10 Best Things to Do in Little Rock, Arkansas

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Last Updated on December 15, 2023

view blue bridge downtown, one of the things to do in Little Rock — Downtown, Little Rock, where you’ll find some of the 10 best things to do in Little Rock

While it’s not known for its charisma, Arkansas’s capital does have its charm. In fact, it’s a good place to spend a long weekend getaway. Consider these 10 best things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas…

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

By Paige Ort

people dining at a restaurant, one of the things to do in Little Rock — Restaurant in the River Market District

Many know the Arkansas capital only for its ties to politics and social change in America. While the reputation of Little Rock, Arkansas is undoubtedly tied to Civil Rights issues and the Clintons in many minds, it also offers much more.

In fact, that “more” includes some unique and interesting attractions, such as the only museum of purses in the U.S. Also, many visitors are charmed by the city’s riverfront area, a world of good restaurants, clubs, cafes, and shops.

Others find charm in Little Rock imbibing locally made Arkansas whiskey and vodka. The city also supports an active lifestyle and is a favorite place for bicycling.

Better yet, since Little Rock is a lesser-known vacation spot, prices there are lower than other nearby cities. That $300 chain hotel in New Orleans, Atlanta or Memphis is less than half that price in Little Rock. Other travel costs follow suit.

To get you thinking, here are 10 best things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas.

women looking at purses in a museum — ESSE Purse Museum

ESSE Purse Museum

Of the three museums in the world dedicated to handbags, Little Rock is home to the only privately owned one. It’s one of the unique places to visit in Little Rock. And if you’re a woman who enjoys purses, this may be near the top of your 10 best things to do in Little Rock.

Named after the Latin infinitive for “to be,” the ESSE hosts an interesting tour that tells us about American history through women’s purses and their contents. In this museum, one learns that a purse isn’t merely something in which a woman keeps her possessions. It’s a glimpse into her life, her persona, and the world around her. It is a museum women will enjoy. There are also some very high-end purses for sale in its gift shop.

Visiting the modern Clinton Library, one of the things to do in Little Rock — The Clinton Library Museum

William J. Clinton Library Museum

Little Rock, Arkansas is also home to the park, library, and museum dedicated to the 42nd U.S. President. Some travelers, especially those interested in the best things in Little Rock that are historical, find it one of the top things to do in Little Rock.

Whether a fan of Bill Clinton or not, here you’ll learn a lot about his presidency and life outside of it. The short film featured in this museum will give those who are too young to remember the time a feel for the Clinton era. The museum is filled with relics of the Clinton presidency including the presidential limo, letters to him from citizens, gifts from other nations, and even a replica of the Oval Office.

people visiting bars and restaurants in the evening, one of the things to do in Little Rock — The River Market District

River Market District

You can’t visit downtown Little Rock without wandering through the River Market District, which despite its urban roots exudes a unique Arkansas country flavor. Day or night it’s one of the more popular places to visit in Little Rock. For many locals and visitors, it is certainly near the top of the best things to do in the city.

The area is filled with unique shops, many promoting health and vitality, and exudes a youthful, upbeat atmosphere. Here find everything from local fruit markets to coffee shops and restaurants of many genres. You’ll also want to check out the fascinating art galleries while you’re there.

The River Market District also provides a nightlife scene, with many bars and live musical entertainment, similar to what you’d experience on Beale Street in Memphis. It’s a perfect place in Little Rock to have dinner or a drink with your friends and listen to original Arkansas music.

woman looking at an exhibit in a museum — The MacArthur Museum

Little Rock’s Quapaw Quarter

Quapaw Quarter is a nine-square-mile area of Little Rock filled with the oldest buildings in the city, some dating back to 1870. If you’re interested in history or are with someone who is, you’ll likely find this to be one of the more interesting places to visit in Little Rock.

On 9th Street is The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which is also the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur. It’s a great Little Rock place to learn about the contributions of Arkansas men and women who served in the armed forces.

On Main Street, you’ll find the beautiful Bernice Gardens. If you come by Quapaw Quarter on Mother’s Day weekend, you can go on a tour of the area that lasts the entire weekend.

man filling liquor bottles in a distillery — Rock Town Distillery

Rock Town Distillery

Along with being a great place to have a drink, the Rock Town Distillery will show you how your favorite spirits are brought to life. This is a groundbreaking Little Rock spot, as it is where Arkansas’ first legal distillery opened following the end of prohibition. In fact, in bars and restaurants around the state, you’ll find many of Rock Town’s products.

It’s an award-winning family distillery where they serve some wonderfully made drinks. Take a tour and see where all the magic happens in turning grain into whiskey. As you might guess, there’s a tasting following the tour, where you get to sample the fruits of their labor. Now that certainly makes it one of the more interesting places to visit in the city

viewing an old mill in the forest, one of the things to do in Little Rock — The Old Mill

The Old Mill

Movie lovers will mark this as one of the 10 best things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas.

More than just providing a scenic view, it’s also seen in a famous American film. In the opening scenes of the iconic movie Gone with the Wind, you’ll find glimpses of this old mill. Out of all the structures used for the film, this is the only one that still remains today.

Other artifacts, such as two millstones laid out by Jefferson Davis, can be found here. You can experience this historic site on your own time or on a guided tour that will take about 30 minutes.

a gorilla in a zoo, one of the things to do in Little Rock — The Little Rock Zoo

Little Rock Zoo

If you’re an animal lover, the city’s zoo should be one of the places to visit in Little Rock. As the largest zoo in Arkansas, the Little Rock Zoo covers thirty-three acres and offers an in-depth glimpse into the appearance, behaviors, and lives of over 200 species of animals.

Immerse yourself in the wildlife by visiting the Heritage Farm, which allows visitors to get close to the animals. If you enjoy birds, head to Lorikeet Landing to feed the vibrantly colored lorikeets. Along with providing information about the animals, this zoo takes an active role in preserving the lives of endangered species by implementing the AZA Species Survival Plan.

Big Dam Bridge

Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge provides a vast scenic view, reaching across the entire Arkansas River. In fact, you won’t find a longer pedestrian and bicycle bridge in the United States. It provides quite a workout as you travel along its winding path above the lake.

If you don’t have a bicycle, never fear. You can rent one from the Trek Bicycle, the Community Bicyclist, and other bicycle-rental shops in Little Rock. In September, an annual bicycling tour takes place on this 4,226-foot long bridge known as the Big Dam Bridge 100.

a state capitol building at dusk — The State Capitol at dusk

Arkansas State Capitol

If you’re an Arkansan, the State Capitol is likely on your list of the 10 best things to do in Little Rock. It’s also suitable for out-of-staters who want to get a glimpse of “The Natural State’s” DNA. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century to emulate the appearance of the U.S. Capitol.

Inside you’ll learn more about past and present political figures through plaques, paintings, and numerous other items. You can even get a glimpse of the governor’s office to see lawmaking in real time. The state’s Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is also on the Capitol grounds.

visitors looking at an exhibit at Central High School, one of the things to do in Little Rock — Central High School National Historic Site

Little Rock Central High School

One of the very top 10 best things to do in Little Rock is to visit historic Little Rock Arkansas Central High School. The school is symbolic of the desegregation of public schools throughout the U.S. Still in use by approximately 2500 students, it is now a National Historic Site that is well worth visiting.

In 1957, three years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation in U.S. public schools unconstitutional, nine African American students, known as the “Little Rock Nine,” attempted to enroll at Little Rock’s Central High School but were denied entry at the direction of the governor. The confrontation and subsequent use of troops placed the school at the center of the nation’s integration struggle.

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The school,

All photos courtesy of Arkansas Parks and Tourism

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