[2025] Is Little Rock Worth Visiting? A City Expert Answers...
Intro
Is Little Rock a little gem of tourism in the US? Or, to appease the SEO overlords, I have to write: "Is Little Rock worth visiting?". Happy now, Google?
I wanted to like Little Rock. I never visit a city prejudiced I won't like it. That being said, Arkansas's largest city is probably not worth visiting for more than a weekend-- if, at all.
However, if you find yourself there due to visiting family or on business, Little Rock does have some fun things to keep you occupied!
Arkansas's capitol has tons of street art, a really fun photo opportunity at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum, friendly folks (like most southern US cities!) and a decent sculpture garden.
I'll show you what else to do in this southern state's largest city!
[2025] Is Little Rock Worth Visiting? A City Expert Answers...
Take a fun picture in the Oval Office at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum
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Donald Trump resigned. Now I, Michael DeFranceschi-- a travel blogger, am the 48th president of the United States.
My first executive order? Mandate that all my travel articles show up as #1 in all search engines! Mwahahaha!
The most fun thing to do in Little Rock-- and one you cannot pass up-- is this fun photo opportunity awaiting you at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum!!
The museum sports a faithful reconstruction of the Oval Office during Clinton's two terms as the 42nd president from 1993-2001. Though, one thing absent from the set? A White House intern underneath the desk! Hahaha. I had to make that joke!
Back to seriousness... you have to purchase the pictures and you cannot take your own pictures. Trust me, I asked!
One picture costs $16. It costs more than the admission for an adult ($12). Worth it though? Yes!
The photographer, an older lady, was very kind and told me I was allowed to have pictures of me signing the paper and answering the phone. I actually did sign my name in the folder!
I liked all four pictures so I paid for them all!
The museum commemorates Bill Clinton's presidency and life. Why is this museum in Little Rock, Arkansas? Of the 45 individuals who served as president, only 21 of 50 states have produced presidents. Arkansas is one of them and it yielded one president: Bill Clinton!
Before winning the 1992 presidential election, Clinton served the state of Arkansas as its governor.
One cool thing I learned: 'Clinton' was not his last name at birth! He was born William Jefferson Blythe! The surname 'Clinton' is from his stepfather. He adopted the last name out of respect as a teenager.
The museum has a cool section on the lower floor where large plaques show Clinton's achievements every year of his presidency. I enjoyed that the most!
This is the second presidential museum I've visited-- the other one being the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. Like Arkansas, my home state of Michigan also has just one president from it!
The "Little Rock"
Showing cool things that people can easily miss is one of my self-ascribed duties as your favorite travel blogger! There are no signs in the area pointing to this!
Thus, my second recommendation of a must-thing-to-do in Little Rock is to see the "Little Rock"-- which, as you may be able to tell by my photo, is not so little!
So, where is the "Little Rock"? This landmark is close to the water to the right of the nearby Junction Bridge.
In fact, what tourists see today is a fragment of the actual rock! A large portion of the rock was used to construct a bridge that never came to completion.
So, what compelled someone to name Little Rock after this big rock? Is it that special!?
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I don't have a compelling answer. I haven't found an amazing story behind it. Apparently, it was the first rock French explorer Bernard de la Harpe saw on his 1722 expedition, taking him from the mouth of the Mississippi River all the way up the Arkansas River.
Moving on...
Street art in Little Rock
Kicking off my favorite topic to write about for any city with a sculpture instead of a mural!
Like me, I'm sure you didn't expect to see something like this in Little Rock! The Songahm Martial Arts Gate is located in downtown off President Clinton Ave in the River Market District.
Now, time for the murals! I'll divide them by neighborhood. First up: the Argenta Arts District...
Next, downtown. Downtown and the River Market District contain the majority of Little Rock's colorful street art.
Separating this next one since its in portrait, not landscape:
This mural is by the William H. Bowen School of Law.
I had big fun in Little Rock seeing its many murals!
This is another activity I advise anyone to do-- especially since options for things to do in the city are slim! You'll get lots of steps in as you saunter through downtown, the River Market District, and the Argenta Arts District in pursuit of the city's street art!
For another art-based activity, you'll want to...
Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden
Like in Minneapolis, a sculpture garden makes up some of Little Rock's public art scene.
Once again, I apologize for the dead trees. I know they don't help the aesthetic much. I visited Little Rock in February.
Little Rock's Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden spans much of President Clinton Ave along Riverfront Park.
I don't think this next item is included among the sculptures. That being said, I saw something a red vintage English telephone booth when I visited Manchester, New Hampshire in summer 2024.
Finally, for a list of other things you can check out in Little Rock...
Other cool things to do in Little Rock
The building above is the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Admission is free. Which, is fitting, since it's leagues below other US art museums like the Detroit Institute of Arts or the Cleveland Museum of Art.
I walked through the entire museum in under 30 minutes. There wasn't much art that stood out to me. Except for...
Since Little Rock is the capitol of Arkansas, you can check out the Arkansas State Capitol.
It looks very close to the White House in Washington DC. In fact, the building's similarity has led to it being used as the White House in some movies.
Last, walk around the River Market District. It's supposedly a main area for entertainment, dining, and whatever else in downtown Little Rock. I like the picture I took so you get to see it!
Public transportation
Little Rock offers two options for public transportation: its cute yellow streetcar system called the Metro Streetcar and a bus system.
It costs $11.50 for ten rides on the streetcar. Really good bargain! You can download the free METROtrack app to purchase tickets and get real-time updates about the streetcar's arrival.
Safety
Little Rock's violent crime rate exceeds the national average over four times, according to a criminal defense law firm with an office in Little Rock.
However, according to a 2025 news article by the Arkansas Times, the homicide rate and violent crimes dropped sharply in 2024 compared to the previous years.
When I visited, hardly anyone walked the streets-- day or night. This even occured in the River Market District-- one of the city's main entertainment areas. Perhaps a combination of not much to do plus a higher crime rate.
I visited in February, when the temperature rested in the mid to upper 60's.
It reminded me of visiting downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Even though I walked pretty much everywhere, you may be advised to rent a car, use the streetcar, or use rideshare apps like Lyft or Uber.
Conclusion
Is Little Rock worth visiting still? Again-- for most tourists, probably not. There isn't much to do and the crime rate is higher than average.
However, should you find yourself in Little Rock, for sure go to the William J. Clinton Library and Museum. Anything else... that's up to you.
As I said before, I never visit a city wanting to not like it. Sure, I had heard from other acquaintances who also travel frequently that Little Rock is rather boring. I wanted to see for myself. Even though I still enjoyed my time there, I wouldn't vouch highly for most to also visit.
Thank you for reading! Like... seriously. So many people just skim sh*t and don't read anything past the headline. You're one of the good ones!
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About the Author | Michael DeFranceschi
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