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Little Rock -

Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, was founded in 1821. The city was named for a rock formation along the banks of the Arkansas River subsequently called the "Little Rock" by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe in 1722.

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William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park -

Little Rock is synonymous with Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, who while born in Hope was based out of the city as Governor of Arkansas. The William J. Clinton Presidential Center & Park is home to a library and museum dedicated to Clinton's time in the White House. Standout exhibits include the Great Hall that houses full-scale replicas of the Clinton-era Oval Office and Cabinet Room, and his presidential limousine.

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Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site -

Little Rock Central High School hit the headlines in 1957 when nine African-American students attempted to enter the premises after the US Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional three years earlier. The students, subsequently known as the Little Rock Nine, braved an angry mob of white protestors and were initially denied admission before being escorted into the school by police. However, shortly afterwards, as violence escalated, they were removed.

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Big Dam Bridge and Arkansas River Trail -

At 1,288 m (4,226 ft), Little Rock's Big Dam Bridge is the longest bridge built for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in North America. It connects over 64 km (40 mi) of scenic riverside trails between Little Rock and North Little Rock, including the popular Arkansas River Trail.

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Arkansas State Capitol -

Dating back to 1915 and based on the design of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Arkansas State Capitol can be explored on a scheduled tour. A visit takes in numerous monuments and memorials, among them the Confederate Soldiers Monument and the Little Rock Nine Civil Rights Memorial. The glistening rotunda, meanwhile, is quite breathtaking.

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Old State House Museum -

With your interest in Arkansas political history sparked perhaps, why not then head over to the original state capitol? Inaugurated in 1842, this is the oldest surviving state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. It's now an engaging museum, a visit being another way to learn more about the state's long and sometimes complex history.

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Museum of Discovery -

Located in a historic building in Little Rock's River Market District, the Museum of Discovery is a delight to, well, discover, and is especially appealing to kids. The interactive displays include an amazing Tesla coil (pictured) and the extraordinary Tornado Alley Theater. This exhibit affords visitors the opportunity to relive the tornado that devastated the Governor's Mansion District area of downtown Little Rock in January 1999.

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MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History -

One of the oldest buildings in the region houses the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, named for General Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964), who was born here when it was a military barracks. The museums chronicles the state's military history through artifacts, photographs, documents, uniforms, weapons, and other military items.

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Little Rock Zoo -

The largest zoo in Arkansas is actually one of the smallest in America, with around 200 animals calling it home. Nonetheless accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, this wonderful facility provides sanctuary for its seriously happy residents.

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Historic Arkansas Museum -

Created to include a number of historic homesteads and other restored buildings dating back to the mid-1800s, the Historic Arkansas Museum serves as a reminder of what life was like in the region during the frontier era. Period artifacts on display and in situ, including paintings, furniture, jewelry, pottery, and toys, further enhance the 19th-century ambiance.

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Quapaw Quarter District -

A Little Rock area certainly worth lingering in is the Quapaw Quarter District. Comprised primarily of residential neighborhoods, this is where to admire more than 100 historic and renovated post-Civil War homes. Providing a focal point is the First Lutheran Church, consecrated in 1868.

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Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum -

Set alongside the Arkansas River is Little Rock's maritime museum. Its primary exhibit is USS Razorback, a Second World War-era submarine that was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan formally capitulated.

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The Old Mill -

Located in Little Rock North is a historic recreation of an 1880's water-powered grist mill. The mill was made famous from the opening scene of the 1939 movie classic 'Gone with the Wind,' and is certainly worth a selfie for posterity.

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Pinnacle Mountain State Park -

Just 24 km (15 mi) northwest of Little Rock is the open rolling countryside of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Those who join one of two hiking trails that snake up to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain will be rewarded with views worthy of Instagram.

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Hot Springs National Park -

Tucked away in the Ouachita Mountains is Hot Springs National Park, where for over a century people have been coming to take advantage of the thermal springs that supply and nourish this popular spa town destination. Fordyce Bathhouse (pictured) remains the most iconic facility, which also happens to be the park's visitor center.

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Garvan Woodland Gardens -

Also in Hot Springs on the shoreline of Lake Hamilton is the Garvan Woodland Gardens, a botanical garden of considerable prestige. If you're traveling with kids, they'll no doubt want to explore the Evan Children's Adventure Garden and its imaginative treehouse (pictured).

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Buffalo National River -

The Buffalo River was the first National River to be designated in the United States, in 1972. Flowing through a protected wilderness area, the river is a popular draw for canoeists, and is also a destination favored for the many hiking trails that meander through the park's woodland.

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Arkansas Air Museum -

The aviation and military museum at Fayetteville has on display aircraft ranging from the 1920s to the modern era, all arranged under a 1940s-era hangar. The museum also features biographical exhibits on notable Arkansan aviators, including pioneering female pilot Louise Thaden (1905–1979), who was born in Bentonville.

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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art -

Bentonville is the location of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Set incongruously in a forested environment, the museum, founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, is an architectural landmark, designed by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie.

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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art collection -

The museum houses notable works of American art by a host of internationally recognized names, including Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and Jackson Pollock. The collection is also distinguished by lesser known but equally respected artists such as Richard Caton Woodville, Sr. (1825–1855), whose 'War News from Mexico' is pictured here.

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The Walmart Museum -

Walmart founder Sam Walton opened the first Walmart in Bentonville on May 9, 1950. Walton's Five and Dime is now the Walmart Museum, a must-see for anyone interested in the history of this iconic powerhouse retailer.

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Mammoth Spring State Park -

The pathway across the dam at the decommissioned hydroelectric facility on Spring River is a notable feature of the Mammoth Spring State Park, home to one of the largest springs in the United States. The interpretative hiking trail continues through the park, which welcomes visitors with an array of recreational facilities.

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Crater of Diamonds State Park -

One of the more unusual diversions on the Arkansas tourist itinerary is the Crater of Diamonds State Park at Murfreesboro. This is the only diamond mine in the world where you can keep what you find. Since 1906, more than 75,000 diamonds have been uncovered, including the near-flawless Strawn-Wagner Diamond.

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Thorncrown Chapel -

Equally unique is the extraordinary Thorncrown Chapel at Eureka Springs, a work of unusual artistry built in glass and wood. The chapel, which is free to visit, stands in secluded woodland and is often cited as one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

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Mount Magazine State Park -

Mount Magazine State Park is Arkansas backcountry at its most dramatic. The park encompasses the state's highest peak, Mount Magazine, where a visitor center complements a lodge and a restaurant. The whole region offers up exciting outdoor adventure opportunities.

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Blanchard Springs Caverns -

Hidden within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is a system of underground caves known as Blanchard Springs Caverns. Two trails, Dripstone Trail and Discovery Trail, take visitors through this subterranean marvel, passing a number of geological features including the Ghost Room, famed for its huge white flowstone.

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Lake Greeson -

Arkansas is sunk with a number of picturesque lakes, making the state a favorite with fisherfolk and watersports enthusiasts. Lake Greeson, a reservoir on the Little Missouri River, is surrounded by no less than 15 parks that offer opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, biking, and swimming.

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Lake Chicot -

Set adjacent to the Mississippi River near the city of Lake Village is the largest natural lake in Arkansas, Lake Chicot. A popular destination for boating and fishing, Chicot is also a recognized wildlife hotspot.

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Boyhood home of Johnny Cash -

Over in Dyess, fans of country music legend Johnny Cash can visit the boyhood home of the "Man in Black." The simple shack is known as Farm No. 266.

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Hemingway-Pfeiffer House -

Meanwhile, literary buffs can make a pilgrimage to Piggott and the house where acclaimed writer Ernest Hemingway wrote portions of his 1929 novel 'A Farewell to Arms.' The property belonged to the parents of his then wife, Pauline Pfeiffer. 

Sources: (History) (National Park Service) (Arkansas State Parks)

See also: The most influential authors of the 20th century

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