dueling piano
bar with different prominent piano players coming to town for your
entertainment.
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Bosco’s: Try the fresh salmon baked on a cedar plank in Bosco’s
brick oven.
Notice: This information is current as of August 2006. It is recommended that
you contact the numbers, and/or visit the web sites above to determine any
changes to the information.
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