Central Arkansas, UA Little Rock and UAPB in 3 Days: A Little Rock-Based Arkansas College Drive Trip
A parent-first plan for seeing the University of Central Arkansas, UA Little Rock and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from one downtown Little Rock base: how each school's visit works and where to sign up, UCA's visitor permits and UA Little Rock's $1 parking deck, four hotels from budget to upscale, drive times from Little Rock's airport to Conway and Pine Bluff, sibling stops like the Clinton Presidential Library and the Museum of Discovery, and Little Rock weather by season, every fact sourced and checked Oct 30, 2026.
Main Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway (October 2008). Photo: Arraz · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped
Last checked Oct 30, 2026. Every fact comes from the pages listed in Sources at the bottom. Some hotel and tour links are affiliate links (disclosure).
The short version
Trip at a glance
Schools
University of Central Arkansas (Conway) · University of Arkansas at Little Rock · University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Days
3 days from a downtown Little Rock base: UA Little Rock on day 1, UCA in Conway on day 2 (about 38 minutes north), and UAPB in Pine Bluff on day 3 (about 51 minutes southeast).
Fly into
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), about 11 minutes from the downtown Courtyard with no traffic.
Best base
Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown, in the River Market area across from the Museum of Discovery and about 13 minutes by car from UA Little Rock.
Car or no car
Bring or rent a car. Conway is about 30 miles and Pine Bluff about 44 miles from downtown Little Rock.
Registration
Book each visit on the school's own registration page. UCA offers guided tours Monday through Friday, UA Little Rock posts in-person tour dates on its tour calendar, and UAPB lists campus tours on its events portal.
1. Who this guide is for
This plan is for parents bringing a high schooler, and maybe younger siblings, to see three central Arkansas public universities: the Central Arkansas Bears, the Little Rock Trojans and the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions.
UA Little Rock sits on 250 tree-covered acres in Little Rock's midtown, UCA is in Conway off I-40, and UAPB is in Pine Bluff to the southeast. The photo in this guide shows Main Hall on UCA's campus.
Why this order
Arrive the day before: Little Rock's airport is about 11 minutes by car from the downtown Courtyard.
Day 1: a UA Little Rock campus tour in midtown, then the Clinton Presidential Library or the Museum of Discovery downtown.
Day 2: drive about 38 minutes up I-40 to Conway for a UCA tour from the Welcome Center in Donaghey Hall.
Day 3: drive about 51 minutes to Pine Bluff for a UAPB campus tour, then about 53 minutes back to LIT.
Plan ahead: registration and timing
UCA offers guided campus tours Monday through Friday. Pick a date on its tour calendar and complete the form to register.
UA Little Rock offers in-person campus tours and a Saturday Spotlight for families who can't visit during the week, but faculty aren't on campus during Saturday Spotlights, so pick a weekday if you want an academic appointment.
UAPB's undergraduate admissions page sends visitors to its events portal, which lists campus tours and group tours at 27 Watson Boulevard.
All three schools hold preview events: UCA's Bear Facts Day for seniors and Bear Necessities Day for juniors, UA Little Rock's Discover UA Little Rock preview day, and UAPB's Lion Fever Day.
Prefer a tour in Spanish? UCA offers Spanish-guided tours, and UA Little Rock offers tours in Spanish every other Friday.
Can't make the trip? All three schools offer a virtual tour.
Tour availability varies by season.
Little Rock summers are hot: July and August average about 92°F highs, so plan walking tours for the morning.
April is the wettest month in Little Rock, averaging about 5.6 inches of rain, so pack an umbrella for a spring visit.
Winters are mild: January averages about 51°F highs and 31°F lows, with about an inch of snow.
Check each school's athletics site for home games on your dates, since game days bring extra traffic and parking demand.
2. The suggested 3-day plan
Drive times are no-traffic estimates from OpenStreetMap routing, and walking times use OpenStreetMap foot routing, with addresses geocoded by OpenStreetMap Nominatim. Times to UA Little Rock are to 2801 S. University Avenue, times to UAPB are to its campus tour location at 27 Watson Boulevard, and times to UCA are to the center of its Conway campus.
Arrival: fly into Little Rock and check in downtown
Clinton National Airport (LIT) → Courtyard Little Rock Downtown
Driving (no traffic)
~11 min, 4.5 mi
Driving
Rental car
Clinton National Airport (LIT) → Little Rock Marriott
Driving (no traffic)
~13 min, 6.3 mi
Driving
Rental car or hotel shuttle
Expedia lists a free airport shuttle at the Little Rock Marriott, but you'll want a car for Conway and Pine Bluff.
Day 1: UA Little Rock and downtown Little Rock
Courtyard Little Rock Downtown → UA Little Rock (2801 S. University Ave.)
Driving (no traffic)
~13 min, 7.1 mi
Driving
Drive
Little Rock Marriott → UA Little Rock (2801 S. University Ave.)
Driving (no traffic)
~13 min, 7.2 mi
Driving
Drive
Courtyard Little Rock Downtown → Clinton Presidential Library
Driving (no traffic)
Walk
Driving
~8 min walk, 0.4 mi
Courtyard Little Rock Downtown → Museum of Discovery
Driving (no traffic)
Walk
Driving
~1 min walk (across the street)
UA Little Rock's tour page suggests Midtown or Downtown hotels if you're staying overnight, to stay close to campus.
Attending a UA Little Rock campus tour enters your student in a monthly $250 scholarship drawing; see the tour page for the conditions.
Day 2: University of Central Arkansas in Conway
Courtyard Little Rock Downtown → UCA (Conway)
Driving (no traffic)
~38 min, 30.0 mi
Driving
Drive (I-40 west)
Little Rock Marriott → UCA (Conway)
Driving (no traffic)
~37 min, 30.0 mi
Driving
Drive (I-40 west)
Hilton Garden Inn Conway → UCA (Conway)
Driving (no traffic)
~8 min, 3.5 mi
Driving
Drive
From Little Rock, take I-40 West to the first Conway exit (#129B), bear right to Donaghey Avenue and turn right at the light. For a campus tour, continue down Donaghey to Bruce Street: the Welcome Center is in Donaghey Hall on your right. Look for the bear on the side of the building.
Day 3: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, then fly home
Courtyard Little Rock Downtown → UAPB campus tour (27 Watson Blvd.)
Driving (no traffic)
~51 min, 43.7 mi
Driving
Drive
Hampton Inn and Suites Pine Bluff → UAPB campus tour (27 Watson Blvd.)
Driving (no traffic)
~11 min, 5.8 mi
Driving
Drive
UAPB (27 Watson Blvd.) → Clinton National Airport (LIT)
Driving (no traffic)
~53 min, 44.5 mi
Driving
Drive
UAPB's events portal lists separate Campus Tour and Group Tours sessions, both at 27 Watson Boulevard. Register for a specific date there.
Pick a date for an in-person campus tour on UA Little Rock's tour calendar. On the tour you'll see the campus and learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Tours in Spanish run every other Friday, Saturday Spotlight is for families who can't visit during the week, and groups of 10 or more can request a group tour.
Faculty are not on campus during Saturday Spotlights, so academic appointments aren't available then.
Visitor parking
Visitors may park in any metered lot for $1 an hour in coins, or a $3 minimum for two hours by credit card, or in the parking deck for $1 per exit.
Getting there
UA Little Rock is about 13 minutes by car from the downtown Courtyard and Marriott, and about 18 minutes from the airport with no traffic.
What to know
The main campus stretches over 250 tree-covered acres in Little Rock's midtown and has more than 50 buildings, many with LEED designations for energy efficiency.
Contact
Tour questions or to reschedule: Cambri Hutchinson, chutchins1@ualr.edu. Admissions: Student Services Center Room 219, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock; 501-916-3127.
Last checked Oct 30, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.
UCA offers guided campus tours Monday through Friday. Select a date on the tour calendar and complete the form to register.
Campus tours start at the Welcome Center in Donaghey Hall, where Donaghey Avenue meets Bruce Street.
UCA also offers Spanish-guided tours, weekday group tours, and preview days including Bear Facts Day for seniors and Bear Necessities Day for juniors.
Visitor parking
Visitors must get a visitor's permit before parking on campus, and a driver's license is needed to issue a temporary visitor's permit. Reserved spaces are marked Visitor Only.
UCA's admissions map to the Welcome Center shows the tour starting point and nearby parking; check it before you drive up.
Getting there
Conway is about 38 minutes from downtown Little Rock on I-40 with no traffic. From Little Rock, take the first Conway exit (#129B).
What to know
UCA's campus runs about half a mile along Donaghey Avenue from the I-40 exit.
Contact
University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 72035; 501-450-5000.
Last checked Oct 30, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.
Use the Visit Our Campus link on UAPB's undergraduate admissions page to reach its events portal, then register for a Campus Tour or Group Tours session at 27 Watson Boulevard.
UAPB's Office of Student Recruitment also runs Lion Fever Day and High School Day events.
Visitor parking
UAPB's admissions and events pages don't list visitor parking rules, so ask the Office of Admissions at 870-575-8492 when you book.
Getting there
Pine Bluff is about 51 minutes by car from downtown Little Rock, and the airport is about 53 minutes back with no traffic.
What to know
UAPB's students point to its HBCU experience, Greek life, Division I athletics and the M4 Marching Band, the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South.
Contact
Office of Admissions, 1200 North University Drive, Mail Slot 4892, Pine Bluff, AR 71601; 870-575-8492; admissions@uapb.edu.
Last checked Oct 30, 2026. Tour and admissions details change often, so confirm them on the school's official visit page before you go.
4. Where to stay: downtown Little Rock, with Conway and Pine Bluff options
Price tiers (Budget, Mid-range, Upscale) follow each hotel's star class on Expedia. Rates vary by date, so check your dates on Expedia.
Hotel · Our pickMid-range
Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown
521 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201
Why here
It's downtown in the River Market area, across the street from the Museum of Discovery, about 13 minutes by car from UA Little Rock and about 11 minutes from the airport. UA Little Rock suggests Downtown or Midtown hotels for overnight visitors.
Expedia lists this hotel as a 3-star property, so we place it in the Mid-range tier. Rates vary by date, so check your dates on Expedia.
Good to know
Expedia lists self-parking on site for a fee, breakfast for a fee, no pets (service animals welcome) and a minimum check-in age of 21. Confirm details on the Expedia listing before you book.
Expedia lists this hotel as a 4-star property, so we place it in the Upscale tier. Rates vary by date, so check your dates on Expedia.
It's downtown, about 13 minutes by car from UA Little Rock and about 37 minutes from UCA.
Good to know
Expedia lists a free airport shuttle, valet parking for a fee (with height restrictions), breakfast for a fee, no pets (service animals welcome) and a minimum check-in age of 21. Confirm details on the Expedia listing before you book.
Expedia lists this hotel as a 3-star property, so we place it in the Mid-range tier. Rates vary by date, so check your dates on Expedia.
It's about 8 minutes by car from UCA, if you'd rather spend a night in Conway before an early tour.
Good to know
Expedia lists free self-parking, an indoor pool, breakfast for a fee, no pets (service animals welcome) and a minimum check-in age of 21. Confirm details on the Expedia listing before you book.
Expedia lists this hotel as a 2.5-star property, so we place it in the Budget tier. Rates vary by date, so check your dates on Expedia.
It's about 11 minutes by car from UAPB's campus tour location, if you'd rather stay in Pine Bluff the night before day 3.
Good to know
Expedia lists a free buffet breakfast, free self-parking, an indoor pool, pets for a fee and a minimum check-in age of 21. Confirm details on the Expedia listing before you book.
Stay downtown in Little Rock for all three days: UA Little Rock is about 13 minutes away, UCA about 38 minutes and UAPB about 51 minutes. For an early start at UCA or UAPB, spend that night at the Hilton Garden Inn Conway or the Hampton Inn and Suites Pine Bluff instead.
5. Meals between tours
Hours change, so check before you go.
In downtown Little Rock
The Museum of Discovery is in the heart of the River Market entertainment district, with many family-friendly restaurants within walking distance, and museum admission is good all day if you step out to eat.
At the hotels
The Hampton Inn and Suites Pine Bluff includes breakfast, and the Courtyard, Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn offer breakfast for a fee.
6. Things for siblings along the route
With siblings
William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201
The museum includes replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, with permanent exhibits of documents, photographs, videos and interactive stations. It's about an 8-minute walk from the downtown Courtyard.
500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 150, Little Rock, AR 72201
A hands-on science museum in the River Market district, across the street from the Courtyard. It's open Tuesday through Saturday (and some Mondays when school is out), and the museum suggests planning at least two hours. Parking is in the River Market deck across the street, entered off Second Street.
At UA Little Rock, park in a metered lot or the parking deck ($1 per exit).
At UCA, get a visitor's permit before parking (bring a driver's license) and head to the Welcome Center in Donaghey Hall at Donaghey Avenue and Bruce Street.
At UAPB, campus tours meet at 27 Watson Boulevard.
Flying in and out
Clinton National Airport (LIT) is about 11 minutes from the downtown Courtyard, about 18 minutes from UA Little Rock and about 53 minutes from UAPB with no traffic.
Weather by season (1991–2020 NOAA normals: Little Rock Adams Field station)
Spring: April averages about 73°F highs and 50°F lows, with about 5.6 inches of rain.
Summer: July averages about 92°F/71°F, with about 3.3 inches of rain.
Fall: October averages about 74°F/51°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain.
Winter: January averages about 51°F/31°F, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation and about 1 inch of snow.
Parent checklist
Book a UA Little Rock campus tour, and pick a weekday if you want an academic appointment.
Book a UCA campus tour (offered Monday through Friday).
Register for a UAPB campus tour on its events portal.
Bring a driver's license for UCA's temporary visitor parking permit.
Book flights into Little Rock's Clinton National Airport and plan a rental car.
Book a hotel in downtown Little Rock, or in Conway or Pine Bluff for an early start.
After each visit, take five minutes to jot down what stood out to your student.
8. Student-athlete recruiting visits
For families whose student hopes to play a college sport. Rules below are the NCAA's; each school's links were checked Oct 26, 2026.
Coaches arrange the recruiting part of a visit, not the admissions office. The tour sign-ups in this guide are for the regular family visit. An official (school-paid) visit is offered by the school, and contact with coaches follows NCAA rules that vary by division, sport and grade level.
Start with your sport's questionnaire, then email the coaches. The NCAA suggests emailing coaches with your achievements, highlight videos and interest in their program, including your name, position, NCAA ID and graduation year.
3 Division I
Athletics
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
NCAA Division I United Athletic Conference
RecruitingWe found no department-wide recruiting page. Look for a questionnaire on your sport's team page at the athletics site ↗, or email the coaches.
RecruitingWe found no department-wide recruiting page. Look for a questionnaire on your sport's team page at the athletics site ↗, or email the coaches.
RecruitingWe found no department-wide recruiting page. Look for a questionnaire on your sport's team page at the athletics site ↗, or email the coaches.
Unofficial visit: any campus visit you or your family pay for. You can take as many as you like; in Divisions I and II each one has to come after the first permissible date for your sport.
Official visit: a visit paid for by the school. Each school can offer your student only one. Before a Division I official visit, your student must be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center, be on the school's institutional request list, and the school must have their high school transcripts.
Division I (University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff): on an official visit the school can pay for travel for the student and up to two family members, lodging, up to three meals a day for the student and up to four family members, and up to $60 a person in entertainment, including five home-game tickets. On an unofficial visit there are no free meals, but the school can give up to three home-game tickets. Division I uses recruiting calendars with contact, evaluation, quiet and dead periods; in a dead period, no in-person contact and no visits.
Rules change. Confirm with the coach, or check the NCAA's recruiting page and recruiting calendars, before you plan dates.
Planning around the season
Check each school's athletics schedule (linked above) before you pick dates, so a coach meeting doesn't land on a road trip or game day for your sport.
Our recommendation, not a school rule: ask the coach whether they can line up an admissions session or tour around your meeting. If not, book the regular family tour yourself through the official sign-up links in this guide, and leave time between the two.
Add your dates and how you're getting there, and we'll pull this guide into one plan: tour sign-up links, the hotel base, parking or airport notes, the route and meals.
Coming soon
Planning more college trips?
Visit-season reminders and new trip guides from College Visit Guides. Newsletter coming soon.
Sources
All checked Oct 30, 2026. Tour schedules change constantly, so always confirm on each school's official sign-up page. Photo credits are under each photo and on our About page.
Expedia listing: Courtyard by Marriott Little Rock Downtown (star class and amenities, checked 2026-10-30 via same-id Hotwire listing) (not linked: https://www.expedia.com/Little-Rock-Hotels-Courtyard-By-Marriott-Little-Rock-Downtown.h1109707.Hotel-Information)
Expedia listing: Little Rock Marriott (star class and amenities, checked 2026-10-30 via same-id Hotwire listing) (not linked: https://www.expedia.com/Little-Rock-Hotels-Little-Rock-Marriott.h1564.Hotel-Information)
Expedia listing: Hilton Garden Inn Conway (star class and amenities, checked 2026-10-30 via same-id Hotwire listing) (not linked: https://www.expedia.com/Conway-Hotels-Hilton-Garden-Inn-Conway.h1738458.Hotel-Information)
Expedia listing: Hampton Inn and Suites Pine Bluff (star class and amenities, checked 2026-10-30 via same-id Hotwire listing) (not linked: https://www.expedia.com/Pine-Bluff-Hotels-Hampton-Inn-And-Suites-Pine-Bluff.h2774571.Hotel-Information)
