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Conway, Arkansas: The Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit (And Why You Shouldn’t Just Drive Through It)

Conway is cheap to enjoy, which is the first thing to know about it. The Baum Gallery costs nothing to walk into. The lakes cost nothing to look at and not much to fish. What you pay for here is the bowling, the go-karts and the paintball, and none of it runs to the price of a day out in a bigger city. The colleges keep the eating honest for the same reason.

Conway, Arkansas rewards a resident and a first-time visitor about equally. The art scene and the outdoor activities are the two ends of the list, and the city is small enough to do both in a day.

The cultural side of Conway is stronger than the population suggests. Art galleries, theaters and music venues all run their own calendars. The historical landmarks and museums cover the city’s past, and they are worth the time even on a short visit.

The outdoors is the other half. Conway has hiking, biking and enough natural beauty in the area to fill a weekend. Family activities and attractions sit alongside them, close enough that a day can hold both.

Key Takeaways

• Conway, Arkansas offers a wide variety of fun and exciting things to do for visitors and residents alike.
• From exploring the art scene to enjoying outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in Conway.
• Whether you’re looking for a cultural experience, historical landmarks, or family fun, Conway has it all.

Discover the Art Scene in Conway

Art lovers do well in Conway. Local galleries and university collections both keep rotating what is on the walls. Two places in particular:

Baum Gallery at UCA

The Baum Gallery at the University of Central Arkansas is the best place to see art in Conway. The exhibits rotate and they draw on local and national artists, so the room changes between visits. Paintings, sculptures and mixed media are all represented.

The Baum Gallery is also free to visit, which means you can take as long as you like without watching the budget. It sits on the UCA campus, so the other campus attractions are a short walk away and the afternoon builds itself.

Windgate Museum of Art

The Windgate Museum of Art is the other one in Conway. It is part of the University of Central Arkansas and carries work from local and national artists, running from classic paintings to contemporary installations.

What sets the Windgate Museum of Art apart is the education side. Alongside the exhibits it runs programs and events built to help visitors understand what they are looking at. That makes it the better stop if you want the visit to go somewhere.

Conway’s art scene is in good health and the galleries and museums are easy to work through. A seasoned enthusiast and someone filling an afternoon both come out ahead in this Arkansas city.

Fun and Games in Conway

Family-friendly entertainment is where Conway really delivers. Bowling, paintball and go-kart racing are all within a short drive of each other.

Conway Family Bowl

Conway Family Bowl is the classic option. Bowling leagues, arcade games and a play area for kids all run under the same roof, and the puzzles and escape rooms are there for anyone who wants a harder afternoon. The tickets convert into prizes, which keeps the children going longer than expected.

Jack’s Ultra Sports Paintball & Lasertag

Jack’s Ultra Sports Paintball & Lasertag is the active choice. Both games are on offer, so the group picks its preferred method of battle. Birthday parties and small play areas for kids are covered as well.

Thunder Road Grand Prix

Thunder Road Grand Prix is the unusual one. The go-kart racing runs on an indoor track and an outdoor track, so the weather does not decide for you. A small arcade and movie theater on site turn it into a whole day.

Conway’s fun and games options cover most tastes. Grab the family and give one of them the afternoon.

Historical Landmarks and Museums

History readers get two proper stops in Conway, and both of them go back further than the town does.

Faulkner County Museum

The Faulkner County Museum comes first. The artifacts and exhibits tell the story of Conway and Faulkner County, running from the early Native American settlements through the Civil War era and beyond. Vintage clothing and antique farm equipment sit in the same rooms. The museum is also said to have a resident ghost, which the staff will happily tell you about.

Cadron Settlement Park

Cadron Settlement Park comes second, and it holds one of the state’s most significant historic sites. The Cadron Blockhouse was built in 1819 as a trading post and served as a refuge for settlers during Native American attacks. You can tour it now. The park also carries hiking trails, picnic areas and a playground, so the history takes an hour and the rest of the day takes care of itself.

The park has a darker footnote. Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, visited Cadron Settlement Park. In 1975 he was arrested in Conway for driving a stolen car, and while in custody he confessed to several murders, including the murder of two women near the park. True crime readers tend to want the detail.

Those are the two historical landmarks and museums in Conway worth the drive. History reader or not, both sites leave you with a better sense of how this Arkansas town got here.

Outdoor Activities and Natural Beauty

For fresh air and open water, Conway has two spots that carry the load:

Beaverfork Lake Park

Beaverfork Lake Park is the easy day outdoors. The 65-acre park covers a playground, picnic areas and walking trails, and it works for most ages at once. The 60-acre lake is the real draw, taking boats and fishing lines equally well. Cast for catfish, crappie or bass, or rent a boat and see the park from the water. Bring sunscreen.

Lake Conway

Lake Conway is the bigger one and the more surprising. The man-made lake spans 6,700 acres, which makes it the largest Game and Fish Commission lake in the United States. Anglers come for the catfish, bream and bass. Everyone else comes for the quiet, and on most days there is enough water for both.

Grab a fishing pole, pack a picnic and pick one. Neither will disappoint you.

Shopping and Dining in Conway

For shopping and eating, Conway has two spots that cover most of it.

Pickles Gap Village

Pickles Gap Village is the first, and the name undersells it. The village holds a run of unique shops and boutiques carrying everything from retro clothing to antiques. Anyone who likes working through stores in sequence will get an afternoon out of it.

The eating at Pickles Gap Village is worth staying for. The Pickle Barrel Cafe serves classic American fare. Thai Basil is the option when the table wants something further from home.

Broadway

Broadway is the second. The historic street carries some of the best restaurants and shops in Conway. The French Trading Post is the one to book: a small room serving French cuisine good enough to put Paris in your head.

The shopping on Broadway holds up too. Vintage clothing and handmade jewelry are both easy to find, and the antique stores along the street reward a slow walk.

Those are the two shopping and dining stops in Conway. Take the afternoon.

Conway sits in three parts and none of them is far from the others. The University of Central Arkansas campus holds the Baum Gallery, the Windgate Museum of Art and the Arkansas Shakespeare Theater’s outdoor stage. Downtown runs along Broadway. The restaurants, the antique stores and Kings Live Music are all on it. The water is north and east: Beaverfork Lake Park, Lake Conway and Cadron Settlement Park out on the river. Most visitors do the campus and the shopping and never drive out to the blockhouse.

Educational Institutions in Conway

Conway is a college town and the colleges are part of what there is to see. These are the top educational institutions in it:

University of Central Arkansas

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is the public research university in Conway. It carries over 10,000 students, which makes it the largest university in the city and one of the top universities in the state. Over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs run here, business, education and health sciences among them.

UCA also holds the largest Greek community in Arkansas. Anyone looking at a fraternity or sorority will find the choice here.

Hendrix College

Hendrix College is the private liberal arts option in Conway. The student body runs around 1,200, and the college is known for rigorous academic programs and a serious commitment to sustainability. Over 30 majors and minors are offered, including computer science, psychology and environmental studies.

Hendrix College has also been named one of the “Most Innovative Schools” in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Creativity and innovation are what the place trades on.

Central Baptist College

Central Baptist College (CBC) is the private Christian college in Conway. The student body runs around 850, and the college is known for strong Christian values and academic standards to match. Over 40 undergraduate programs are offered, including business, education and ministry.

CBC also runs a strong athletic program, with teams in basketball, soccer and volleyball. Playing while studying is a real option here.

Degree or a single class, Conway has the institutions for it. Enroll in something and see where it goes.

Performing Arts in Conway

Conway’s performing arts scene carries a night out better than most cities this size. Live music and professional Shakespeare productions are both on the calendar. These are the two venues to know:

Arkansas Shakespeare Theater

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theater is the one for anyone who reads the Bard. The professional company produces a full season every summer, with actors drawn from across the country. It performs on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, and the outdoor stage is what makes the evening.

Conway Symphony Orchestra

The Conway Symphony Orchestra is the classical answer. The musicians perform through the year, from classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites. A seasoned symphony-goer and a newcomer will both get something out of the programme.

Beyond those two, Conway runs performing arts events all year. Local bands play the bars and restaurants, and the bigger acts land at the Conway Event Center. Check the local events calendar before you set the night.

Family Fun in Conway

Family-friendly fun in Conway is well supplied, and most of it costs little. These are the activities to look at:

Share the Love KidsClub

The Share the Love KidsClub comes first. It gets children involved in the community and keeps it enjoyable, meeting once a month for activities like planting flowers, making cards for nursing homes and collecting canned goods for local food banks. Children learn the value of giving back while spending time with others their age.

For something more active, the play areas around town do the job. Climbing, sliding and running are all catered for. The best play areas in Conway include:

Laurel Park

Cadron Settlement Park

Central Landing

Pack snacks and water. The little ones will work up an appetite faster than you expect.

For something more structured, a family-friendly class is the answer. The city of Conway runs classes from art to dance to cooking. You come out with a new skill and the family gets the time together, which is the harder thing to arrange.

Family fun in Conway is not in short supply. Get out there and make some memories with the people you brought.

Stay in Conway

So you are visiting Conway, Arkansas. The question is where to stay, and the range runs from a budget-friendly motel to a luxurious bed and breakfast.

If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to check out the Super 8 by Wyndham Conway. It’s not the fanciest place in town, but it’s clean, comfortable, and affordable. Plus, it’s conveniently located near several restaurants and shops.

For a slightly more upscale experience, consider booking a room at the Hilton Garden Inn Conway. This hotel offers spacious rooms, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Plus, it’s just a short drive from popular attractions like the Cadron Settlement Park and the Baum Gallery.

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, check out the The Victorian Inn. This charming bed and breakfast is housed in a beautiful Victorian-era mansion and offers cozy rooms, a delicious breakfast, and plenty of Southern hospitality.

And of course, there are plenty of other options to choose from, including the Comfort Suites Conway, the Hampton Inn Conway, and the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. No matter where you choose to stay, you’re sure to have a great time in Conway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the coolest thing to do in Conway, AR?

That depends on what you are into. Nature lovers should not miss Cadron Settlement Park, with its hiking trails, picnic areas and reconstructed blockhouse. Art buffs should go to the Baum Gallery at UCA, the most beloved art gallery in the region and deservedly so.

Where’s the best place to eat in Conway?

Conway has plenty of good places to eat, and Tacos 4 Life earns the mention. The food is genuinely good, and for every meal you buy they donate a meal to a hungry child.

What makes Conway, AR famous?

Conway is known as the home of three colleges: the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College and Central Baptist College. The parks, the restaurants and the friendliness of the place do the rest.

What are some fun indoor activities in Conway?

Indoors, the Escape Mystery Rooms are the one to book. They are challenging and they suit a group of friends or a family. For something lower-key, Conway Family Bowl is the classic bowling alley, with plenty of lanes and arcade games alongside.

What’s happening in Conway, AR today?

Something is usually on in Conway. Check the Conway Scene for up-to-date information on events, concerts and the rest.

Any hidden gems in downtown Conway?

Downtown has a couple of places worth finding. Something Blue Boutique is a bridal shop that also sells home decor and gifts, which makes it a better browse than it sounds. Kings Live Music is the drink afterwards: a cozy bar with live music and a good selection of beer and cocktails.

Frequently asked questions about Conway, Arkansas

Which park is best for a day outdoors in Conway, Arkansas?

Beaverfork Lake Park, if you want the day to run itself. The 65-acre park has the playground, the picnic areas and the walking trails. The 60-acre lake takes a boat or a fishing line. Cadron Settlement Park is the other answer, and it is the one to pick when you want the hiking trails and the Cadron Blockhouse rather than the water.

How big is Lake Conway and what can you fish there?

Lake Conway spans 6,700 acres, which makes it the largest Game and Fish Commission lake in the United States. Catfish, bream and bass are what anglers pull out of it. Go early. The water is quietest before the middle of the day, and the afternoon is better spent somewhere with shade over it.

What can you see at the Faulkner County Museum in Conway?

Artifacts and exhibits covering Conway and Faulkner County, from the early Native American settlements through the Civil War era and after. Vintage clothing sits alongside antique farm equipment. It takes about an hour. That makes it the right first stop before the drive out to Cadron Settlement Park, which needs the rest of the afternoon.

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