Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called la Petite Roche (French: "the little rock"). Archeological artifacts provide evidence of Native Americans inhabiting Central Arkansas for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The early inhabitants may have included the Folsom people, Bluff Dwellers, and Mississippian culture peoples. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.8 square miles (303 km2), of which, 116.2 square miles (301 km2) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) of it (0.52%) is water.
There are the 10 popular things to do in little rock arkansas:
1. The Statehouse Convention Center
The Statehouse Convention Center is a convention center and indoor arena in Little Rock, Arkansas. The center has exhibition space of 220,000 sq ft (20,000 m2). It was home of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans men's basketball team in the 1980s.
2. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located just over a mile from the northwest edge of Little Rock, AR, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. The primary natural feature of the 2,000 acre park is Pinnacle Mountain with an elevation 1,011 feet (308 m). It rises over 750 feet (230 m) above the nearby Arkansas River, which sits at about 250 feet (76 m) above mean sea level. A number of hiking trails are in the park. Two of the most popular trails ascend to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain: The West Summit Trail is one of the most heavily used trails in Arkansas, while the East Summit Trail ascends even more steeply up several rock scrambles. The 3.5 mile Base Trail loops completely around the base of Pinnacle Mountain and connects the East and West Summit Trailhead areas. Two interpretive trails are the Arkansas Trail through the Arkansas Arboretum and the Kingfisher Trail next to the Little Maumelle River. The 223-mile (359 km) Ouachita National Recreation Trail has its eastern terminus in the park, near the visitor's center. The Rocky Valley Trail also starts near the park visitor's center and forms a two mile loop. The East Quarry Trail spurs off the Rocky Valley Trail midway through the loop to climb in elevation along the east end of the park, providing views of Pinnacle Mountain and the Arkansas River.
3. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls
Magic Springs and Crystal Falls is an amusement park and water park located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, about 50 miles from Little Rock. A single price admission includes all day use of the rides and attractions in both parks. The park is open weekends from April through October and daily late-May through mid-August. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls was opened in the late 1970s, closed in 1995, and reopened in 2000. Magic Springs and Crystal Falls is owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by Amusement Management Partners, LLC.
4. Little Rock Zoo
The Little Rock Zoo was founded in 1926 and is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It is presently home to more than 725 animals representing over 200 species, and covers an area of 33 acres (13 ha). The Zoo is split into four zones, North, South, East, and West.The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a private 501 c (3) organization that raises funds for Zoo development.The Little Rock Zoo is a department of the city of Little Rock. It is the largest zoo in Arkansas, and the only Arkansas zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
5. Arkansas Museum of Discovery
The Museum of Discovery: Arkansas' Museum of Science & History, is located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The museum is housed in a historic building in the River Market District on the Arkansas River. The Clinton Presidential Center is within walking distance. Prolific writer and prohibitionist, Bernie Babcock, established The Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities in 1927 in response to criticism from H.L. Mencken that Arkansans were "bumpkins" who lacked cultural centers. In 1942, the Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal was renovated due to the efforts of the Aesthetic Club, Little Rock philanthropist Frederick W. Allsop, and the Works Progress Administration. It would become the new home of The Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, and remain there for some fifty-five years.
6. Little Rock River Market District
The Little Rock River Market District is the downtown area of Little Rock, Arkansas along the Arkansas River. It consists of the area east of Cumberland Street to the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park east of Interstate 30 and south of the Arkansas River to the Arkansas Arts Center. The River Market District is home to art galleries, museums, theatres, concert halls, and other entertainment venues. The Arkansas Arts Center is the state's second largest art museum and the largest in central and southern Arkansas. Located in MacArthur Park, this museum contains works of fine artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso. The Arkansas Reparatory Theater, the State's largest live theater, is located less than a quarter-mile from the district and contains the state's largest plays and shows. If you're looking to eat, than the River Market district also contains many restaurants and bars. The Museum of Discovery is one of Arkansas' largest and is the most prominent science museum in the state.
7.Historic Arkansas Museum
The Historic Arkansas Museum, sometimes called HAM, is a state history museum in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The museum maintains gallery space and a number of historic buildings original to the site, as well as log structures transported from around the state. It was previously known as the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, but the name was changed when new exhibit space and renovations were completed in the early 2000s.[citation needed] The museum is an affiliate within the Smithsonian Affiliations program.
8. Old State House (Little Rock)
The Old State House is a historic building in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. It is the oldest surviving state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. It is known best as the site of President Bill Clinton's election night celebration in 1992.The Old State House was commissioned by Territorial Governor John Pope and was constructed between 1833 and 1842. Architect Gideon Shryock, who had previously designed the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, chose a Greek Revival style for the building. The original design was too expensive for the territory, so Shyrock's assistant George Weigart changed the plans and oversaw construction. The building continues to serve as a museum with exhibits related to Arkansas history and culture. Permanent collections include Civil War battle flags, the inaugural gowns of governors' wives, Arkansas art pottery, and African-American quilts. Special exhibits are staged periodically as well.
9. Big Dam Bridge
Originally intended to be called Murray Bridge, the Big Dam Bridge in Arkansas spans the Arkansas River and Murray Lock and Dam between Little Rock and North Little Rock and is open only to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. At 4,226 feet (1288 m) in length it is the longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge in North America that has never been used by trains or motor vehicles. It rises to 90 feet (27 m) over the Arkansas River and 30 feet (9.1 m) over the dam. The span over the river is 3,463 feet (1055 m), with the ramps on either side of the river accounting for the rest of the length. The southern end of the bridge is near Little Rock's Murray Park, while the northern end is at Cook's Landing Park in North Little Rock
10. Clinton Presidential Center
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is the presidential library of Bill Clinton. The center was established by Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States. It is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. It is the thirteenth presidential library to have been completed in the United States, the eleventh to be operated by the National Archives and Records Administration and the third to comply with the Presidential Records Act of 1978. It is situated on 17 acres (69,000 m2) of land located next to the Arkansas River and Interstate 30 and was designed by architectural firm Polshek Partnership, LLP with exhibition design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates.
