Have Kids, Will Travel: Little Rock, Arkansas!

Little Rock, Arkansas.

Located center state, Little Rock is known for being the home of former President Bill Clinton. It is also well known the Little Rock Nine.

Prior to our Spring Break trip, we had never been to Little Rock. (For a complete list travel tips during this time, please check out the article I did for Zulily here!)

We were excited to visit Arkansas, the Natural State, this year, and get to know one of Texas' neighbor states to the east.

Little Rock is about five hours from Arlington by car directly east on I 30. Little Rock has a population of about 200,000 people and is located on the south bank of the Arkansas River.

Little Rock, Arkalsas

Little Rock with Kids: Why Little Rock?

Little Rock has a surprising amount of activities for kids! The parks in the area are gorgeous and truly a ton of fun for the under 12 set. There are a variety of fun outdoor activities. Little Rock is a quick drive from DFW and there were plenty of hotels that were far less than $100 per night with a pool and breakfast included! Hot Springs is an hour away, meaning you can check out activities there, too, on your weekend away.

Little Rock with Kids: Things to Do

Little Rock Zoo: Honestly, this might be one of my favorite zoos for littles. There are three separate play areas that my kids loved, plus a fun mini train. The zoo felt very open and uncrowded. However, because of Covid, there was only a small food truck onsite, so we recommend checking on this before you go. My girls noted that there were no giraffes, but otherwise, we loved the zoo! It's inexpensive and a great way to spend an afternoon.

Gorgeous day for Little Rock Zoo!

Heifer International: Heifer International is a global organization based in Little Rock that is working to end poverty. In Little Rock, you can explore Heifer Village with hands-on experiences that teach kids about global experiences. Right now, the urban farm and village are closed, but we were still able to meet and interact with the animals for free! They alpacas were darling, as were the goats. The cow was super friendly. Even if it isn't reopened during your visit, Heifer International is worth a stop. Visit the gift shop, too- it has lots of unique goodies!

We loved seeing animals at Heifer International.

Central High School: In 1957, Central High School in Little Rock was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement when nine black students began attending the school, which had formerly been all white. Today, it is a National Historic Site with lots to see and learn. The high school itself is still an active high school with a diverse student body, so, if you wish to tour inside, you need to make a reservation ahead of time. However, you can walk the perimeter, visit the gas station that was the headquarters for media and visit the building across the street, which houses a small museum dedicated to Central High School and the Little Rock Nine. 

Julius Breckling Riverfront Park & Junction Bridge: This might be one of the coolest parks we have ever been to. This park, which, in warm months, also features a splash pad, is built into natural rock formations to truly be one-of-a-kind. The girls loved climbing through all the tunnels and playing on the monkey bars placed on the underside of a large rock. We also walked Junction Bridge, which gave us gorgeous views of the Arkansas River and downtown. The adjacent Riverfront Market also often has live events, so check the schedule to optimize your time here!

Playing at Riverfront Park

Big Dam Bridge: The Big Dam Bridge is a pedestrian and bikes only bridge that lights up at night. We walked along the bridge at dusk and loved it! The views are stunning, the breeze felt incredible and there were lots of people around, making it feel very safe. It was an enjoyable evening stroll. There were dozens of spiders on the bridge, as well, and we loved trying to find ones bigger than quarters... I made the girls stop counting when they hit 20 because that was 20 too many for me!

Burns Park: This North Little Rock Park has lots to do for all ages! We loved the playground onsite, next to the disc golf area. There is also a small amusement park in the park, perfect for kids younger than 10. You can camp at this park, as well as golf and more. It is definitely worth a visit!

The play area we loved at Burns Park.

The Old Mill: Honestly, this is a place to stop just for magical pictures. We went on St. Patrick's Day and spent an hour roaming around this magical-feeling spot that was featured in the opening scenes of the classic Gone With The Wind. It is a recreation of an 1880's water-powered grist mill and it is a neat place to visit on your Little Rock vacation! 

Other places on our list we didn't make it to this trip:

William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum: This is closed currently because of Covid. 

Museum of Discovery: This was closed because of damage sustained during the February freeze.

Big Rock Fun Park: We left this for the last day of our trip and I didn't check the weather first. Whoops. Had some unhappy girls that day! 

Little Rock with Kids: Where to Eat

All Aboard Restaurant and Grill: If you bring kids to Little Rock, visit this restaurant! Not only to they have delicious burgers (I had a meatless burger and it was so yummy!), but they deliver your meal to your table on a train that circles above your head and then delivers your food on a tray that drops down to your table. It is every bit as cool as it sounds, and even my 11 year old, who is too tween-y for everything, said "That was so cool!" Great spot to dine with kids. 

Dinner at All Aboard Restaurant and Grill was so good!

Purple Cow: This old-timey diner has lots of food choices to please everyone in your dining party plus delicious milkshakes. You can even add alcohol to yours, if that's the kind of day you've had...

Loblolly Creamery: We actually stumbled upon this place accidentally, and I'm so glad that we did! I had the best Vegan ice cream I have ever had, hands down. You can't eat inside the store right now but there are benches out front. We even ordered macarons and devoured them, too. If you need a sweet treat, don't skip this spot! Next door is a cute urban market with lots of local food and drink to take back to Texas with you.

Overall, we recommend a trip to Little Rock! There is a Buc cee's on the way, and you can stop at Crater of Diamonds on the way back to Texas and dig for gems. At about five hours by car, you will enjoy your weekend away with the kids- and so will your wallet!