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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and its businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

The Root Cafe

One of the key restaurants that we planned to visit was The Root Cafe. This locally owned and operated eatery is making waves on a big scale. Our original scheduled time slot was bumped due to the opportunity for them to be featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. While we were a bit disappointed in missing this chance, it worked out later in our schedule. Boy were we glad that we could reschedule. This place makes even a standard meal taste special. Definitely a stop you will want to add when you sample the flavors of Little Rock on your vacation.

Nexus Coffee

Another unexpected surprise was our stop at Nexus Coffee & Creative. Our itinerary had it as one of two breakfast options, before a visit to the local farmer’s market. Since it was just across the street, we popped in for a quick visit. What we found there was another local favorite. The menu is simple, but filled with protein rich choices that offer plenty of fuel for a morning of exploring. The coffee was magnificent and roasted in-house.

Farmers Market

With our coffee fix satiated, it was time to explore the Farmer’s Market. We love visiting this style of local shopping, as it gives us a chance to meet plenty of residents from around the area. The colors, smells, and flavors of the market were intoxicating. This visit certainly brightened up our Saturday morning. We are pretty sure that some of the local restaurants make routine visits to the market to find special ingredients to add to their menus.

David’s Burgers

We found such a variety of tastes that we were unable to include articles on every one of them. Before our visit, we reach out to the resident foodies to gather suggestions on places to eat. This is a tip that we use regularly, since the locals will know the dining landscape. We spent a good portion of time in the River Market neighborhood, which included a visit to the Little Rock River Market. This food hall is designed like a food court, and filled with many choices, like David’s Burgers. This Arkansas chain has some juicy burgers and sweet ice cream treats.

Boulevard Bread Company

Another local chain, that’s making a mark on the Little Rock foodie scene, is Boulevard Bread Company. Located in the SOMA District (South Main), this “green” friendly eatery was a lower calorie choice. They are known for their fresh salads and sandwiches, as well as delicious baked goods. It’s a great option when you’re ready for a break from heavier foods. More good flavors to sample in Little Rock.

Loblolly Creamery

While we were in SOMA, we found a neat little ice cream shop a couple of doors from Boulevard Bread Co. When we stepped inside Loblolly Creamery, the first thing that caught our attention was the staff in the process of making fresh cones. After looking closer, we also found an interesting variety of small batch ice cream flavors made from scratch. Everything about this ice cream shop screamed handcrafted goodness. Glad we stumbled across this place. After all, what’s life without a few sweet treats?

Big Orange

One of the most highly anticipated stops on our itinerary was Big Orange. This is one of those rare spots that combines delicious flavors and picture-perfect plates all at a pocketbook friendly price. The presentation was so good looking that we hated to dive in, but we did anyway. You don’t come all this way not to sample the flavors of this hip eatery. (Read more about Big Orange here.)

Damgoode Pies

With our downtown lodging nearby, our dinner meals were focused in the River Market area. It’s rare that we would spend three days in a destination, without sampling some local pizza at least once. Just off the Riverwalk is a series of businesses that line President Clinton Avenue. This section of the city is filled with dining, shopping, and entertainment venues. Damgoode Pies uses fresh ingredients that they prepare each day. They cook their own meats, make their sauce daily, and even brew their own craft beers. Like many of the flavors we sampled in Little Rock, freshness was the key.

Stickyz Rock N Roll Chicken Shack

Another River Market find was Stickyz Rock-N-Roll Chicken Shack. This restaurant and local entertainment venue definitely had the longest name of any we visited. The interior is an unending cornucopia of colors for the eyes. Vivid artwork and interesting seating options added an extra level of fun to our visit. We would have loved dropping back later in the evening for some live music, but it didn’t line up with our schedule.

Willy D’s Rock N Roll Piano Bar

While we missed the concert at Stickyz, live entertainment was not going to elude us. Willy D’s Rock-N-Roll Piano Bar is one of those dueling piano places, where the crowd is encouraged to be engaged. It was fun to unwind and sing along with so many familiar songs.

Sampling The Flavors of Little Rock

Like most large metropolitan cities, Little Rock offers too many dining options to even make a dent in three days. This is one of the reasons we will focus our attention on a specific district, which is usually the downtown. We are finding that many cities are seeing a revival in their downtown areas, which allows us to find a higher concentration of businesses within walking distance. Our search to sample the flavors of Little Rock was easily accomplished, with all of these options nearby. Little Rock proved to be a memorable destination, with two of their restaurants making our TOP 10 Eats list for 2018. Big Orange was one that would have held the 11th position, if our list would have gone that far. Clearly Little Rock is a premier foodie city.

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Start at the Beginning

After entering the Historic Arkansas Museum, we met our tour guide. A quick overview of the facility and we were ready to start our tour. The museum has two main parts, with the first section consisting of a group of historic buildings. The museum got its start by a resident who wanted to preserve four run down buildings near the state’s capital. She recognized the historical value of these structures, which include the Hinderliter Grog Shop. Built around 1827, this log cabin structure eventually was covered with planking to resemble many of the other clapboard structures that came later. Underneath this exterior lies the original logs used in the construction.

History Comes to Life at the Historic Arkansas Museum

Inside of the grog shop we found one of the staff members who help bring the history to life. Our guide was excellent at describing all of the historical aspects of the site. The museum also has some Living History actors who portray the people who would have occupied these abodes. As we listened, we heard tales of what life would have been like in that era. He walked us through some of the artifacts on display and their usage in daily life. This is a great way to get a better understanding of the history we are seeing, as the actors help bring history to life.

Old and New

As were moved from building to building, we would catch sight of some of the newer high-rise structures nearby. Being located in the heart of the thriving downtown makes this museum unique. We would tour the inside of a couple of the older structures, and be all wrapped up in the stories, when suddenly this reminder would bring us back to current time. Quite an experience and testament to our guides ability to transport us with his descriptions of those long ago days.

Putting it on Paper

In the Woodruff Print Shop we found another actor on duty. This building is home to a New Yorker who came to Arkansas, in 1819, to start a newspaper. He would eventually move his business to Little Rock, after it became the territorial capital. The interior of the building contains furnishings owned by Woodruff, as well as a replica of the printing press he brought to Arkansas on a keelboat. We listened as this character explained the political and economic atmosphere of Arkansas in the early 1800’s. Soon enough, he was hard at work running copies of his daily post for the eager customers who occupied the township. Once again, the education of the historical events were brought to life by a staff member.

Back to the Present

After our tour was completed, we were ushered back to the main portion of the Historic Arkansas Museum. Our guide explained the layout of the building and left us to explore on our own. The museum is a combination of galleries that include component from all over Arkansas. We wandered through the rooms filled with artwork, jewelry, and furniture created by Arkansas residents.

A Familiar Name

One room is filled with a vast collection of Bowie knives. In the early days of the state, Arkansas was considered the edge of the United States. Filled with tough characters, it would be easy to picture them equipped with an “Arkansas Toothpick”. This is the nickname given to the Bowie knife, which is well represented in the museum. Many of these fantastic creations came from Arkansas, including Bowie No. 1, which is believed to be the original piece created by James Black for Jim Bowie. This “defensive” weapon was highly favored throughout the frontier regions.

Honoring the First People

We passed into another section of the Historic Arkansas Museum, and came to the collection titled “We Walk in Two Worlds”. This exhibit tells the story of the first people to inhabit the lands now known as Arkansas. The displays are filled with over 150 relics and artifacts from the Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw nations. If you followed the displays through the exhibit, it will take you chronologically through time.

Voices for the Past

The Historic Arkansas Museum has done a great job of helping visitors better grasp the impact of civilization’s growth. Throughout the “Two Worlds” displays, you will hear the voices of some of the descendants from the original tribes. These help explain how the changes over time have affected the cultural aspects of the Indian nations. It is quite enlightening to hear the history in their own words, as it helps bring the history to life. Definitely a section of the museum not to be overlooked.

Ready to Explore Little Rock

Now that we had visited the Historic Arkansas Museum, we had a better grasp on how the city got started. This gave us a new perspective on the sights we saw as we traveled around the city. We could almost picture the dirt roads and early structures that dotted the streetscape in the 1830’s. While Little Rock has grown into a thriving metropolis, it is nice to see that it still holds firm to its frontier origins. When you visit, be sure to save some time to get your bearings at this wonderful museum complex. Tell them you heard about them from Our Changing Lives, and hopefully they will remember our visit. It is certainly a great way to see history come to life. Safe travels!

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Free, But Not Free

The Conflict in Little Rock originated with the Supreme Court ruling that states could not legally separate black and white students in different schools. Being from Kansas, the Brown vs. Board of Education was well known, so a visit to Central High School was not to be missed. In 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment, which addressed citizenship rights for the recently freed slaves, was added to the U.S. Constitution. This was hotly debated by many of the states that had been part of the Confederacy. In an effort to further define the intent of the law, in 1896 racial segregation was allowed, as long as it was “separate but equal”. It would take until 1954 for this policy to change. The school case in Kansas would be the impetus for change, but it would be met with mixed resistance.

Little Rock Nine Change Schools

With the Supreme Court calling for desegregation of the nation’s public schools, the battle-lines were drawn. In 1957, the NAACP registered nine black students to begin attending Little Rock Central High School. At the time of its construction in 1927, Little Rock Senior High School was deemed the most beautiful, largest, and expensive high school in the nation. The name changed in 1953, but enrollment continued to be restricted to white students. The original plans for integration were for a full scale approach in all grade levels, but this was reduced to focus on a single school. The hesitancy and slow movement of the school board to initiate integration was another factor in the conflict that was brewing.

Setting The Scene For Conflict

With the upcoming school year bringing the possibility of an integrated classroom, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus put into action motions that would bring the conflict in Little Rock to the forefront of national attention. Several segregationist groups were planning protests at Central High School, in an effort to block the black students from entering. The governor deployed the Arkansas National Guard to assist the blockade. Photos showing the line of soldiers blocking the entrance made national news. The nation held its collective breath, as it waited to see how President Eisenhower would react. The president warned Governor Faubus not to defy the Supreme Court’s ruling. The mayor of Little Rock, Woodrow Wilson Mann, requested President Eisenhower send federal troops to assist in enforcing integration.

The morning of September 23, 1957 dawned with an air of tension hanging heavy around the school. Over 1,000 whites had assembled at the school to protest the integration. The nine black students, who would be labeled the Little Rock Nine, were escorted past the angry mob by Little Rock police officers. Violence broke out and the students were removed for their protection. The crowd’s actions propelled President Eisenhower to order a 1,200 man Army division to escort the students into the school, on the following day. This move escalated the showdown between the president and Arkansas Governor Faubus, who questioned the authority of the federal court system.

Surviving Day To Day

The Little Rock Nine would spend day after day facing the wrath of those against integration. Physical and verbal abuses were commonplace on a daily basis. One of the students had acid thrown in her eyes. Another was trapped in a bathroom stall, while white students dropped pieces of burning paper from above. The nine were warned not to fight back even though they would face a lot of abuse. By the end of the school year, the governor was creating a new way to fight desegregation. He ordered the closure of all four public high schools in Little Rock. Requiring a referendum to allow this action, he urged voters to pass it. The plan would be to reopen the schools as private institutions, so that they could once again be segregated. Faubus won the referendum, and the 1958-59 school year would become known as the “Lost Year”.

Does Time Bring Change?

Scenes similar to those in Little Rock were played out across the south. Over time desegregation made a lasting effect on the public education system. These days, Central High School continues to serve its purpose, while the museum dedicated to the events is located nearby. Tours must be scheduled of the the school, but the museum is available to all, during its regular business hours. The Conflict in Little Rock would eventually lose its place on the front page, but the impact has resonated throughout the nation.

These days students of all backgrounds are supposed to be able to attend public schools without fear of persecution, but is that really the case? Too often we are seeing stories in the news about bullying. Many of these cases are leading up to our children lashing out in retaliation. How have we gotten so far, yet still seem to have a long road in front of us? It is sites like the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site that remind us how important tolerance is to the human spirit. We hope you all have an opportunity to visit places like this, as it reminds us how important we all are to each other.

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and Rock Town Distillery for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

First in Arkansas

Sitting on a main drag in downtown Little Rock, the outside of the business barely speaks of the good job being done inside. As we entered the doors, we were deposited in the tasting room, which also serves as a makeshift bar. We were surprised to see so many people, but found out that it is also the area where tours wait their turn. Our timing was impeccable, since a tour was about to start. While we waited, we spoke with staff members, who told us a little of the backstory. Rock Town Distillery is the first “legal” distillery, in Arkansas, since Prohibition. Founded in 2010, that means there were about 77 years of no alcohol production in the state. We can see why this place is so popular.

Tour Time at Rock Town Distillery

It seemed that our conversations had just began, when it was time for the tour. Our guide led the group through double doors and into the distillery room. Here he walked through the steps and equipment required to produce their variety of spirits. Using grains supplied by Arkansas farmers, they explained the process from grain to glass. The guide was careful to be sure that everyone was able to follow along with the information. He would periodically ask questions of the group, which would keep them engaged in the discussion. This is a well developed tour that leaves the participant with a great basis of understanding by the end of the trip.

Our next stop was a visit to the barrel room. Rows and rows of oak barrels sit patiently awaiting their turn. We learned that each type of spirit has its own unique aging period. It boggles the mind to think of how many bottles will be filled from the barrels arranged in this room.

Now For The Fun Part

Once the tour ends, it’s time for the tastings. Tours come on two levels, Standard for $10 and Premium for $15. (Of course, tax is required on both.) With the Standard Tour, each paying participant receives a tasting of 10 items that are produced at Rock Town Distillery. The Premium Tour adds 3 special items to that list. These will vary, but could include a single barrel whiskey or an anniversary whiskey, for example. After the tasting, guests are welcome to linger and sample one of the multitude of cocktails, which are whipped up by their inventive staff.

Not only do they create some unique flavor combinations, but they each add their fun twist on creating new drinks. Now, some may look down on decorated drinks, but we believe that there is no reason a drink cannot be as pleasing for the eyes, as it is for the palette. The crowning achievement had to have been the idea to float a fortune cookie on a citrus slice. While they may not seem to be the most practical decorations, they certainly bring a smile to the faces of those near enough to witness them. The bar at Rock Town Distillery has a special cocktail menu that will change periodically, as new drinks are invented. Be sure to ask about it when you visit.

Accolades Abound

Rock Town Distillery may be fairly new to the market, but they are creating quite a buzz. They have seen lots of good press about their tours, and are even considered one of the top 10 U.S. distillery tours. With engaging tour guides, a wide range of small batch products, and some delicious concoctions, we see why they are rising to the top. Stop in on your visit to downtown Little Rock to see just how the first “legal” distillery is shaking up the landscape. We are betting you will love your visit. So the question is, would you order a drink that comes with a fortune cookie?

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and Nexus Coffee & Creative for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Caffeine Fix at Nexus Coffee

As we walked through the door, the wonderful aroma of roasted coffee beans greeted us. Yeah, we know some of you don’t drink coffee, but we won’t hold it against you. Even though the business was booming, the line to order moved quickly. It was almost too quickly, as we were struggling to decide from all of the options. Fortunately, the staff member was very patient with us and guided us through their menu. The drink side was pretty simple for us, as we are fairly repetitive in our drink choices. Crystal is usually a drip drinker, who adds in creamer and flavors to create the mix she is in the mood for that day. I lean toward straight up lattes with no extra flavoring.

Flavorful Bites

It was the food section that was teasing our decision making. While Nexus Coffee doesn’t have a huge food menu, everything on it looked tempting. I have to admit that I pondered ordering one of each for a moment, but didn’t want to waste a bunch of food. After a quick huddle, we decided to just pick two menu items and split them. At least that way we would each get a couple of the flavors sampled. Our first choice was the Sunrise Sandwich, which has egg, cheese, and a choice between three meats. We chose the sausage, and they sandwich all of these fillings inside a pressed Ciabatta roll. Our second pick was the Breakfast Bagel,which involves the use of a tomato basil bagel. Inside of this densely delightful roll they layer prosciutto, field greens, tomato, with a smear of herb & onion cream cheese. We ended up being pleased with our choices, which were filling enough to carry us through to lunch.

Coffee To Go

The service at Nexus Coffee was amazingly quick and proficient. The steady stream of customers continued to file through, while we dined. We had plopped down right by the counter, so we could gauge how many of the customers were return visitors. It quickly became apparent that this place is a hangout for the locals, as everyone seemed to be on a first name basis. The chatter among them was on a personal level, which showed that they were certainly frequent visitors. After finishing our meal, we grabbed some Joe to Go, and headed out to the market. As we wandered the booths, we saw others carrying cups from our breakfast choice. Yeah, it made us feel a little more like a local. Check them out on your visit to Little Rock.

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Rolling Down the River

The Arkansas River Trail encompasses an 88-mile loop, which we barely scratched. For our visit, we planned to focus primarily on the segment that is located around the River Market District of Little Rock. This destination district is filled with attractions, dining, and shopping galore. A weekly farmer’s market draws plenty of locals and visitors alike to the area each weekend. All of this is within a stone’s throw of the nearby river and the trails that access it.

Art Abounds

The area is so inviting, that we found ourselves drawn to it on numerous occasions. As we meandered the paved pathways, we took note of the large number of sculptures that are found along the way. While the walk can be used as a form of exercise, we did find ourselves stopping frequently to admire various pieces of artwork. We were unable to find someone who knew the whole background to the sculpture park, and wondered if it was assembled in sections. The commonality between some pieces almost hint to different themes. We would love to know if this was done on purpose. If you know, please tell us a little about it in the comments section below.

It is hard to estimate, but we know there are dozens of statues located throughout the park. It seemed that every new turn along a path would produce a series we had not yet seen. Every visit we would see families on walks with the kids rushing off to explore some of the artwork. The Arkansas River Trail is designed to be user friendly for all ages, and incorporates some unique features.

Now You See Me…

It quickly became clear that the designers of the trail wanted to get people outdoors and engaged. It not only shows in the way the sculptures are incorporated, but also in the interactive spaces they included. The Tunnels Playground is a kids dreamland. Huge slabs of rock are stacked around the perimeter and make for good seats to view the play area. Slides and tunnels weave throughout the space, creating transportation pathways for kids to traverse. We watched as heads would pop up in one place and then disappear, only to reappear in a new location. Clearly this is one of the most popular locations for family time in the park. We could see that there were some kids who were going to sleep well that night.

Sunset Views

The area is ripe for sunset viewing, as the river path clears the horizon of vertical obstructions. We made our way to one of the various bridges that cross the flowing waters. From our vantage point, we could watch the streetcars pass on the next bridge over. Little Rock has five pedestrian and bike bridges that connect to the Arkansas River Trail, the largest number of any city in America. The Central Arkansas Trail System has over 36 miles of trails that connect 23 parks, and utilize these bridges as connectors to cross the river.

Night Lights

Once the sun sets, the next phase of the show begins. Three of the connector bridges are illuminated with thousands of LED lights. We watched as the glowing lights rotated through a entrancing light show. The colors slowly morph and cast a rainbow across these silent structures. As the quietness of nightfall fell, we sat and watched with wonder.

Get Moving Along the Arkansas River Trail

If we are going to be honest, we have to admit that we are a little jealous of the residents of Little Rock. The park system that they have built along their riverfront is world class and well deserves all of the press and media it garners. While we are finding more and more cities embracing their riverfront areas, none have done it like Little Rock. It certainly makes us want to get out and explore the landscape. How about your hometown? Does it offer a special outdoor venue? We’d love to hear about it!

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Diverse Ecosystems

Arkansas is made up of six distinct environments, which the Nature Center helps describe. Each has its own unique inhabitants, but the water they share links them. It is quickly clear to us that Arkansas is a sport paradise. Fishing, hunting, hiking, and observing is a little different in each area. We are very familiar with the Ozark Plateau, since we love visiting the Eureka Springs area. Some of the other districts are less familiar, and there are some we have never visited. I guess we will need to start adding new zones to our travels.

Immerse Yourself at Central Arkansas Nature Center

The Nature Center is FREE to the public, since the upkeep is covered by a conservation sales tax. As we meandered through the center, we noted the long aquarium display. It holds a mixture of taxidermied animals that are native to the region, as well as some live fish specimens in the tank. Light from the oversized windows makes the area quite relaxing to just watch the fish swim.

A highlight of the Nature Center is their 10-minute introductory film. Presented on a large screen, the room seats about 60 people. The Nature Center also offers various programs designed to engage with visitors. If you are visiting on the correct day, you may see fish or alligator feedings. At other times there are storytellers who helps educate about many of the creatures found in Arkansas.

Historic Exhibits

Standing opposite the large water exhibit, we found a series of smaller exhibits. These highlight the three main areas of focus for the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, which is the agency that regulates law enforcement, fisheries, and wildlife management for the state’s wildlife areas. Many of these displays, not only tell the story about the agency’s actions today, but offer historical information.

With so many waterways found in Arkansas, it makes sense that the Nature Center would have numerous fishing exhibits. Deep inside the Nature Center we found a mock trapper’s cabin, as well as a fishing camp. I haven’t done much fishing in years, so many of the displayed items brought back fond memories. As a youth, we would spend many hours fishing in the strip pits of southeastern Kansas. It certainly made me think about those simpler days.

Take A Boy Fishing!

Along one wall, we found a large display of fishing equipment. Rods, reels, lures, and various tools line the exhibit. As I inspected pieces, another visitor struck up a conversation about fishing memories. It amazes me to think about the ability of a simple artifact, like a certain lure, to dredge up long forgotten memories. I spent quite a bit of time scanning this display, and found tons of familiar items. We wonder how many will be familiar to you.

Lots To See and Do

As we mentioned earlier in the article, the Central Arkansas Nature Center is located close to lots of other activities. About a block away is the Little Rock River Market, which houses a variety of dining options with open seating in the middle. Lots of small boutique style shops are located up and down the street. Next door to the Nature Center is the Museum of Discovery, which is an amazing all ages, hands-on science center. (You can read more about it here.) The Arkansas River Trail runs behind the Nature Center, as it follows the bank of the Arkansas River. This whole area is filled with enough sights to keep a family busy for a couple of days, so you will definitely want to schedule plenty of time for exploring. How many of the six distinct Arkansas regions have you visited?

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and The Root Cafe for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Arrive at The Root Cafe Early

Being that our new time landed on a weekend, we expected it to be busy. Some of the locals had suggested we arrive about 15 minutes before opening. Are we ever thankful that we took their advice. Even with an early arrival, there was still a good line in play. We weren’t going to let a wait keep us from experiencing this place. It actually created a greater amount of intrigue. Once the doors opened, the line moved at a steady pace. Near the doorway are some chalkboards that list the key menu items for the day. This helps keep the line moving, since you are prepared to order when you get to the counter.

Once we paid, it was time to grab some coffee and find a table. There is an eclectic assortment of seating options at The Root cafe. It makes for a homey feeling, which was also obvious by the casual vibe that could be felt throughout the restaurant. All around us there were friends and families deep in conversations. It truly left a relaxing feeling in both of us.

A Conversation With The Owner

While we waited for our meals to be prepared, the owner popped by for a visit. Jack Sundell, and his wife Corri, are the spark behind this interesting restaurant. Starting with a small space, they crafted their counter service into a well-oiled machine. The original space was quite cozy, for customers and staff alike. With the addition of extra space, (created with repurposed shipping containers) they have been able to serve their ever growing throng of fans. An outdoor seating patio adds extra options on nice weather days. All of this has allowed Jack and Corri to perpetuate their dream of offering fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to their customers. They felt that this approach would be greeted with approval, and by the size of the lines, it appears that they were right on the mark.

Freshness Matters

It felt like we had barely sat down, when one of the staff members brought out our meals. Crystal was in the mood for a good old fashioned style breakfast, so she ordered the Biscuits & Gravy. The meal comes with two farm fresh eggs to add some extra protein. The star of the meal is the buttermilk biscuit drenched with their amazing sausage gravy. I stole a bite, with her permission, and the gravy has a deliciously silky texture. It was so good, and I can see why she chose it.

I was wanting something a little different, and a bit more photogenic. The Vegan Omelet was a perfect fit for both categories. Filled with grilled onions, peppers, and two kinds of cheese, it is a hefty meal choice. They even add in a side salad to compliment it. I knew that I would be set for quite a few hours of exploring, after this dish. While neither of these meals were the fanciest we have seen, the freshness came through in every bite.

Recipe For Success

It became clear that this simple approach to food is the reason The Root Cafe has continued success. They bring the best ingredients to the table in a sustainable manner. That is how you make a standard breakfast plate turn into an amazing meal. Now we see why Guy Fieri wanted to feature them in one of his episodes, and they deserve their spot in the limelight. Of course, we are betting that once the cameras leave, Jack and Corri will be right back in the kitchen whipping up plates of Good Eats! Do you look for locally owned and operated dining options when you travel? We’d love to hear about some of your best finds.Share them in the comments section below.

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We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and the Museum of Discovery for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Museum of Discovery’s Noble Cause

After checking in at the entrance, we made our way into the museum. One of our first sights was this placard stating their mission. We have had the pleasure of visiting many science centers, and will usually find plenty of interesting exhibits assembled throughout the facilities. Each location puts their own spin on the experience, which helps keep each visit fresh. For quite a while there has been a push for S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) training for children. Recently, we have seen it revised to S.T.E.A.M. to include the arts into the mix. We like this addition, as too many states have seen a reduction in funding for art programs in schools.

Time To Play

As we moved into the start of the exhibits, it was hard not to begin feeling a little giddy at the chance to engage with all of the interactive displays. Yeah, we know these places are designed for kids. The truth is that most of us adults are just looking for an excuse to spend a little time playing around like we used to. Science centers are an excellent opportunity to do that, in the name of scientific exploration. Sure, we are helping our kids learn basic scientific principles, but isn’t it better doing it in a brightly colored building filled with really cool toys? By the way, it’s hard for us to use the excuse that we are helping our kids, when it’s just the two of us. Instead, we use the excuse that we are doing research for an article. In the end, we still get to play with the cool toys!

There are way too many exhibits to show off in one article. The Museum of Discovery was awarded a grant in 2011 that allowed them to add an additional 90 new exhibits to their ever growing collection. Like all of the other kids, we bounced from one display to the next. Each one is designed to teach the basics of a scientific principle, but in a way that makes learning fun. The one pictured above using a pendulum to draw a design on a piece of paper. The user will set the counterweights at a certain height and this will cause the movement to be unique to the combination. In the end, you can walk away with your own piece of art that was created by your settings. This is a popular exhibit.

Engaging Staff

One thing we noticed at the Museum of Discovery was how engaged the staff is with guests. Throughout the day they would hold demonstrations, which showed off interesting scientific experiments. These were announced, so that visitors would have time to assemble, if they desired. During one demo, we watched a staff member create a fire tornado. These quick lessons were entertaining for kids and adults alike.

Amazing You

At some point during our visit, we moved into the Amazing You section of the museum. This area is dedicated to teach visitors about the body. It has a wide variety of interactive displays that feature just about every organ inside a human. This was another opportunity to learn in a fun way.

Brain Power

One of the first displays we saw, was designed to challenge two people to see who could lower their brain activity to the lowest level. We had only seen this exhibit once before, and it is rather amusing to watch. The idea is that a ball is set on a pathway between the two contestants. They strap bands to their heads, which measure the amount of brain activity. The more activity, the more it will force the ball away from you. The idea is to relax your mind, so that the ball will roll to your side. What we always notice is that when the ball gets close to one side, that person gets anxious to win, which triggers higher brain activity. I’m pretty sure I would fail at this game, since I struggle getting my mind to slow down when I try to sleep. How do you think you would do at this game?

It Takes A Lot Of Guts

Crystal found an interesting exhibit, which focuses on the intestines. Many of you are probably aware that we have a lot of intestines packed into our digestive tract. While we are certain that they covered this in one of our school science classes, there is certainly something to be said for a visual display.

After reading the information on the placard, it instructs you to pull the rope to see how much length you have in the average digestive tract. It really hits home to see Crystal keep pulling and pulling. We really find this type of hands-on exhibit to be some of the most educational, as they open our eyes to the reality of something that affects every one of us.

A First For Us

For us science geeks, the opportunity to see a Tesla Coil is always interesting. We have had the opportunity to see a few during our travels. What surprised us was that the Museum of Discovery has a musical version, and it’s the world’s largest. They have performances periodically throughout the day, which cost just two dollars for non-members. The half hour show is well worth the price, as where else can you see this type of entertainment. Staff can adjust the frequency of the electrical display to play musical notes. We were amazed at this display!

We Just Scratched The Surface

There is still way more exhibits that we have not covered in this article. The Tornado Alley Theater is a multi-sensory display on the devastating tornado that ripped through Little Rock in 1999. Room To Grow is a space designed for museum visitors 6 and under. Here we saw kids practicing their veterinarian skills, performing in a dance studio, and scrambling on an oversize climbing structure. The Tinkering Studio offers guests a space to be the next great inventor. With an assortment of tools and materials, you can create a variety of projects. Staff is often showcasing a specific design that will teach some basic scientific principles. With so much to see and do, you will definitely want to reserve at least a half day for your visit. The Museum of Discovery is an attraction where you will certainly get your money’s worth of educational fun.

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The post A Passion For Science – Museum of Discovery appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Little Rock CVB for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Stickyz Unique Decor

Even before we entered, we could already see this place wasn’t afraid to use a lot of color in their decor. This certainly adds a cheerful feel to the place and increased our desire to see the interior. Once we stepped through the door we found that it didn’t disappoint. The vibrant colors are repeated in artwork hanging along the walls. Open spaces are filled with unusual artifacts that catch the eye at every turn.

The seating options are just as interesting as the decor. Diners can find themselves ushered to a variety of options. Booths, tables, and even couches serve as seating choices at Stickyz. From room to room the fun decor continues. Even the bar area has a fun flair. While we were tempted to sit in the bar section, we decided to grab a high-top instead.

Unwinding A Bit

It was an early dinner time for us, but that is usual when we travel, since it leaves us ready for a dessert bite later in the evening. To whet our whistles, we decided to order a starter off of their cocktail menu. The Bob Marley sounded interesting, as it included a mix of fruit juices with spiced rum. This colorful drink really hit the spot on a warm summer afternoon. We sipped while scouring the menu for our dinner choices.

What? No Chicken!

Who goes to a chicken restaurant, but doesn’t order chicken? Well, evidently it is us. Crystal chose the STP Wrap, which features smoked turkey and Swiss cheese. (At least it’s in the fowl family!) Toss in some lettuce and a basil pesto mayo, then fold it all inside a honey wheat wrap and you have a delicious sandwich alternative. The sammies are all accompanied by a side of their house-made Potato Chips, which have a delightful crunch. I did take a bite to test it out and discovered she made a good choice.

My Gotta Try!

Time for me to fess up about this visit. I had previewed the menu and saw they offer a Mr Cubano sandwich, and you all know I have trouble passing these unique sammies up. Obviously, since I already knew about it, the deck was stacked for us to visit this eatery. Like many places, Stickyz offers their take on the Cuban sandwich by using house smoked pulled pork. Of course, they had to add in ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard to complete the ingredient requirements for this particular treat. They do have another twist, as they serve it all up on toasted jalapeno cornbread for that extra zest. Oh my was it good! Since Crystal had ordered the chips, I substituted the seasoned French Fries for my side. It didn’t take long for us to demolish our baskets. With music scheduled almost every night, we wished that we would have planned for a return later in the evening. Unfortunately, we had already made other plans for entertainment, but you may want to check out their show schedule for your visit. Looks fun, don’t it?

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The post Finding Funky Vibes At Stickyz Rock & Roll Chicken Shack appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Little Rock CVB and Esse Purse Museum for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Why An Esse Purse Museum?

During our visit we had the honor of meeting Anita Davis, the woman behind the museum. Anita saw an area of Little Rock that was prime for a resurgence. The South Main Street area (Nicknamed SOMO) was filled with empty storefronts, like areas found in many metropolitan cities. The addition of an anchor attraction could become the impetus for other small businesses to flourish. The plan was viable, as it has worked in many other places with great success. Bringing a purse museum to the site would certainly create a one-of-a-kind attraction.

What’s Inside

Handbags have been in existence for many centuries, but for the longest time they were simply a utilitarian tool. While there have been examples of decorative leather purses from earlier times, it appears that even through the  Dark Ages decorative styles were reserved for the wealthy and influential. Smaller clutches were used for coin purses and men and women alike would use bags of all sizes. Drawstring bags became the rage in the 1800’s and slowly gave way to embroidered styling. It was the 1900’s that saw the largest variations on the handbag, and that is the period Esse Purse Museum focuses on. Stepping into the gallery, we were greeted with a wide range of colors, textures, and styles.

We examined the display cases, as we listened to Anita’s story about her inspiration for starting the museum. The details in many of the pieces are amazing. The exhibits are not limited to just handbags, but also showcase items that would be commonly found in handbags during the appropriate period. It is interesting to see some of the things that would be found throughout the decades. We remembered some of them from our mother’s handbags during our youth.

Making It Modern

The museum is very modern looking and is quite intriguing, especially for a guy. Our sex has always found a little mystery surrounding the purse. It can be less of an accessory at times and more an extension of a woman’s space. There are not many articles that are so associated with women. If you doubt this, just ask a guy to hold a purse in a busy mall. It is a fun way to determine just how comfortable they are with their own sexuality.

As we examined the display cases, we would come across some designs that we didn’t recall. Many we would certainly have remembered, if we had seen them before, since they were so unusual. Here is another spot where men and women differ on accessories. Men’s wallets are usually fairly non-descript, while a woman’s handbag is truly an extension of her fashion. That being said, I was still a little unsure of what the message was that would be given with some of the purses on display. I’m sure they were meant clearly as a “fashion statement” and not necessarily for functional purposes.

Featured Exhibits

At the Esse Purse Museum they strive to include special exhibits that rotate. This allows visitors to have a different experience on subsequent visits. During our stop they were featuring an exhibit dubbed “Up In Smoke”. The display cases are filled with brightly colored smoking accessories that will be readily recognizable to many. These came from a period of history where the idea of smoking was romanticized in the movies, on television, and in print ads everywhere.

Previous rotating exhibits have featured wedding dresses and accessories, women’s shoes, and even lingerie. The current exhibit is ending soon, and will be replaced with an interesting collection of illustrations by Betsy Davis. It will showcase designs of women with handbags through the decades. So for those that are looking for an unusual site to visit during their next Little Rock trip, the Esse Purse Museum will fit that bill perfectly. Who knows, like me you may find a new respect for this under appreciated accessory. Now it’s time for you to confess something. What is the most memorable handbag you have ever owned. Tell us a little about it, and why you loved it so much, in the comments section below!

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The post Esse Purse Museum – One Of A Kind In Little Rock appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Little Rock CVB for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Pop Art at Big Orange

When we arrived at their Midtown location, it was apparent that it is a popular place. Even in the mid-afternoon, the parking lot was full. Stepping inside, we found that the place has lots of seating available, so we were immediately seated. We chose the main level, but I did sneak upstairs to see what we were missing. The bright colors and modern graphics continued up there.

Looking over the railing provided a great view of the main floor. The large bar area has tons of seating and is flanked by a row of booths. The whole place has a bright color scheme, but it is done in a way that still feels inviting. After all, the color orange is proven to increase enthusiasm and attention. It certainly caught our attention, and we were definitely enthusiastic about the meal we were about to order.

Shaking It Up

Returning to my seat, I found out that our server had already visited the table once. I hurriedly perused the menu, so we would be ready for her next stop. She saw my return and made her way over. We began discussing the menu choices, and she was very helpful in helping us pick the perfect lunches. It was a sure thing that we would begin with a couple of their signature shakes. Crystal chose the PB & Chocolate shake, which is filled with dark chocolate and peanut butter. This combination is blended into the ice cream and then topped with whipped cream, peanuts, and more dark chocolate. It was a sweet tooth’s dream. Our server explained that there are also special shakes that do not appear on the regular menu, but will be offered periodically. The day we visited it was a Banana Fosters shake. This heavenly treat is made with caramel and banana infused ice cream. This is topped with whipped cream, more caramel, and decorated with a caramelized banana slice. Oh yeah, it was really as good as it sounds!

Beautiful Burger Presentation

When we discussed the menu with our server, we told her we were looking for burgers with beautiful presence. She assured us that every one of them on the menu were amazing to behold. This opened up our choices and challenged us to break out of our normal routine. Crystal shocked me, and probably herself, when she chose the Smashed Avocado Burger. This dish has mashed avocado, Havarti cheese, tomato, butter leaf lettuce, and a bell pepper mix. This was the real surprise, since Crystal has always been hesitant to eat peppers of any type. Topped with a swipe of garlic mayonnaise, the flavors worked so well together that she even ate the peppers. Shocker! She chose the House-made Potato Chips, with Chipotle-Red Pepper mayo, for her side dish, but her focus was on her burger.

With every burger having a special combination, I was struggling with choosing just one. Our server suggested the White Truffle & Pecorino Burger, so I went with it. The all-natural beef patty is topped with arugula, white truffle, mayo, fig jam, and salty, sharp Pecorino cheese.  The mixture of sweet and salty accented the beef so well that I couldn’t get enough. I added Sweet Potato Fries for my side, which come with a Mango-Curry ketchup. By the time we finished our shakes and burgers, we could barely make a dent in our sides. These meals are much larger than they look, but so good. The picture perfect presentation helped drive our appetites up, and probably added to us eating more than we normally would. We left Big Orange totally satisfied and knowing that we had just dined on truly gourmet burgers. Have you ever had meals that looked this amazing?

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