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Near The Best Of Little Rock Arkansas Attractions
Conveniently close to the best Arkansas attractions, The
Peabody Little Rock is the premier luxury hotel for those
in town for business or pleasure. Enjoy comfort like never before
while staying just minutes from The Clinton Presidential Center and
the Little Rock Zoo. Ranging from kid-friendly activities to historic
memorials, landmark-favorite attractions include:
The Clinton Presidential Center
The Clinton Presidential Center welcomes meetings, delegates, visitors, tour groups,
and school groups. Located on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock's
River Market District, this popular downtown Little Rock attraction houses the
largest archival collection in American presidential history. It is the nation's
12th presidential library. President Clinton chose Arkansas, his home state, and Little
Rock, where he served as Arkansas Attorney General and as Governor, as the site for
the Center to provide the region with an institution that preserves and promotes
the uniquely American heritage of progressive ideas.
Monday-Saturday, 9am - 5pm, Sunday, 1 - 5pm.
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
William J. Clinton Presidential Center
1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR. 72201
Guided Tours: 501-370-5050
www.clintonpresidentialcenter.org
Arkansas Old State House Museum
The Peabody Little Rock's closest neighbor is also its oldest, the Old State House Museum.
The state's first Capitol, the Old State House, is the oldest standing state Capitol building
west of the Mississippi River. This exquisite historic Little Rock attraction is in the
classic architectural style of the Greek Revival. Now the Old State House Museum, whose motto
reads: "Preserving the past for the future," has permanent displays of Arkansas' 30 First
Ladies' gowns. Visitors can also tour the original 1836 House of Representatives Chamber and
view such exhibits as the "Pillars of Power," a history of the Old State House; "From the Old
State House to the White House," the 1992 and 1996 presidential campaigns, and an exhibition
on the Arkansas Wilderness.
Old Mill
A must-see in North Little Rock, the Old Mill is a re-creation of a water-powered gristmill and
was the star in the opening sequences of the world's favorite American movie, Gone With the Wind.
Alltel Arena
The Alltel Arena, a multipurpose civic center, opened in 1999 and accommodates 18,000 people.
This popular state-of-the-art Arkansas attraction is home to the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock Trojans basketball team, the state's only minor league ice hockey team, the Arkansas RiverBlades,
and an arena football team, the Arkansas Twisters.
Concert-goers also enjoy performances at the Alltel Arena, which has featured big-name stars such as
Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Britney Spears, 'Nsync, and the Dixie Chicks.
And for Little Rock's children, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus,
as well as Disney on Ice, come to town regularly.
The Little Rock Zoo
About 170 species, totaling 600 animals from all over the world, call this spectacular Little Rock
attraction home. When the Little Rock Zoo opened in 1926, it had an orphaned timber wolf and a brown
bear rescued from a circus!
Today, some of the world's most awesome wildlife are cherished "guests" and enjoy settings as close to
their natural habitat as can be provided, along with lots of loving care and attention.
There are lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. In summer, the "big cats"-tigers
and lions-love to play in the pool, and their antics mesmerize visitors, especially their sleek,
ballet-like movements.
The elephant, the animal with reputedly the best memory, is also represented here. When a baby
elephant is born, the whole town turns out to sing Happy Birthday! Johari, the black rhino has the
long-necked, gentle-eyed giraffes as his neighbors, and at Lemur Island, there are red pandas.
Central High School National Historic Site
In 1957, Little Rock gained international notoriety as the site of an intense struggle to integrate
the city's public schools. During that debacle, Governor Orval Faubus denied nine black high school
students access to Central High School, and President Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect
the students as they entered the school.
Today, Central High School is a popular Little Rock Arkansas attraction, committed to excellence in
education, and has been designated by the admissions officers of the nation's most selective
colleges and universities as one of the 16 best high schools in preparing students for college.
A museum and visitor center can be found inside a nearby service station, which chronicles the
events surrounding that period and the lives of the "Little Rock Nine." The center's role is to
enlighten, empower, and educate visitors on the events of 1957, which forever helped to change the
very fabric of American life for the better.
The Arkansas Arts Center
MacArthur Park, Little Rock's oldest park, with its lofty oak trees, pond, and geese, is the site
of the city's largest fine arts center. Reopened in 2000 after a $21.5-million renovation and
expansion, the Arkansas Arts Center has 14 magnificent galleries and exquisite samples of drawings
by the masters.
The Decorative Arts Museum
This museum's collection includes contemporary objects by national and regional artists in clay,
glass, fiber, metal, and wood. Housed in a beautiful, historic antebellum mansion, this famed
Arkansas attraction displays temporary collections and an annual collection of toys.
Museum Of Discovery
This is an interactive, family-oriented experience for children and grownups. Located in the middle
of the River Market Entertainment District, exhibits change with the seasons and summers are filled
with camps and workshops for all ages.
Historic Arkansas Museum
Formerly the Arkansas Territorial Restoration, the newly expanded Historic Arkansas Museum is the
state's primary showcase of frontier Arkansas. Four pre-Civil War houses restored to antebellum
appearances occupy the grounds of this favored Little Rock attraction. The marvelous Hinderliter
Grog Shop is the oldest building in Little Rock and possibly the meeting place of the last Territorial
Legislature. The museum has a collection of some 7,000 artifacts reflecting the political,
economic, social, and religious history of early Arkansas. Contemporary Arkansas artists' work is
displayed in the new galleries, and handcrafted pieces are on sale in the museum store.
Quapaw Quarter
This area encompasses Little Rock's history from frontier days to the early 20th century. The
nine-square-mile area includes the city's central business district and adjacent residential
neighborhoods. Villa Marre, an 1881 Victorian home, was featured on the TV
show "Designing Women."
MacArthur Museum Of Arkansas Military History
General Douglas MacArthur was born in the historic Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal
on January 26, 1880. No wonder military history buffs love to visit the MacArthur Museum of
Arkansas Military History in Little Rock, where they can view the state's military history
from the Civil War to World War II.
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is one of North America's most celebrated symphonies and a
renowned Little Rock attraction. Boasting a phenomenal nine-month season, the orchestra performs
12 classical concerts, four Pops Live!, and a Chamber Orchestra series.
For those who love the music of the grand composers played by master musicians, the Arkansas Symphony
Orchestra's performances, conducted by David Itkin, are not to be missed.
Arkansas Repertory Theater
In its 26th season, the Arkansas Repertory Theater continues to produce a diverse body of
work - including contemporary comedies, cutting edge dramas, musical theater, and classic
dramatic literature. The company mounts productions in both the 354-seat main theater and
the 100-seat "Second Stage," which offers emerging playwrights a place to showcase their
works. Last year, over 70,000 Arkansans and guests attended productions at "The Rep."
Ballet Arkansas
The only professional ballet company in Arkansas, Ballet Arkansas is a popular Little Rock
attraction staging four major productions every year, including The Nutcracker Suite" during
the holidays. The Ballet Arkansas School for the Performing Arts provides classes for students
from three years of age.
Experience the elegance and southern hospitality of The Peabody Little Rock - an AAA
four-diamond luxury hotel conveniently connected to the Statehouse Convention Center in
the vibrant River Market District. Book your reservations online today at our luxury hotel surrounded by popular Little Rock attractions and enjoy exclusive room rates.
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