Little Rock Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Little Rock

Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is a cultural, economic, government, and transportation center of the State. Sitting on the south bank of the Arkansas River, it became the capital of Arkansas Territory in 1821 and was incorporated as a city in 1831.

The name "Little Rock" (French: La Petite Roche) was coined by the French explorer and trader Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe in 1722, and was due to the stone formation along the riverbank used by early travelers as a landmark for river crossing from the flat Mississippi Delta region to the Ouachita Mountain foothills. Though there was an effort to officially name the city "Arkopolis" upon its founding in the 1820s, the name Little Rock is eventually what stuck.

During the civil right movement, Little Rock is where the first desegregation of school took place. The city is also the birthplace of the 42nd US president, William J. Clinton and where Clinton started his political career and launched his bid for the US presidency.

There are historical landmarks in the city, located mainly in the downtown area. The most prominent among them are the Old State House Museum, the Historic Arkansas Museum, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum, and more. Take this self-guided walk to explore these and other major landmarks of Little Rock, as well as some interesting shopping and entertainment sights.