North Little Rock is a charming city situated just across the Arkansas River from Little Rock, the state capital. With a population of around 65,000, it has a relaxed small-town feel while still offering plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities.
Whether you’re looking for history, nature, recreation or entertainment, there are many fun things to do in North Little Rock with kids and parents alike will enjoy exploring together.
1. Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum offers a unique look at Arkansas’ river heritage. Located along the Arkansas River in downtown North Little Rock, the museum shares the story of the state’s river transportation history through exhibits of artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays.
Kids will be fascinated by items like an antique steamboat control station and scale models of cargo boats. Temporary exhibits often feature fun hands-on activities as well. Plan to spend at least a couple hours exploring the museum and accompanying riverfront grounds. Admission is just $5 for adults and $3 for children, making it very affordable family fun.
2. Simmons Bank Arena
For big entertainment, head to Simmons Bank Arena. This 8,000-seat venue hosts concerts, professional hockey games, and other major events. Be on the lookout for family-friendly acts like Disney on Ice, Monster Jam truck shows, or live theater productions of popular kid movies.
Sporting events with the ECHL’s Thunder hockey team are also a blast for families as they feature between-period kid activities and interactive games on the jumbo screen. Even if there isn’t a specific children’s act scheduled, older kids will enjoy popular band or comedian performances. Be sure to check the arena website or call ahead for upcoming event calendars.
3. MacArthur Park
Spend a relaxing afternoon at scenic MacArthur Park. This 100-acre urban park features miles of paved trails perfect for walking or biking around its peaceful wooded areas and open green spaces. Stop to play a round of disc golf or relax by the large central pond.
There are also picnic shelters, playgrounds, and a dog park for furry friends. In summer, fountain shows and free outdoor concerts add to the lively park atmosphere. On warm weekends, you may even catch an outdoor movie event. This park is an oasis in the city and a wonderful place for families to escape the hustle and bustle for some outdoor recreation.
4. River Market District
For shopping, entertainment and delicious food, head to the River Market District. This revitalized area along the Arkansas River once served as North Little Rock’s wholesale produce market and still retains its historic architecture. Today it houses boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants and a weekend farmers market.
Kids will enjoy looking for unique gifts, browsing comic books, or sampling sweets from J.R.’s Gourmet Popcorn or Mad Hatter Donuts and Coffee. Be sure to stop in at the Williamson’s Trading Co. general store for fudge samples and old-timey curiosities. Wandering the district is a very family-friendly way to spend an afternoon seeing and doing something new around every corner.
5. Craighead Forest Park
For hiking through an urban forest oasis, visit Craighead Forest Park. Spread across 550 acres, this large park remains much like a natural forest area with more than 15 miles of multi-use trails winding through towering hardwood trees and native undergrowth. Popular routes like the Blue Trail loop around beautiful Craig Lake and offer scenic views.
Birdwatching and wildlife sightings are common too. Be sure to bring water and comfortable shoes for the full family hike experience. After working up an appetite, enjoy a picnic in one of the many shaded outdoor shelters. The park makes for a memorable adventure right on the edge of the city.
6. Clinton Presidential Center
Learn about history and civic participation at the Clinton Presidential Center. As the library and museum of President Bill Clinton, its exhibits share insights into his life and presidency through interactive multimedia displays, historical artifacts, and inspiring quotes. Temporary exhibits often feature timely topics as well.
Kids will be engaged by the experience gallery activities like crafting a speech or solving a 1993 foreign policy crisis. Outdoor areas include landscaped grounds and the Clinton School of Public Service building. With engaging exhibits for all ages, plan on spending at least half a day soaking up the learning experience. It’s a one-of-a-kind place for families to better understand the American political process.
7. Governor Mike Huckabee Boyhood Home & Museum
Step back in time at the Governor Mike Huckabee Boyhood Home & Museum. Located in the historic downtown Hope area about 30 minutes from North Little Rock, this former farmhouse now showcases life in mid-20th century rural Arkansas through period furnishings and exhibits related to Huckabee’s early life. It’s always interesting for kids to see what daily routines, pastimes and technologies were like “back then.”
Be sure to check the website for living history days with costumed reenactors portraying farm chores or other special events that really bring the past to life. It’s a humbling experience for modern families to appreciate where we came from.
8. North Shore River Walk Trail
For a scenic amble with amazing river views, check out the North Shore River Walk Trail. This 3-mile multi-use path stretches along the north shore of the Arkansas River from the Hindman Park Pavilion in the east to the Sherwood exit off I-40 to the west.
Along the route, you’ll pass decorative lighting, fountains, public art installations, and plenty of entry points to the river itself where fishermen can often be seen casting their lines. Benches allow for stopping to take in the tranquil natural scenery across the water. The paved trail is flat and fully accessible, making it perfect for all ages and fitness levels to enjoy at their own pace.
9. Ozark Highlands Nature Center
Learn about Arkansas’ natural heritage at the beautiful Ozark Highlands Nature Center. Situated on over 80 acres of former farmland, the center’s trails wind through ecosystems ranging from open fields to cedar glades and pine forests native to the region.
Be on the lookout for resident barn owls, butterflies and other wildlife. Ranger-led activities are often scheduled as well on topics like tree identification, crafting with natural materials or discovering edible wild plants. Hands-on exhibits in the visitor center are delightful for younger explorers. It’s an educational yet relaxing place for multi-generational families to strengthen their bond with the natural world.
10. Arkansas Museum of Discovery
For interactive STEAM-based experiences, visit this fantastic hands-on children’s museum. With over 125 interactive exhibits spread through several themed galleries, kids will love exploring ways to learn through creative play involving science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Favorites include building with LEGO bricks or dominoes in the construction zone, racing heart rates in The Body Shop, conducting science experiments in Labs & Discover, and creating music videos in the multimedia lab.
Don’t forget to check the daily activity schedule for live animal presentations, shows at the planetarium dome theater and engaging workshops. With so much to do, plan to spend at least half a day making new discoveries together as a family.
North Little Rock offers such a wide variety of interesting attractions that families are sure to find multiple things they enjoy doing together. Taking time to experience history, culture, nature and entertainment through sites like these will create lasting memories to cherish.
So whether you’re a local family or traveling through, be sure to set aside some time for exploring all the enjoyable activities and uniquely Arkansas experiences to be found in this charming city across the river.