Linger a while in Little Rock: the new shrine to president Clinton dominates the lineup of attractions in Arkansas' thriving capital

Travel America, May-June, 2005 by Barbara Gibbs Ostmann

The hottest ticket in town these days is the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center and Park, which opened last November. If you haven't seen it yet, this is your must stop in Little Rock.

Depending on your politics and your interest in history, you could spend anywhere from an hour to an entire day at the Clinton Library. There are dozens of display cases filled with presidential gifts and memorabilia, replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, panels illustrating the Clinton years, lots of interactive video and audio displays, a short documentary film, and even a presidential limousine. You can take a break for a snack or lunch in Cafe 42 in the lower level of the center. Try some chocolate chip cookies baked from Hillary Rodham Clinton's recipe.

Be sure to allow time for a stop at the Clinton Museum Store, which is a few blocks away on President Clinton Avenue. There's a wide range of gift items, from the expected Clinton memorabilia to children's toys to handcrafted jewelry by Arkansas artists.

While you're in the area, stroll along this revitalized part of downtown, enjoying the bustle of the River Market District with its farmers' market, shops, bars, and restaurants. Wander down to the riverfront park to see the original petit roche, for which Little Rock is named. Or hop on the trolley for a pleasant loop ride through downtown Little Rock and across the Arkansas River to North Little Rock's historic Argenta district.

Clinton fever is fueling the tourism fire in Little Rock, where Clinton lived for more than 12 years and served as Arkansas governor. Pick up a brochure about Clinton's Little Rock and follow it for a self-guided tour in the president's footsteps or join an organized tour. Either way, you can visit such Clinton landmarks as the Governor's Mansion, Clinton/Gore campaign headquarters, and Doe's Eat Place, one of Clinton's favorite eateries. Casual is an understatement for the decor of this local hangout. The menu features tamales with chili and steak by the pound.

Begin your Little Rock visit with a stop at the visitor information center at Curran Hall, where you can gather maps, brochures, and all the info you'll need. The restored 1842 building and its historic gardens are themselves worth a visit.

The Arkansas State Capitol is a scaled-down version of the U.S. Capitol Building. Pick up a self-guided tour brochure and wander through the building, enjoying the rotunda, old Supreme Court chamber, and House and Senate chambers. Don't miss the six, 10-foot-tall bronze doors, purchased from Tiffany's in 1910 for $10,000. The building was constructed between 1899 and 1915.

You'll want to visit the Central High School National Historic Site for a refresher course on our country's civil rights movement. The school was the site of a crucial desegregation crisis in 1957. The high school is still a public school, so the National Park Service visitor center and exhibits are across the street in the Magnolia Mobil gas station, restored to its 1957 appearance.

Little Rock's master plan is to become A City in a Park. A major part of that plan is tied to the Arkansas River Trail, which, when complete, will include 24 miles of paved trail linking Little Rock and North Little Rock with a spur west to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. More than 12 miles are already complete with another five scheduled for completion by June. The trail is for walking, jogging, cycling, and skating.

A visit to the Old State House Museum is interesting both for its Greek Revival architecture and the history shown in displays--everything from the Louisiana Purchase and Civil War to Arkansas stars of rock 'n' roll and folk music. Majestic columns on the front side lend Southern grace to one of the nation's oldest state capitol buildings. It was here that Bill Clinton announced his candidacy in 1991 and where he celebrated election night victories in 1992 and 1996.

The Historic Arkansas Museum includes indoor galleries with changing exhibits and an outdoor living history museum with restored buildings and costumed interpreters. The grounds include the oldest home still standing in Little Rock and the site where William Woodruff once printed the Arkansas Gazette.

The galleries of the Arkansas Arts Center showcase the center's collection, including works by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock. Contemporary objects in craft media is the second major area of the collection. There are special exhibitions, too.

Take time to cross the river to North Little Rock, with its Victorian neighborhoods and expansive parks. At the riverfront, visit the USS Razorback, a restored World War II submarine open for tours. Take a moment to enjoy the historic mural painted on the nearby sea wall (flood wall) or stroll along the Arkansas River Trail, which runs through the riverfront park and all the way out to Burns Park. At 1.600 acres, Burns Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the nation.

Explore the Old Mill, a faux 1880s gristmill in a park with a sculpture garden, millpond, and stream. The Old Mill was filmed for the opening scenes of Gone with the Wind. The faux wood, stone, and iron throughout the mill and park were actually made of concrete by sculptor and artist Senor Dionico Rodriquez.