Visiting Little Rock Metro Area

May 2012 brings the spotlight on the cultures of Little Rock and North Little Rock. On May 6th, join friends and family at the River Market Pavilions for the Jewish Food Festival. A showcase of Jewish culture and food, the Jewish Food Festival is an enjoyable day of performances, displays and food - sample Latkes, kugel and blintzes, among the delicacies. The Little Rock Greek community hosts the state’s largest ethnic festival May 18th through 20th. Little Rock's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church hosts the 28th Annual International Greek Food Festival - summer is the season to enjoy the Little Rock region.

Spring brings the start of North Little Rock’s Certified Arkansas Farmers Market to the corner of 6th Street and Main across from the Argenta Market. The CAFM runs all summer, opening Saturdays from 7am to noon. There is plenty of parking, and the market is also for tiders on the River Rail Trolley route.

Little Rock signals the start of summer with Riverfest, traditionally held over Memorial Day weekend. The 2012 Riverfest is May 25th through 27th, filling downtown Little Rock with music and arts. Saturday night headliners include Lynard Skynyrd at the Miller Lite Amphitheatre Stage, followed by Boys II Men, and the Sunday night lineup includes Snoop Dogg on the Bud Light Stage. Start your Riverfest fun on Saturday at the 3rd Annual Rock-N-Stroll 5K Fun Run & Walk along the Northshore Riverwalk.

Fishermen get ready for the 2012 Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza. This is an amateur only event, held June 29th through July 1st. Stake-out your favorite spot along the Arkansas River and rise early for the 6am start. Organized by the Little Rock Arkansas Hospitality Association, the Big Big Bass Bonanza is America’s largest amateur fishing tournament, with $100,000 in prize money guaranteed. Release any fish less than 16 inches in length and enjoy summer fishing on the Arkansas River.

Keep pedaling your bicycles this summer, September brings the Arkansas Bike MS: Rock’n Hot Ride 2012. The two day ride follows a course from Little Rock to Hot Springs and back. Set your training for the 75-mile plus ride September 8th and 9th. The ride start and finish is at the beautiful Clinton Presidential Library with the course along the River Trail system traversing the Arkansas River three times. The 2012 ride is hosted by Toyota; enjoy central Arkansas’ scenery and outdoors, and all for a good cause.

Jacksonville, the northern suburb of Little Rock, is home of Little Rock Air Force Base. Jacksonville is conveniently located within 15 minutes of Little Rock and North Little Rock, offering visitors small town charm, along with LRAFB. A stop at the Splash Zone Water Park is ideal on a hot day, or escape the heat inside, at the Jacksonville Guitar Museum or Jacksonville Museum of Military History. Or load up the kids and the family dog for a visit to Dupree Park to enjoy your choice of outdoor recreation on the trails, lake and playground – there is an off-leash dog park for fido.

Little Rock Metro Area Hotel Map