Welcome to Arkansas, the state that gave us more than just the breathtaking beauty of the Ozarks—it’s also the birthplace of President Bill Clinton and the soothing waters of Hot Springs. Want to take a chance at finding a diamond? Then, grab your hiking boots, embrace your inner adventurer, and let’s explore a land where the rivers run deep, and the hospitality is as warm as a summer breeze. Welcome to Arkansas, a hidden gem, where the only thing you’ll regret is not having visited sooner.

ACTIVITIES in little rock

Old Mill
Visit the picturesque Old Mill. The vibrant blue water makes the entire space feel enchanted, like you’re in a fairy tale. 

Arkansas State Capitol
The Arkansas State Capitol building is just so regal-looking. It kind of reminds us of the White House in Washington, DC. It’s worth a quick peak if you’re in the area. You can take a free guided tour Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

Central High School
Central High School is a public high school that is nationally known for its role in the desegregation of American schools. In 1957, nine African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine, enrolled at Central High School, despite fierce resistance from white supremacists. The Little Rock Nine were escorted to school each day by federal troops, and they faced daily harassment and threats of violence. However, they persevered and graduated in 1958, helping to pave the way for desegregation across the country. It is a National Historic Site according to the National Park Service. Since this is an active high school, you don’t go inside of the school, but you can visit the park’s designated Visitor Center to learn more about the school and its significance in desegregation. The Visitor Center is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Walk junction bridge
This former railway bridge is now a pedestrian and bicycle bridge, crossing over the Arkansas River between downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock and offers stunning views of both cities. Walk it during the day, or drive by at night to see it all lit up!

Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden
If you’re looking to stretch your legs, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is the perfect place to do so! Located on the banks of the Arkansas River, you can walk for a couple miles and see various sculptures with a waterfront view. You can also see “the Little Rock”, which is a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River. Early river traffic would use the rock as a landmark.

William J. Clinton Library and surrounding area
We spent about 2.5 hours walking around this area and felt like we saw a good amount. There is parking at the library and at the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. Depending on the time of day you visit, parking may cost a few dollars or be free.

William J. Clinton Library
Did you know that most presidents have libraries built in their home states? The William J. Clinton Library is a pretty cool, modern building. We got a late start and the library was already closed by the time we visited, but we appreciated the outside. It’s open Monday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission ranges between $10 and $12 per person. When we visited there was also an art exhibit on the lawn called “Cool Globes”, with artfully decorated globes designed to raise awareness about climate change. 

William E. Clark Wetlands At The Clinton Presidential Park
The wetlands offer 13 acres of restored wetlands. We’re suckers for a good boardwalk trail, so we decided to walk around the boardwalk area near the library which took about 30 minutes, but you can continue on other trails for miles. 

Fort Smith
We stopped at Fort Smith, a town on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, to break up a long drive. While I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit, unless you’re a history buff, it was a nice stretch stop. The city is sprinkled with graffiti murals, restaurants, and the Fort Smith National Historic Site, where you can learn about the Western Expansion 

Garavan Woodland Gardens
Garavan Woodland Gardens was our favorite stop in Arkansas. In addition to the beautiful flowers, there are tons of hidden gems throughout the gardens, like a futuristic-looking treehouse and a breathtakingly beautiful glass chapel that also feels like a treehouse. Go in the spring for beautiful tulips! While it’s on the more expensive side at $25, we found this park to be 100% worth the price tag. The park is also located only 15 minutes from Hot Springs National Park, if you’re in the area. You could easily spend a half or full day exploring Garavan.

Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park isn’t what you would think of when you think of a National Park. Rather than majestic mountains or shimmering lakes, Hot Springs National Park is a few blocks making up a downtown called “Bathhouse Row”. Rather than hiking, you’ll be visiting bathhouses, getting massages, and eating lunch in the downtown! There are spigots throughout town where you can sample the water, which is said to have healing properties. For a small fee, you can also visit an observation tower and see sprawling views of the surrounding areas.

Crater of Diamonds State Park
Want to dig for diamonds? Crater of Diamonds State Park lets you dig to your heart’s content. And there’s a chance you might actually find one! Over 75,000 diamonds have been found in the park since it opened to the public in 1972. Pay an entrance fee and another small fee to rent some digging tools (or bring your own) and get to digging. The 37 acre field is full of hopeful diggers. But there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find your own dirt patch as the land is so big! While we weren’t lucky enough to find any diamonds, just days prior a 1.3 carat diamond was discovered! We heard that chances of finding a diamond are highest after it rains or after the fields are tilled. 

NOT DONE TRAVELING?

Check out our guides of nearby areas:
The Ozarks
Bentonville
Eureka Springs