The capital city of the state of Arkansas, Little Rock is an important financial and commercial center. Thanks to its association with President Clinton, it has found a place for itself in modern history. It was here that Bill Clinton announced his bid for presidency in October 1991 and when he won the elections, he delivered his victory speech with the Old State House of Little Rock as the backdrop.

Originally named La Petite Roche by French and Spanish travelers for a small rocky outcrop nearby, Little Rock rose to prominence in 1821 when it became the capital. During the 1950s, it played a major role in the desegregation struggle -- there were pitched battles here regarding the entry of black students into the schools.

Little Rock has some interesting walking and driving tours to offer to the visitor. Visit the MacArthur Park Historic District with its fine buildings such as the Trapnall Hall and the arsenal. The district is home to the Arkansas Arts center and the Decorative Arts Museum. Another areas of historic interest are the governor’s mansion and the churches and homes surrounding it.

The old State House, made famous by President Clinton is another noteworthy building, and was built between 1833 and 1842. The new state capitol is an impressive building with finely crafted architectural features.

The Central High School Museum is devoted to the schools efforts at desegregation -- the school was the center of the race related struggle during the 1950s. Other attractions in Little Rock include the Aerospace Education Center, the Museum of Discovery, and the Children's museum of Arkansas.

Do not forget to visit the Riverfront Park where the "little rock" for which the city is named rests. Another popular park is the War Memorial Park, the oldest park in the city.

From Little Rock, you can visit the nearby spa resort of Hot Springs, just 50 miles away. Located on the pretty, forested Zig Zag Mountains, Hot Springs is a major tourist center with Hot Springs National Park within the city itself. President Clinton lived here for a while and you can take a tour of his favorite places. Accommodation is easily available, though prices tend to rise during the peak season (February to April). There are plenty of restaurants here that offer tasty and inexpensive treats.

One can get to Little Rock by air or by road. Fly into Little Rock National Airport, served by major national airlines. To reach Little Rock when you are driving, take the I-30, I-40, U.S. 65 or the U.S. 67 routes. There is a Greyhound bus service to Little Rock. From the bus station to downtown a taxi costs $7. Taxis do not pick up on the street so if you need one call a taxi service at Tel 501 374 0333.

Accommodation is not a problem in the city. A major convention center, Little Rock has many hotels and motels spread all over the town. You can choose between award winning hotels, heritage hotels and cheap, basic motels. Many of the hotels provide airport shuttles.

Eating out in Little Rock is a pleasure -- there are a host of eateries and restaurants, most of them reasonably priced and offer specialized cuisine. There are many restaurants serving New American cuisine and French food here though other influences such as Caribbean, Italian, Mexican and Southwestern are also present. Nightlife in Little Rock is varied -- you can choose to spend the evening in one of the city's many bars, microbreweries or clubs. Or you could show up at one of the many performing arts venues, the biggest of wich is the Robinson Center. Catch the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra or the Arkansas Repertory Theatre shows.

Little Rock has some interesting shopping experiences in store for the visitor. While Park Plaza and university Mall have large departmental stores, River market is full of specialty stores, interesting boutiques and ethnic food shops.

The Visitors Center is located at the Convention Center at Markham and Main and is open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. Call them at 501 376 4781 if you need any assistance regarding accommodation and tours. There is a post office at 600 E Capitol that is open on weekdays 7.30am-5.30pm. Internet access can be had at the Main Library at 100 Rock St. call them at 375 5155 and check for timings.