Location: Little Rock
Top Things to do in Little Rock
5 Specialty Museums in Little Rock That You Shouldn't Miss
The Clintons may have put Little Rock on the map, but this charming and historic capital city offers plenty of reasons to keep it there. The Central High Museum tells the painful, powerful story of the city's racial struggles. Political buffs and Clinton fans will want to check out the State Capitol. Shoppers can spend hours at the River Market, a collection of tasty eateries and eclectic stores. Kids will be more than wowed by attractions such as the Children's Museum, the Museum of Discovery and the Zoo, famous for its eye-popping ape exhibit. Stay at a charming historic abode, an inviting bed and breakfast or a luxury hotel. Eat at fabulous restaurants and enjoy exciting nightlife. Little Rock has all the ingredients of a perfect weekend getaway.
Restaurants in Little Rock
1. Historic Arkansas Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Recalling Arkansas' frontier days with restored pre-Civil War houses plus a museum center featuring full-scale galleries, interactive exhibits and more.
Reviewed By TravellingMagi - Wichita, United States
We decided to spend a few hours here while passing through Little Rock recently and were very glad we did. Great exhibits and the personal, guided tour of all of the outbuildings was a very nice touch that made you really feel as if you were walking back in time. I have family that live in Little Rock who said they've never been there, and that's a shame. It's a real nice piece of preserved history right there in your little city and is well worth the time and money to go and see. Parking can be a bit tricky, but if you're not in a hurry it is well worth the stop. Highly recommended place to visit.
2. Arkansas School for the Deaf Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jkseshie
I visited ASD Museum to look for records of my mother Willie Mae Cremen's attendance. Our family knew very little about my mother, and she was unsure about the facts herself, because both of her parent's died when she was very young, she was orphaned twice, once at age two when her mother died and again age seven when her father died. We met Dale the founder and curator of the Historical Museum. While my daughter Traci Spencer, who is also an interpreter like me, and I looked for my mother's graduating class picture from 1938. Dale went to the vault where they keep the big book of registration and attendance and with white gloves, turned the pages suddenly, Dale came quickly toward us with a loud Deaf voice, come! I found something. A thrill of energy shot through me, this was the most emotional moment in my life, and Traci grabbed me and we shrieked with joy and quickly walked toward Dale. This meant everything to me, to hear he found something about my mother's attendance there at ASD. The records showed that my mother lost her hearing at age two by enlarged tonsils, mumps, and her records say she was "bright." meaning mentally smart. And I know this to be true, she was very clever and very talented. In other rooms in the Museum, I saw pictures of my mother's friends that I had met in person and her high school sweetheart, Ross Bailey. I have a picture of them together sitting arm in arm on the back of a 1930's car. I literally felt a tug in my heart like strings push through the bottom of my feet becoming roots, holding me there in Little Rock. My mother and I were both born in Bauxite, Ark. and we will both be buried in Benton, Ark. I will retire soon and hope to volunteer at the Museum someday. Dale was so kind to do more research after I left, and I got another thrill when I received more information about my mother, Dale sent me 8 articles that my mother had shared in The Arkansas Optic, school paper. My mom wrote articles, she was a swimmer, played dominoes, a girl scout, and was the Red Cross Treasurer. I feel like I know and understand my mother better since I visited the ASD Museum.
3. Heifer Village (Heifer International)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
Reviewed By U8479GUkellyk - Estero, United States
Heifer International is a world organization educating poor communities conservation and recycling, farming techniques, and livestock care. When you arrive there are very friendly and helpful volunteers to inform you about Heifer Intn'l. There are many global displays of the work they do in the USA and the world. There is an urban farm with many ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables that are developed for educational purposes in the communities they visit. Outside you can visit with the Alpacas, cow, goats, roosters, turkey and the caretakers who will answer all questions about the animals. Inside there is a cafe and gift shop. Nice pleasant relaxed visit.
4. Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By KChis
Great jewel in the River Market in Little Rock. Lots of activities offered. Aquarium, alligator feeding, etc. lots of educational opportunities. I built a bluebird house while I was there.
5. Esse Purse Museum & Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Dedicated purse museums in the world are rare jewels of history: Amsterdam, Seoul and Little Rock claim the distinction of being home to the three brick-and-mortar galleries in existence. ESSE Purse Museum at 1510 Main in the SoMa district of Little Rock opened its doors in late June 2013 to share what's inside the fabulous exhibit featuring over 500 artifacts. More than a fashion history, the museum showcases a compelling narrative of the 20th-century American woman - decade by decade - through the bags she carried and the contents within. The delightful displays of purses are complemented by carefully selected items women from each era carried - true history held in a handbag. Small photos in the displays and enormous backlit photos on the north wall show real women with their personal bags. Three cozy dioramas - "Nothing's More Natural Than Skin," "By Land, Sea or Air" and "A Night on the Town" - feature specialty purses, and a large, whimsical art installation addresses the essence of a woman, her handbag and the contents within. ESSE, which grew out of a traveling exhibit selected from owner Anita Davis' extensive collection of bags, is a privately-owned museum housed in a historic building in an up-and-coming, hip neighborhood, close to other world famous attractions like Central High School (the only school that is a national park) and the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park. More than just a trip down memory lane or history lesson, ESSE Purse Museum is a don't-miss experience. Museum hours are 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10, $8 for students (6-18), seniors (60 and up) and military. Children 5 and younger are free. Call for group rates and special tours.
Reviewed By TKS1227 - Newton, United States
A purse museum is only the beginning of the description. It’s a terrific history lesson about women throughout the 20th century: changing societal norms, fashions and evolving status. Each decade is a separate exhibit including the possessions women carried in their purses and the importance of various contents as well as other displays about different types of purses. The temporary exhibit was about hats and hat pins, so to speak hand-in-hand with purses. Terrific gift shop, come ready to grow your own collection!
