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 RecreationRialto Theater
Opened in 1923 and remodeled with splashy neon lighting in the 1940s, it is one of only a few historic theaters that maintains a daily schedule, with matinees on weekends.
Searcy, AR TheatresGator Park
Two 18-hole miniature golf courses; go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, dirt track, slick track, paintball and video games
Little Rock, AR ParksArkansas Arts Center
World class art exhibitions; seven galleries; internationally recognized drawing collection; "Best Impressions" restaurant offers soups, salads, entrees, desserts; museum shop; Children's Theatre; over 10
Little Rock, AR ArtsI-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 SpeedwaysHistoric Arkansas Museum
Directions: Located in the heart of downtown Little Rock two blocks southeast of the Peabody Hotel and within short walking distance of the River Market district. Visit the state'
Little Rock, AR MuseumsAerospace Education Center
Directions: I-440 Airport Exit The Aerospace Education Center is home to Arkansas's 300-seat IMAX Theater. The IMAX delivers a true "you are there"
Little Rock, AR ArtsLittle Rock Tours
Daily sightseeing tours of Pulaski County; four DVD monitors with surround sound show video and movie clips about the area;
Little Rock, AR ToursArkansas State Capitol
A scaled-down replica of the nation's Capitol in Washington, DC. Construction started in 1899 and the Arkansas legislature continues to meet in the historical building. Located on the grounds are several monuments: Vietnam Veterans; Arkansas Police Officer Killed in Action;
Little Rock, AR State CapitolsClinton 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 Museum
Located in a renovated Mobil Service Station across from Central High School National Historic Site, the permanent exhibit, "All the World is Watching Us: Little Rock and the 1957 Crisis" details the events of the 1957
Little Rock, AR Museums