Little Rock Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Little Rock, Arkansas - AR, USA)

Little Rock is the capital of the state of Arkansas and the seat of Pulaski County. The largest city in the state, Little Rock contains a number of notable locations and districts. Little Rock is located on the southern banks of the Arkansas River at the point where I-30 and I-40 intersect. The city is ringed by the Ouachita Mountains to the west, with Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle located to the northwest.

With plentiful amenities and attractions as well as friendly inhabitants, Little Rock is an ideal destination for travelers. Its diverse districts and neighborhoods contain everything from immaculately-preserved antebellum buildings with manicured lawns to the gleaming skyscrapers and office blocks of downtown. The capital has a number of sites of interest to visitors, while providing a gateway from which to explore the state, which lies at the heart of the US Sunbelt region. Here are Little Rock's main districts, locations and neighborhoods.

Hillcrest and Heights Districts

Many turn-of-the-century houses and cottages can be found in the area known as Hillcrest Historic District, located west of downtown Little Rock along Markham Street. Slightly north from Little Rock's Hillcrest district lies Heights, an upmarket residential neighborhood which dates back to the 1920s and '30s. This area is comprised of quaint shops, exclusive boutiques plus cafés and restaurants that never fail to delight visitors.

Quawpaw District

Most of the historic buildings in Little Rock, many of which pre-date the American Civil War, are concentrated in the area around MacArthur Park and the Governor's Mansion, known as Little Rock's Quawpaw Quarter. Access to these private buildings is normally limited to exterior viewing only, but twice a year, on the first weekend in May and the first weekend in December, their owners open the buildings to the public for viewing. One typical house in to look out for in the Quawpaw district of Little Rock is the Victorian-era Ville Marre at 1321 South Scott, which featured in the popular TV show 'Designing Women'.

River Market District

Little Rock's downtown is centered on the historic River Market district, which has seen extensive refurbishment in recent years. Once a zone of warehouses, this fascinating neighborhood now includes old-style markets, shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Not-to-be-missed local events include Little Rock's annual Riverfest in the RiverFront Park; Big Downtown Thursday; and Big Cruisefest in the Rock, which draws huge crowds who come to see live bands, eat great food and enjoy the carnival-style atmosphere.

Restaurants in Little Rock's River Market district range from home-style southern cooking with the accent on barbecues and catfish, to the latest in international cuisine. A wide range of accommodation is available in this district of Little Rock, with elegant turn-of-the-century and ultra-modern hotels sitting side-by-side and offering the very best in Southern hospitality. There are a number of car parks in this neighborhood to enable easy access for drivers.

North Little Rock District

The separate municipality of North Little Rock, with its historic district of Argenta, is well worth a visit. Of special interest to visitors is the much-beloved Old Mill, which served as the backdrop to the opening sequence of the classic movie 'Gone with the Wind'. Sports fans may care to note that North Little Rock also contains Alltel Arena, home to the UALR Trojans and the RimRockers basketball teams, as well as the Arkansas Twisters football team.