Little Rock Nine Memorial
After a ruling by the US Supreme Court that segregated schools
were unconstitutional in 1954, a group of African-American students
known as the 'Little Rock Nine' were enrolled in Little Rock
Central High School in 1957, much to the dismay of their fellow
all-white classmates. The move was considered to be one of the most
important events in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. On
4 September 1957, several segregationist councils held protests at
the school to deny the new black students entry, and angry mobs
spat at and verbally abused the nine teenagers as they made their
way to school.
On 25 September, the Little Rock Nine were finally admitted to
the school under the protection of the US Army, with 1,000 US
paratroopers protecting them from segregationist whites, but they
still endured a full year of physical, verbal and emotional abuse
from fellow white students. Nevertheless, on 27 May 1958, Earnest
Green became the first black student to graduate from the school.
Finally, in 1964 the Civil Rights Law prohibited racial
discrimination in education, employment or in public places. Little
Rock Central High School still functions as part of the Little Rock
School District, but is home to a National Historic Site that
houses a Civil Rights Museum.
Little Rock Nine Monument
Cliff
Clinton Presidential Center
History buffs visiting Little Rock should be sure to visit the
William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, the presidential
library of former US president Bill Clinton that features the
Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton
Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public
Service. Visitors can enjoy viewing artefacts from Clinton's two
terms as president at the museum, including full-scale replicas of
the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Other exhibits
include Clinton's Cadillac One, a gallery consisting of a 110-foot
(34m) timeline of each of Clinton's years as President and 14
alcove displays featuring the Oklahoma City bombing, and Northern
Ireland and Middle East peace efforts, as well as personal letters
written to and by the Clinton family and family photographs. The
Clinton Presidential Center is a slick attraction and a popular
stop in Little Rock.
William J. Clinton Presidential
Library
Thomas R Machnitzki
Arkansas Governors Mansion
The official residence of the Governor of Arkansas and his
family, this mansion is located within the Governor's Mansion
Historic District. Before its construction in 1950, there had never
been an official residence of the state's chief executive. Eleven
of Arkansas' 45 governors have lived in the Mansion with their
families and pets, and many of the rooms feature heirlooms handed
down through the years. Tours of the gardens are a must for
visitors, as the sweeping vista of botanical beauty makes an
afternoon stroll an experience to remember. Tours of the mansion
itself are available upon request, although they must be booked at
least a day in advance by telephone - find details on the official
website listed below. These tours are offered free of charge.
Address: 1800 Center St
Arkansas Governor's Mansion
Cliff
Hot Springs
Located just 43 miles (68km) outside of Little Rock, Hot Springs
is a popular weekend getaway and excursion for both locals and
tourists in Arkansas. The small city takes its name from 47 natural
hot springs, which supply heated water to a number of spas in town,
most notably in the beautiful old buildings on Bathhouse Row,
designated a Historic Landmark District. Most of the popular
attractions in and around Hot Springs, apart from the spas, involve
outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, golf, horseback
riding and fishing. Parts of the town are actually located within
Hot Springs National Park, making it easy to explore the beautiful
landscapes of the area. Hot Springs describes itself as 'America's
first resort' and the town has been attracting eager travellers for
decades.
Bathhouse Row
Wolfgang Beckers
Little Rock has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and
fairly cold, but short winters. The average daily temperatures
during the summer months, between June and August, range from 69°F
(21°C) to 92°F (33°C), while the winter months can be relatively
cold, with plenty of rainfall and average temperatures between 31°F
(-1°C) and 55°F (13°C). Snow is not unheard of but is seldom
excessive. The spring and autumn months of March and April, and
September and October, respectively, are the best times of year to
visit Little Rock as the weather is pleasantly mild and the colours
during these shoulder seasons are glorious, with blossoms and new
foliage in spring, and dramatic, rich colours in autumn.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport Little
Rock
Location: The airport is situated four miles (6km) from the
city.
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
Shuttle services are available near Exit D and taxis outside
Exit H on the west side of the baggage claim area. Public transport
is available through Rock Region Metro; the bus stop is adjacent to
the shuttle pick-up area.
Car Rental:
Car rental service is offered by Alamo, Avis, Budget,
Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available at the airport. The taxi stand is located
outside Exit H, on the west side of the baggage claim area.
Fascilities:
Facilities at the airport include restaurants, a food court,
gift shops, newsagents, a book shop, ATMs and a visitor information
centre.
Parking
Short and long-term parking is available. Parking costs $1 per
20 minutes in all lots, with daily maximums ranging from $8 to
$13.
Renting a car is the best option for those planning to travel
beyond the downtown area of Little Rock. Taxis are available in the
city, but are not plentiful so it is best to call in advance as
they can be difficult to hail on the street; the exception is the
airport, where taxis are always available. The Little Rock Metro
Streetcar services most of the main tourist attractions and
entertainment venues downtown and is a cheap and convenient
transport option for travellers. There is also a bus system which
services most of the city, but it is less popular with visitors.
Little Rock has a sizeable population of cyclists and renting a
bike is a fun option.
Little Rock is a springboard to the many natural wonders of the
region, but the city also boasts some interesting attractions. One
of Little Rock's prime tourist sites hearkens back to the turbulent
Civil Rights Movement: Little Rock Central High School, now a
National Historic Site with a memorial and visitor's centre,
attracts many visitors keen to commemorate the brave Little Rock
Nine. For lovers of politics, The Clinton Presidential Center is
fascinating, and the Arkansas Governor's Mansion beckons history
buffs. Visit the oldest surviving Capitol building west of the
Mississippi; shop for unique antiques and trinkets around town;
take a ride on a riverboat down the Arkansas River; enjoy a drive
through the picturesque historic Quapaw Quarter; view the Villa
Marre, the home featured in the 1990s sitcom,
or relish teeing off on a
championship golf course.
Nature lovers can hook a fish from a world-class trout stream,
walk in the scenic Ouachita Mountains where the Hot Springs
National Park awaits, or enjoy breathtaking views, pristine lakes,
rivers and vast underground caverns in the Ozark Mountains and
River Valley. Especially worthwhile for nature lovers, the city of
Little Rock is worth a visit for all who visit Arkansas.