Go from galleries to museums to theaters in this college city that is surrounded by lakes and recreational areas in the heart of Arkansas.
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas, Conway has a wide range of activities to suit all ages. Visit art galleries, independent theater companies, music venues and numerous educational institutes. Revel in Arkansas’ striking natural beauty as you go on outdoor adventures on Conway’s lakes and in its parks. Founded as a railroad town shortly after the Civil War, today Conway is the administrative seat of Faulkner County.
Start your visit in the busy commercial district of Downtown Conway. Discover more than 30 shops varying from antique dealers to fashion outlets and jewelers. Find your favorite flavors at bakeries, brewpubs, pizzerias and a tequila bar, among other bars and restaurants. Learn about regional history at Faulkner County Museum, housed in an old county jail. Browse work by local artists at the Art on the Green gallery.
Stroll around the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, the biggest of the city’s three colleges. See exhibitions by university and traveling artists at the Baum Gallery, watch live sports events at Estes Stadium and attend adaptations of the Bard of Avon’s plays at the Arkansas Shakespeare Theater.
Music lovers should check the schedule of the Conway Symphony Orchestra, which stages free and paid events at various city venues. More live music and artistic performances take place at Hendrix College. Experience the excitement of a rodeo at Faulkner County Rodeo Arena.
Save some time to explore the outdoor attractions located a short drive from downtown Conway. Lake Conway covers some 6,700 acres (2,711 hectares) and offers superb swimming. On the lake’s eastern shore is Camp Robinson State Wildlife Management Area, a popular hunting area. Go boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming at Beaverfork Lake. Find picnic areas at Toad Suck Park, on the banks of the Arkansas River.
Conway is just a 40-minute drive north of Little RockOpens in a new window. Arrive at Bill and Hilary Clinton National Airport and then rent a car to make the journey to Conway. Buses from regional centers in Arkansas stop in Conway. April is a fun time to visit, when the family-friendly Toad Suck Daze festival takes over the downtown streets.
