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As part of my visits to all 50 state capitols, I'm also toying with the idea of stopping in Little Rock for one night when I take the TX Eagle back up to Chicago . .. but I'm not sure that's such a good idea. First, if I were using my Amtrak Guest Reward points, it would mean paying more and getting even less for the 20,000 points (I'm already getting less by starting in San Antonio instead of El Paso). Second, I'm not sure weatherwise Little Rock is such a good bet in January. Third, the train stops there in the middle of the night and I'm a little worried about getting from the station to the hotel, as I hear downtown Little Rock is not so great. I'd have to stay downtown as I'd want to see the capitol and Clinton Museum all in the one day. Then I'd have to take a taxi to the train station in the middle of the night again--though I'm less concerned about that, provided I am staying in a decent hotel, I would stay in the lobby till my cab comes. Does anyone have any input on this idea? Also, any hotel suggestions? Where exactly is the train station in relation to the hotels and sights?
Maybe I should save Little Rock for another time? Although it will always be in the middle of the night if I come by train!
George Harris Member # 2077
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January in Little Rock: Cold and windy, possible rain, but snow unlikely. If it does snow, however, you are far enough south that the city will come to a complete halt, because there are no snowplows or other organized means of dealing with the stuff. Go to wikipedia, and there is usually some average weather information.
I would say taxi from station to hotel. The cold weather will work to you advantage in the safety department. Most street predators will be seeking warm at the time you are there, either indoors or a warmer climate.
Go to mapquest and look at the relationship between train station, capitol building, and hotel. Been a long while, but if I remember correctly, the capitol is fairly close to the train station.
George
joefamily Member # 892
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I live in LR. The weather will probably be better than upstate NY in Jan. The northbound if on time is before midnight. Southbound is a little tougher. The capital mall is a little more than two blocks from the train station, the track borders the western edge of the capital grounds. The station is on the same street as the Clinton Library, just a few minutes by car. There is a trolley system in downtown, but it doesn't run to the station. There are several nice hotels downtown. The Capitol Hotel is being renovated currently, I'd stay there if they are open by then. Most if not all the hotels would pick you up at the station. Check the calendar for the Clinton School and you may be treated to a lecture by some prominent politician, anybody from Madeline Albright to Karl Rove. One night may not be enough.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I also hope to visit Little Rock and go to the Clinton Presidential Museum and Library. I visited my first Presidential library recently (Ronald Reagan in Simi Valley, CA) and it was incredible! It's a treat to get to see so many famous and important documents and items in our history.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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I visited the George Bush library in College Station and missed meeting him by about an hour... It was very interesting.
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