Little Rock's Best: Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Driving Tour, Arkansas - Landmarks, Moments, Civil rights history & vibrant art
Places: 14 POIs
Distance: 7.68 mi
Duration: 39m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
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.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Government Building, Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
500 Woodlane St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA
Arkansas State Capitol
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.
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.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.17mi
, Attraction : Historic Site, Museum (Recommended selfie spot).
2199 W 14th St, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
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.
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 1
Arkansas State Capitol
Place 2
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Place 3
Fun Facts about Little Rock
Place 4
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History
Place 5
Historic Arkansas Museum
Place 6
Brownlee House
Place 7
Old State House Museum
Place 8
Robinson Center
Place 9
Broadway Bridge and the Arkansas River
Place 10
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
Place 11
River Market District
Place 12
Junction Bridge
Place 13
Museum of Discovery
Place 14
Clinton Presidential Center - Farewell
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 0.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 14 stops, covering top attractions such as Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Fun Facts about Little Rock, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Historic Arkansas Museum.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Arkansas State Capitol (Address: 500 Woodlane St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!