Living in North Little Rock, AR
North Little Rock AR is a city that has been praised for its efforts to improve the lives of its residents. The community is promoting fitness initiatives for all ages and providing technical assistance to help farmers start new markets.
On March 31, 2023, a tornado hit the northern part of the city, near Burns Park. It damaged buildings and killed one person.
Downtown
Aside from being a major transportation hub, North Little Rock also houses the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. The town is located across the Arkansas River from Little Rock and is part of the Greater Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also home to Dickey-Stephens Park, which hosts the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team and Simmons Bank Arena, a large entertainment venue.
With national museums, a symphony orchestra and many hotels nearby, there are plenty of things to see and do in the city. Getting around is easy with Rock Region Metro’s friendly yellow streetcars, which service Little Rock and North Little Rock’s downtown, River Market district and Argenta neighborhoods.
Argenta
If you live in the Argenta district, there is a lot to enjoy. The area is home to great restaurants, coffee shops, galleries and bars. It is a fun and trendy neighborhood that is constantly growing. It is also within walking distance of Dickey Stephens baseball park and the Verizon Arena. New restaurants and breweries are popping up all the time. Blackberry Market, for example, is a welcome addition to the food and drink scene. It is located in half of a former furniture store and has already become a gentrified hot spot.
Another popular restaurant is the Old Argenta Drug Company, which has retained its original old-fashioned aesthetics. Its vintage apothecary wallpaper and pressed tin ceiling make it an authentic time machine. It also features old fashioned customer service.
Dickey-Stephens Park
Dickey-Stephens Park is a Minor League Baseball stadium that opened in 2007 as the new home of the Arkansas Travelers. The ballpark was named after baseball Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey, his brother George “Skeeter” Dickey, and local businessmen Jack and Witt Stephens, founders of investment firm Stephens, Inc. The park’s exterior is designed to resemble a train station and features a railroad theme throughout.
The Travelers’ mascot, Otey (the swamp possum), can be found hanging out on the concourse during each game. This is a unique feature that allows fans to enjoy the park from multiple vantage points, even those who don’t have tickets to the game. Like many new parks, this one has a concourse that encircles the entire field. This makes it easy for fans to spend a whole game on a pleasant stroll and never miss a pitch.
Burns Park
The city of North Little Rock boasts a wide range of outdoor activity, natural beauty and delicious local food. The 1,700-acre Burns Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country and features fishing, camping, two golf courses and Funland Amusement Park. It also has a soccer complex, tennis courts, hiking trails and equestrian trails.
Many of the park’s attractions were damaged in Friday’s tornado, including its two 18-hole golf courses. The damage at Murray Park, a popular destination for cyclists, has set back the city’s assessment of its extent. The park’s campground, which had a power line ripped up by the tornado, has been reopened. It is not yet clear if the equestrian trails will be repaired. The park is covered by insurance.
North Little Rock Municipal Airport
Located four miles north of the city’s central business district, North Little Rock Municipal Airport is a public use airport owned and operated by the City of North Little Rock (Pulaski County). It serves the local area with two fixed-based operators and offers flight instruction, airplane rentals, scenic flights, aircraft sales and maintenance services. The airport also hosts the National Weather Service, Central Arkansas Water, and Pulaski Technical College. The Airport covers an area of 621 acres and has a 5,002-foot runway.
Once named Argenta, the town grew quickly as a busy crossroads for river and overland traffic. In 1903, the town voted to merge with its southern neighbor, Little Rock and become North Little Rock. The city was renamed again in 1917. The city is now home to beautiful neighborhoods, outstanding parks and recreational facilities, excellent schools, churches, museums, restaurants and substantial business, industry and entertainment opportunities.