If you are entering Little Rock from I-430, you cannot miss the mammoth Pinnacle Mountain to the west, with its pointy, volcano-resembling top. The Pinnacle Mountain State Park, which is centered around this mountain, is a unique Arkansas treasure. There are multiple hiking options sure to please adventure seekers. There is also a family-friendly hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain. Plenty of picnic tables are available, and several campgrounds are nestled nearby. The park staff offers frequent events such as cookouts and puppet shows for families, along with survival lessons for adults.
Old Mill has been called the most picturesque spot in North Little Rock. The actual mill, which operated in the 1800s, provided the background for the opening scenes of 'Gone With the Wind'. Today, visitors can explore the inside of the mill or sit on the surrounding mushroom-shaped benches and watch the waterwheel churn. In the spring and early summer, flowers decorate the banks of the pond. You can take in the scenery while enjoying lunch at one of the numerous picnic tables in the surrounding TR Pugh Memorial Park.
Located in Little Rock, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is run in partnership with Little Rock public schools and the National Park Service. This regular high school came into the public eye when it was the site of desegregation in public schools during the Civil Rights Movement in 1957. The event gained national attention for its controversy, with many still being staunchly anti-integration at the time. After several attempts to enter and attend the school that was marred by violence, nine African-American students were finally escorted into the school by the U.S Army's 101st Airborne Division. This event provided a huge step towards equal civil rights in the American South, and all over the country. The site has a visitor center that displays a film and various exhibits centered around the Civil Rights Movement. Apart from this, there is a garden which has nine trees planted in honor of the Little Rock 9, who was at the center of the Little Rock Integration Crisis.
Discover the secrets of Arkansas' history in the oldest still-standing state capitol building to the west of the Mississippi River. Peruse permanent exhibits of Arkansas' women, President Clinton's journey to Washington, the first Arkansas House of Representatives, Arkansas' first families, period rooms and the State House's history. Special exhibits change various times per year, always featuring fascinating subject matter about the Natural State. Visitors may either take a self-guided tour of the museum or take one of the guided tours available each hour.
Journey back to the days before the Civil War forever changed Arkansas' history. The Historic Arkansas Museum, formerly known as the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, has preserved five antebellum homes, including the area's oldest building, the 1827 Hinderliter Grog Shop. Guests enjoy a guided living-history tour through the grounds as they learn the history of each building. The museum features several Arkansas art galleries and an interactive children's gallery.
Learn about the sacrifices made by brave Arkansans from the time the state was just a territory in the early 1800s up through the present day. This museum is fittingly situated in the historic Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal, which was built in 1840 to ward off attacks by Indians. The museum includes exhibits detailing the state's military history.
Just west of Downtown Little Rock lies the popular and historic neighborhood of Hillcrest. On the National Register of Historic Places, Hillcrest was established at the end of the 19th Century and continued to grow throughout the beginning of the 20th Century and beyond. One main characteristic of the area is the wide variety of interesting and aesthetically pleasing architectural styles of the homes. Within the Hillcrest Historic District are landmarks like Little Rock's former town hall. Hillcrest in recent years has become a hub of entertainment as well with numerous bars, restaurants, shops and galleries, among other things.
Pinnacle Mountain is the spectacular centerpiece of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Standing tall at an elevation of 1,013 feet (309 meters), the mountain towers above the park, being one of the highest natural landmarks in Pulaski County. Its Jackfork Sandstone topography is popular among hikers, bikers, and adventure enthusiasts visiting the park. A number of trails wind through the picturesque environs of the park, past rocky outcroppings and lush green trees. The hike is worth the beautiful views that the summit has to offer. Apart from its natural beauty, the mountain also holds Native American historical significance.
Firefighting involves tremendous courage and bravery, and the State Capitol Building hosts a Memorial as a symbol of everlasting respect to all the firefighters who have sacrificed their lives. The eleven-and-a-half foot tall statues represent the four main areas of firefighting:the origins, the paramedics, the wild land and forestry, and the modern day. What's more, the statues are designed by Paula Haskins, the wife of Fire Science Instructor Alan Huskins. Visit the Memorial for witnessing a lasting legacy of the braveheart.
If you are entering Little Rock from I-430, you cannot miss the mammoth Pinnacle Mountain to the west, with its pointy, volcano-resembling top. The Pinnacle Mountain State Park, which is centered around this mountain, is a unique Arkansas treasure. There are multiple hiking options sure to please adventure seekers. There is also a family-friendly hiking trail that leads to the top of the mountain. Plenty of picnic tables are available, and several campgrounds are nestled nearby. The park staff offers frequent events such as cookouts and puppet shows for families, along with survival lessons for adults.
Offering a myriad of outdoor recreational activities for visitors, the Julius Breckling Riverfront Park is a popular spot in Little Rock, Arkansas. Featuring multiple playgrounds for kids, beautiful sculptures and historical markers, this public park is highly regarded to be one of the best and most visited in the US. Stretching eleven blocks with the Arkansas River running parallel to it, this recreational park provides visitors with over 33 acres of scenic space and features many state attractions, such as the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, Junction Bridge, Little Rock Civil War Marker, Medical Mile, Peabody Splash Park, First Security Amphitheater and La Petit Roche Plaza, to name a few.