North Little Rock AR is home to some amazing attractions. North Little Rock AR has something for everyone, from outdoor activities to local cuisine.
Big Dam Bridge has become a popular attraction for people who want to walk, run or cycle across it. It also provides a scenic view of the Arkansas River.
1. The Big Dam Bridge
Wear your running shoes or bicycle and experience one of North America’s most unique bridges, specifically designed for cyclists and pedestrians. This engineering marvel offers postcard panoramas of the Murray Lock and Dam, the Arkansas River and Pinnacle Mountain. Benches and binoculars equip 8 scenic stops along the bridge’s span. Watch for birds and wildlife and, if you’re lucky, catch a river barge passing through the lock.
North Little Rock also has a growing number of down-by-the-river attractions including the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. Nearby, you’ll find Burns Park – the city’s largest park with 1,700 acres of sports complexes, trails and the accessible One Heart Playground. It’s also home to a regional hub for the Metro Rail Electric Streetcar.
2. The Old State House Museum
The Old State House Museum is the home of Arkansas political history. Designed by Gideon Shryock, this imposing building was built to be the state capitol when it first opened in 1836. The architecture of the building was heavily influenced from Greek history. It stood out as a sign that the young America had a distinct identity.
During the Civil War it was used by the Army as a headquarters. Eventually, it would become the scene of a hair-raising gubernatorial race between Elisha Baxter and Joseph Brooks. There were riots, militias formed, and even some cannon fire before President Ulysses S Grant intervened.
Since then, the statehouse has evolved into a museum. Visitors can still see what the original chambers looked like and learn about Arkansas political history.
3. The River Rail Electric Streetcar
River Rail Electric Streetcar offers a unique and fun way to see the downtown of Little Rock and North Little Rock, central Arkansas’ twin cities. It operates three vintage replica streetcars over a 3.4-mile route that spans the Arkansas River, crossing the Main Street Bridge, connecting locations like the Clinton Presidential Center and Heifer International with favorite hotels, restaurants, brewpubs, cultural attractions and more.
Central Arkansas Transit Authority (formerly CATA) operates the line. It began operating in November 2004. The system operates seven days a weeks, excluding New Year’s Day and Memorial Day. It is also closed on Labor Day, Christmas Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
4. The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
In the heart of downtown North Little Rock, is a military museum that’s a must visit for history buffs. The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History focuses on military history from a local and Arkansas perspective with a surprising amount of information, photos, and artifacts.
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History was created to interpret the state’s military heritage from its territorial period through today. Located in the historic Tower Building of the old Arsenal at Little Rock, which is also known as the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur, the museum preserves Arkansas’s contributions to the nation’s military history both domestically and abroad.
The historic Tower Building was originally built in 1840 as the munitions storage building of the Little Rock Arsenal, a frontier military post. The building is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Little Rock. The building is a National Historic Landmark.
5. Burns Park
The Burns Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. It contains a number of sports and recreational facilities including soccer, rugby, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts and two golf courses.
The 14-mile mountain bike trails in the park include steep climbs and challenging rock gardens. There are several loop options. The Emerald Loop has some of the fastest, rocky descents and is considered to be the most difficult.
Locals call North Little Rock NLR. Residents are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. The city’s vibrant food and beverage industry and emphasis on active living and healthy eating reflects this.