The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is located in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas and most populous city with nearly 200,000 people calling it home.  Featuring big city amenities in the heart of the Natural State, Little Rock is the hub of cultural, economic, government, and transportation within Arkansas and the South.  Downtown Little Rock is only a five-minute drive from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, and a 20-minute drive will take you to just about any location in Little Rock. Whether you like beautiful scenery, museums and cultural events, parks, gourmet dining or the night life, the city has it all. Plus, Little Rock offers affordable housing in great neighborhoods and a low cost of living.

Explore the Outdoors
Take in the Arts & Culture
Family Friendly Fun
Little Rock Neighborhoods
Surrounding Suburbs
Discover More about Little Rock

Explore the Outdoors

Wherever you live in Little Rock, you’re just minutes away from some pretty amazing outdoor opportunities. We are surrounded by natural beauty at every turn and enjoy a four-season climate. You can go road cycling, mountain biking,  kayaking, paddle boarding, mountain climbing, hiking, fishing, and more. Resorts and state and national parks are all within easy driving distance to enjoy on the weekends too. We have something for everyone from waterfalls and caverns to mountain trails and scenic drives as well as lakes and fall foliage that will take your breath away. We also have fascinating historical sites and spectacular golf courses. And did we mention that we have wineries, breweries, and distilleries, the only public diamond mine in the world, thoroughbred horse racing and one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world? How awesome is that?

To the west, Pinnacle Mountain State Park features two of the area’s most popular mountain biking trails, and as well as paddling, hiking, rock climbing, star gazing and other fun activities for the outdoor enthusiast. The Arkansas River Trail takes you over the Big Dam Bridge and connects more than 15 miles of trails, where you can explore and relax as you enjoy Central Arkansas’s natural beauty.  Murray Park offers soccer, beach volleyball, a dog park, a boat dock, and more.

Take in the Arts & Culture

Little Rock is a thriving scene of music, performing arts, museums, and galleries.  Experience the beauty of the Arkansas Arts Center, the sounds of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the very best of Broadway, the grace of Ballet Arkansas and much more.  The Clinton Presidential Center is the home of the Little Rock offices of the Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, and the Clinton School of Public Service, the first institution in the nation to offer a Master of Public Service (MPS) degree. The Center is a world-class educational and cultural venue offering a variety of educational programs, special events, exhibitions, and lectures.  Little Rock’s Old Statehouse Museum  and  Historic Arkansas Museum also offer one-of-kind treasures and are worth a visit. The River Market District, with its great Arkansas live music and nightlife spots in Little Rock, is conveniently located downtown, all within walking distance of each other or by use of Little Rock public transportation.

Family Friendly Fun

With an award-winning regional zoo and one of the most impressive science and technology museums in the South, Little Rock is a great place to enjoy family fun.  The Museum of Discovery has more than 90 hands on exhibits and is ranked the 6th best science museum in the United States by Mensa.  In North Little Rock, you’ll find Dickey-Stephens park, home to the Arkansas Travelers baseball team, the double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.  It was named Ballpark of the Year by Baseballparks.com in 2007 for its location, design, and fan amenities.  If you follow the National Premier Soccer League, then you’ll sure want to check out the Little Rock Rangers Soccer Club, a national semi-professional team that plays there home games at War Memorial Stadium (adjacent to UAMS).  As the trade center of Arkansas, you will find it all in Little Rock. Modern malls, outlet centers, specialty gift shops, exclusive boutiques, day spas, antique stores, art galleries, and a variety of unique retailers.

Higher Education

In addition to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock is home to three four-year colleges – Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and one specialty graduate school – The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Pubic Service. Like UAMS, both UA-Little Rock and the Clinton School are part of the statewide network of education institutions in the University of Arkansas system.  UA-Little Rock consists of 54 undergraduate major programs, four doctoral programs, including the juris doctor offered at the William H. Bowen School of Law, 29 graduate and professional programs, as well as joint programs with other campuses of the University of Arkansas System. UAMS Orthopaedics has been involved in UA-Little Rock’s Division 1 athletic program since 1985.  Department faculty member and distinguished professor, Jack Vander Schilden, M.D., was inducted into the Little Rock Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 for his outstanding contributions to Little Rock Trojan athletics. UA-Pulaski Technical College and Shorter College are both two-year colleges located in North Little Rock, and in Conway, there are three four year universities – Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, and the University of Arkansas of Central Arkansas.

Little Rock Neighborhoods

Downtown Little Rock offers residents a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of the city.  The downtown area has seen dramatic transformation and growth, with more on the way. Residents in the area can’t get enough of the new amenities and enjoy living in high-rise condos and apartments, the historic homes of the Quapaw Quarter, or in the and hip SoMa neighborhood, boasting eco-friendly dwellings and refurbished beauties. Food establishments offer a variety of local flavor, as does the farmers market and a host of popular bars.  Business abounds with the likes of Stephens Inc, Heifer International, the state government, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

The Riverdale area is located near the Arkansas River, attracting those who enjoy the prospect of an outdoor adventure.  Luxury apartments, townhouses, condos, and single-family homes of all price ranges give residents plenty to choose from.   While known more for being the city’s design district, you’ll find big businesses here as well, including Verizon’s regional headquarters and the world headquarters for both Dillard’s and ATA International. Great dining? Yep.

The part of Little Rock known as the Heights is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Little Rock.  With it’s beautiful homes and central location, the area is full of both character and convenience.  Boutiques, banks, grocery stores, and amazing restaurants are all located within walking distance for the the friendly neighborhood residents.  The demand is high for homes in the area–from quaint cottages and bungalows to large and lavish abodes.  Nestled up against some of the neighborhood’s largest homes is the exclusive and historic Country Club of Little Rock, which just happens to be one of the oldest country clubs west of the Mississippi River.

To the south, you’ll find the more laid-back cousin of the Heights in an area known as Hillcrest.   With it’s turn of the century homes and craftsman cottages, Hillcrest offers a lower price point than the Heights and more rental options, too.  The historic district is full of neighborhood residents who enjoy the diverse shops, patio-gathering restaurants, and the easing going atmosphere the area brings.  To the south is Stifft Station and Capitol View, both filled with bungalow homes located close to UAMS.

Little Rock’s Midtown area is a hub for retailers and large employers.  Residential areas surround the business activity offering both ranch-style and modern homes.  The area is located between the Heights, Hillcrest, and West Little Rock, with neighborhoods that include Cammack Village, Kingwood, and Leawood that are close in proximity to UAMS, CHI St. Vincent Hospital, and UA-Little Rock  Need retail therapy?  Little Rock’s main shopping mall, Park Plaza, and other centers that attract customers city-wide are located in this central part of town.

West Little Rock is an expansive section of the city with spacious neighborhoods, thriving retailers, and outlying areas that offer recreational activities. Housing options range from gated neighborhoods and million-dollar homes to apartments, condos, and charming homes reminiscent of the Seaside community in Florida. The area is home to numerous big box retailers, along with several local boutiques, and a host of dining options that will make your mouth water.  Close in proximity to Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle, West Little Rockers can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities and one-of-a-kind views.

Chenal Valley is located within what’s considered West Little Rock, but has its own distinguishing qualities that draw both long time Little Rock residents and newcomers alike.  It is made up 4800 scenic areas on which 34 separate neighborhoods have been established.  “Where to Retire” magazine recently named Chenal Valley the best master-planned community in Arkansas, and among the top 50 in the United States. The community is considered one of the safest and most family friendly in Little Rock. The area is home to two championship golf courses and the Promenade at Chenal, a one-stop hub of top retailers, great restaurants, and the only IMAX theater in town.

Surrounding Suburbs

Little Rock is one of nine cities that combine to create the metro area.  The other eight – Maumelle, Conway, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Bryant, and Benton – are all unique with their own special attributes.

Located just a few miles northwest of Little Rock across the Arkansas River, Maumelle is one of the fastest-growing cities in Pulaski County. This newer community possesses three lakes, two golf courses, and breathtaking views of the river and nearby Pinnacle mountain. Maumelle as a whole has won the Volunteer Community of  the year 13 times since 2002. With its charm, beauty, and convenience, it’s no wonder it is a highly sought after suburb for many in the metro area.  Conway, known as the “City of Colleges,” is home to more than 65,000 people of which nearly 75 percent are under the age of 45.  It also has thriving business environment, growing technology sector, many scenic lakes and parks, and a host of cultural delights. The vibrant city also offers plenty of retail therapy, restaurants, and recreational fun, and its affordable housing has the suburb listed on Southern Living’s “South’s Best College Towns,” Forbes’  “Seven Places in the U.S. So Cheap You Can Afford to be an Entrepreneur,” and CBS News’ “10 Cheapest Places to Live in the U.S.”

North Little Rock, also located across the Arkansas River, is somewhat similar to Little Rock in that it has healthcare facilities, restaurants, retailers, and major business operations.  Two major attractions include Verizon Arena, which holds 18,000 people, and Dickey-Stephens Park, home to the Arkansas Travelers.  The area features everything from craftsman-style bungalows to mid-century homes as well as a host of apartments, condos, and town homes.  Sherwood, about 12 miles north of the city just beyond North Little Rock, is a suburb with over 30,000 residents, who enjoy affordable neighborhoods and plenty of recreational facilities and parks.  Home to the C-130 base for the U.S. Department of Defense, Jacksonville is a city located less than 30 minutes from downtown and is home to about 29,000 people who experience a family-friendly atmosphere and affordable housing.  Cabot, the largest city in neighboring Lonoke County, offers a high-ranking school system and more than 50 subdivisions with options for quiet neighborhoods and community living, making it an attractive suburb to buy a home within the metro area.

Bryant, is a city that has grown more than 50 percent over the last 20 years.  With it’s close proximity to Little Rock, great local schools, and plenty of neighborhood charm, it’s not surprising that it was recently rated as one of the most affordable suburbs in America by BusinessWeek magazine.  Benton, located just beyond Bryant, is a convenient commute to Little Rock or Hot Springs, but boasts a business climate of its own with more than 30,000 living in the area.

Discover More about Little Rock

Visit these links to discover more about Little Rock, where to live, and what to check out, including annual festivals, live music and entertainment, sports events, exhibits, and more.

Little Rock Event Calendar

Little Rock Visitors Bureau 

Metro Little Rock Guides

Arkansas Tourism

Arkansas Realtor MLS