Central Arkansas, Arkansas
Little Rock and North Little Rock form the vibrant heart of Arkansas. The two cities and their neighboring towns comprise a metropolitan area of some 500,000 people in central Arkansas. This metropolis, as well as Conway, Searcy and Cabot, and nearby cities in the central region, offer a cosmopolitan mix of historic attractions, imaginative shopping opportunities, fine dining, nightlife and creative arts and fine hotels.
A grand collection of museums offers something for every taste - from art to history to aerospace. And the Quapaw Quarter of restored 19th-century homes is one of the country's finest examples of bringing an older neighborhood back to life through adaptive reuse. Be sure to visit the new River Market in Little Rock for tastes of exotic cuisines and the freshest of produce from nearby farms in season.
Extensive park systems in both cities provide the chance to play golf or tennis, fish for lunkers in the Arkansas River or on area lakes, hike leafy trails, talk to the animals in the park-like Little Rock zoo or picnic in beautiful natural settings.
Central Arkansas is an ideal staging area for your Natural State vacation. Its big city tempo exists side by side with small-town charm. Discover Central Arkansas's winning ways for yourself.
Explore Central Arkansas
Bald Knob Lake
Bald Knob Lake was built in 1960 as a 217-acre reservoir for the city waterworks. Bass, crappie, bream and catfish are popular catches. The lake is restricted to 10
Bald Knob, AR RecreationI-30 Speedway
Directions: County Line Exit 126 off I-30 Racing IMCA modifieds, hobbies, street and hobby stocks on one-fourth mile clay oval Saturdays at 8 p.m. from mid-March until late October
Little Rock, AR SpeedwaysJoe Hogan Fish Hatchery
One of the world's largest working fish hatcheries annually produces catfish, largemouth bass, bream, crappie, striped bass and hybrid striped bass. Aquariums, bird watching, fish farming methods; tours available
Lonoke, AR Fish HatcheriesBear Creek Lake
The 625-acre Bear Creek Lake was constructed atop Crowley's Ridge in east central Arkansas in 1938. It lies within the north end of the St. Francis National Forest, and two national scenic byways - the Great River Road and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway, pass nearby.
Bald Knob, AR RecreationCenter on the Square Dinner Theatre
Center on the Square is a regional, non-profit performing arts center that presents dinner theater shows, children's theater, musicals, and a variety of other presentations.
Searcy, AR TheatresLake Beaverfork
Lake Beaverfork lies along the east side of Ark. 25, north of the Conway city limits. There is a boat ramp available for boating, fishing and skiing. The park also has picnic, sports and swimming areas.
Conway, AR RecreationLee Brady Visitor Center
Directions: Located on the grounds of Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery Displays including aquariums and mounted species native to the area
Lonoke, AR Visitors CentersGator Park
Two 18-hole miniature golf courses; go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, dirt track, slick track, paintball and video games
Little Rock, AR ParksLittle Rock Central High School
The site of a major test in 1957 of the Civil Rights act where nine (the Little Rock Nine)
Little Rock, AR Historic SchoolhousesWoolly Hollow State Park
Woolly Cabin, the home of the area's first settlers, offers a historic perspective to the hollow; Lake Bennett offers swimming, fishing and boating; park includes campsites, picnic area, pavilion, gift shop, trail; boat, canoe and bike rentals
Greenbrier, AR State Parks