Little Rock travel guide

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.

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.

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.

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.