What to do in Little Rock ?

Those who say there's no such thing as a free lunch might be right. But who cares? With all the money saved enjoying Little Rock's FREE attractions, residents and visitors alike will have more than enough of the green stuff left in their wallets for a nice lunch, dinner AND a SAIR 2007 T-shirt! With bargains like these, the opportunities for fun are limitless.

Free Things To Do In Little Rock

Get Informed! Start your visit off with a stop by the Little Rock Visitor Information Center at Historic Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Ave. just off of Interstate 30 via the Sixth Street or Ninth Street exits. One of only a handful of antebellum homes remaining in Little Rock today, the Walters-Curran-Bell home, commonly known as Curran Hall now serves as the city's visitor information center. Operated by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the friendly and helpful staff will point you in the right direction for food, fun, accommodations and more! Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 501-370-3290, 877-220-2568 or visit www.littlerock.com/curran-hall/.

Check out the view! The Big Dam Bridge is the world's longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge built and designed specifically for that purpose. Located over Murray Lock and Dam, The Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge has a 14-foot wide deck that extends 3,463 feet across the Arkansas River . The $12.5 million bridge ties together 17 miles of scenic river trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock and will eventually connect with 7,000 acres of various city, county, state and federal park land. You don't have to be a seasoned athlete to enjoy the gorgeous views that can be found along every step of the bridge. A walking platform at 90 feet above the navigation channel, it should be an amazing spot to catch an invigorating sunrise or sunset over the Arkansas River .

See Civil Rights History Up Close and Personal! Visit the circa 1927 Gothic-style Central High School which received international attention during the Civil Rights Movement and the museum in the restored service station across the street. There, you can tour the interactive exhibit "All the World is Watching Us" which tells the story of the nine black students who made civil rights history when they entered Central High in September 1957. 2125 Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive . Open 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed major holidays. For more information call 501-374-1957 or visit www.nps.gov/chsc/

Enjoy the Art of it All! The Arkansas Arts Center in MacArthur Park near the River Market District at 9th and Commerce streets has a few special offerings of its own. The recently expanded, 42,000 square-foot museum includes a world-renowned art collection. The museum is free to the public. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 501-372-4000 or visit www.arkarts.com.

Capitalize on Your Visit! No trip to Little Rock is complete without a stop at the State Capitol. Designed in the Neoclassical style, construction began in 1899 and was completed in 1915. Modeled after the nation's Capitol, the building features Arkansas granite and six bronze doors and three chandeliers crafted by Tiffany's of New York . Free audio tours available. Call weekdays to schedule free, guided tours. Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays and holidays. One Capitol Mall, Capitol Avenue and Woodlane. 501-682-5080. To take a virtual tour, visit http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/virtual_tour_02/.

Go Window Shopping! Once a nearly abandoned warehouse district along what used to be known as East Markham Street (now President Clinton Avenue), this stretch of Little Rock's downtown has come back to life as the River Market District encompassing several city blocks. The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is a part of the district and Heifer International's new world headquarters will soon be nearby. The area is filled with restaurants and retail shops as well as the Little Rock River Market, featuring an array of owner-operated shops and stalls and a seasonal farmers' market in the warmer months. For more information, call 501-375-2552 or visit www.rivermarket.info.

See the Rock! You've got to see the landmark for which the city was named, La Petit Roche, at the north end of Rock Street in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park . This first outcropping of rock along the Arkansas River above its mouth was known to pioneers and early explorers traveling the river in the early 19th century as "La Petit Roche" to distinguish it from the big rock upstream. The little rock on the south bank marked the transition from level lands of the east to the rugged hills of the mountain ranges and offered a natural landing for those traveling by boat.

Just Mill Around! Remember the mill with its turning water wheel that appears during the opening credits of the 1936 legendary movie "Gone With the Wind"? Surprise! It's right here in Central Arkansas . The Old Mill, Lakeshore Drive & Fairway Avenue in North Little Rock , is a reproduction of an 1800s water-powered grist mill and was built in 1933 by Dionicio Rodriguez. This three-acre site, officially known as the T.R. Pugh Memorial Park and Pugh's Mill, is more commonly known as the Old Mill. The mill appears in the opening scenes of the movie. The mill, with a water wheel constructed of concrete but treated to look like wood, is surrounded by a road resembling an old wagon road and a rustic footbridge made of black locust tree limbs. Bring a picnic lunch! Open from dawn to dusk. For more information, call 501-791-8537, or visit www.northlr.org/attractions/old-mill/.

Take a Hike! Murray Park , with its bike and jogging path wending around the banks of the Arkansas River , is a great place to take in a run or ride. For more information call 501-371-4770 or visit www.lrpr.org.

Have a Grave Experience! Mount Holly Cemetery, located at 12th & Broadway streets, was established in 1843 and features Victorian-era statuary ranging from the more common angels and cherubs to a unique pair of two young girls memorializing two sisters who died in childhood and are buried there. Those buried in Mount Holly include at least 10 Arkansas governors and three U.S. senators, five Confederate generals, 20 Little Rock mayors, composers, newspaper editors, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Quatie Ross, wife of Cherokee Chief John Ross, who died while traveling on the Trail of Tears. Open daily.

Go Exploring! Check out the Museum of Discovery , 500 President Clinton Ave. , in the River Market District - admission there is free from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the first Friday of every month. The museum features a collection of hands-on exhibits focusing on robotics, exploration and telecommunications. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 501-396-7050 or 1-800-880-6475 or visit www.amod.org.

View the Victorians! The city's early history is encompassed by a nine-square-mile area known as the Quapaw Quarter where Little Rock 's preservation efforts have been concentrated for the past 40 years. The area includes MacArthur Park Historic District featuring the city's oldest homes (some from before the Civil War) and the Governor's Mansion Historic District with homes dating from about 1880 to 1920. All of the district's restored buildings serve as private homes or businesses. Although they are not open to the public, they can be enjoyed from the street or sidewalk via driving or walking tours. For more information visit www.quapaw.com, or call 501-371-0075.

Material Source: Chamber of Commerce