Using the talents of both professional and community performers, the Children’s Theatre produces seven main stage productions each year. Fine performances are not all the theater has to offer. Classroom workshops prepare students for upcoming performances, and the Summer Theatre Academy teaches theater and drama skills to youths.

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is home to the USS Razorback, the longest-serving submarine in the world.  Launched in 1944 from  the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, the USS Razorback entered Tokyo Harbor in 1945 with 11 other submarines to take part in the formal surrender of Japan.  After being awarded five battle stars in the Pacific Theater during World War II and four stars during the Vietnam War, the USS Razorback was sold to the Turkish Navy in 1970 and recommissioned as the TCG Muratreis, conducting missions in the Black Sea and along the Marmara Sea coast until 2001.  The submarine was sold to the City of North Little Rock in 2004 and then transferred across the Atlantic Ocean to its final home in Arkansas.

More than just a military museum, it also offers a research library, a theater, and a large museum area. With several guided tours, AIMM focus is to commemorate America's rich naval and maritime heritage through the preservation and exhibition of historic naval vessels with an emphasis on the era of World War II through the present.

Constructed between 1899 and 1915 on the former site of the state penitentiary, the Arkansas State Capitol is the vital heart of the state's government. Rich in history, craftsmanship and architectural distinction, the Neo-Classical structure won general praise for its elegant proportions. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, elected officials, legislators, committees and delegations carry on "the people's business" while thousands of visitors enjoy the Capitol's warm welcome. Permanent exhibits chart the history of the Capitol, while changing displays in the first-floor galleries highlight aspects of Arkansas history, art and popular culture. Portraits of past governors, Supreme Court Justices and legislators bring visitors "face to face" with the men and women who have shaped Arkansas. Guided tours are available on weekdays; reservations are advised. The Capitol is easily accessed from I-630. Visitor parking is available on Woodlane St. and in the parking lot at the corner of Woodlane and Capitol.

The Arkansas Travelers enjoy one of the longest running histories of any minor league franchise, and with its new home in the state of the art Dickey-Stephens Ballpark, the history continues.  Dickey-Stephens Park has 5,800 fixed seats, but when you add in the 24 luxury suites, three private dining areas and the grass berms, there is room for over 7,000.

Could you imagine a kid who wouldn't enjoy the happy-go-lucky environment at Chuck E. Cheese -- video games, interactive fun, giant singing mice and gooey pizza pies? Neither can we. Plenty of grown-ups love it, too, as a place where kids can burn off energy with a pocketful of game tokens for an afternoon or evening of fun.  A toddler zone ensures little ones won't feel left out.

Historic Arkansas Museum celebrates Arkansas' cultural and material heritage with six galleries of Arkansas art and artifacts, an interactive children's gallery, orientation theater, museum store with Arkansas products and more. Take time to tour the state's oldest neighborhood, where medicine came from the herb garden and the newspaper was printed on a hand-operated press. Four original Little Rock dwellings on the museum's grounds provide the setting as expert tour guides describe life on the Arkansas frontier and costumed Living History actors portray early Arkansans. Historic Arkansas Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

The long-awaited completion of the renovation of the Junction Railroad Bridge converting it to a pedestrian and bicycle bridge took place May 17, 2008. Access to the bridge is by a walkway (handicap accessible) directly behind the River Market pavilion on the Little Rock side and from Washington Street near Verizon Arena on the North Little Rock side. A ceremonial “Tying Our Cities Together” was accomplished with two 900 foot lengths of ribbon reaching from each end of the bridge. Local school groups brought the ribbon together at the center of the bridge for a symbolic tying of the cities.

Junction Bridge has served as a backdrop to both Little Rock and North Little Rock’s skylines for over 100 years. Today, this vital landmark has been transformed into a pedestrian bridge that will serve as one of the state’s premiere “destinations” for both tourists and locals to view the Arkansas River and discover the heart of Central Arkansas’ flourishing activities.

This is the largest training and maintenance facility for C-130 aircraft. Call for a tour, or attend an open house. An air show is held each spring.

The Little Rock Climbing Center (LRCC) is the premier indoor rock climbing gym in Central Arkansas.  It has over 4,000 sq.ft. of climbable terrain that is friendly to both the beginners as well as to the seasoned pro.  This facility offers

• 27 belay stations
• overhangs, slabs, roofs and aretes
• lead climbing area
• bouldering cave
• climbing courses

All participants under the age of 18 must have a signed waiver by their parent or guardian before climbing at the center.  You can rent out passes and gear daily (check the website above for prices), or you can become a member and climb till your hearts content.  The LRCC is also an ideal location for birthday parties, scout troops, or for groups seeking team-building activities. 

Discover the world year-round at the Little Rock Zoo! It all began in 1926 with a circus bear and timber wolf. Today, the Little Rock Zoo is home to over 725 of the world's most exotic animals. Experience the majesty of giraffes, elephants, and rhinos. Marvel at the strength and beauty of lions, tigers, and jaguars. Take a stroll and catch a glimpse of chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas. Or slither around to explore the snakes, amphibians and alligators. If you need a break from the action, stop in the Safari Terrace Cafe for a bite to eat. Or take a relaxing and scenic ride on the train. Don't forget to visit the Children's Farm, where you can get up close to sheep, goats, and more. With new animal exhibits, special events, and educational programs, the Zoo provides an ever-changing and recreational experience for children of all ages. The Zoo is located on 33 rolling, wooded acres just minutes from downtown or west Little Rock at I-630 & Fair Park Boulevard.

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, is Arkansas's state-funded museum dedicated to the story of African American life and business in Arkansas.

Located at West Ninth and Broadway Streets in Little Rock, the Cultural Center offers educational programs, exhibits, genealogy research files, hundreds of artifacts and includes the art if Isaac Scott Hathaway.  The Hathaway Collection is believed to be the largest of its kind.

Isaac Scott Hathaway, an African American artist, studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and later established the ceramic department at Branch Normal College in Pine Bluff (UAPB), and Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Most notably, Hathaway was the first African American artist commissioned to design a circulating coin for the United States Mint.  He created the Booker T. Washington half dollar in 1946 and the Booker T. Washington/George Washington Carver half dollar in 1951.

At the Museum of Discovery, Arkansas' museum of science and history, you can explore the wonders of nature, science, technology and history. Build a robot at the Tech Lab, create crafts at the Imagination Station, learn about Arkansas' rich Native American history, discover the principles of light, electricity, and magnetism, explore the major parts of the body in the Health Hall or learn about forestry through Worlds of the Forest.  Electric shows available on weekends. Changing national traveling exhibits make each visit a new experience! Birthday parties, summer camps, and group rates available.

Want to watch the famous parade of ducks? Each morning at 11 o'clock the clan departs their Royal Peabody Duck Palace and heads via a red carpet to the ducks' daytime home (a marble fountain in the lobby), where they frolic all day and then return to their Palace at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

Peabody Park, An Adventure in Play!
Located west of the Junction Bridge and north of the Wellness Walkway in Riverfront Park, Peabody Park is a unique play environment, designed with help from children, that encourages imagination, exploration and discovery. Some of its many wondrous features include several outdoor and underground rooms, large native stones for climbing, a spray pad, and the Ozark Pavilion.

Spend the afternoon at one of Arkansas' prettiest spots. Rising more than 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, the cone-shaped peak of Pinnacle Mountain is a central Arkansas landmark. Once up top (a fairly easy hike up the western slope at a slow pace), the scenery can't be beat. Besides the more than 40 miles of hiking trails, there are also the Arkansas Arboretum, a playground and plenty of picnic tables.

River Trail Rentals rents an assortment of bikes for both the casual and more serious bike rider. We have cruisers, trikes, tandems, hybrids and road bikes for rent.

Take a tour of Arkansas' first legal distillery.  Learn how Brandon's award winning spirits are made by Master Distiller Brandon.  The tour starts in the distillation room and ends in the tasting room for a taste of Brandon's Vodka, Gin, Arkansas Lightning, and Arkansas Young Bourbon.

Saturdays, 1:30pm & 3pm. 

$7.00 per person. Please call 501-907-5244  to make reservations.

The staff of The Empress invites you to journey back to 1888  with our Historical Tours and Teas.
 
James H. Hornibrooks’ vision was made real over 120 years ago.  Now, you can experience this breathtaking Victorian described in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as “Queen Anne on Steroids”. The Hornibrook Mansion was completed in 1888 at a cost of $20,000 and exclusively used Arkansas materials.

Historical Tours:
$7.50 per person, $10.00 during holiday season and children under 10, $5.00.

Buses welcome, group tours by appointment. Holiday rates & restrictions may apply.

Tea and Tour:
Homemade Irish craisin scones topped with clotted cream and lemon curd served with our specialty teas,  plus a 45 minute tour of the Hornibrook mansion. $12.50 per person ($15.00 at Christmas) minimum 10 people.

High Tea and Tour:
Cranberry scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, finger sandwiches, finger sweets, fresh fruit, our signature hand dipped chocolate-covered cherries, and specialty teas, plus a tour of the mansion. $35.00 per person ($40.00 at Christmas) minimum 10 people.

Brunch and Tour:
A unique fruit sorbet or fruit soup followed by a delectable main course, side dish, and garnished with lush fresh fruit. Tour of the mansion. $35.00 per person ($40.00 at Christmas) minimum 10 people.

All Teas & Brunches are served in the formal dining room with Pomp & Circumstance as befitting a more “genteel era”.

Founded by the five major golf organizations to create affordable and accessible facilities for kids, with special emphasis on those who have not had access or exposure to the game of golf. The facility includes a championship nine-hole course, a nine-hole par-three pitch-and-putt course, a 15-acre driving range, a short game area and a putting course.

The Wonder Place isn’t simply a destination. It’s also an inspiration. An imaginative place where your child can create, dream, wonder and explore.  It's also a unique, creative play experience designed just for kids 8 years old and under.

Don’t forget to enjoy a healthy snack in our eating area! Then, visit our toy store full of unique and educational toys, including Haba Toys!

Cool off and have a blast during steamy summers at this sprawling water park, which includes slides, a wave pool, inner tube rides, a family raft ride, a roller coaster water ride and a "splashzone" with water tag and bungee rope.

Willow Springs is a water park with a 400 ft slide, water sports and a log roll. They also have a kiddie area and a place to picnic.

The center focuses on the wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities that our state’s fish and wildlife resources provide. Exhibits highlight the role of fish and wildlife management and many of the projects conducted throughout the history of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The location along the Arkansas River allows many watchable wildlife activities within an urban area. Basking water turtles, butterflies and migrating pelicans are common sights. A portion of the Arkansas River Trail crosses the site, offering more options for exploration. The grounds of the center include beds of native plants found throughout the state, while the main building includes an exhibit hall, aquariums, gift shop, theater and special educational programs.