Little Rock, Arkansas – A Hidden Gem in the U.S. 🇺🇸

After a road trip through America’s heartland, I discovered many underrated yet fascinating cities – and Little Rock was one of them! 🌳 Quiet, natural, and surprisingly affluent, it’s located just an hour away from Hot Springs National Park (the smallest national park in the U.S.). We spent two relaxing days here, letting all the travel fatigue simply melt away~~ 🏨 Hotel Recommendation We stayed at Aloft Little Rock West, part of the Marriott chain. Our package included a bottle of wine each night and a $10 Starbucks voucher ☕️🧴. From our window, we looked out over a peaceful forest (see first photo). It rained briefly during our stay, adding to the cozy autumn atmosphere 🍂. 🚗 Around Little Rock To be honest, there isn’t a ton to do in the city itself – but the large plaza near our hotel offered plenty of dining and shopping options. There’s also an outlet mall about 10 minutes away by car. ♨️ Hot Springs National Park We initially considered staying inside the park, but the conditions were pretty basic. The area felt a bit worn – it was once a recovery center for soldiers after World War I. Still, it was amazing to see the natural hot springs flowing straight from the mountain! We even managed to book a private bath at 5 PM on the same day. The setup was simple, but the experience was authentic – like visiting the “Hokkaido of America” 😄. ⛪️ Anthony Chapel & Gardens Tucked inside a forest and part of the University of Arkansas, the chapel is a stunning glass structure surrounded by lush gardens. We even spotted peacocks roaming freely in a nearby park! 🦚 The rain had just stopped when we visited, and the air smelled wonderfully fresh and sweet. 🍣 Restaurant Pick After days of heavy American BBQ and steak in the Midwest, I was craving something lighter. We tried Kemuri, the top-rated Japanese restaurant in town. As shown in the sixth photo, they offer outdoor seating (dog-friendly!). The surrounding neighborhood was lovely, with charming houses that reminded me of towns in Germany. A perfect spot to reset your palate! 😊 #TravelUSA #Arkansas #Little Rock #HiddenGems #RoadTrip