Little Rock Things to Do Tips by doug48 Top 5 Page for this destination

robinson center

joseph taylor robinson memorial auditorium also called the robinson center is named after arkansas senator and governor joseph robinson. this massive greek revival building is home to the arkansas symphony orchestra and hosts traveling broadway plays. joseph taylor robinson memorial auditorium is listed on the national register of historic places.

Address: 426 west markham street.

Directions: downtown.

Phone: 501-376-4781

Website: http://www.littlerockmeetings.com/

old state house

the old state house was built in 1843 and is the oldest existant capitol building west of the misssiisppi. this beautiful greek revival building was designed by architect giddeon shryrock who also designed the kentucky state capitol building. the old state house served as arkansas' state capital until 1911 when the new state capital building was constructed. the old state house is listed on the national register of historic places. today the old state house is home to museum of arkansas history. this interesting museum is well worth a visit when in downtown little rock. admission is free.

Address: 300 west markham street.

Directions: downtown.

Phone: 501-324-9685

Website: http://www.oldstatehouse.com/

oakland fraternal cemetery

the oakland fraternal cemetery is a historic cemetery located just south of downtown. during the civil war 2,073 union and 416 confederate soldiers were interned here. the oakland cemetery also has a african-american and jewish section. the oakland fraternal cemetery is listed on the national register of historic places and has an excellent collection of funerary art.

Address: 2101 barber street.

Directions: quapaw quarter, just south of downtown.

Phone: 501-372-6429

Website: http://www.oakland-fraternal.org/

quapaw quarter

the quapaw quarter is a section of downtown little rock known for it's historic antebellum and victorian homes. pictured is villa marie built in 1881. villa marie was used as the exterior of sugarbaker designs in the television show designing women. for those interested in architecture the quapaw quarter is a very worth while neighborhood to explore in downtown little rock. the quapaw quarter is listed on the national register of historic places.

Directions: area from mac arthur park to the east to central high school to the west. south of downtown.

Website: http://quapaw.com/

river market

the river market is downtown little rock's shopping and entertainment district. located on the arkansas river the river market has a public park and a collection of bars and restaurants. a fun place to visit for nightlife in downtown little rock.

Address: 400 president clinton ave.

Directions: downtown.

Website: http://www.rivermarket.info/

new pulaski courthouse

the new pulaski courthouse is located next to the old pulaski courthouse on west markham street. the new pulaski courthouse was built in 1912. this neo-classical building is listed on the national register of historic places.

Address: 400 west markham street.

Directions: downtown.

Phone: 501-340-8431

old pulaski county courthouse

the old pulaski courthouse was built in 1888. this interesting victorian building is listed on the national register of historic places. the old pulaski counthouse is currently used for county offices. for those interested in victorian architecture the old counrthouse is worth a look in downtown little rock.

Address: 401 west markham street.

Directions: downtown.

Phone: 501-340-8431

central high school

in 1957 little rock central high school received national media attention for the admittance of nine african-american students. in 1954 the supreme court ruling brown vs. the board of education mandated the desegreation of schools in the south. the little rock school board selected nine students to be admitted but they were turned away by governor orval faubus and the arkansas national guard. president dwight d. eisenhower federalized the national guard and sent the army 101 st division to force the admittance of the students. the students who became known as the little rock nine were admitted dispite white student protests. the desegegation of central high school was an important event in the 1950's and 1960's civil rights movement. little rock central high school is listed on the natiional register of historic places.

Address: 1500 south park street.

Directions: just south of downtown.

state capital

the current state capital building was built between 1911 and 1915 on the site of the old arkansas state penitentiary. prison labor was used for the construction of the building. this beautiful neo classical building is listed on the national register of historic places. the capital building is open for tours weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Address: 500 woodlane ave.

Directions: intersection of west capital street and woodlane ave. just west of downtown.

Phone: 501-682-5080

Website: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/

arkansas arts center

the arkansas arts center is the best art museum in little rock. their permanent collection is of american and european drawings and decorative arts. the museum also hosts traveling exhibitions from museums from around the world. for those interested in fine art the arkansas arts center is worth a stop when in downtown little rock. open tues-sunday, admission is free.

Address: 9 th and commerce streets.

Directions: mac arthur park, downtown.

Phone: 501-372-4000

Website: http://www.arkarts.com/