Arkansas in general has long been plagued by the stereotype
of being a breeding pool of red necks. And its capitol city, Little Rock,
probably doesn’t have a very substantial reputation at all. But as an Arkansas
native and a University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate, I will gladly
attest that there is a lot more going on in this mid-size city than most people
realize. Here are just three ways that you can rock at life in The Rock!
Stay Fit
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| A view from the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. |
No expensive gym membership is necessary to get a regular
work out in Little Rock thanks to the Arkansas River Trail System. This 88.5
mile loop is a “tribute to outdoor recreation, conservation, wellness, and the
diverse geographies of Central Arkansas." It covers two metropolitan areas, 38
parks, 12 museums, 4 bridges and 5,000+ acres of federal, state, and local
parkland in Little Rock and her neighboring cities.
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| Walking on the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. |
It’s a great option for
getting outside and getting active. My favorite section follows along the
Arkansas River on one side with downtown Little Rock on the other, providing both
beautiful scenery and easy access to shops and restaurants. ‘Cause, you
know...we can’t all be too hardcore to resist stopping by the River Market for
ice cream. And there’s no better motivation for exercise than a few hundred
fresh calories to work off, right?
And if you go at night, you definitely have to check out the
Big Dam Bridge (yes, that is the official name). Spanning 4,200 feet, it’s the
longest bridge in the world to be built solely for the use of pedestrians and cyclists
and is completely lit up in moving colors after dark.
Stay Sharp
There are a number of museums and galleries throughout the
city with free or cheap admission, so a fun and educational family outing is
easy to plan.
Personally, my top recommendation is the Historic ArkansasMuseum. Here you’ll find 5 pre-civil war houses right in the middle of downtown
Little Rock-including the city’s oldest-that have been preserved as the city
grows up around them. The museum galleries are completely free and feature
pieces from local artists as well as historic exhibits. The knife gallery, for
example, houses knives from all over the world, including several Bowie knives
(a.k.a. “Arkansas toothpicks”). Out on the grounds, you can interact with living
history characters representing people who actually lived in the houses and can
even bring along a picnic if you want to have lunch on the lawn. The museum
area is free, and the historic grounds? Kids and seniors can enter for only a
dollar a piece, while adult tickets come in at a whopping two dollars and fifty
cents.
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| Science Experiments at the Museum of Discovery. Taken from their Facebook page. |
Of course, if you’re herding around little science
enthusiasts, you’ve got to check out the Museum of Discovery. Located right on
the river front, its mission is to “ignite a passion for science, technology
and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.”
They host several
fun programs, including one for adults only called “Science After Dark.” It
takes place during the evening on the last Thursday of every month and, from
what I understand, sometimes features adult beverages.
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| Some "foreign" guests hanging out at the Museum of Discovery. Taken from their Facebook page. |
This museum isn't free, but certainly worth the price if you take
your time and enjoy it. Adult admission is $10 while kids, seniors, teachers,
active and retired military, and Little Rock city employees all get in for $8. Science
After Dark is $5.
And while you’re
there, why not walk right down the street and check out The Witt Stephens Jr.Central Arkansas Nature Center? The center aims to educate folks on the Natural
State’s many outdoor recreational opportunities provided by its fish and
wildlife resources. The main building
includes an exhibit hall and aquariums that are totally free to the public. It's
right by the river and is even connected to the Arkansas River Trail. And, on
the last Monday evening of every month, some of us local archaeologists and history
lovers grace it with our quirky presences for free lectures hosted by the Arkansas Archaeological Society’s Toltec Research Station.
And these are just a
few options! There are plenty more to check out, including the Clinton
Presidential Center and Park, the Old State House Museum, the Arkansas Arts
Center, Heifer International’s Heifer Village, and more!
Stay in Tune
Now, any local musician will warn you that it is really hard
to get famous out of Little Rock. There just isn’t a large enough music scene.
However,
if you’re not a musician trying to make it big, you can really benefit from
Little Rock’s small-but-persistent music underground.
For one, it's big enough to have multiple venues to choose
from but small enough to host a fairly tight-nit community. Many Little Rockians
from teens to thirties know where to go for live music and can bond with total
strangers over memories at a particular venue. Many of
us have enjoyed beer and pizza while listening to some screamo nonsense at
Vinos, pushed through the crowd to get closer to the stage at the Rev Room, and
at least stood at the edge of a mosh pit at Jaunita’s.
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| An ode to music outside of the Revolution Music Room. |
And, because there aren’t enough people interested in most
bands to fill up an auditorium at a hundred bucks a pop, those of us who are
interested get to see them at smaller and more intimate venues for way cheaper.
For example, Blue October is coming to Juanitas this week and all tickets are $27.
They’re going to Austin a few days later and the only tickets still available
are $155. I’ve seen some great acts including Matisyahu, Relient K, and the All-American Rejects for less than 30 bucks a ticket (fun fact: I got cussed out by the All-American Rejects' lead vocalist Tyson Ritter after the show for calling him
out on his bs).
You can keep up to date on a lot of local venues here.
Of course, not everyone wants to rock out. Those with a more
classical taste in music are sure to find entertainment as well! The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
puts on a variety of concerts, sometimes inviting guest singers or performers to
join them on stage. As a matter of fact, in October they’ll be teaming up with
the circus to provide an entertainment experience that is both audibly and
visually exciting! And how outrageous are the prices for such an evening?
They start at just $19. AND, thanks to Entergy, you can also get a free ticket
for one child from kindergarten to high school as long as you purchase an adult
ticket as well.
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| A performance made possible by the UALR Dept of Music. Taken from their Facebook page. |
If you’re interested in something a little lower profile and
less crowded, just check the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s concert schedule. They have things happening pretty regularly throughout the academic year. Of course, students have to perform as part of attaining a degree in the
performing arts, but professors sometimes show off their talents as well. You can
find anything from solo piano recitals to jazz ensembles...often without an
admission fee.
