Need more ideas!

Hi,

We%26#39;ll be visiting LR in late December, early January. We%26#39;re visiting friends and we%26#39;ve been to LR a couple of times before but this time we%26#39;re bringig the kids (3 %26amp; 4). I would like some suggestions on kid friendly restaurant and activities. We will have access to a car.

The kids need lots of exercise so we%26#39;ll probably be going to spend some time in parks. Which are the best playgrounds?

We%26#39;ll be staying at Embassy Suites.

Need more ideas!

Restaurants our kids have liked:

* Macaroni Grill (very near Embassy Suites) good food for all. Very kid friendly.

* Purple Cow (across street from ES). Kids seem to like. Adults a little less.

Our kids%26#39; favorite playgrounds:

* Allsopp Park playground (Cedar Hill Rd off Cantrell Rd. quite a distance from ES but safe, well-maintained). Good place to meet other parents and kids.

* Pinnacle Mountain State Park (great place. Fun playground and you can also climb part of the mountain). Nice 20 minute drive.

Other things you might try:

* Big Dam Bridge: Longest pedestrian bridge in the world built for that purpose. Pick a sunny day.

* Barnes and Noble (across street from ES). Great kids%26#39; book section. Good place to go in cold weather.

* Zoo: Not a world class zoo, but ok. Historic carousel has just been restored and should be operating - one of very few of its kind anywhere.

Need more ideas!

definitely go to the Museum of Discovery - www.amod.org

littlerockfamily.com

littlerock.com

Thanks for the suggestions!

I went to the Barnes and Noble last time we visited LR, it%26#39;s great as well as open late - you don%26#39;t get that in Sweden.

I also found something called the Wonder Place, http://www.thewonderplace.com/ - any reviews?

Thanks!

forgot to mention chuckecheese.com. my niece loves this place. there is one on rodney parham and one in North Little Rock on Landers Rd.

The little Rock Aeorspace education center is fun,

Is features an imax theater and a digital planetarium, the episphere is half planetarium and half digital theater,

It is located next to the airport, and has easy freeway access.

http://www.aerospaced.org/

My kids like The Wonder Place, though they are a little old for it now. My 4yr old niece loved it!

They have: water tables, air tubes (you can put scarves and balls in these and watch them go through, the kids spent a lot of time w/these),stage to put on shows and dressup costumes, vet clinic area w/ stuffed animal patients and x-rays, craft room, mini rivermarket, and more.

There is a giant play area in the middle of the main room.

Snacks: there are vending machines w/ healthier snack choices. Juice, goldfish, water, etc. and an eating area.

the Wonder Place soudns like a great alternative for a rainy day!

The Museum of Discovery has an area for kids 3-4. It%26#39;s great and lots of fun for kids and adults to have fun together. Go on the weekend and there%26#39;s a lot to do - see animals, make crafts!

Entertainment:

+Museum of Discovery, of course.. intrigue varies of exhibit, but some of those make me want to pass off my 6%26#39;4%26#39;%26#39; frame for a 12 year old and go pick boogers from a nose..

+Arkansas Arts Center (on 9th street, next to the McArthur Military Museum) has things for children on certain days (if not everyday.. I%26#39;d suggest checking it out)... great place for adults, too.

+Someone said Barnes and Noble.. right next to Toys R Us

+Clinton Library.. truthfully, I didn%26#39;t think it was great.. my favorite part was a traveling music exhibit they had (gone now)... but it is a presidential library, so, if you think you would like that.... the kids would like some, but not all of it, but you could work it in on the same day as the museum of discovery and grab some food at the rivermarket or a downtown restaurant in between.

Parks:

+Burns Park... it%26#39;s in North Little rock.. but, trust me, your kids will leave tired.

- I would not take your kids to Reservoir, Kanis, or Boyle Park.

Eats:

+Do your kids eat barbeque? Two great places if you want to give it a try... Whole Hog Cafe (Cantrell St.), and Chips Barbeque (Markham St.)

+Dixie cafe is a good southern family restaurant.. but nothing fun or exciting for the kids (they do serve children%26#39;s plates, of course, though)

+There is a great smoothie shop in the shopping center at the corner of Bowman and Kanis. They serve sandwiches, etc... could be a good lunch or snack stop.. not too expensive.

+The Rivermarket... downtown, in the rivermarket district... closed Sunday, but any other day, everyone will find some food to eat. And you can eat all over down there... a good stop to make with the kids when they get hungry from playing at the museum of discovery. And there are a few shops in that area you can check out..

Enjoy the stay... and remember.. don%26#39;t bring your shoes into Arkansas ; =)

Thanks for all the suggestions! I%26#39;m really looking forward to our trip!

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