Spouse and I are planning a trip next month to Little Rock. Never been there before (only Eureka springs and briefly hot springs). Trying to choose a hotel and location (flying in and will rent car). Have a few options in downtown area, as opposed to further out "financial district?". I know many downtown areas are not very pleasant anymore. What is Little Rock's downtown like? What is the River Market area? Would we prefer to be 'right there' and even not get the car for a day or so? Or we would prefer to go further out for nice place and drive in?
Thanks for any and all help and advice.

You definitely want to be downtown either in or near the River Market. There's a new Marriott Courtyard in the River Market, and just outside the River Market is the Peabody and next door is the Doubletree. Any of those would be fine - the Peabody is the nicest. If you stay in one of those places, you'll be able to walk around at night.

It's definitely a better place to stay than the financial district, which is not located in a neighborhood of any kind, and is pretty sterile.

We were very happy with the Marriott Courtyard near the library.

Just agreeing with pp - Marriott or Peabody would be my choice for downtown. The dowtown area is fine. The River Market is the downtown shopping/dining/bar strand that the Marriott is in and just a block or two down from the Peabody. I'm guessing you're coming to visit the library? If so, this is the area you want to stay in. You won't need your car downtown and there are several great places to eat within walking distance. Sonny Williams, Vermillion Water Grille, and Nu Cuisine are great choices. For cheaper fare, try the Flying Fish and Iriana's Pizza.

We have some time off, never been, and got VERY cheap airline tickets. Plan to do one day in Little Rock (don't know what yet) and one day drive to Keno and visit the antigues place.
Thanks for the input and anything else that you think of....send it on. I'll be watching until we leave in a couple of weeks.

Keo is only 20 minutes from Little Rock. the antiaue place is called Morris Antiques. They also have a Mom and Pop eatery where you get mile high pie. So good. 8 miles closer to Little Rock in Scott is the original Cotham's Restaurant. It is a small old general store that makes hubcap burgers and the BEST fried green tomatoes. Onion rings to die for. The building ain't much, looks like it is about to fall into the bayou but is usually packed and food and prices are wonderful.This is a must eat at place.
Juanita's is good for mexican food, as well as Sekisui for Japanese and sushi.
I cannot imagine anyone wanting to come to Little Rock, but then I live and work here.