Places to visit in Little Rock, AR.
There are plenty of things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas. The city offers various museums, restaurants, live music, and entertainment venues.
So whether you’re spending the afternoon shopping on Riverfront Drive or enjoying the peaceful scenery of Ouachita National Forest, a visit to Little Rock will have something you can enjoy.
The Old Mill
The Old Mill in North Little Rock is a unique tourist attraction. It is a re-creation of an 1800s water-powered grist mill. The mill is open to the public year-round, free of charge.
There is a small park near the mill with two picnic tables, and it is also handicap accessible. This is an excellent spot for a family picnic. The flowers are beautiful in the spring.
One of the many things that are cool about the Old Mill is that it’s free to enter. Although it was designed to look like an old and abandoned mill, it’s a modern-day recreation.
It was built in 1932 and donated to the City of North Little Rock in 1976. The Old Mill has been featured in a few movie credits and is the only structure to appear in the opening scenes of the 1937 film Gone With the Wind.
Museum of Discovery
The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas, is an interactive museum for children and adults alike. It is housed in a historic building in the River Market District on the Arkansas River. In addition to interactive exhibits, the Museum of Discovery offers many programs and events.
The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock will celebrate its 95th anniversary in 2022. It is the oldest museum in the state of Arkansas, making it the perfect place for families looking for a great weekend activity.
When the museum first opened, it was located in a downtown storefront on Main Street. Its goal was to provide cultural and educational opportunities for Arkansas citizens. Some of the first artifacts donated to the museum were taxidermy specimens.
The Museum of Discovery has been recognized as one of the best science museums in the United States. With over 90 hands-on exhibits and engaging programs, this museum provides fun, interactive learning for the whole family.
Little Rock Zoo
If you want to see some of the world’s most exotic animals, the Little Rock Zoo is a great place to visit. It is an accredited zoo that meets American Zoo and Aquarium Association standards.
In addition to the animals, the zoo offers education programs, special events, and animal encounters.
The Little Rock Zoo is also a conservation site. It is home to many endangered species. Many of the animals are up close and personal.
Some of the exhibits are based on the animals’ natural habitats, and others group similar animals together.
The zoo has a large gift shop, an excellent place to grab some souvenirs. In addition, there is a cafe inside.
For a more interactive experience, the zoo has an Arkansas Heritage Farm. This farm allows visitors to feed the goats through a barrier. You can also pet the goats and other animals.
Big Dam Bridge
The Big Dam Bridge in Little Rock, Arkansas, is one of the state’s crown jewels. It connects North Little Rock with Little Rock and is part of the Arkansas River Trail.
This bridge is famous for biking and walking. It is also a popular destination for bicycle races, such as the Joe Weber Arkie 100.
The bridge opened to pedestrians on September 30, 2006. Governor Mike Huckabee spoke at the opening, and Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln sang a song. In addition, a National Guard three-helicopter flyover was held.
The bridge is 4,226 feet long. Its deck is 14 feet wide and allows two-way traffic. At dusk, the bridge is illuminated. There are eight observation decks along the bridge. You can view the locks and the river below.
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM) is one of the most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. It was established in 2005 and is located on the Arkansas River. Two vessels, the USS Razorback and the tugboat Hoga, are on permanent display at the museum.
This museum is located on the North Shore Riverwalk Park in Little Rock. AIMM opened in May of 2005 and has welcomed nearly 300,000 visitors.
The museum’s main attraction is the USS Razorback (SS-394), which was commissioned in 1944 and served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.
After a period of abandonment, the Razorback was purchased by the state of Arkansas in 2004 and is docked in the Arkansas River.