Little Rock's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Main Sites
Places: 14 POIsDistance: 7.68 miDuration: 39m
Tour #2645
About this English self-guided 39m driving tour in Little Rock
Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas — a city where American history, southern charm, and creativity all come together in the heart of the Natural State. Whether this is your first visit or your hundredth, Little Rock always has a story to tell — and this tour is your front-row seat to it all.
We’ll take you through the best of the city: grand landmarks, moving moments in civil rights history, vibrant art, and the peaceful beauty of the Arkansas River. Our route winds from the towering State Capitol Building, modeled after the one in Washington, D.C., to Central High School, where the courage of the Little Rock Nine forever changed the course of American education. You’ll explore MacArthur Park, the city’s oldest, where General Douglas MacArthur was born, and discover creativity in places like the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and the bustling River Market District, filled with local flavor and live music.
And here’s a fun fact — Little Rock got its name in 1722 from a small rocky outcrop on the riverbank, called La Petite Roche by a French explorer. That very rock still exists today, preserved in Riverfront Park, quietly connecting modern Little Rock to its earliest days.
You’ll also pass the Clinton Presidential Library, one of the most visited presidential libraries in the country, and spot a submarine from World War II docked right here in landlocked Arkansas at the Inland Maritime Museum — proof that this city always finds a way to surprise you.
We’ve designed this route to give you the most scenic and meaningful experience possible, so just relax, follow the directions, and enjoy the ride. You’re about to see why Little Rock isn’t just the capital of Arkansas — it’s the heart of its story.
On your right is the majestic Arkansas State Capitol — the seat of government and one of Little Rock’s most recognizable landmarks. Its gleaming dome might remind you of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and that’s no coincidence. This building was actually modeled after it, right down to the classical columns and stately proportions.
Construction began in 1899 and took 16 years to complete, partly because of funding delays and design revisions, but the result was worth the wait. The exterior is made from Arkansas limestone, and the dome is covered with 24-karat gold leaf, catching the sunlight beautifully on a bright day.
Inside, the marble floors and grand rotunda create a sense of elegance and authority that matches the building’s role in state politics. It’s home to the offices of the governor, the legislature, and the secretary of state — and it’s open to the public for tours if you ever want a closer look.
Take a moment to appreciate how it sits high above the city on what was once known as “St. John’s Hill.” The view from the front steps offers a stunning panorama of downtown Little Rock and the Arkansas River — a perfect spot to reflect on the history and progress this building represents.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
On your right is Little Rock Central High School — a place that changed the course of American history. At first glance, it might look like an elegant old school building, with its grand Art Deco façade and symmetrical design. But in 1957, this became the center of one of the most pivotal moments in the civil rights movement.
That year, nine courageous African American students — known as the “Little Rock Nine” — walked through those very doors to attend classes, testing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. What followed was a national crisis, as the governor at the time, Orval Faubus, ordered the National Guard to block their entry. It took President Dwight D. Eisenhower sending federal troops to ensure those students could safely attend school.
The bravery of the Little Rock Nine inspired the world and forever reshaped the conversation on equality in America. Today, the site is part of the National Park Service, and the visitor center across the street tells their powerful story through photos, interviews, and exhibits.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Arkansas State Capitol
Place 2Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Place 3Fun Facts about Little Rock
Place 4Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Place 5Historic Arkansas Museum
Place 6Brownlee House
Place 7Old State House Museum
Place 8Robinson Center
Place 9Broadway Bridge and the Arkansas River
Place 10Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
Place 11River Market District
Place 12Junction Bridge
Place 13Museum of Discovery
Place 14Clinton Presidential Center - Farewell
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Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
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UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
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Walk at your own pace.
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Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
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What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).