25 Best Things To Do In Little Rock, Arkansas – Southern Living

Check Out The River Market District

Exploring the River Market District is a must. This bustling area is Little Rock’s premier entertainment neighborhood—it’s filled with bars, restaurants, shops, and museums; the farmers market is also held here. You’ll find some of the city’s top attractions in this neighborhood, too, like the Clinton Presidential Center. Plan to spend the day browsing shops and museums, and come evening, soak up the thriving nightlife scene. You can even purchase an alcoholic beverage and sip it while walking around, as long as you grab an official RMED wristband and cup. 

River Market District; 400 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 375-2552

Picnic At The Old Mill

If you’ve ever seen “Gone With the Wind,” then you’ve seen the Old Mill, which was featured in the 1939 film. This water-powered grist mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features sculptures by Senor Dionicio Rodriguez. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful wooded scenery.

Old Mill; 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72116; (501) 791-8538

Bask In The Views From The Big Dam Bridge

The Big Dam Bridge is the longest pedestrian and cycling bridge in North America, boasting a 4,226-foot span. It’s a scenic spot for a stroll, with the bridge connecting over 14 miles of riverside trails. Or, head here at dusk—there are eight observation areas with benches where you can sit and enjoy the killer sunset views.

Big Dam Bridge; 4000 Cook’s Landing Rd, North Little Rock, AR 72118

Eat Your Way Through Ottenheimer Market Hall

Easily one of the best foodie experiences in Little Rock, the Ottenheimer Market has more than 17 permanent food vendors. Sample Thai specialties, tacos, Middle Eastern fare, pizza, dumplings, and more, all under one roof. This food court-style market is conveniently located in the River Market District, making it the perfect pit stop for fueling up while you wander around. Note that it’s only open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ottenheimer Market; 400 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201

Experience The Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden

Art enthusiasts will love strolling through the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, a sculpture garden with over ninety works from artists across the world, located on the banks of the Arkansas River. This is also a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city if you’re looking for some serenity in nature. 

Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden; Arkansas River Trail, Little Rock, AR 72201

Shop At The Local Farmers Market

The seasonal Little Rock Farmers Market is a hub of activity, overflowing with farm-fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, and local performers. Held every Saturday (rain or shine) from May through September, this market is a lively community event that’s well worth checking out when you’re in town, whether you’re food shopping or not. The setting — in the River Market District’s open-air pavilions overlooking Riverfront Park and the Arkansas River — makes for a great base for perusing the rest of the River Market. 

Little Rock Farmers Market; 400 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 370-3220

Tour The Clinton Presidential Center

Of course, you can’t go to Little Rock without doing a deep dive into President Bill Clinton’s legacy. At the Clinton Presidential Center, explore a 20,000-square-foot museum with exhibits that chronicle Clinton’s life and work, including replicas of the Oval Office and the White House Cabinet Room. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library, which houses presidential artifacts and documents, is also located on-site.

Clinton Presidential Center; 1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201; 501-370-8000

Sample Some Cheese Dip

Perhaps unbeknownst to most, Little Rock is known for being the birthplace of cheese dip. The city hosts the World Cheese Dip Championship every fall, and there are dozens of places around town that serve this tasty dip. That said, Red Door is one of the best places to go—the Blue Mesa Cheese Dip consists of a whopping four types of cheese (be sure to add the smoked tomato hot salsa).  

Red Door; 3701 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 666-8482

Take A Self-Guided Mural Tour

There’s nothing like a walking tour of public art to provide unique insight into a place. Take a tour of Little Rock’s downtown murals—Visit Little Rock has created a tour that includes all the (major and minor) pieces of public art scattered around the city. You’ll see, for example, the butterfly mural in the River Market, which is part of an initiative installing 12 pieces of public art across Arkansas.

Stop By The Esse Purse Museum

A delightfully quirky attraction, the Esse Purse Museum houses hundreds of handbags, categorized by decade, along with temporary exhibits that focus on the female experience. For anyone interested in American fashion and culture, this museum makes for an enjoyable outing. It’s also in the revitalized SoMa neighborhood, which is brimming with local eateries and shops—stop by Community Bakery for European desserts and pastries.         

Esse Purse Museum; 1501 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 916-9022

Kayak The Arkansas River

For a fun outdoor adventure and a unique look at the city, paddle a kayak on the Arkansas River with Rock Town River Outfitters. This popular outfitter offers guided tours and a sunset kayak tour; you can also opt to rent stand-up paddle boards. Those interested in learning facts about the river and the history of Little Rock will thoroughly enjoy doing a guided tour.

Rock Town River Outfitters; 1600 Rockwater Blvd Suite A, North Little Rock, AR 72114; 501) 831-0548

Catch Some Live Music

Little Rock has a vibrant music scene, from the local folk and blues bands that play in small bars to the nationally-touring musicians that regularly come through town. Catch a show at the White Water Tavern, a been-there-forever watering hole with live music multiple nights a week. Vino’s Brewpub is known for its punk vibes (and, not to mention, its tasty calzones). And, located in the River Market District, the Rev Room hosts a wide range of artists that span genres.

White Water Tavern; 2500 W 7th St, Little Rock, AR 72205; (501) 375-8400

Vino’s Brewpub; 923 W 7th St, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 375-8466

Rev Room; 300 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 823-0090

Hike In Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Rising more than 1,000 feet above an otherwise-flat expanse, Pinnacle Mountain is a Central Arkansas landmark, notable for its cone-shaped peak. Hike to the top for awesome views, then walk or bike along over 22 miles of lush trails or take advantage of the access to the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers. The park is also a Trail of Tears National Historic Site, bearing witness to the five Southeastern tribes that were forcibly removed from the area as the U.S. expanded its territory west during the 19th century.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park; 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road, Roland, AR 72135

Visit Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

One of the most important historic sites in the country (and still in operation as a high school), Little Rock Central High School was the epicenter of the desegregation crisis in the 1950s. In 1957, nine Black students enrolled at the formerly all-white school, following the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional. The “Little Rock Nine,” as they came to be known, endured hostility and abuse at the hands of white anti-integrationists when the students attempted to go to school. Today, visitors can either do a self-guided tour or a ranger-led tour of the school and view the exhibits at the Visitor Center across the street. 

Little Rock Central High School; 2120 W Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 447-1400

Dive Into The Local Brewery Scene

Beer enthusiasts, take note—Little Rock has several breweries, including Lost Forty Brewing, Stone’s Throw Brewing, and Diamond Bear Brewing Company. Most are located within just a couple miles of each other, making it easy to hop from place to place.

Lost Forty Brewing; 501 Byrd Street, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 319-7275

Stone’s Throw Brewing; 402 E 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 244-9154‍

Diamond Bear Brewing Company; 600 N Broadway St, North Little Rock, AR 72114 (501) 708-2739

Peruse The Historic Arkansas Museum

Delve into the cultural heritage of the Natural State at the Historic Arkansas Museum, a city block that includes the oldest building in Little Rock, galleries of Arkansas-made art and artifacts, an interactive children’s gallery, and an 1850s farmstead. The museum always has exciting temporary exhibits on display in addition to permanent exhibits like “We Walk in Two Worlds,” which tells the story of the Osage, Quapaw, and Caddo tribes who first lived in Arkansas.

Historic Arkansas Museum; 200 E 3rd St, Little Rock, AR 72201; (870) 725-2877

Visit The Arkansas State Capitol

Funnily enough, the Arkansas State Capitol building was designed to look exactly like the U.S. Capitol building in D.C. (so much so that it’s been used in movies). Take a self-guided tour and explore the grounds at your own pace.  

Arkansas State Capitol; 500 Woodlane St, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 682-3000

Enjoy A Performance At The Robinson Center

Spend an evening seeing a musical, the symphony, or a ballet performance at the Robinson Center. Built downtown during the Great Depression as a Public Works Administration project, this music hall and performance theater is an eye-catching building in its own right.

Robinson Center; 426 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 255-3300

Learn Something New At The Museum Of Discovery

Families with kids will love spending time at the Museum of Discovery, which features 90 interactive exhibits and programs. Permanent exhibits include Tornado Alley Theater, where visitors can relive the tornado that devastated the Governor’s Mansion district of downtown Little Rock in 1999. The museum is situated alongside Riverfront Park, a gem of a park that has playgrounds, a splash park, meandering paths, history displays, and more than 100 works of art (the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is located here).

Museum of Discovery; 500 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201; (501) 396-7050

Bike Along The Arkansas River Trail

Cyclists of all levels bike along the Arkansas River Trail, a 17-mile loop that goes along the north and south banks of the river. This is one of the best ways to see the city, as you get to take in downtown and the riverfront and pass many key landmarks along the trail.

Sip Spirits At Rock Town Distillery

Arkansas’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, Rock Town Distillery churns out award-winning hand-crafted spirits, utilizing ingredients sourced from local farmers. Make time for the tour, where you’ll learn all about the origins of each spirit and taste eight of Rock Town’s own for yourself. The distillery also offers fun cocktail classes, during which participants learn how to make two seasonal cocktails (which you get to drink, of course). 

Rock Town Distillery; 1201 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 907-5244

Wander Through The Argenta Arts District

The Argenta Arts District is equal parts hip and historic, with a bevy of art galleries, music venues, theaters, and breweries, in addition to century-old buildings. Check out the Argenta Plaza Calendar before you go. There’s always a fun community event happening here, from concerts to art walks.  

Take A Ride On A Streetcar

For a unique and convenient way to get around, the METRO Streetcar operates throughout the Little Rock and North Little Rock downtown areas seven days a week. Many of the city’s top destinations are linked on the streetcar line (and you don’t have to worry about parking), so it’s a great way to take in the sights. Download the METROtrack app to see how far away the next streetcar is at any given stop. 

Stroll The Quapaw Quarter

The Quapaw Quarter is where you’ll find the oldest residential neighborhoods in the city. It comprises three districts: the Governor’s Mansion District, South Main Residential District, and MacArthur Park District. Some of the most notable landmarks in the Quapaw Quarter include the governor’s home, historic churches, Mount Holly Cemetery, and the Little Rock Arsenal Tower Building, a National Historic Landmark dating back to 1840.

Eat Lunch At The Root Cafe

The Root Cafe is a farm-to-table restaurant that’s as charming as they come. Located in SoMa, it’s the perfect lunch spot (and the Esse Purse Museum is right next door), with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and food that’s made fresh daily. As per their website, all of the meat, eggs, and bread they serve come directly from Arkansas farmers. The house-made bratwursts may be the star of the show, but there’s plenty else to keep diners of all palates and preferences happy.  

The Root Cafe; 500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202; (501) 414-0423