Known for its warm southern hospitality, Little Rock is uniquely packaged as a metropolitan city offering the ease and comfort of home for visitors. As Arkansas’s Capital City, our destination is truly a collection of distinctive neighborhoods, with a variety of entertainment options, a wealth of extraordinary sightseeing and shopping opportunities, excellent restaurants, museums, family fun and one-of-a-kind attractions. This guide has been divided into neighborhood sections for your exploration convenience.

Little Rock’s accommodations are as varied as the city’s landscape, ranging from modern and historic luxury, to affordable and comfortable name-brand properties. Dining out in Little Rock is a Capital idea. Whether you like home-style southern cooking, prime aged steak, fresh seafood, fusion cuisine, or more of a heart-healthy fare, our chefs offer the state’s best selections.

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From the Clinton Presidential Library downtown in the River Market district to the award-winning zoo in mid-town, Big Dam Bridge in the Riverdale area and an abundance of shopping in West Little Rock, you’re sure to find excitement here. Beauty, location, amenities, and affordability are coupled with warm southern hospitality. It’s no wonder Little Rock entices visitors from far and wide.

For more information about everything to see and do in our great destination, visit LittleRock.com or stop by one of our Visitor Information Centers: Historic Curran Hall, Little Rock National Airport, Robinson Center, Statehouse Convention Center, and Shop the Rock. With so much to see and do, we are confident you’ll have an incredible experience and amazing time in central Arkansas!

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Sincerely,

Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau

THE FUN BEGINS DOWNTOWN

Downtown is known for its nightspots, live music, Farmers’ Market, cultural venues and commerce. You’ll find the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Heifer Village, the Arkansas Arts Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Old State House just to name a few of the must see attractions downtown. The River Market area offers a multitude of dining options and nightly entertainment venues. Most of the activity in the River Market is within walking distance from downtown hotels, so put on your walking shoes and go for a stroll.

Downtown Attractions
Downtown Dining Guide
Downtown Shopping Guide

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ARGENTA

Argenta is the name of North Little Rock’s historic downtown located just across the bridge from the River Market District. The area was first platted in 1866, and its name recognized the importance of silver mines located north of town. Now, it’s one of central Arkansas’s fastest growing spots. Dickey-Stephens Park — the home of the Arkansas Travelers baseball team — Verizon Arena, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the U.S.S. Razorback submarine can all be found in Argenta. The area has its own market and deli and boasts several great restaurants. There are art galleries and even a bead shop on Main Street. Make sure you take in a sunset cruise on the Arkansas Queen steamboat and that you hop aboard the River Rail Trolley for a sightseeing tour through the historic area.

Argenta Attractions
Argenta Dining Guide
Argenta Shopping Guide

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WELCOME TO RIVERDALE

Riverdale is often referred to as the “Design District” of Little Rock because it serves as home to some of the state’s most talented designers. The restaurants in Riverdale offer some of the best cuisine in town in a friendly, neighborhood setting. For those who love the outdoors, Murray Park has a number of activities, including trails that lead all the way to the Big Dam Bridge for cycling or walking, a playground for the kids and even a dog park for four-legged companions. If you’re looking for a leisurely way to spend the afternoon, there’s golfing at Rebsamen Park, fishing along the banks of the Arkansas River and a multi-screen movie theatre for your enjoyment.

Riverdale Dining Guide
Riverdale Shopping Guide

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HILLCREST

Like its many architectural styles, Hillcrest is a charming blend of the eclectic and the artistic positioned along Kavanaugh Boulevard south of Cantrell Road. This quaint neighborhood, one of the first in Little Rock, is home to many of Little Rock’s up-and-coming artists and musicians, distinguished college professors, lawyers and architects, as well as notable writers and editors. Hillcrest is one of the most delightful areas of the city and definitely a welcoming environment for visitors. Dubbed the city’s “most walkable neighborhood” by its residents, Hillcrest is filled with shops offering the latest in clothing and home design, art galleries and collectibles. At night, the neighborhood’s hot spots come alive with food, live music and laughter. For those who want to golf, fish, bike or just take a hike, there are a number of parks in Hillcrest, along with two major parks nearby.

Hillcrest Dining Guide
Hillcrest Shopping Guide

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WELCOME TO MIDTOWN

Midtown bridges downtown with West Little Rock, while bringing its own unique brand of Southern hospitality to the neighborhood. But don’t let that fool you, Midtown is home to a number of nationally-recognized and award-winning medical centers, including St. Vincent, UAMS and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Campus—where the nation’s next generation of doctors and nurses are in training. It’s also home to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While residents work hard, they love to play hard, too. It’s not unusual to hear the echo of a hog call at War Memorial Stadium or the ping of a golf ball being driven off the tee at the golf course. The big news on the block is that the Little Rock Zoo is in the process of making room for a new penguin exhibit, and it won’t be long before the Central Arkansas Library System opens a children’s branch in Midtown.

Midtown Attractions
Midtown Dining Guide
Midtown Shopping Guide

THE HEIGHTS

Sophisticated, cool and definitely, oh so chic, the Heights area begins at the top of Cantrell hill just a short distance from downtown. This neighborhood is one of the city’s first and is home to picturesque tree-lined streets and elegant homes. Shoppers can find a wide range of stores, from fine apparel and jewelry to the oldest florist in town. There’s a spa, outdoor equipment company, toy store and many of the city’s best fine art retailers. Bring your appetite with you because the Heights offers several culinary delights ranging from fresh Chinese cuisine to sushi, seafood, Tex-Mex favorites, pasta and hand-tossed pizzas and gelato. If you’re looking for something sweet, the area has its own cupcake shop along with a premium ice cream store and an all-natural yogurt chain offering fresh fruit parfaits and probiotic smoothies. No visit to the Heights would be complete without a leisurely stroll along the neighborhood’s promenade on Kavanaugh Blvd. It’s a great place take a run or Fido for a walk.

Heights Dining Guide
Heights Shopping Guide

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CANTRELL ROAD

From downtown Little Rock to the far reaches of the city, Cantrell Road, which starts out as LaHarpe Boulevard at the River Market before morphing into Cantrell Road, is well known. This scenic road winds past the Arkansas River, then through Riverdale and the Heights before arriving in west Little Rock. Once it crosses I-430, Cantrell Road is sometimes referred to as Highway 10.

Cantrell Road Dining Guide
Cantrell Road Shopping Guide

WEST LITTLE ROCK

From unique and trendy mom-and-pop’s to the biggest big-box, mini malls and lifestyle centers and all forms in-between, west Little Rock can best be described as the state’s “Shopper’s Paradise.” No trip to the city is complete without devoting a day or two to this section of the city. While “Shop ‘til You Drop” could easily be West Little Rock’s battle cry, there’s more to this area than the hunt for a bargain. In addition to shopping and movies, there’s golfing, biking and hiking, just to name a few outdoor activities. After a full day, West Little Rock’s lineup of restaurants is second to none, from 1950s-style burgers and award-winning barbeque to exquisitely prepared steaks, seafood, Asian and more.

West Little Rock Dining Guide
West Little Rock Shopping Guide

SOUTH WEST LITTLE ROCK

Perhaps more than any other section of the city, Southwest Little Rock has developed its own flavor and is loaded with a variety of authentic ethnic restaurants. Located south of 12th Street to Geyer Springs and 65th Streets and along a stretch of Interstate 30, this area offers a growing selection of authentic Mexican fare. Southwest Little Rock also serves up tasty down-home plate lunches, real Southern barbeque, Italian offerings, Chicago-style hotdogs, hot wings and other culinary delights.

South West Little Rock Dining Guide

WELCOME TO NORTH LITTLE ROCK

Known throughout Arkansas as the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the area, North Little Rock offers a number of professional sporting events such as baseball and arena football. There’s golf, soccer, tennis and more at Burns Park, the area’s largest urban park. And there’s never a dull moment at Verizon Arena with a lineup that runs from professional football to the latest music headliners. For those who prefer bargain hunting, the shopping options are second to none. In other words, North Little Rock packs a lot into its borders. And while the area continues to grow, this big Arkansas town has maintained its small town ambiance. The historic Old Mill—famous for its role in “Gone with the Wind”– is a must see.

North Little Rock Attractions
North Little Rock Dining Guide
North Little Rock Shopping Guide

MORE TO DO IN LITTLE ROCK

On Stage

City Nights (in PDF format)

City Parks (in PDF format)

Children’s Attractions

On the Silver Screen

Accomodations (in PDF format)

Little Rock/North Little Rock Map (in PDF format)

River Rail Streetcar Route (in PDF format)

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