Conway Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Conway is the gateway to the Mount Washington Valley, and most visitors know it for North Conway's outlet shopping. But the town is bigger and more varied than one shopping strip. It includes five villages, a river that draws thousands of paddlers on summer weekends, a historic downtown in Conway Village, and a restored theater that has come back from a devastating fire. This guide covers things to do in Conway NH, with an emphasis on the river, local history and places to eat and drink.

The end of August is a great time to visit. The Saco River is still warm enough for a float, and the valley is a little quieter once school starts back up.

Conway at a glance

Conway is a town in Carroll County in the White Mountains. The 2020 census counted 9,822 residents. There are five villages in the town: Conway, North Conway, Center Conway, Redstone and Kearsarge. The largest is Conway Village in the southwestern part of town, while North Conway is known as a destination for outlet shopping.

The town's natural attractions include Cathedral Ledge, which is popular with climbers, along with Echo Lake and Conway Lake. The Conway Scenic Railroad offers day trips, and several ski resorts are nearby.

Conway also has a place in art history. In the 1800s, painters including Asher B. Durand and Benjamin Champney worked in the area, and Wikipedia notes that Champney was known to paint Mount Washington while sitting in the middle of Main Street.

On the Saco River

The Saco River is the heart of summer in Conway. It rises at Saco Lake in Crawford Notch and flows generally south-southeast toward Maine. Wikipedia describes it as a popular recreational river, drawing an estimated 3,000 to 7,000 people per summer weekend. It is a major attraction for canoeists, and several canoe rentals are available along the river. Some stretches have rapids, such as Walker's Rip, which can capsize less experienced paddlers, so it pays to know your route and your skill level before you launch.

Most visitors in Conway stick to gentler floats, and the town's outfitters can point you toward a stretch that fits your group.

Saco Bound

Saco Bound has been on the river since 1972, from its riverside base on East Main Street in Conway. It rents single and double kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and tubes, and its trip menu includes tubing trips, kayak and canoe trips, combination trips, rafting trips and overnight camping trips.

Saco Bound also offers trips beyond the Saco, including trips to the Umbagog Wildlife Refuge. For a first visit, a short tubing or canoe trip is the easiest way in. The company posts river and weather conditions on its site, which is worth checking before you go.

Saco River Tubing Center

The Saco River Tubing Center on White Mountain Highway is focused on easygoing river fun. It offers river tubing trips, canoe and kayak trips, rope swings and access to sandy beaches along the river, with a shuttle service to help you get back to your car.

It is a good choice for families. The center's site has pages on what to bring, river etiquette and river conditions, which are worth reading before your first trip.

River tips

• Book ahead on weekends. With thousands of people on the river on a busy summer weekend, rentals can sell out.
• Bring water and sun protection. A slow float can take longer than you expect.
• Respect the river. Pack out what you bring in, and follow the outfitter's safety rules.
• Check conditions. Water levels change, and outfitters post updates.

History and the arts

Conway Historical Society and the Eastman Lord House Museum

The Conway Historical Society runs the Eastman Lord House Museum. Its mission is to collect, document, exhibit, interpret and preserve works of contemporary and historic art and culture, with an emphasis on the heritage of the White Mountain region.

The society also hosts programs on local history. Hours are subject to change, so check the society's website or its Facebook page before visiting.

The Conway Majestic Theatre

The Conway Majestic Theatre on Main Street in Conway Village has one of the best comeback stories in the valley. Built as part of the historic Bolduc Block, it first opened on June 24, 1931, and officially became the Majestic Theatre in May 1932. For decades it was a commercial and cultural anchor for the valley, home to local businesses, the post office and the town's movie house.

In 2005, a fire gutted the interior. The nonprofit Mountain Top Music Center bought the damaged building in 2015 and, after a multi-year fundraising and rebuilding effort, restored it. The renovated theater has 290 seats, modern acoustics and updated stage and film technology, plus a second-floor home for the community music school. The Majestic Cafe operates next door.

Today the theater hosts concerts, film screenings and community events. Check its calendar for the current schedule.

Breweries and food

Tuckerman Brewing Company

Tuckerman Brewing is a Conway brewery. Its flagship Pale Ale is dry hopped and naturally carbonated, according to the brewery. It is a good stop for anyone who wants to try a beer brewed in the valley. Check the brewery's site for current visiting details.

Saco River Brewing Taphaus

The Saco River Brewing Taphaus in North Conway is the New Hampshire outpost of a brewery whose headquarters, taproom and brewery are in Fryeburg, Maine. The taphaus pours the brewery's current beers, with to-go cans available, and serves lunch and dinner.

It also hosts regular game and darts nights, live music, and private events on its second floor. It is a relaxed place to finish a day on the river.

Planning a day in Conway

Here is one way to spend a day:

1. Morning: Rent a tube or kayak and spend a few hours on the Saco River.

2. Lunch: Head to North Conway for lunch at the Saco River Brewing Taphaus.

3. Afternoon: Drive to Conway Village and visit the Eastman Lord House Museum, then stroll Main Street.

4. Evening: Catch a concert or film at the Conway Majestic Theatre, or try a local beer from Tuckerman Brewing.

A few practical tips:

• Look beyond North Conway. Conway Village has its own downtown, history and theater.
• Check schedules. Many attractions are seasonal, so confirm details before you go.
• Add some shopping. North Conway is known as a destination for outlet shopping, and it pairs easily with a morning on the river.
• Stay a few days. Conway is a good base for exploring the wider White Mountains.

Frequently asked questions

What villages make up Conway, New Hampshire?

Conway includes five villages: Conway, North Conway, Center Conway, Redstone and Kearsarge.

Where can I go tubing in Conway?

Saco Bound and the Saco River Tubing Center both rent tubes and run trips on the Saco River in Conway.

Is there a museum in Conway?

Yes. The Conway Historical Society runs the Eastman Lord House Museum.

What is the Conway Majestic Theatre?

It is a historic 1931 theater in Conway Village that was gutted by fire in 2005 and restored by the nonprofit Mountain Top Music Center, with 290 seats.

Sources

• Conway, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway,_New_Hampshire
• Saco River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saco_River
• Saco Bound official site: https://sacobound.com/
• Saco River Tubing Center official site: https://www.sacorivertubing.com/
• Conway Historical Society official site: https://conwayhistoricalsociety.org/
• Conway Majestic Theatre history page: https://conwaymajestic.com/history/
• Tuckerman Brewing Company official site: https://www.tuckermanbrewing.com/
• Saco River Brewing Taphaus official site: https://www.sacorivertaphaus.com/