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Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock, AR

Photo: Adam Jones, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

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Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

2120 W Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr · Little Rock, AR

Why you should go…

This National Park Service site tells the story of the nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The visitor center, across the street from the school, has a film and multimedia exhibits on the crisis. Outside you can walk to the Commemorative Garden, with nine trees honoring the students, and the restored Magnolia Mobil station, where reporters gathered in 1957. The school still operates, so the building itself is not open to visitors.

  • #civil rights history
  • #national historic site
  • #little rock nine
  • #visitor center

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Climb the West or East Summit Trail up Pinnacle Mountain, paddle the Maumelle rivers or walk the Arkansas Arboretum.

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    40 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
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    Stroll past eight historic bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park, two of which still offer thermal baths.

    46 mi awayMore like this