River Market

The River Market is one of Little Rock’s premier public gathering spaces and a cornerstone of downtown. Owned by Little Rock Parks & Recreation, the property is operated through a management agreement with the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. The River Market features Ottenheimer Market Hall, outdoor market pavilions, plazas, and landscaped public spaces that support local businesses, farmers markets, festivals, community events, and tourism. Its location along the Arkansas River also provides seamless connections to Riverfront Park, the Arkansas River Trail, downtown hotels, museums, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

For questions regarding vendors and facility rentals in the River Market, contact the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau:

(501) 375-2552 | info@littlerock.com

History

The River Market opened in 1996 as the centerpiece of a major riverfront revitalization initiative that transformed Little Rock’s historic warehouse district into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors. Anchored by Ottenheimer Market Hall and two open-air market pavilions, the development was designed to celebrate local businesses, create public gathering spaces, and reconnect downtown with the Arkansas River. Since its opening, the River Market has helped spur hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private investment throughout the surrounding district.

Today, the City of Little Rock continues to own the River Market property while Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau manages its daily operations through a long-standing partnership with the City. This collaboration allows the River Market to serve as one of Arkansas’s premier destinations for shopping, dining, entertainment, tourism, and community events while ensuring the public space remains an active and welcoming gathering place for residents and visitors alike.