Top 11 Claims to Fame: Metro Little Rock
1. Southern hospitality at its finest.
Metro Little Rock citizens are in a class of their own. The people are warm and welcoming, especially to those new to the area. The community tends to rally around locally-owned businesses, supporting small businesses vigorously compared to big box retailers and chains. The Central Arkansas community is strong, inviting and the embodiment of Southern hospitality.
2. It’s gorgeous here.
At the heart of The Natural State, Metro Little Rock is home to breathtaking nature and scenery. Mountains, rivers, lakes, verdant parks, neighborhoods with mature landscaping and more await exploration. And conservation of our natural areas protects the habitats of rare plant and animal species.
3. We eat well.
Award-winning barbecue and catfish are no-brainers—including many dishes past presidents and celebs can’t get enough of—but there’s much more to savor! Trendy taco hot spots, locally-minded farm-to-table, historic hotel bars and hip patio hangouts.
The Capital Hotel’s bar and grill is known for its Southern pimento cheese and banana pudding. The Root Cafe, The Pantry Crest and Table 28 are just a few of the Metro’s many restaurants that source ingredients from local farmers. Lassis Inn is an Arkansas rite of passage for fried catfish. Plus, brunch is like religion here, with endlessly creative weekend menus bursting with flavor at spots all across the Metro. PS: Try the cheese dip, we’re famous for that too!
4. An 88-mile trail system
Spanning 88 miles through Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle and Conway, the Arkansas River Trail is a multi-use loop with lots to offer families, fitness fanatics and adventure seekers. This trail is perfect for casual strolls, cycling, dog walking, bird watching and other outdoor excursions in Arkansas’ beautiful natural scenery.
The trail connects five picturesque pedestrian and bicycle bridges to bustling parks and playscapes, to Pinnacle Mountain, to Dickey-Stephens Park, and so much more.
5. The Big Dam Bridge (and other bridges)
This Little Rock landmark is the largest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America. The Big Dam Bridge spans 4,266 feet and is built on top of Murray Lock and Dam. This massive piece of infrastructure connects trails and parks and provides access to the River Market, Clinton Presidential Center, restaurants and museums. The top of the bridge is a selfie hot spot, but Downtown’s other bridges beckon people to take their picture too. Every night, the landmarks splash the river in brilliant colors for River Lights in the Rock.
Source: littlerock.com
6. A presidential library
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center is the presidential library of Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States and Arkansas native. The museum chronicles the life and work of Clinton and features interactive exhibits and replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Permanent exhibits use documents, photos and videos from the archival collection. The adjacent Presidential Park and Wetlands is another scenic trail that affords scenery and serenity.
7. A (very) low cost of living — dream homes for so much less!
Arkansas has the fourth lowest cost of living in the United States, and the cost of living in Metro Little Rock is 17% lower than the U.S. average*. Affordable housing is readily available. The median home price for the Metro Little Rock statistical area is around $156,800**, and apartments for all budgets abound (some with mountain or river views!). It simply costs less to live here.
*Forbes, 2023; **Zillow, 2023
8. The AMFA is a destination of its own.
The reimagined Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock reopened in April 2023 to much fanfare. The expansion and renovation project took more than five years to complete but it was well worth the wait. Explore this world-class fine arts attraction here.
9. We get all four seasons.
Unlike other places in the United States, Metro Little Rock gets the rare experience of having four distinct seasons. Spring is cheery with fun festivals, natural blooms and a warm temperature. Summer is hot with plenty of ways to cool down. Fall boasts vibrant foliage across the local mountains and valleys. Winters are mild here, making it easy to comfortably enjoy outdoor activities during the holiday season with some snow sprinkled in.
10. We have a mountain in the middle of the metro.
In West Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a go-to destination for locals to spend time in the great outdoors. The state park is geographically diverse and includes 22 miles of trails for exploring and mountain biking. The mountain itself is situated between the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers. At the top, visitors enjoy a breathtaking overlook of the rivers and Chenal Valley. Hiking, biking, backpacking and picnicking are just a view of the outdoor adventures to embark on at this state park.
11. Dillard’s
Headquartered in Little Rock’s Riverdale district, Dillard’s is an upscale department store chain with around 282 stores in 29 states. The retailer is an anchor at malls across the country. The company was founded in 1938 by William T. Dillard, and members of the Dillard family retain control of the company today.
