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 RecreationWoolly 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 ParksCadron Settlement Park
Directions: Five miles west of Conway on U.S. 64; two miles south on Ark. 319
Conway, AR ParksI-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 SpeedwaysClinton Presidential Center & Park
Directions: From Little Rock National Airport, take Interstate 30 off I-440 to Exit 140-A and 140-B. From downtown Little Rock's River Market District, use exit 141-A off Interstate 30. The Clinton Presidential Center is easily visible from the highway when crossing the Arkansas River.
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 SchoolhousesJoe 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 HatcheriesCenter 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 TheatresMacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Directions: This historic museum is situated on the grounds of MacArthur Park located at I-30 and 9th Street in downtown Little Rock. Located in the historic tower building of the Old Arsenal, a National Historic Landmark. Birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur in 1880
Little Rock, AR Military HistoryCentral Arkansas Library -- Main Branch
State-of-the-art library occupies a former furniture warehouse in the River Market district. GROUPS: Meeting rooms free during library hours; multi-purpose facility with formal garden and catering kitchen can accommodate up to 250 during or after hours.
Little Rock, AR Libraries