Welcome to Metro Little Rock: Downtown
Jason Masters, Courtesy of Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Over the past decade, downtown has seen dramatic transformation and growth, and it’s not slowing down any time soon. Renovations and revitalization projects continue up and down Main Street and President Clinton Avenue. Residents and visitors can’t get enough of the new amenities, such as the newly renovated Robinson Theater and Central Arkansas Library System. People also enjoy the new restaurants always popping up in Downtown’s Creative Corridor and SoMa (South Main).
Some metro residents skip the commute and opt for downtown living in high-rise, river-view condos, like those of River Market and the 300 Third Towers. Others choose the historic Quapaw Quarter or settle in flourishing SoMa. These neighborhoods boast eco-friendly dwellings, grand Southern mansions and refurbished eye-catchers — not to mention locally-minded restaurants like The Root Café.
Flora Jean’s (Madeline Circle)
The 42,000 people who work in the heart of the capital city, Monday through Friday, enjoy walkability to popular establishments like Three Fold Noodles + Dumplings Co., Copper Grill, Cache Restaurant, @ the Corner - Little Rock, Stickyz Rock’n’Roll Chicken Shack, Big Bad Breakfast, Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill, Bruno’s Little Italy and more.
Many other restaurants reside in Downtown’s River Market, a vibrant gathering place in the city. Farmer’s markets, bars, concert venues, shops and incredible riverside parks make for an all-inclusive experience downtown.
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center is a huge lure, enticing tourists and residents alike to explore its temporary exhibits and the history of the country’s 42nd president.
The corporate ladder in downtown is extensive, with regional power players and nationally recognized companies like Stephens Inc. (one of the largest investment banks off of Wall Street, with 28 offices worldwide and employs more than 1,200 people), Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the state’s government, which operates out of the capitol and surrounding buildings. Stop by the new and improved Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for a night out on the town with visiting friends and family.
Hidden Gems
Pettaway Square has been SoMa’s best-kept secret for the past year as the area is up-and-coming with new stores all along 21st Street. With Pettaway Coffee, the famous melt-in-your-mouth smash burgers from Smashed & Stacked Food Truck, delicious homemade beer at Moody Brews, and get your favorite author’s new book at Paper Hearts Bookstore.
Downtown Districts
Not far from the heart of downtown Little Rock lies a few of the city’s hidden gem areas. Little Rock’s Creative Corridor is a cultural hub downtown. It’s home to Ballet Arkansas, The Rep, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Little Rock Technology Park.
South of downtown lies SoMa, an up-and-coming neighborhood filled with local restaurants and shops and the popular Bernice Garden Farmers Market, open each Sunday from mid-April through November. Some of the neighborhood hot spots include Moxy Modern Mercantile, the ESSE Purse Museum and the M2 Gallery. Rock Town Distillery is Arkansas’ first legal distillery after prohibition and moved into the neighborhood in the last few years. Try El Sur Street Food Co. delicious Honduran food and enjoy a game of trivia every week. Stop by for a glass of wine and comforting grilled cheeses and soups at BCW, a new bread, cheese and wine bar with a fantastic happy hour for an after-work detox. Shoppers and avid gift-givers can stop by Pink Olive for gorgeous artwork, trendy accessories and a cup of coffee or swing by South Main Creative for vintage furniture, clothes, trinkets and more.
M2 Gallery in SoMa (Emma Mayes)
East Village is one of downtown Little Rock’s newest additions. The area located near Heifer International offers breweries, an indoor and outdoor food truck park, plus spacious loft apartments. Check out East Village hot spots, such as Lost Forty Brewing and its sister restaurant, Camp Taco at Lost Forty Brewing. Fidel & Co. Coffee Roasters is a hip coffee shop located in East Village, known for its nitros and pour-overs, as well as its made-from-scratch menu items. Don’t miss Fidel’s brand-new bakery, restaurant and bar, Sterling Market.
SoMa's ESSE Purse Museum is one of only three purse museums in the world. Its main permanent exhibit celebrates the progression of the 20th-century American woman, decade by decade, through the lens of her handbag and its contents.
New Brewery in Town
Right across the highway in East Village lies downtown’s latest brewery company, Southern Tail Brewing. Floor-to-ceiling windows, high-top tables and comfortable couches lure the locals for its seemingly endless list of beer and comfort foods. An outside patio with string lights is perfect for lounging with friends (even your furry ones). Join locals on the weekend for Beer Yoga, a fun activity for you or a group to find relaxation and try new brews.