Second Stop Little Rock
Just an hour southeast of Petit Jean State Park awaits the spirited city of Little Rock and its bustling River Market District in the heart of this capital’s downtown, offering plenty of places to shop, dine and play. The neighboring Riverfront Park stretches 11 blocks along the shores of the Arkansas River and features the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden , a gorgeous outdoor labyrinth of art, as well as an impressive playground lined with boulders and secret tunnels for kids to navigate and climb. Make your way east along the scenic 15-mile Arkansas River Trail to the William E. Clark Wetlands , where boardwalks wind through a 13-acre preserve and lead guests to wide-open views of the river and the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, a grand pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south portions of the trail. Nearby, the Museum of Discovery invites children to embark on a Mayan archaeological quest and captivates all ages with engaging, interactive demonstrations that spark learning and imagination. Local eats Many restaurants in Little Rock proudly share a common thread for giving back to their community, and The Root Café is one of the best. They source most of their ingredients, including all of their eggs, meat and bread, from local farmers to craft their delicious homemade dishes morning to night. Biscuit sandwiches, omelettes and pancakes are all tasty options to start your day, or try one of their fresh salads, sandwiches or burgers to refuel your crew for lunch. They also offer several gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menu items. Grab a mid-day coffee at Nexus Coffee and Creative in the River Market District, where they roast their own coffee beans in-house for fresh, high-quality taste. The shop is incredibly warm and peaceful, welcoming all to come in for rest and community with others. Dinner at The Pantry Eatery is a must for your family, where they feature Czech and German classics among other perfectly plated American dishes, like flatbreads and burgers. The appetizer and dessert menus are simply delightful but it is their overall service and attention to quality food that has kept this restaurant at the top of Little Rock’s “best of” lists for years. Historical treasures History was made in 1957 at Little Rock Central High School when nine Black children bravely paved the way to desegregation in an all-white school and opened doors for those seeking equality in education around the world. Today, families can visit the grounds of the school as well as its National Park Service Visitor Center to view an interpretive film and exhibits. Children can participate in the NPS Junior Ranger program to learn more about the sacrifice and struggle endured by the Little Rock Nine, who were a catalyst for change in our country. Another historical site worth visiting is the Old Mill in north Little Rock, famous for its appearance in the opening credits of the movie Gone With the Wind and thought to be one of the last still-standing structures that can be seen in the film. The surrounding grounds are beautifully landscaped and are a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
(ABOVE) VIEW TESTAMENT: THE LITTLE ROCK NINE MONUMENT AT THE ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL. (BELOW) GONE WITH THE WIND BUFFS WILL WANT TO VISIT OLD MILL IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN THE MOVIE’S OPENING CREDITS.
38 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2022
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease