Destination:
Arkansas

Little Rock Nine Memorial

After a ruling by the US Supreme Court that segregated schools were unconstitutional in 1954, a group of African-American students known as the 'Little Rock Nine' were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957, much to the dismay of their fellow all-white classmates. The move was considered to be one of the most important events in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. On 4 September 1957, several segregationist councils held protests at the school to deny the new black students entry, and angry mobs spat and verbally abused the nine teenagers as they made their way to school. On 25 September, the Little Rock Nine were finally admitted to the school under the protection of the US Army, with 1,000 US paratroopers protecting them from segregationist whites, but they still endured a full year of physical, verbal and emotional abuse from fellow white students. But on 27 May 1958, Earnest Green became the first black student to graduate from the school. Finally, in 1964 the Civil Rights Law prohibited racial discrimination in education, employment or in public places. Little Rock Central High School still functions as part of the Little Rock School District, but is home to a National Historic Site that houses a Civil Rights Museum.

Little Rock Central High School

The scene of the 1957 Little Rock Integration Crisis, when nine African-American students (dubbed the Little Rock Nine) were admitted to a previously racially segregated school during the American Civil Rights Movement, saw Little Rock Central gain international attention. In 1998, 40 years after Earnest Green graduated, the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site was established. The Visitor Center is located across the street from the school and features a film on the Little Rock Integration Crisis, as well as multimedia exhibits on the event as well as desegregation during the 20th century and the American Civil Rights Movement. Head to the Central High Commemorative Garden, located across the street from the Visitor Center, which features nine trees and benches to honour the students and where visitors can relax and reflect on the historic event.

Clinton Presidential Centre

History buffs visiting Little Rock should be sure to visit the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, the presidential library of former US president Bill Clinton that features the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. Visitors can enjoy the viewing artefacts from Clinton's two terms as president at the museum, including full-scale replicas of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room. Other exhibits include Clinton's Cadillac One, a gallery consisting of a 110-foot (34m) timeline of each of Clinton's years as President and 14 alcove displays featuring the Oklahoma City bombing and Northern Ireland and Middle East peace efforts as well as personal letters written to and by the Clinton family and family photographs.

Peabody Hotel Ducks

Every morning, at around 11am, dozens of visitors flock to witness the Peabody Hotel's morning ritual. The Peabody Little Rock Ducks leave their Royal Peabody Duck Palace and march their way to the lobby, accompanied by their Duck Master who dons a scarlet and gold trimmed jacket, where a crimson carpet leading to a marble fountain awaits them. It is then that the sound of John Philip Sousa's King Cotton March fills the air and the ducks march one-by-one up the three carpeted stairs and plunge themselves into the fountain, where they remain for the rest of the day, splashing and playing in the water, much to the amusement of hotel guests. At exactly 5pm, the ducks return to their Royal Peabody Duck Palace to feast on a dinner of hand-shredded Romaine lettuce, grated carrots, live worm meals and Peabody Duck Trail Mix. The ritual began in the 1930s when the general manager of the hotel decided to put his live decoy ducks into the fountain after one too many drinks, and has carried on ever since.

Arkansas Governor's Mansion

The official residence of the Governor of Arkansas and his family, the mansion is located within the Governor's Mansion Historic District. Before its construction in 1950, there had never been an official residence of the state's chief executive. Eleven of Arkansas's 45 Governors have lived in the Mansion with their families and pets, and many of the rooms feature heirlooms handed down through the years. Tours of the gardens are a must for visitors, as the sweeping vista of botanical beauty makes an afternoon stroll an experience to remember.

Hot Springs

Located just 43 miles (68km) outside of Little Rock, Hot Springs is a popular weekend getaway for both locals and tourists in Arkansas. The small city takes its name from 47 natural hot springs, which supply heated water to a number of spas in town, most notably in the beautiful old buildings on Bathhouse Row, designated a Historic Landmark District. Most of the popular attractions in Hot Springs are outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, golf, horseback riding and fishing. Parts of the town are actually located within Hot Springs National Park, making it easy to explore the park.