Hope, Arkansas, a small town in the southwestern part of the state, 110 mi/175 km southwest of Little Rock, used to be known for growing the world's largest watermelons. Now it's better known as the birthplace of former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
City leaders have published a map/guide highlighting points of interest in Hope. The highlight is the house at 117 S. Hervey St. where Clinton lived from his birth in 1946 to 1950. It has been renovated and furnished with period decor and is open to the public.
Another home, at 321 E. 13th St., is where the former president lived 1950-53. This home is privately owned and is not open for tours.
Another site of interest is the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot, which has been converted into a visitors center and museum.
If you're visiting Hope in August, don't miss the town's first claim to fame—the Watermelon Festival. There's a watermelon-eating event as well as a contest to determine the biggest watermelon. Some of the contenders in the past have weighed in at more than 250 lbs/113 kg.
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