Situated at the point where the Ouachita Mountains first meet the Arkansas River, the River Market district is one of the South’s most colorful cultural centers and as close to a microcosm of Arkansas as you can get. As the apex of business and recreation, the district provides a vantage point from which visitors observe residents incorporating the river into daily life.

LIVE
The River Market is a relatively small area, and therefore most residences are lofts, condos or penthouses in multi-story buildings. Several new high- rises have been added recently, meaning there are residential options in many price ranges. Part of your mortgage or rent pays for convenience: you can walk to small, local grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, parks, theaters and more. With all there is to do, you’ll save on gas money. Plus, your living room views will make your home a great place for entertaining.

WORK
Working here has its perks. For one thing, you’re always near some of the city’s most popular lunchtime eateries. After work, you can easily grab a drink or swing by the library while waiting out rush hour. The proximity to these social spots means it’s easy to network with other professionals in your spare time. There’s free parking on the district’s eastern edge and plenty of garages should you wish to pay. Employers in the area include Acxiom Corp., the Central Arkansas Library System, the Arkansas Studies Institute and several hotels.

PLAY
Activities here range from the enlightening to the raucous. Art galleries attract crowds every month with Second Friday Art Night. Attractions include the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Heifer International’s Global Village and the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center. After dark, dueling piano bars, Rock & Roll venues and upscale lounges attract the masses, and the summertime Movies in the Park series is popular as well.

EXPERIENCE
The River Market experience varies day by day – and it certainly takes more than one day to experience it all. On Tuesdays and Saturdays every May through October, locals come to the Farmers Market for fresh produce, homemade bread and artisan crafts, while the weekend brings children and families to area parks and educational venues. On blockbuster weekends – like Riverfest, the music festival held on Memorial Day weekend – the district draws much of central Arkansas to the riverside.

Cheers! Most bars in Arkansas stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m. or earlier. Some have a special permit that allows them to serve until 5 a.m., but you won’t find any of those establishments in the River Market. All central Arkansas counties except Pulaski County are dry, meaning liquor sales are prohibited except for in establishments with private club licenses.