Central Arkansas, Arkansas
Little Rock and North Little Rock form the vibrant heart of Arkansas. The two cities and their neighboring towns comprise a metropolitan area of some 500,000 people in central Arkansas. This metropolis, as well as Conway, Searcy and Cabot, and nearby cities in the central region, offer a cosmopolitan mix of historic attractions, imaginative shopping opportunities, fine dining, nightlife and creative arts and fine hotels.
A grand collection of museums offers something for every taste - from art to history to aerospace. And the Quapaw Quarter of restored 19th-century homes is one of the country's finest examples of bringing an older neighborhood back to life through adaptive reuse. Be sure to visit the new River Market in Little Rock for tastes of exotic cuisines and the freshest of produce from nearby farms in season.
Extensive park systems in both cities provide the chance to play golf or tennis, fish for lunkers in the Arkansas River or on area lakes, hike leafy trails, talk to the animals in the park-like Little Rock zoo or picnic in beautiful natural settings.
Central Arkansas is an ideal staging area for your Natural State vacation. Its big city tempo exists side by side with small-town charm. Discover Central Arkansas's winning ways for yourself.
Explore Central Arkansas
Bald Knob Lake
Bald Knob Lake was built in 1960 as a 217-acre reservoir for the city waterworks. Bass, crappie, bream and catfish are popular catches. The lake is restricted to 10
Bald Knob, AR RecreationPinnacle Mountain State Park
Environmental education park with picnic sites, pavilion, launch ramps, hiking trails, Arkansas Arboretum. The visitor center overlooking the Arkansas River includes exhibits, audio visual programs, meeting room, gift shop.
Little Rock, AR ParksCentral Arkansas Library -- Main Branch
State-of-the-art library occupies a former furniture warehouse in the River Market district. GROUPS: Meeting rooms free during library hours; multi-purpose facility with formal garden and catering kitchen can accommodate up to 250 during or after hours.
Little Rock, AR LibrariesCenter on the Square Dinner Theatre
Center on the Square is a regional, non-profit performing arts center that presents dinner theater shows, children's theater, musicals, and a variety of other presentations.
Searcy, AR TheatresEpiSphere Digital Dome Aerospace Education Center
The Aerospace Education Center's newest attraction -- a 55 foot dome screen which hangs suspended inside the 75-feet-by-75-feet room. The show happens all around you. Sound and air conditioning "breathe" through the perforated dome "skin." 150
Little Rock, AR Learning CentersLake Maumelle
Directions: Located west of Little Rock off Ark. 10 Popular for fishing, sailing regattas, and boating; no swimming allowed.
Little Rock, AR RecreationJacksonville Military History Museum
Spans military history from the Civil War to Vietnam. Housed in the old Arkansas Ordinance Plant administration building. Collections include such items as a Christmas card signed by Adolph Hitler and over 100 propaganda posters from both World Wars.
Jacksonville, AR MuseumsWild River Country
Unique water theme park; The Cyclone, Vertigo, the Pipeline, Vortex, the Accelerator and Black Lightning and White Lightning provide water fun. Other attractions include the Lazy River, River Rapids, Wave Pool, Tidal Wave, Lily Pad Walk; Tad Pool has 11 children'
North Little Rock, AR Water ParksOld State House Museum
Built in 1836, the Old State House was the state's original capitol until 1911 and served as the seat of both the Confederate and Unionists governments in Arkansas during the Civil War. It was also the site of the 1861
Little Rock, AR MuseumsCamp Nelson Confederate Cemetery
While camped near Old Austin in 1862, a large group of Texas Confederate soldiers were overcome by a measles epidemic, causing the deaths of several hundred. In 1907, the remains were moved to this historic cemetery.
Cabot, AR CemeteriesGann Museum of Saline County
This museum is in the only known structure in the world to use bauxite aluminum ore as a building material. It was built in 1896 for Dr. Dewel Gann, Sr.; now houses memorabilia, photographs, original office furniture and artifacts.
Benton, AR Museums