Beautiful garden in SoMa Little Rock. Sunday they host a Farmers Market. Lots of small businesses…read morerepresented.

I came across The Bernice Garden when I visited the Essie Purse Museum across the way. This is a…read morereally cool garden/art installation, unique in the business area in which it's located and an awesome place to sit and enjoy the art with a coffee or local sweet. Highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

I walked up to the "Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument" expecting a sculpture -- something to…read moreadmire and move on from. What I found stopped me cold. Nine bronze students stand in a loose circle, right there on the Capitol lawn, facing the very building where decisions were once made to keep them out of school. Life-size. Eye-level. There's no pedestal to separate you from them -- you're right there with them. You can walk between them, around them. They're frozen mid-stride, books in hand, faces calm but unshakable. It felt like I had interrupted something sacred. Elizabeth Eckford looks like she just stepped off the sidewalk from 1957, her book held tight to her chest, eyes ahead, not afraid but definitely carrying the weight of what's behind and in front of her. Each figure carries that same quiet strength -- not defiant, not boastful -- just brave. Braver than I think I've ever had to be. Quotes from each student are etched into stone nearby. I read every one. Some are heartbreaking, some defiant, some just honest. You start to understand that these weren't symbols -- they were kids. Teenagers just trying to go to school.

In 1957 nine strong black high school students, ranging in age from 15 to 17, set off to change the…read morecourse of the nation and lead the way in the integration of schools, following the Brown vs the Board of Education decision. The students enrolled in Little Rock's Central High School and were met with threats, intimidation and harassment. Only 3 of the nine ended up graduating from the school and one was expelled, after retaliating to the harassment she was receiving. These nine statues, titled Testament are a tribute to those students, Ernest Green, Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls. You will find these statues on the lawn of the Arkansas State Capitol facing the Governor's Office. It is a little over a mile from where the High School is located These sculptures are the work of John Deering whose intent was "for observers to become virtual witnesses, imagining themselves amid the blur of protestors, reporters and troops who surrounded the Little Rock Nine." It would be hard for me to give this sculpture anything less than a 5-star rating given its background. I love the determination and perseverance that the statues give off. The set of sculptures does a great putting the viewer back in that time. The sculptures are not uber detailed, but still have an uncanny realism about them. You will find some bronze plaques placed around the statues that have quotes from some of the nine students. The plaques are very weathered and have definitely seen better days. Some of them are hard to read and are in dire need of being repaired or replaced. Anyway, as with most sculpture that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. The Capitol has a lot of memorials and statues on its grounds to visit and you can also take a tour of the Capitol building if they are open.

Beneath the Surface in Little Rock, Arkansas, is one of those public art pieces that sneaks up on…read moreyou--in the best way. Tucked along the riverfront near the Clinton Presidential Center, it's not just something you see, it's something you feel (and maybe scratch your head about for a second). At first glance, it looks like a group of ghostly steel fish swimming in mid-air, suspended in a kind of poetic, underwater ballet. But then you walk through it. You start noticing how the fish are grouped, how they're spaced, and how the light plays off the metal at different times of day. Suddenly it's more than art--it's motion, it's rhythm, it's like the Arkansas River whispered a story and the artist froze it mid-sentence. It's peaceful, clever, and just weird enough to make you stop and think, "Why don't more places have floating fish art?" Five stars for turning a simple riverside walk into a moment of quiet wonder.

This is a mural by Matt McLeod who painted the piece in 2015. It is a large mural, covering 4300…read moresquare feet (30-foot-by-142-foot) . Given this large project, McLeod needed assistance, which came in the form of art students from University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas. This larger than life mural is located on the side of the Bennett's Military Supplies building and overlooks a commercial parking lot. It depicts an assortment of koi fish against a gradient green background as if you were viewing them from above. This mural displays some great artwork. Since the mural overlooks a parking lot, briefly parking here to get a closer look is very easy to accomplish. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Striking Clinton library along the Arkansas river only 5 minutes from downtown. Entry is free…read more If you're interested in the history of the Clintons, 96 Clinton and gore campaign or just interested in learning about American politics, this is a must see! The multi level space is beautiful and really takes you through the progression of the Clintons. There is a very small gift shop on site with the usual options. Tip- stop by cafe 42 on the lower level, food is delicious and service is top notch!!

The whole spirit of this library breathes new breath into the spirit of progressive democracy…read more From the very large and impressive exhibits to the smallest of contributions. I am so glad we made the effort to witness it all in our short time in Little Rock.

This might be the best hidden gem in the entire state of Arkansas! Hiding in plain sight in their…read morebiggest city of Little Rock, you might drive right past this beautiful building on Highway 70. Enter the free museum and witness the story of an organization founded to provide black families with health and burial insurance when no other company would. Walk through the poignant displays of the impact of black business owners, the struggles of their families, the strength and resilience of freed slaves, and the origins of urban renewal. It's a fascinating display spanning 8,000 square feet. And don't miss the black hall of fame and ball room on the third floor.

Toured this wonderful space to learn about the rich civil rights history of Little Rock. This is a…read moremust if you want to learn about all the great work that went on during the civil rights era up until now. Multiple floors of history in a historic building culminating with the restored hall on the top floor. This is a must for anyone visiting Little Rock for the first time.

We were just walking through Little Rock, not looking for anything in particular, when we turned a…read morecorner and bam--there it was. "Everyone's Neighborhood." Bold colors, bright faces, wide-open arms. It didn't whisper. It spoke. This mural doesn't just decorate a wall--it tells a story. People of all kinds, all walks of life, stitched together in paint like a big neighborhood quilt. You don't have to read a plaque or know the backstory to feel it. It's welcoming. It's hopeful. It feels like someone painted it with both love and purpose. The art stretches long and lively across the wall, and it makes you stop. Makes you smile. Makes you think. In a city that's got its share of rough patches, this piece feels like a reminder of what community could look like. It's not just a mural. It's a message. One we need now more than ever. Five stars, no question.

This colorful mural is the work of Matt Mcleod who was commissioned to do the piece by the Downtown…read moreLittle Rock Partnership. It was dedicated in 2021. This mural was a community effort, which I am always a fan of. Everybody from the neighborhood had the opportunity to paint the Everyone's Neighborhood mural (I know....cheesy). The mural was based off a sticker that local graphic designer Josh Coker made. The mural depicts the Little Rock Skyline in a blue frame with the words "Downtown Little Rock" above it and "Everyone's Neighborhood to the left of it. It is all set against a lite blue background and colorful rays coming from the skyline. It has a "Greetings From ...." kind of vibe to it. It is a nice welcome to the city. This mural is definitely worth a peek and is very instagrammable (if that is your thing). The mural overlooks a private parking lot, so briefly parking here to get a closer look should not be an issue. There is also street parking available nearby. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

What a cool find, nestled is a Little Rock neighborhood, only a 10 minute drive from downtown. The…read moreopening credits of Gone With the Wind was filmed here ! The replica of a 1800s mill, built in the early 1900s surrounded by calming water , flowers, trees, and wildlife. I was fascinated by the bridge and stairs which appeared to be made of wood but was constructed of concrete, amazing! Surrounding neighborhood is beautiful, the park area was very clean and easy to access and walk around. Tip- get here early for photos and a relaxing stroll, this place gets very busy!

The Old Mill is a beautiful spot in North Little Rock, AR amongst a charming neighborhood…read more It's listed as a National Register of Historic Places. Rightly so... the mill is supposedly the "last standing structure" from the movie "Gone With The Wind." The gates opened at 8 AM. Entry was free. By the time we got there, a small group was already taking professional-like photos of their model. The landscaping was nicely manicured. Some of the plants and flowers or trees were labeled with little signs. My girls liked climbing up into the replica "water-powered grist mill." We didn't stay long as dogs were not allowed on the grounds. Our dog stayed in my Jeep while the air-conditioning was on since it was in the upper 80s already. For more info plus an interactive map, go to: https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/old-mill/

This is the work of French artist Youri Cansell, artistically known as Mantra. He painted the piece…read more2021. It is a very realistic depiction of a butterfly shadow box. Mantra has a fascination with entomology, The study of insects. This fascination reflects in his work that is frequently of insects such as this one. You will find this mural on display in the heart of Downtown Little Rock, right at the entrance of the River Market and side od David's Burgers. This piece is not only detailed, but scientifically accurate as well. Some of Native Arkansas butterflies depicted in the mural include the Parhassius, Cupido, Celastrina, and Lycaena. Also, the shading Mantra uses in the mural is amazing. In addition to the reflecting Mantra's love of insects, the mural gives a nod to the famous Little Rock Nine, a group of nine courageous black students who instrumental in integrating a local high school in 1957, drawing national attention to the civil rights movement. There is metered street parking available within a reasonable walking distance from the mural. The meters run from about 8AM to 6PM, Monday thru Friday. This is a nice mural and I enjoyed the very loose tribute to the Little Rock Nine. If you are near the Market, you cannot miss it. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Talented group of artists that provide a great service... check them out! All local artists. this…read moregallery cant be beat!

I loved the variety of art. The artists themselves staff the gallery so you are likely to meet one…read moreof the many artists. We had an amazing conversation with Ms. Harris, one of the artists whose work you can buy.