Conway, AR

Conway started as a quiet 1870s railroad stop, but the area's history reaches back much further along the Arkansas River. Just west of town, early settlers established a trading post at Cadron in the early 1800s, a site that later became an important crossing along the Trail of Tears. Today, Conway's rail heritage is still on display in its historic brick downtown, while the river bluffs to the west offer a scenic natural escape. As one of central Arkansas's most popular communities, the city pairs an easygoing pace with all the shopping, dining, and healthcare services you need for everyday life.

ATTRPhotolitherland ( talk )Chris Litherland Original uploader was Photolitherland at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

Known across the state as the City of Colleges, Conway draws much of its lively atmosphere from three campuses: the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College. A large student population brings plenty of great amenities, including touring Broadway shows at UCA's Reynolds Performance Hall and contemporary art exhibits at the Windgate Center. Downtown Conway stays active throughout the week with independent coffee houses, local eateries, and community events. The biggest celebration of the year is Toad Suck Daze, an eccentric spring festival with concerts, fair food, carnival rides, and toad races that raise scholarship money for local students.

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Home to roughly 65,000 residents, Conway features a diverse housing market, from historic craftsman cottages near campus to quiet suburban subdivisions with spacious yards. Getting around town is simple, though main corridors like Dave Ward Drive and Oak Street see typical school and work traffic during peak hours. Interstate 40 connects directly to Little Rock, making the thirty-minute commute an easy option for regional workers. When you are house hunting, keep daily drive times in mind across town, and take a quick look at local flood and drainage maps if you are considering properties near neighborhood creeks.

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Getting outside is easy here, with several major parks right in your backyard. Cadron Settlement Park offers miles of shaded hiking and biking trails with sweeping views of the river, along with a reconstructed frontier blockhouse. On the north end of town, Beaverfork Lake Park is a favorite weekend destination for boating, swimming, fishing, and disc golf. Just south of town, Lake Conway is undergoing a historic restoration project by state wildlife officials to revitalize its fishery and shoreline. With great parks, strong local schools, and a welcoming community, Conway has a lot to offer newcomers.