Overview
Conway is the seventh-largest city in Arkansas. Though it is relatively small in terms of population, it punches above its weight as the home of three colleges. Conway straddles the line between a small college-town community feel while also having access to amenities that larger cities have. The state capital of Little Rock is only a quick 30-minute drive south on the interstate.
As the home of so many colleges, Conway, therefore, has numerous great facilities. For baseball tournaments, games will most likely be scattered across as many as three different complexes. But not to worry! None are very far away from each other or hotels.
Conway is situated right along Interstate I-40. That makes it easy to get to by car. And you will be needing that car. While there are some walkable individual neighborhoods, driving a car will be the easiest way to get around. Conway isn’t massive in size, so it will only take about 10 minutes to get wherever you want to go.
The city’s hotels and main points of interest are primarily congregated along the interstate corridor. The further out away from this area you go, the more residential things become. That means, as a visitor, the majority of the places you will be frequenting are located close together.
Location
Conway, AR, USA.
Activities
Baseball, Family Trip
Duration
2-3 days
Getting There
Conway Conway Conway
(image via Facebook)
Where to Stay
The last thing you want to be doing before a morning game is waiting on breakfast. That’s why we’ve chosen two hotels that have a complimentary breakfast included. And since you’ve most likely brought the whole family when traveling for a baseball tournament, that will help you save money as well. In addition, nearly all of the hotels dot the I-40 that runs through town. Thankfully, Conway isn’t a huge sprawling megalopolis, so the hotels aren’t much of a trek away, even if they aren’t across the street from the baseball complex.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites are both at the junction of I-40 and US-65. They are closest to the Don Owen Sports Complex but not far from other fields either. Both options offer a free breakfast, making that one less thing you have to think about when planning. Both hotels also have indoor pools. Be sure and have your kids bring their swimsuits, and they can burn off some of that energy in between games or at the end of the day. While the Holiday Inn only allows service animals, The Fairfield Inn does allow pets with a deposit if you plan on bringing the family dog with you. If that is the case, Conway’s PetSafe Dog Park is right next to the Don Owen Sports Complex. Rooms at hotels in the area run around $100/night but can vary depending on the season.
(image via Facebook)
Day 1 Evening: Arriving
Once you get settled into your hotel, it's time to stretch your legs and get some food for the evening. We suggest Zaza's: Conway in the Hendrix Village. It's only a short jaunt from the hotel. Honestly, it's walking distance if you're feeling up for it. Zaza's is perfect for a family or even a medium-sized group. Their claim to fame is pizza and salads, but they also have sandwiches and wings. They even have dessert covered with Italian-style gelato.
After dinner, you can walk through the Hendrix Creek Preserve with your gelato to enjoy the evening or to expend some energy from sitting in the car all day. The preserve features walking trails that wind through an 18-acre environment selectively planted to manage water and prevent flooding. Along the walkways, posted signs point out native plants and animals. They also explain how the preserve prevents flooding in the area through natural water management. Also nearby is the Harmonic Fugue in the pedestrian underpass below the Harkrider/Markham/Siebenmorgan traffic circle. This interactive light and sound art installation turns an otherwise dull pathway into something unique.
If neither of those activities strikes your fancy, you can always head to the indoor hotel pool for an evening dip.
Day 2 Morning
It's tournament day, so you'll be spending the majority of your time at the ballpark. But before you head off, take advantage of the complimentary breakfast offered at the hotel to energize for a full day of baseball. It will be one less thing you have to plan for during the morning rush, and it's one less expense.
(image via Facebook)
Day 2 Afternoon
Purple Cow is an excellent spot for the family or even a larger group of teammates if you need a lunch break between games. There's an extensive menu that has something for everyone. Burgers and fries are the core of this diner-style restaurant. There are also sandwiches and lighter fare if you're worried about becoming too sluggish from a heavy meal. And like any good diner, they have an array of old-fashioned milkshakes. After lunch, it's back to tournament time.
Day 2 Evening
Once the games are done and everyone has showered off after a long day in the sun, it's time for dinner. Market Place Grill is large enough to accommodate groups and has every kind of meal you could possibly be craving: sandwiches, burgers, tacos, personal pizzas, salads, steaks, seafood, pasta. The list goes on.
If you are looking for something even more low-key and straightforward, Larry's Pizza never disappoints. On Friday and Saturday nights, Larry's has a "pizza parade." Servers come around with various styles of pizza and offer slices for you to try buffet style. You can eat as much pizza as you want, and no one will go home hungry. In addition, the restaurant is geared directly toward kids by having a massive game room where they can go wild to their heart's content. They have air hockey, a giant Connect Four, and an indoor jungle gym with a ball pit. A warning to parents, it does get loud in here.
If the kids still need to get rid of their energy, you can take them to Jack's Ultra Sports. Jack's has low-impact indoor paintball (with stain-free paint), laser tag, two different escape rooms, and foam-tipped archery competitions (also indoors). If this place doesn't tire your kids out, nothing will. On the other hand, if you're looking for something more relaxing, a Cinemark movie theater is just across the interstate from the hotel.
Day 3 Morning & Afternoon
The following day, it's the same routine again. First, head downstairs to the hotel lobby for a free breakfast. Then make your way to the sports complex for another day of baseball games. Hopefully, you've got a little luck on your side and make it to the championship game before you have to head home.
When it's time to get on the road, you might want to stop quickly to get a bit of lunch to-go. David's Burgers is a bit of a local institution. You can eat inside to take advantage of their bottomless fries. But, if you are in a rush, they also have a drive-thru so that you can order a bag of burgers and fries for the car ride home. Another easy and quick option (especially if you are coming from City of Colleges Park) is the large array of fast food options along Oak Street as you make your way to the interstate.
