East Village

LITTLE ROCK’S HIP, UP-AND-COMING NEIGHBORHOOD.

Warehouses that once housed paint and glass factories are now opening garage doors to craft breweries and beer gardens. It’s also home to one of only 13 presidential libraries in the nation and the headquarters of Heifer International.

SEE & DO

Looming in steel and glass alongside the Arkansas River, the Clinton Presidential Center is a must-see for any visitor. The museum traces the two-term U.S. president and Arkansas native son William Jefferson Clinton with an exhaustive yet easy-to-digest set of permanent displays. The museum also hosts a slate of rotating special interest exhibits; past themes have included baseball, human rights, rock ’n’ roll and custom chopper motorcycles.

Not far from the library is the world headquarters of Heifer International, one of the largest and most recognized nonprofits in the world. Take a green building tour to see the rainwater collecting systems, natural light sensors and other ingenious green features that won this facility the nation’s highest honor in sustainable architecture. Local gardening clubs keep Heifer’s Urban Farm beautiful year-round.

The William E. “Bill” Clark Presidential Park Wetlands trail is a favorite turtle-watching spot against the stunning backdrop of the Arkansas River on the pedestrian-andbike-friendly Clinton Presidential Park Bridge.

Just off downtown, indulge your “Big Lebowski” fantasy with a few frames at Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge (White Russian optional).

EAT AND DRINK

For a more upscale experience in a serene setting, 42 Bar & Table, located in the Clinton Presidential Library offers farm-to-table Dust Bowl Lanes meals with exceptional riverfront views and cutting-edge, modern architecture. Cafe@Heifer, situated inside Heifer International, offers a quick and tasty lunch from a grill and freshly baked treats.

In East Village, you’ll find a decidedly different atmosphere at The Railyard, offering food-truck-and-outdoor-dining as a popular departure from the usual restaurant scene. Trucks rotate from week to week, but the resident Count Porkula is always smokin’ ribs and always delicious.

East Village is also home to Arkansas’s largest craft brewery, Lost Forty, which pairs its tasty, award-winning brews with chef-inspired fare that’s sure to please. It’s also launched a quirky new experiment in the neighborhood, Camp Taco at Lost Forty, serving elevated street food, experimental, small-batch beer and fine tequila. Speaking of suds, don your lederhosen and raise a stein at Fassler Hall, a Munich-style beer hall that also offers great pretzels and sausages. n