Little Rock

In September 1957, nine Black teenagers needed the protection of federal troops just to walk into their new school. If you travel to Little Rock, you'll encounter this history at Central High School, as well as at Bill Clinton's presidential library and along the lively banks of the Arkansas River.

The Little Rock on the River

The city's name goes back to a rocky outcropping on the south bank of the Arkansas River, which the French explorer Bénard de la Harpe named "La Petite Roche" in 1722 and which served travelers as a landmark. In 1821, Little Rock became the capital of Arkansas Territory. The city became known around the world through the crisis over the Little Rock Nine, when Governor Orval Faubus tried to block the integration of Central High School and President Eisenhower sent in paratroopers. Decades later, Bill Clinton served as governor here before being elected president in 1992.

Sights in Little Rock

Little Rock Central High School is still an active school today and also a National Historic Site with a visitor center. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library juts out over the riverbank like a bridge and displays original documents and a replica of the Oval Office. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts reopened after a renovation and is located in MacArthur Park. Riverfront Park, home to the rock that gave the city its name, connects to the Arkansas River Trail, a loop that crosses several bridges. The Big Dam Bridge is considered one of the longest bridges in the U.S. built exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists. The Old State House, the oldest surviving capitol building west of the Mississippi, now houses a museum.

Eating and Going Out in Little Rock

Around the River Market District and its market hall, you'll find restaurants, bars, and live music; in the evening, the neighborhood is the most popular place to meet up. Typical Arkansas fare includes cheese dip (a melted cheese sauce said to have been invented here), fried catfish, barbecue, and pie in many varieties. The SoMa neighborhood on Main Street south of downtown has cafés, bakeries, and small breweries. In early summer, tomatoes from the surrounding countryside are a draw; in Arkansas, they count as both the state fruit and the state vegetable.

Art, Music, and History

The Robinson Center hosts concerts and touring Broadway shows, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra performs here regularly. The Museum of Discovery at the River Market is a science museum for families, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center tells the story of African American entrepreneurs and associations in Arkansas. In the fall, the Arkansas State Fair draws crowds with rides and livestock shows. A particularly photogenic spot is the Old Mill in North Little Rock, a reconstructed water mill that appears in the opening credits of "Gone with the Wind."

Getting Around Little Rock and the Best Time to Visit

Clinton National Airport lies east of downtown. A historic streetcar line connects downtown with North Little Rock on the other side of the river, and buses round out the network. For excursions, you'll need a car. The best times to visit are spring and fall; summer is hot and humid. To the west lies Pinnacle Mountain State Park, with a short summit trail and views over the river valley. Hot Springs, with its historic bathhouses and a national park, is about an hour's drive away, as are the Ouachita Mountains.