Little Rock, Arkansas Tips? Hints? Ideas?

[Mouse13]

My folks are planning to take DS, age 12, over to Little Rock with them for a short vacation. They plan to visit the Clinton Presidential Center and the Museum of Discovery. Any thoughts on these two places or other places that they might enjoy? We'd also love to hear your thoughts on hotels and restaurants in the area. Thanks in advance!

 

[The Running Ann]

I have been to the Clinton museum twice and thought it was well worth the visit. The Old State House is also enjoyable. Depending on the time of year, the minor league baseball team (Arkansas Travelers) has a new stadium on the Arkansas River. That would be a fun way to spend an evening. I am afraid I can't speak about the Discovery Museum one way or another. However, the riverfront area has been developed over the last few years and there are a lot of opportunities in that general area.

For hotels, and if the budget permits, I would suggest The Peabody downtown. Even if you don't visit, it is fun to see the ducks do their march. Just call to verify the time. For a more reasonable alternative, there is an Courtyard Marriot downtown that has been built since the Clinton Museum. I think the Crowne Plaza is also pretty nice, but it is not in the downtown area (at all).

For dining, there are a lot of great options downtown. The cafe in the museum is actually quite good. Another favorite spot downtown for lunch is the Boulevard Bread Co. in the River Market, which has a lot of other local lunch spots open for casual and affordable dining during the day. In short, I would not miss the River Market, whether ending up at Boulevard or not.

Hope these ideas help!

 

[Mouse13]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and tips on Little Rock! I hadn't thought about the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. I'm sure it's out of our price range but DS would love to see them march through the lobby.

 

[mrsklamc]

I think Crater of Diamonds State Park is near there. It's on our 'to do' list.

 

[razorbackfan22]

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is right across the Arkansas River in North Little Rock. The USS Razorback submarine that saw service in WWII is the main attraction and is well worth a visit. Keep in mind that you have to climb down and up a ladder to do the tour.

http://aimm.museum/

The Crater of Diamonds State Park is located near Murfreesboro and is 120 miles southwest of Little Rock. It is neat, but there is little to no shade and summer in Arkansas can be brutal. A closer and awesome alternative state park is the Toltec Mounds State Park located about 20-25 minutes from downtown http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/toltecmounds/.

Another neat place for a 12 year old boy is the MacArthur Military Museum. Gen. Douglas MacArthur was born there and it has some great exhibits and is in the downtown area. http://www.arkmilitaryheritage.com/

If the Peabody is too pricey, they might be able to find a deal at the Doubletree next door or they can try the Courtyard by Marriott in the First Security Building (between the River Market and Presidential Library). The major mid-level chains are in west Little Rock, but that is only 10-15 minutes from downtown.

I hope they have a great time!

 

[razorbackfan22]

I almost forgot the Heifer Village just east of the Presidential Library. It is an interactive center showcasing the work of the Heifer Project charity. Very cool and interesting--http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.6135341/.

There are quite a few restaurants downtown although many a bit away from the River Market area are not open in the evenings or on the weekend. The Flying Fish across from the Museum of Discovery is good fish place and your son might enjoy the room filled with donated Big Billy Bass singing fish. Larry's Pizza is just on the edge of downtown and is a home-grown favorite. Specialty pizzas and servers who roam to bring you the hot pizzas make it great. North Little Rock has seen a revitalization of its Argenta (downtown) area and the Starving Artist Cafe is great for lunch. There is the Underground Pub in the River Market that is fun for lunch (good fish & chips) or you can go over the river to Cregeen's Irish Pub.

The are more national chains as you go to the west. Senor Tequila is great for moderately priced Mexican and there are multiple locations. Whole Hog BBQ has two locations and is a Little Rock original. The west LR location is next to the Old Mill Bread company that has incredible bread, sandwiches, and rolls.

I've just touched on some things in the downtown and west LR area. The Hillcrest and Heights areas are really neat with tons of great restaurants. The one restaurant that I would not recommend is Browning's Mexican Restaurant in the Heights. It is an institution and is disgusting-IMO.

Some of my favorite restaurants in Hillcrest are Canon Grill (Mexican) and U.S. Pizza. Burge's (sandwiches), Zaza's (pizza & salad), and Boulevard Bread Co. round out my favorites in the Heights.

Most of the national chains are in Little Rock, but I've tried to stick to local or regional establishments.

Thanks for reading .

 

[razorbackfan22]

Can you tell I love my hometown?

One of the neatest things in Little Rock is the Big Dam Bridge. It is the world's longest pedestrian bridge (or was when it opened) and is a really neat walk over the Murray Lock & Dam on the Arkansas River http://www.bigdambridge.com/. The trail and bridge system is truly amazing. I prefer the trails on the North Little Rock side to the LR side. The bridge and dam are beautiful at night with changing lights.

Now, doesn't everyone want to come to Little Rock?

 

[Loralei]

Funnily enough...I have lived in LR for about 10 years and haven't tried most of the things mentioned! I would have to second the Big Dam Bridge. It's beautiful...especially around sunset.

I have to add one restaurant to razorbackfan's Hillcrest list. Cafe Bossa Nova serves fantastic Brazilian Home Cooking. I've loved everything I've tried there!

There is also Lilly's Dim Sum Then Some in west LR if you like asian food. They support local farms as much as possible...so everything tastes really fresh.

I'm not sure where you (or your folks) are coming from, but if you aren't from the south...be prepared for the heat...I saw a sign that said it was 108 degrees today...

Also, nothing is really that far from anything else around here. So, if it sounds interesting, don't be deterred by the fact that it isn't in the same part of town as something else you are wanting to do.

If you have specific questions...let us know!

 

[nursetink]

I would also recommend the Big Damn Bridge. It is a great place to take a walk.

A few other restaurants to consider in the River Market area The Flying Burrito http://flyingburritoco.com/ , Gusano's Pizza http://www.gusanospizza.com/ , and I second The Flying Fish.

My girls enjoy The Museum of Discovery and The Heifer Village. I hope they have a great trip!

 

[Planogirl]

We always enjoyed going to Pinnacle Mountain State Park but we enjoyed doing a bit of hiking. Arkansas has the most amazing state parks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

They had a nice little zoo there many years ago. Not sure if it is still there or not.

 

[donald&daisy]

They had a nice little zoo there many years ago. Not sure if it is still there or not.

I'm not a fan of the LR zoo. It has had lots of issues over the years and closed a few times. The last few times I have driven by they seem to have the same construction areas as before.

Another economical option close to the Peabody/Doubletree is the Holiday Inn Presidential. Dbf and I stayed there last summer while taking the bar exam. It was nice, clean, quiet and had a fun theme. I got a great price through priceline.

We did stay at the Peabody in Memphis earlier this summer and the ducks are fun. I used hotwire to stay there and that made it more affordable.

I also like the Flying Fish and Juanita's for food. The Presidential Library is very nice too.

Of course, I enjoy the Fayetteville/NW AR area which is where I live!

 

[gulf breeze]

I live in NW Ar. and we went down back in April to L.R. We made a stop at The Old Mill for a picnic lunch and my kids had a blast running around there. There are bridges and an old mill to explore. Hot Spings is an hour away that has a hands on museum that we went to last year and we spent 5 hrs in there!! I think the kids liked it We stayed at the Holiday Inn out by the airport which was pretty nice. We also checked out the Peabody and the ducks are really fun!! If you get bored down there come on up!! We've got lakes and just up the road we've got Silver Dollar City theme park.

 

[Mouse13]

Wow, you all are amazing! Thanks again for all of your ideas and tips. This is going to be one great trip!

 

[razorbackfan22]

I live in NW Ar. and we went down back in April to L.R. We made a stop at The Old Mill for a picnic lunch and my kids had a blast running around there. There are bridges and an old mill to explore. Hot Spings is an hour away that has a hands on museum that we went to last year and we spent 5 hrs in there!! I think the kids liked it We stayed at the Holiday Inn out by the airport which was pretty nice. We also checked out the Peabody and the ducks are really fun!! If you get bored down there come on up!! We've got lakes and just up the road we've got Silver Dollar City theme park.

Just to let you know that The Old Mill is actually in North Little Rock. It's claim to fame was that it was featured in the opening credits of Gone with the Wind. Very cool!

 

[maroo]

Can you tell I love my hometown?

One of the neatest things in Little Rock is the Big Dam Bridge. It is the world's longest pedestrian bridge (or was when it opened) and is a really neat walk over the Murray Lock & Dam on the Arkansas River http://www.bigdambridge.com/. The trail and bridge system is truly amazing. I prefer the trails on the North Little Rock side to the LR side. The bridge and dam are beautiful at night with changing lights.

Now, doesn't everyone want to come to Little Rock?

I was just about to say this ... The Big Dam Bridge - besides its crazy name - (which always makes me laugh) - is pretty cool. Great photo spot. And if you happen to have a bike, it is a challenging but really fun bike ride!

I grew up in LR and there are lots of things there that I had no idea existed. Great thread.

 

[razorbackfan22]

A funny side note about the Big Dam Bridge is that horses were recently banned from the bridge. Seems that four riders and horses crossed the bridge and left massive deposits along the bridge. The numerous bikers, walkers, runners, parents with strollers were livid. It was written up in the paper a few times and the Quorum Court had to discuss it and decide on the ban. So if you want to use the BDB, remember to leave your horse at home .

 

[thewebbs5]

I agree with the Rivermarket area. It is great! Especially on the Farmer's Market Days. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I think. Down from the River Market is Peabody park. There are huge bolders for the kids to climb on, tunnels to go through and slides that bring them out of those tunnels. Plus there are fountains to play in. My kids love it there!! You can also go on the pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River.
There is a trolly that goes down through town also. It's cheap.
I also agree the Old State House is great. My younger kids especially like it. It's also free!
We always take a day in August to go visit the Clinton Library and then visit all the above mentioned places. Saturday August 14th is a free admission day to the library in honor of Clinton's birthday. The exhibit this year is Nature Unleashed. It's about hurricanes and earthquakes. Plus they usually hand out free Hope watermelons to the first 100 or so.

 

[agustinboucher]

Cafe Pisa is also a good restaurant. They serve nice Italian food for lunch and dinner.