Attractions Nearby Little Rock, Day Trips and Excursions

(Little Rock, Arkansas - AR, USA)

Standing just north of Louisiana and Mississippi, the southern charm of Arkansas is quite undeniable, meaning that tourists will certainly be in for a treat when it comes to surrounding attractions and possible day trips from the Little Rock area. Arkansas also borders the states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, each of which offer a choice of very different attractions and tempting excursions.

Especially close to Little Rock are the Ozark Mountains, the Arkansas River Valley, Hot Springs and Mountain View. If you are prepared to cover a little more distance in your search of different attractions, then Little Rock is also within reach of some epic US cities, such as Dallas (Texas), Jackson (Mississippi), Memphis (Tennessee) and Oklahoma City (Oklahoma).

Arkansas River Valley

The Arkansas River Valley is an especially scenic spot and is roughly 18 miles / 29 km to the northwest of Little Rock. Regularly attracting lovers of the great outdoors, the attractions and recreational activities on offer within the Arkansas River Valley include fishing, canoeing, hiking and more. Highlights around the Arkansas River Valley region are Alma, Clarksville, the Fort Smith National Historic Site, Pine Bluff, Russellville and the Ozark Scenic Railway.

Hot Springs

At just over 50 miles / 80 km southwest of Little Rock, day trips to the Hot Springs National Park come highly recommended. Expect to find no less than 47 natural springs, constantly spouting thermal waters. However, it is the well-preserved Victorian architecture and frequent horse racing at Oaklawn that is usually of most interest to tourists visiting Hot Springs.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours, visitor center: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Mountain View

If you head northwards from Little Rock and east along the US-65 Highway, you will come upon the Ozark town of Mountain View, which is just over 100 miles / 161 km away. Mountain View is actively promoted as the 'World's Folk Music Capital' and regularly features live music, concerts and a very popular annual Folk Festival each April.

Eureka Springs

Close to the northwesterly corner of Arkansas and some 182 miles / 293 km northwest of Little Rock, Eureka Springs bears a striking resemblance to a historical mining village. Tourists really do flock here in fine weather, to enjoy the plentiful Victorian buildings, scenic rides on the ES & NA Railway, and the many Bible-related attractions of Eureka Springs, such as its enormous 21-meter / 70-foot statue of Jesus Christ.

Fayetteville

One of the most historic towns in Arkansas, Fayetteville was established during the early 1820s and is now home to the University of Arkansas (UA), where former US president Bill Clinton once taught constitutional law. Apart from the university, there are a number of further attractions in the city, such as the Devil's Den State Park, the Fayetteville Public Library, the scale-model of the Statue of Liberty, and the Headquarters House Museum. Fayetteville is around 195 miles / 314 km to the northwest of Little Rock and makes for a popular excursion, with the vibrant selection of bars and restaurants along Dickson Street always proving to be a tourist magnet.

Memphis

Address: Tennessee TN
An enticing city located on the southwesterly corner of Tennessee and approximately 145 miles / 233 km to the east of Little Rock, Memphis is famous for its strong connections with blues music and the legendary rock 'n' roll singer, Elvis Presley. Downtown Memphis stands on the eastern side of the River Mississippi, although the main tourist district is to be found around Beale Street and Union Avenue. The number one attraction in Memphis is of course Graceland - the former home of Elvis himself, while other highlights include Sun Studio, Memphis Zoo, the Pyramid, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum and the National Civil Rights Museum.

Dallas

Address: Texas TX, USA
A huge city of great historical importance, Dallas (or the 'Big D' as it is affectionately known by many locals) is a city of immense wealth. Home of the famous Dallas Cowboys football team, the setting of the iconic long-running television soap 'Dallas' (1978 to 1991), and the location where US president John F. Kennedy was tragically assassinated, the city of Dallas has an enormous array of attractions to offer. However, at 317 miles / 510 km southwest of Little Rock, day trips to Dallas are not really possible, and so most prefer to take advantage of what the city has to offer and spend at least a few days in this exciting destination, particularly in October, when the Texas State Fair takes place.

Jackson

Address: Mississippi (MS)
Around 280 miles / 451 km from Little Rock and to the southeast, Jackson is a colorful city and is located within the neighboring state of Mississippi. Jackson is actually the state capital and so has plenty to offer in the way of quality attractions, such as the Mississippi State Capitol, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and the Mississippi Museum of Art. If you are planning to come here with all the family, then plan a trip to the Jackson Zoological Park, or to the nearby LeFleur's Bluff State Park.

Oklahoma City

Address: Oklahoma OK, USA
The biggest city in the whole of the state of Oklahoma and some 337 miles / 542 km west of Little Rock, Oklahoma City was established in the late 19th century and gained much of its wealth when oil was discovered soon afterwards. Today, the attractions of Oklahoma City are almost too numerous to mention. Particularly popular is the Oklahoma City Zoo, the Civic Center Music Hall, the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Conservatory, the Oklahoma State Capitol building, the Remington Park Race Track, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, the SW Bell Bricktown Ballpark, and the rather poignant Oklahoma City National Memorial, which remembers those who lost their lives here after the tragic bombing of 1995.

Tulsa

Address: Oklahoma OK, USA
Although Tulsa is far from being a Mecca for tourist attractions and accommodation, this is an interesting city and is situated 272 miles / 438 km northwest of Little Rock. Tulsa is divided into a series of different districts, such as Brookside, Cherry Street, East Tulsa, Greenwood, Maple Ridge, Midtown, South, Terwilleger Heights, Uptown and of course the Downtown district. It is downtown Tulsa where the city springs to life after hours, with countless restaurants and bars quickly filling up at night. If you are looking to cool down on a sunny day, then an afternoon at the Big Splash Water Park is time well spent. Alternatively, sightseers may prefer to check out the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, the Philbrook Museum of Art, and the Tulsa Historical Society Museum.