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Downtown Alive and Well While physical sprawl is well and alive in Little Rock, the heartbeat of the city is still strong downtown. It’s the city’s central business and financial district, headquarters to state government, and cultural center. According to the Little Rock Downtown Partnership, advocate for the area’s development, each weekday brings more than 40,000 employees to downtown offices. As the state’s capital, Little Rock is headquarters to state and federal government offices. The Arkansas Capitol, a replica of our nation’s Capitol, is surrounded by government-related complexes. A walk out of the Capitol’s bronze doors leads you to Capitol Avenue, the gateway to the city’s financial center. Whether it’s a locally owned institution such as Stephens Inc., one of the largest investment banks off Wall Street, or the mega Bank of America, there are many institutions to meet your financial needs. While the abandonment of downtown retail outlets during the 1970s left an interesting mix of shopping selections behind, the popularity of condominiums in the downtown River Market provides an opportunity for the rebirth of these locations. Former department stores and office spaces near Main Street and the financial district are being renovated for eager residential tenants. This development holds promise for additional retail outlets with plans for mixed-use lofts and condos. The recently built offices for the Department of Health & Human Services across the street from Arkansas Repertory Theatre provide a solid business anchor. Dining downtown provides numerous delicious choices. The Little Rock Club, 30 stories above the city in the Regions Bank building, is a busy meeting place for executives during lunch and host to a variety of receptions during the evenings. Fine dining can be had at several award-winning spots, including the Italian cuisine of Capriccio in The Peabody Little Rock, Ashley’s in the Capital Hotel, and haute cuisine at chic Nu Cuisine Lounge. Doe’s Eat Place boasts award-winning steaks and soaked salads. Great delis and home cooking can also be enjoyed. And don’t miss the Sports Page’s burgers. An evening does not go by without at least one political gathering, social celebration or event raising substantial funds for a local nonprofit. With hotels near the Statehouse Convention Center, including The Peabody Little Rock and the historic Capital Hotel, crowds of attendees in black-tie mingle through traffic with party-goers in jeans from the River Market as they vie for nearby parking. Throw in a few hundred conventioneers seeing the sites downtown and you have an energetic atmosphere. Robinson Center Music Hall next to the DoubleTree Hotel just west of the convention center is the performance home of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. One of the few financially solvent orchestras in the country, the ASO showcases music from the expected classical to star-studded pop performances. Fans of the symphony expand the reach and support of the ASO with successful fundraisers such as the Opus Ball, a spectacular gala event. Winter brings sold-out crowds to “The Nutcracker,” a traditional holiday favorite performed with Ballet Arkansas. Live theater can be found in several locations. The nationally lauded Arkansas Repertory Theatre draws professional actors from New York and regional professional theater as it delights audiences with its presentations. It is supported by enthusiastic theater-goers through additional activities outside of the stage. The Rep keeps crowds anticipating one of its most notable fundraisers, The Saints and Sinner’s Annual Masked Ball, which brings along with it all of the glamour and frivolity one could imagine. Celebrity Attractions brings tours of hit Broadway shows to Robinson Center Music Hall. Not to be left out, actors without guild cards share their thespian skills at the Weekend Theater and Community Theatre of Little Rock. Museums dot downtown. The Old State House Museum, recognized nationally as the backdrop for President Bill Clinton’s election night speeches, is nestled between The Peabody and DoubleTree hotels. Within walking distance is the Historic Arkansas Museum. Live re-enactments of life during the state’s early history consistently draw locals and visitors. The Arkansas Arts Center features galleries with revolving exhibits plus a permanent gallery of more than 135 drawings and watercolors by Paul Signac. The Arts Center continues to expand its collection of impressive works on paper by artists as varied as Rembrandt, Cézanne, Jackson Pollack and Georgia O’Keefe. Paintings by Diego Rivera and Picasso and sculptures by Henry Moore make the Arts Center a must-visit destination. Whether it’s the variety of classes offered to children and adults at its Museum School or the popular performances at its Children’s Theatre, the Arts Center provides many ways enjoy the arts. Located in spacious McArthur Park, it shares ground with the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, which commemorates the state’s historical military endeavors. It is named for Gen. Douglas McArthur, who was born on the site. Points of Interest ARTS and DRAMA Arkansas Arts Center Arkansas Repertory Theatre Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Ballet Arkansas Celebrity Attractions The Weekend Theater GOVERNMENT Arkansas State Capitol MUSEUMS Historic Arkansas Museum Old State House Museum RESTAURANTS Ashley’s Capriccio Grill Nu Cuisine Lounge The Little Rock Club The Sports Page |
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