Location: Little Rock
Top Things to do in Little Rock
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Top 10 Museums in Little Rock, Arkansas (AR)
The Clintons may have put Little Rock on the map, but this charming and historic capital city offers plenty of reasons to keep it there. The Central High Museum tells the painful, powerful story of the city's racial struggles. Political buffs and Clinton fans will want to check out the State Capitol. Shoppers can spend hours at the River Market, a collection of tasty eateries and eclectic stores. Kids will be more than wowed by attractions such as the Children's Museum, the Museum of Discovery and the Zoo, famous for its eye-popping ape exhibit. Stay at a charming historic abode, an inviting bed and breakfast or a luxury hotel. Eat at fabulous restaurants and enjoy exciting nightlife. Little Rock has all the ingredients of a perfect weekend getaway.
Restaurants in Little Rock
1. Hearne Fine Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
2. Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden
3. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,188 reviews
This National Park Service site encompasses the campus, but Central High is still an active high school. Visitors should park and begin their visit at the National Park Visitor Center, located diagonally across from the campus, at 2120 W. Daisy Gatson Bates Drive. Visitor entrance into the school is via free Ranger-led tours reserved in advance to guarantee participation. Interpreting the Civil Rights Movement with an emphasis on school integration, this National Historic Site focuses on the 1957 desegregation crisis that resulted when Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus ordered National Guard troops to prevent the first African American students, the "Little Rock Nine," from entering formerly all white Little Rock Central High School, leading to federal intervention by order of President Dwight Eisenhower.
Reviewed By YourHighnessK
This was the highlight of our trip with high school aged Girl Scouts. It is a beautiful high school with reflecting pond in front, and the Visitor Center contains a wealth of information about the integral role that the Little Rock Nine played in the Civil Rights movement after Brown v. Board. My scouts are about the same age as the Little Rock Nine were during that time. Seeing the school and the visitor center was an important lesson for the younger generation and a poignant reminder for the older generations. We definitely recommend for all ages and would visit again if in this area.
4. Old State House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 388 reviews
Built in 1836, this was the state's first capital building.
Reviewed By mariegleerup - Los Angeles, United States
Don't pass this one up -- what a terrific museum! We did not expect to spend more than an hour, but there was plenty to see (museum is free, also!). In May, curator Jo Ellen is opening two new areas: the Rock & Roll history of Little Rock, and The Governors of Arkansas. Both areas are fantastic, so if you're traveling to Little Rock, book yourself a couple hours to visit. We were able to view 28 of the 43 "first lady" inaugural gowns, which are impeccably displayed, with purse, shoes, coat and hat included.
5. Little Rock Arsenal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
The only remaining building of this former military base is the Arkansas Museum of Science of Museum and History, also the birthplace of Douglas MacArthur.
6. Historic Arkansas Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Recalling Arkansas' frontier days with restored pre-Civil War houses plus a museum center featuring full-scale galleries, interactive exhibits and more.
Reviewed By TravellingMagi - Wichita, United States
We decided to spend a few hours here while passing through Little Rock recently and were very glad we did. Great exhibits and the personal, guided tour of all of the outbuildings was a very nice touch that made you really feel as if you were walking back in time. I have family that live in Little Rock who said they've never been there, and that's a shame. It's a real nice piece of preserved history right there in your little city and is well worth the time and money to go and see. Parking can be a bit tricky, but if you're not in a hurry it is well worth the stop. Highly recommended place to visit.
7. MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History relates the military heritage of Arkansas and its citizens to a diverse and widespread audience. Located in the historic Arsenal Building in MacArthur Park--one of Central Arkansas's oldest surviving structures and the birthplace of one of this country's foremost military heroes--the museum collects, preserves, and interprets our state's rich military past from its territorial period to the present. Admission to the museum is free.
8. Arkansas Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
The Arkansas Arts Center is an art museum and active center for the visual and performing arts. Featuring a world-class international collection of art, live theatre productions, art classes, lectures, films, family programs, shopping and dining, the Arkansas Arts Center offers something for everyone. Visit today and find your inspiration!
Reviewed By TallTexWally
The Arkansas Arts Center is located in MacArthur Park, just south of 9th Street, where the Little Rock Arsenal was located during the Civil War. The birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur, which is now the Arkansas Military Museum, is adjacent to the Art Museum. There is plenty of parking outside the building. Admission is free, but there is a box for contributions. When I visited they had a special exhibit for Delta artists in one section of the museum. You just have to register at the front desk to gain admission to the Delta exhibit. Works of art, mainly paintings, but some sculptures, from artists from Arkansas and surrounding states were on display. Many of the artists were born in other states, but have moved to Arkansas. All the works were interesting, and showed a sense of style and sophistication. Other parts of the museum housed the permanent collection. One section was devoted to French Impressionists. There was another gallery devoted to the works of young artists. The museum is larger inside than you would think at first, and it takes time to wander from one room to the next. Arkansas is not a large state, compared to others, but this collection of art, for a small state, is worth a visit. I should also like to mention that the new Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, AR is also a very fine art museum, and should be visited, although it is quite a distance from Little Rock.
9. Museum Of Discovery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Reviewed By jeancazort
Took my four-year-old grandson here last week. After using up our two-hour public library parking time, we drove to the midtown Pizza Cafe for lunch, then back downtown for another two hours of fun. His favorite parts were the Pet Clinic and the Bed of Nails, which we kept coming back to. Also, the karaoke room (Old MacDonald) and a soft playground surrounded with netting to bounce around on. A few educational parts captured his interest, too--a dinosaur exhibit and anatomy display. A few of the science gizmos weren't working, and the place shows minor wear and tear, which is to be expected. However, it was an engaging place to spend the day. As an added bonus, the Stephens Nature Center is nearby with free admission. Be aware that parking is a challenge since the River Market District is one long congested street, President Clinton Avenue, with no side streets to park on. However, there is indefinite free parking a few blocks away at the Clinton Library on the east side of the district. Also, if you have a public library card, you can park in their lot for two hours without having to pay.
10. Arkansas School for the Deaf Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jkseshie
I visited ASD Museum to look for records of my mother Willie Mae Cremen's attendance. Our family knew very little about my mother, and she was unsure about the facts herself, because both of her parent's died when she was very young, she was orphaned twice, once at age two when her mother died and again age seven when her father died. We met Dale the founder and curator of the Historical Museum. While my daughter Traci Spencer, who is also an interpreter like me, and I looked for my mother's graduating class picture from 1938. Dale went to the vault where they keep the big book of registration and attendance and with white gloves, turned the pages suddenly, Dale came quickly toward us with a loud Deaf voice, come! I found something. A thrill of energy shot through me, this was the most emotional moment in my life, and Traci grabbed me and we shrieked with joy and quickly walked toward Dale. This meant everything to me, to hear he found something about my mother's attendance there at ASD. The records showed that my mother lost her hearing at age two by enlarged tonsils, mumps, and her records say she was "bright." meaning mentally smart. And I know this to be true, she was very clever and very talented. In other rooms in the Museum, I saw pictures of my mother's friends that I had met in person and her high school sweetheart, Ross Bailey. I have a picture of them together sitting arm in arm on the back of a 1930's car. I literally felt a tug in my heart like strings push through the bottom of my feet becoming roots, holding me there in Little Rock. My mother and I were both born in Bauxite, Ark. and we will both be buried in Benton, Ark. I will retire soon and hope to volunteer at the Museum someday. Dale was so kind to do more research after I left, and I got another thrill when I received more information about my mother, Dale sent me 8 articles that my mother had shared in The Arkansas Optic, school paper. My mom wrote articles, she was a swimmer, played dominoes, a girl scout, and was the Red Cross Treasurer. I feel like I know and understand my mother better since I visited the ASD Museum.
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