01 Jun 2025 The pinnacle of success
By Dwain Hebda
As anyone who has spent any time in the Natural State can tell you, Arkansas is a place of many regions: mountain ranges to the north, marshlands to the south, river valley to the west, fertile flatland to the east, all stitched together with pristine forest, shimmering waterways and friendly people.
With such an embarrassment of riches, anywhere one goes in Arkansas will yield something picturesque to see and entertaining to do. However, in no single region of the state do the attractions, amenities and quality of life commingle quite as seamlessly as in Central Arkansas.
The pinnacle of this great state has something for every taste in every season. Couples and families love to take to the woods, water, trails and beloved Pinnacle Mountain State Park to create memories. Burns Park in North Little Rock is an emerald jewel in Central Arkansas’s crown, offering acres of golf, softball, soccer, running, pickleball, playgrounds, picnicking and more, while other city parks and natural areas offer a green oasis for residents of all ages.
As a crossroads of culture, Arkansas’s food heritage is a vast one, and nowhere do these many influences bubble down as flavorfully as in the state’s center-cut region. Cheese dip was invented here and cornbread was perfected here, as the presence of their respective annual world championships celebrated here will attest. From craft beer to fine dining, from a hot dog enjoyed during a Travelers’ game at Dickey-Stephens Park to one of the nation’s best pizzas at Deluca’s to primo steaks and everything in between, Central Arkansas is foodie heaven.
The growth of the business districts of this region shows Central Arkansas to be a true economic driver for the state as a whole. One visit to the bustling downtowns of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Bryant, Cabot, Jacksonville, Searcy and others demonstrates a well of civic pride and commercial opportunity. Great schools, colleges and universities, unparalleled health care facilities and quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods make the heart of Arkansas a place thousands of people love to call home.
Those with a yearning for the city will relish the incredible shopping, pulsing festivals and cultural amenities to be had. Entertainment options abound; where else can one find world-class art museums and historical elements celebrating the state’s military, political, civil rights and presidential past all in one place? Or visit glittering concert halls hosting concerts both popular and classical from resident and touring musical acts?
Into theater? Central Arkansas offers productions from the professional to the collegiate to the community-based to suit various audience tastes. Finally, music lovers can follow their ears almost any evening to venues ranging from a concert arena to local bars and honky-tonks humming with a rich mix of musical stylings and artists.
As an additional bonus, living in Central Arkansas puts one within an easy jaunt of several other destination cities. Memphis is but two hours to the east; Tulsa and Dallas about four hours to the west; while north to St. Louis and south to New Orleans takes about six and seven hours, respectively. No need to endure flight hassles or cattle-call airports; just jump in the car and enjoy the scenery during your memorable trip.
Whatever speaks to you about where you live, work and play sings loudest in Central Arkansas, the heart of Arkansas and the very essence of home. Whatever speaks to you about where you live, work and play sings loudest in Central Arkansas, the heart of Arkansas and the very essence of home.
Family-operated Holland Bottom Farm, near Cabot, is known for growing the biggest, sweetest strawberries in the South! Agriculture is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, and Central Arkansas is a top producer for crops like rice, soybeans, corn, cotton and wheat.
There are several places to fish and enjoy one of Arkansas’s favorite pastimes. The pier on the 40-acre Lake Bennett in Woolly Hollow State Park is one of them. The Arkansas River runs through Central Arkansas, and numerous lakes, including Lake Conway (which is slated to reopen in 2028) and Lake Maumelle, punctuate the region. Popular fish species in the 501 include largemouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish and trout.
La Petite Roche Plaza in Riverfront Park highlights the famous stone outcropping that gave the capital city its name 300 years ago. Central Arkansas is home to many historical landmarks, including Little Rock Central High School, which is a National Historic Site, the Old State House Museum, and the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock and the Cadron Settlement Park near Conway. Searcy is home to the White County Courthouse, which is the oldest functioning courthouse in the state and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Doe’s Eat Place is a renowned steakhouse in downtown Little Rock. Former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign placed Doe’s in the national spotlight as the backdrop for campaign meetings, interviews and celebrations. The restaurant is one of the many restaurants and food items made famous by people from the 501. Central Arkansas is believed to be the birthplace of cheese dip. Mexico Chiquito restaurants, originally named Little Mexico, are credited with its creation in the 1930s. Chocolate gravy, a sweet and savory sauce, is also an iconic Arkansas dish.
The Salt Bowl at War Memorial Stadium is an annual battle on the gridiron between two Saline County high school rivals: Bryant and Benton. The high school rivalry fills the same stadium in Little Rock that the Arkansas Razorbacks do when they come to town. Football is not the only sport to be enjoyed here. Multiple high school and collegiate sports teams compete in baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf and lacrosse. There are even professional sports teams like the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock and the Little Rock Rangers soccer team.
Dillard’s, Inc., based in Little Rock is ranked among the nation’s largest fashion apparel, cosmetics, and home furnishings retailers. They employ more than 53,000 people across the country. Some of the other major employers who make Central Arkansas their headquarters include Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Union Pacific Railroad, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Entergy Arkansas, Hewlett Packard and the Nabholz Construction Corporation.
Loblolly Creamery is a 501 favorite known for its locally sourced, gourmet-inspired ice cream flavors and was recently nominated for Best Ice Cream Shop on USA TODAY’s 10Best Contest. Loblolly is not the only celebrated product to call Central Arkansas home; Huggies Wipes has been the #1 baby wipe brand in the U.S. for more than 30 years and is made in Maumelle. They make enough baby wipes in a year to stretch around the world 83 times! Hot Springs’ Alliance Rubber Company is the country’s biggest rubber band manufacturer.
Conway hosts the Christmas event “Illuminate,” which begins the weekend after Thanksgiving. The event offers kid-friendly activities, pictures with Santa, musical performances, Ferris Wheel rides and more. It concludes with the lighting of the Conway Christmas tree. It’s one of many unique holiday events in Central Arkansas, including GloWild at the Little Rock Zoo, the Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights in Sherwood, Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights and the Arkansas State Capitol Lighting ceremony.
The stunning new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, located in the heart of downtown Little Rock, features regional and international artist exhibitions and offers art classes and workshops. The region boasts a variety of cultural attractions, including historical museums, galleries and performance art venues. Little Rock is home to Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Clinton Presidential Center, and the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Conway is home to The Baum Gallery of Fine Art at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and the Windgate Museum of Art at Hendrix College. Searcy is home to Pioneer Village, a collection of historic buildings, as well as the Rialto Theater, a historic cinema.
Harding University boasts a 100-year history of placing students in the most prestigious graduate programs, professional schools and careers. Perhaps the secret sauce to the region’s success is the number of trade schools, colleges and universities that are within driving distance of home, creating a large population with some level of higher education. The University of Arkansas offers the system’s premier workforce-training facility in Morrilton, two-year programs in several cities and up to doctorate degrees in Little Rock. There are state-owned and private universities dotting the region. A seminary is also offered in Conway.
- The pinnacle of success - June 1, 2025
- Five-Oh-Ones to Watch 2025: Aaron Farris - December 31, 2024
- Julia Gaffney brings medals and mettle home to Mayflower - October 30, 2024
