- Learn about the city’s role in the Civil Rights Movement at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
- Cheese dip is said to have been invented in Little Rock—try some of the best in the state at Dizzy’s.
- Explore 33 miles of trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, which is conveniently located within city limits.
- People watch at “Little Rock’s Front Porch,” The Capital Hotel.
- Go on an antiquing splurge along SoMa, which is filled with dozens of vintage and curio shops.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is about an eight-hour drive from my home in Atlanta, and it feels like each time I visit, the city has changed just a little bit, and there’s something new to check out.
Most recently, I traveled to the city to join the panel of judges for the World Cheese Dip Championship 2025. I spent my time shopping in South Main (affectionately called SoMa) and eating my way around the restaurants in the Heights. I’ve also used Little Rock as a jumping-off point for day trips, including to Clinton’s childhood home of Hope and Hot Springs National Park.
Officially founded in 1821 as the capital of the then-Arkansas Territory, Little Rock gets its name from an actual little rock, which still sits on the riverfront. In 1722, a French exploration party saw the rock on the Arkansas River and dubbed the site and the nearby bluff, “le petite roche” or “the little rock.” Originally, the area was Quapaw land, but it slowly became a well-known trading hub in the region for those traveling west.
Needless to say, Little Rock has had more than a few famous residents, including former president Bill Clinton and general Douglas MacArthur. Most people might associate Little Rock as the place where key events of the Civil Rights Movement unfolded in the 1960s, such as when the “Little Rock Nine” entered Central High School after the landmark 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education. The city pays homage to its history, but has bloomed into a modern metropolis, and there’s much to see and do in this Southern city. For example, it now has one of the only purse museums in the world, Esse Purse Museum—it’s a treat to visit for a handbag lover like myself.
Here’s what you need to know before visiting Little Rock, Arkansas.
Best Hotels & Resorts
Hotels in downtown Little Rock.
Tourism Arkansas
AC Hotel by Marriott Little Rock
This hotel is located in downtown Little Rock’s River Market District and occupies two buildings that are on the National Historic Register and were constructed in the early 20th century. However, the sleek guest rooms have all the modern bells and whistles travelers could hope for, and the restaurant and bar have daily European-style breakfast and happy hour.
The Capital Hotel
The Capital Hotel dates back to 1873 and has long been a favorite of traveling politicians, who used to come here to stay after a long day of work at the Old State House (now a museum). After a 2024 renovation, the historic Beaux-Arts gem is better than ever, with a revamped restaurant, The Capital Bar & Grill, and refreshed, luxurious rooms with well-stocked minibars and plush bedding.
The Empress of Little Rock
This handsome, historic inn is located in a meticulously preserved 1888 Victorian home and was previously used as a women’s college before its 1994 transformation. Each room is unique and named after significant figures in Arkansas history. The Hemingway Suite, set in the 1940s carriage house, has a Jacuzzi and balcony.
Urban Cottages of Little Rock
Stay like a local at Urban Cottages, a 1923 triplex in the Governor’s Mansion District with all the architectural charm the area is known for. Each cottage has original hardwood floors, Roku televisions, in-room coffee makers, and microwaves—best of all, a daily breakfast is included with the fee.
Best Things to Do
Exterior of the Little Rock Central Highschool.
Tourism Arkansas
Tour the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.
If you only visit one place during your time in Little Rock, it should be Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. The school played a role as the pivotal site where nine African American teens enrolled and entered the previously whites-only institution after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision. Little Rock Central High is actually still in operation as a four-year public high school, and it’s also a 28-acre park stewarded by the National Park Service. It now has a visitor center with exhibits, and regularly hosts ranger-led talks (you’ll need to make a reservation in advance to attend one).
See a faux oval Office at the Clinton Presidential Library.
The sprawling Clinton Presidential Library sits on the riverfront with hundreds of archival images and artifacts like gifts given by heads of state, all related to the state’s former governor and president, Bill Clinton. There’s also a replica of the Oval Office, which may be as close as you’re likely to get to the real thing.
Follow the history of purses over the last century.
You don’t have to be a sartorialist to appreciate the Esse Purse Museum, which opened in 2013 in SoMa, helping revitalize the old business district. Based on founder Anita Davis’ personal collection, it tells the story of women over the past century through the items they carry, with hundreds of purses, bags, and accessories. Don’t skip the gift shop, which also sells designer purses.
Admire works by Georgia O’Keeffe and Jackson Pollock.
The free-to-visit Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts dates back to 1914, when the Fine Arts Club of Arkansas was founded with the intent to open the first permanent art gallery in the state. The fruits of their efforts resulted in this 14,000-object permanent collection, which spans Renaissance drawings to modern sculpture. Its most recent expansion in 2023 restored the Art Deco exterior and added a modern wing to accommodate a performing arts center.
Hit the trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
It’s easy to forget you’re in a city when wandering through the over 2,300-acre Pinnacle Mountain State Park, which is located on the edge of Little Rock. The sprawling site has 33 miles to hike and mountain bike, two rivers, a cypress swamp popular for canoeing, and its eponymous mountain is perfect for rock climbers. Visitors can also sign up for kayak tours and ranger talks while they’re here.
Best Restaurants
A plate from Wright’s Barbecue.
Wright’s Barbecue
Dizzy’s
Dizzy’s has been a Little Rock classic since 1995, with things like Reuben sandwiches and black bean soup on the menu. Not to mention, it’s frequently a winner at the World Cheese Dip Championship.
George’s Little Rock
Most restaurants in town lean more casual, but George’s Little Rock in the Heights is great for special occasions and date nights. The restaurant is located in an old home, serves house-made pasta, and has a speakeasy, Barnaby’s, in the back—it’s more than worth the wait.
Rex’s Restaurant
Rex’s Restaurant is a playful SoMa eatery with a menu filled with comfort food classics like tuna melts, as well as Asian-inspired dishes like kimchi grilled cheese and Thai tea cheesecake. Be sure to try one of the craft cocktails, too, such as the Blueberry Bourbon Smash, which features sesame fat-washed whiskey, blueberries, and a dash of lemon.
The Root Cafe
“The Root Cafe is one of the first farm-to-table restaurants in Little Rock. It has delicious food and is thriving,” says Davis. Decorated with charming secondhand art and furniture, this SoMa mainstay has been in business for 14 years and utilizes ingredients sourced directly from local farmers to make fun creations like curry chicken salad and spicy banh mi.
Wright’s Barbecue
Arkansas is known for its unique style of barbecue, and Wright’s Barbecue is one of the top spots in town to enjoy smoked meat such as brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork. Don’t miss out on the barbecue nachos and loaded mac and cheese, which is topped with a generous helping of pulled pork.
Best Time to Visit
Exterior of the Historic Arkansas Museum.
Tourism Arkansas
“The best time of year in Little Rock is fall or early spring,” says Davis. Every spring, the city hosts a Mardi Gras celebration in SoMa complete with parades, floats, and live music. And despite the toasty summer heat, June is great for events like Little Rock Pride and the World Cheese Dip Championship. For the cheese dip championships, you’ll want to bring something like a muffin tin to hold all your samples from the various competitors. But if you’re hoping to plan a visit during a time with pleasant weather, fall is perhaps the best time. That’s also when you’ll catch the Arkansas State Fair, which is held over several days in October at the fairgrounds southwest of downtown.
How to Get There
Most travelers will reach Little Rock via Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), which serves all the major airlines with direct flights to and from other U.S. major cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, and beyond. From there, it’s just a short 10-minute drive (about five miles) to the heart of Little Rock.
Little Rock is also served by Amtrak’s Texas Eagle route, which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles. Otherwise, your best bet is to drive—the city sits at the crossroads of Interstates 30 and 40.
Neighborhoods to Visit
Businesses in Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.
Tourism Arkansas
Downtown
This is where most travelers will find themselves, since this is where the majority of the city’s hotels are located. Downtown is pretty walkable and has plenty of restaurants and attractions, such as the Old State House and the Historic Arkansas Museum. Nearby, you’ll find the River Market District, a popular dining and nightlife destination.
SoMa
SoMa, or South Main, is a mural-filled neighborhood—this is definitely where the cool kids of Little Rock hang out. You’ll find plentiful shops, restaurants, art galleries, and museums like Esse, and the neighborhood regularly hosts events, like Mardi Gras and Pride. There are also some hidden landmarks, according to Davis. “The Bernice Garden is named for my grandmother, and its sculptures [all come] from Arkansas,” she says.
Pettaway Square
Pettaway Square is an up-and-coming neighborhood south of downtown, named after its eponymous park. It’s home to Paper Hearts Bookstore, a cozy and thoughtfully curated shop selling new and gently loved titles—and it also has a coffee shop, a beer bar, and a restaurant.
The Heights
Named for its high location on the river bluffs, The Heights is a beautiful residential area with historic homes. You’ll also find local shops, including the big-box grocery stores here, as well as local favorites like George’s.
How to Get Around
A park walkway by the Broadway Bridge.
Tourism Arkansas
Little Rock is a modestly sized city, but big enough that you can’t walk everywhere you might want to go. If you rent a car, parking is fairly plentiful in the city, especially in neighborhoods like SoMa.
Uber is an option, but, in my opinion, there isn’t an abundance of drivers, so you might be waiting a while for a car. Lime scooters are available, which can help fill in the gaps in distances. Little Rock also has a public transit system, Rock Region Metro, which includes buses and the historic streetcar, which loops around downtown.