Unique Things Around Little Rock Arkansas

An Overview of Little Rock

The capital of Arkansas, Little Rock, is a thriving city on the banks of the Arkansas River. The city has a dense suburban feel with numerous restaurants, coffee shops and parks. The area is especially well known for its history alongside the “Little Rock Nine,” a group of African-American teenagers who were vital in developing the Civil Rights movement in 1957. While Little Rock is a well developed area, visitors often enjoy exploring the gorgeous countryside nearby, especially the Ouachita National Forest, the White River National Wildlife Refuge and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. There are many unique things around Little Rock.

Unique Things Around Little Rock Arkansas

Billy Bass Adoption Center – Flying Fish Restaurant

This Flying Fish restaurant is a popular southern-fish-and-gumbo franchise with a location in Little Rock. The Little Rock location is especially unique, with its walls covered in Big Mouth Billy Bass restaurants. Big Mouth Billy Bass is an animatronic singing fish mounted on a trophy plaque, singing tunes like  “Take Me to the River” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”

River Market

The River Market of Little Rock is an indoor market full of great restaurant, local stalls, unique treats and more. The market includes several viewing points for the reed-life and waterfowls often found behind the building, near the Arkansas River.

William E. Bill Clark Presidential Park Wetlands

This small, lovingly-maintained wetlands park contains 1,600 feet of boardwalk allowing visitors to enjoy wildlife and riverside habitats. The wetland conservation project was named for William E. “Bill” Clark, an avid outdoorsman and political leader in Arkansas.

USS Razorback

The USS Razorback is a retired Balao-class submarine, which famously sunk four wooden ships during three surface-gun actions. The submarine is the centerpiece for the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. The submarine can be slept on overnight, as the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum allows groups of 10 to reserve a bunk.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Considered one of the excellent hiking trails around Little Rock, this park is best defined by Pinnacle Mountain and the surrounding bottomlands of the Big Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers. The trails in this area are short, but quite steep.

All Aboard Restaurant

This is a casual American eatery where burgers, sandwiches and side dishes are delivered to tables through the use of a toy train.

H.U. Lee International Gate and Garden

Tucked into the middle of Little Rock, there stands a Korean Gate painted in the symbolic Korean colors related to the five elements of the Um-Yang (blue for wood, red for fire, yellow for earth, white for metal, and black for water). The structure is dedicated to the enormously influential American Taekwondo Association Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, who dedicated his life to the advancement of martial arts throughout the world. The gate leads to a small, quite garden filled with further statues symbolic to South Korea, including a bust of the Eternal Grand Master Lee and a Statue of Nine Turtles.

Junction Bridge

Junction Bridge is a wide walking-and-biking bridge which spans the Arkansas River between the River Market District and the Simmons Bank Arena. The bridge, which originally operated as a railroad track, was converted into a pedestrian route leading to a nice park full of ivy tunnels, playgrounds and small sculptures.

Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park

Formerly known as the Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, this unique archeological landmark is home to an 19-mound complex built by the indigenous Plum Bayou culture of North America. The mounds, which are believed to have been built in the Late Woodland Period, are the tallest surviving prehistoric mounds in Arkansas. The astonishing hand-built structures are thought to have religious, political, ceremonial, and cosmological purposes.

Big Dam Bridge

This large structure spans the Arkansas River, serving as biking or pedestrian route to access riverside around Campbell Lake Park or Murray Park.

Twin City Antique Mall

A unique little antique area full of different booths selling old goods and a few hidden treasures.

Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden

Found in Riverfront Park, overlooking the Arkansas River, this landscape-architecture outdoor art-venue has dozens of unique, whimsical sculptures scattered around the area.

The Old Mill in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park

This structure is a historic re-creation of a 1880’s water-powered grist mill, used in the opening scenes of the film, Gone With The Wind. The Mill is bordered by a large, gnarled bridge, a rustic water wheel, worn railings and a rope-and-pulley system. Though it appears wooden, all structures are made from brushed cement. Due to the site’s impact and cultural relevance, T.R. Pugh Memorial Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Wildwood Park for the Arts

This is a 105-acre park with landscapes and natural forests. The park is home to the Lucy Lockett Cabe Festival Theatre complex, which hosts events celebrating the human spirit through encounters with nature and art.

Testament: The Monument to the Little Rock Nine

In 1957, nine teenagers stepped out of their homes, faced down a mob and attended Little Rock’s desegregating Central High School. Their attendance was a major hallmark event in the Civil Right’s movement. Their monument contains quotes from each student. Visitors can also explore their courageous story by visiting the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

Historic Arkansas Museum

Also known as “HAM,” this state museum focuses on Arkansas cultural heritage. The museum includes part of Little Rock’s historic district, the oldest preserved building in Little Rock, a 1850s farmstead and several galleries of Arkansas-made art. The museum is distinctly recognizable thanks to the “wavy” statues found out front, named “Party for Peg” by  Alice Guffey Miller. The statue honors Peg Newton Smitha longtime museum friend, volunteer and commissioner.

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