5 Best Sights in Little Rock, Arkansas

Multimedia interactive exhibits at Little Rock Central High School's visitor center, across the intersection from the school, commemorate the courageous efforts of "The Little Rock Nine" —a group African American students who, in 1957, were entrolled at this formerly all-white school only after federal troops were called in to protect them. There is also a commemorative garden. Because the school is still a fully operating high school, visitors are strictly prohibited from touring it unless they have a reservation and are under the supervision of a national park ranger.

Heifer Village is a $7.5 million educational facility built on the site of the world headquarters for Heifer International, a global nonprofit organization whose goal is to relieve world hunger and poverty. The environmental footprint for the ecologically friendly headquarters building comprises a former industrial wasteland that has been converted to thriving wetlands. Throughout the Village, you'll learn about world hunger and other global issues through hands-on exhibits, videos, and activities in either self-guided or structured visits, ranging from one to three hours. A light lunch is available on-site at the Heifer Cafe. Overnight and multiday activity options are available at Heifer Ranch, about an hour west in Perryville.

The Garden Home at Moss Mountain is an 1840s farmstead that was the location for taping of P. Allen Smith's syndicated- and public-television shows, plus his regular appearances on NBC's Today Show and The Weather Channel. Four-hour tours, by group reservation only, include the Smith home, his extensive gardens and heritage livestock operations, plus a meal followed by free time in the gift shop, and photo opportunities and book signings when Mr. Smith is in residence. Visitors from outside Little Rock who register for P. Allen Smith's events are sometimes eligible for hotel discounts. Ask for details when you make reservations.

During a 45-minute tour of "Arkansas's first legal distillery since Prohibition," you'll learn about the origin of bourbon, vodka, and gin, as well as the process by which each one goes from grain bin to bottle to produce award-winning craft spirits. At the end of the tour, you'll get to "taste the lightnin'," if you're 21 or over. Groups can schedule a group bottling party (by reservation only) volunteering to bottle spirits in exchange for free drinks and eats.

In the eyes of the world, Little Rock became a global destination in 2004 when the William Clinton Presidential Center and Park opened on 29 riverfront acres adjacent to the city's central business district. The Clinton School of Public Service is housed on-site in a renovated historic train station; the offices for the Clinton Foundation are also here. This energy-efficient, environmentally conscious complex is an architectural icon visualizing a "bridge to the future," mirroring Little Rock's six other bridges across the Arkansas River. See replicas of the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and President Clinton's limousine. Permanent and rotating exhibits, films, lectures, special events, and activities recount Clinton's years in office.