In the past decade, North Little Rock has positioned itself to entertain and educate visitors and residents alike, adding restaurants, hotels, museums, sporting events and a premier entertainment venue to the city’s roster of attractions.

Easily accessible and visible from Interstate 30 and downtown Little Rock, the 370,000-square-foot Verizon Arena seats up to 18,000 for concerts and sporting events.

Concerts, Museums, Baseball

Since opening in 1999, the former Alltel Arena has played host to big-name acts such as the Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers, Cirque du Soleil, and Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular. The arena also is home to the Arkansas Twisters, a charter member of the Arenafootball2 League that began play in 2000, and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Opened in 2005, the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum focuses on the World War II submarine the USS Razorback and the USS Hoga, a historic tug. These nautical treasures are a popular destination, attracting everyone from military veterans and history buffs to families and students on field trips.

The Arkansas Travelers, the AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, are at home in Dickey-Stephens Park. This $38 million facility, opened in 2007, holds up to 7,000 fans and offers wide-open concourses, a large concessions menu, sky boxes, seating on the outfield grass and a view of Little Rock’s downtown skyline. Dickey-Stephens Park is named for two sets of brothers: Hall of Famers Bill and George "Skeeter" Dickey and Witt and Jack Stephens, founders of financial firm Stephens Inc. and major financiers of the stadium.

Historic Homes

North Little Rock’s neighborhoods cater to a variety of budgets and tastes. Downtown North Little Rock is home to the historic Argenta District, one of the city’s oldest areas. Committed residents are working to restore and renovate homes in Argenta. The community is energized with new construction in the form of townhouses and the addition of several new restaurants and shopping areas.

Fall 2007 saw the launch of 3rd Friday Art Walk, a free community event in which the of art of prominent juried Central Arkansas artists is displayed in more than 20 venues. The walk also offers opportunities to meet artists and purchase their work.

Less than five minutes from downtown is Park Hill. This well-established neighborhood is full of historic homes between 40 and 60 years old, large shade trees and a cozy atmosphere. Some homes have views of the Little Rock skyline to the south.

North Hills Boulevard winds through Lakewood, a developed subdivision sought after for its manmade lakes and recreational facilities. The Old Mill, shown in the epic movie "Gone with the Wind," is a popular Lakewood attraction.

"I grew up in North Little Rock and when my husband and I returned to Arkansas after 10 years in Nashville, there was no other place I wanted to live," Gwen Moritz said. "I’ve always loved the Lakewood neighborhood, with its recreational areas, convenient shopping and good schools."

North Little Rock’s McCain Boulevard is the center of a bustling retail and dining corridor. Stores along the boulevard include Home Depot, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target and more; McCain Mall is home to anchor stores Dillard’s, J.C. Penney and Sears.