Conway's Best Valentine’s Day Spots & Cookie Scene + Weekend Guide
Delivering the heart of Conway, every Thursday.
What’s Inside?
Creating an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.
Conway’s sweetest cookie spots.
Guide to Conway’s best parks.
Career Corner - Fresh job opportunities.
Hello Conway Neighbors! 💕
In case you didn’t remember, Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, and Conway has everything you need to make it special.
This week we’re sharing tips for creating an unforgettable Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank or falling into cliche commercial traps.
We’re also taking you on a delicious tour of Conway’s best cookie bakeries, revealing the parks that make our city a nature lover’s paradise, and highlighting this weekend’s can’t-miss events from live music to local theater.
Let’s spread the love, Conway style! ⬇️
💝 Create an Unforgettable Valentine’s Day
Forget the overpriced dozen roses and crowded chain restaurants.
Conway locals know that the best Valentine’s Day celebrations are creative, personal, and uniquely ours.
Here’s your guide to making this Valentine’s Day one to remember:
Start with Something Sweet (But Make It Local)
Skip the grocery store chocolate. Hit up one of Conway’s incredible local bakeries for fresh-baked cookies, custom cakes, or artisan treats.
Blue Barn Bakery, Julie’s Sweet Shoppe, and Maggie’s Original Cookies all create custom orders that show you put real thought into your gift. (See our Best Of section below for the full cookie guide!)
Plan an Experience, Not Just Dinner
Adventure Route:
Start with a morning hike at Cadron Settlement Park or Beaverfork Lake Park. Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and watch the sunrise over the Arkansas River. Follow it up with brunch at Brick & Forge or Streetside Creperie.
Culture Lovers Route:
Catch the 2:30 PM matinee of You Can’t Take It With You at Red Curtain Theatre on Sunday (see events below), then grab coffee and dessert at one of Conway’s cozy cafes.
Foodie Route:
Create a progressive dinner—appetizers at one spot, entrees at another, dessert at a third. Conway has over 150 restaurants, so the possibilities are endless!
Make It Personal
The best Valentine’s gifts aren’t about price tags, they’re about showing you know and understand someone.
Did they mention wanting to try that new pottery class at the library? Book it.
Do they love live music? Get tickets to Kings Live Music this weekend.
Have they been eyeing a book at a local shop? Support small business and surprise them.
The Conway Touch
End your evening with a walk through Old Ferry Landing Park overlooking the Arkansas River and Toad Suck Bridge. The sunset views are unmatched, and it’s completely free.
Sometimes the simplest moments create the best memories!
🎉 This Weekend In Conway
Your guide to local events and happenings this weekend.
Note: Always verify times and events with venues as schedules may change.
Friday, Feb 13
💕 Galentine Free-Brunch Friday | The Kitchen Store and More
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Concordia (TX) | Hendrix College
💗 Galentine’s Candle and Charm Necklace Making | Demure Coffee
🎵 Conway Coffee House Concert | Faulkner County Library
💋 3rd Annual Galentine’s Day Painting Party | Good Day Pottery
🎸 Jack Fancy | JJ’s Grill
🎽 Valentine's Weekend Classes | Jazzercise
🧛♀️ My Bloody Friday 13th Sale | Shifty Gypsy Tattoo
💖 Galentine’s Evening | Secret Nook Coffee and Books
🎶 Crazy Folker | Kings Live Music
🎤 Trey Johnson | Rogue Roundabout
🎭 You Can’t Take It With You | Red Curtain Theatre
🎤 Some Guy Named Robb | The Brick Room
🎸 John Waite | Reynolds Performance Hall (UCA)
🎤 Karaoke Night | Bear's Den Pizza
Saturday, Feb 14 (Valentine’s Day! 💕)
🐶 Microchip Clinic & Fundraiser | Neighborhood Pet Shoppe
🌹 Roses & Romance Vendor Market | Espresso at Evergreen
💘 Love Day Art Day | A.R. Collective - Oak St
🎭 You Can’t Take It With You | Red Curtain Theatre
🛑 Valentine’s Stoplight Party | JJ’s Grill
🎽 Valentine’s Weekend Classes | Jazzercise
💝 Valentine's Date Night | Glazin Pottery
💗 Newly Rolled Couple’s Game | Roll and Play
🧠 Trivia Night & Karaoke | Bear's Den Pizza
💕 Valentine’s Painting Night | Conway Art Center
🎸 Charlotte Taylor with Soul South & John Wier | Kings Live Music
🧡 Three Course Valentine’s Dinner for 2 | The Rogue Roundabout
💘Valentines Day Dinner | La Pista Pizzeria
Sunday, Feb 15
🥞 Pancake Breakfast | Stoby’s Restaurant
🎽 Valentine’s Weekend Classes | Jazzercise
🎭 You Can’t Take It With You | Red Curtain Theatre
🎲 BattleTech Alpha Strike Learn/Open Play Day | Game Goblins
🥩 Charcuterie & Cookie Decorating Workshop | The Rogue Roundabout
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Lutheran | Hendrix College
🎲 Yu-gi-oh Weekly Play | Roll and Play
🃏 Poker Night | Bear’s Den Pizza
🍪 Conway’s Sweetest Cookie Spots
Conway’s cookie scene is where the real Valentine’s Day magic happens.
From nostalgic smiley face cookies to gourmet weekly rotations, here’s your guide to the sweetest treats in town:
Maggie’s Original Cookie
A Conway institution! These iconic cookies have been putting grins on faces for decades. Perfect for Valentine’s Day because they’re nostalgic, delicious, and uniquely Conway.
Crumbl - Conway
There’s always something new to try here. Right now they’re featuring a Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Brownie and a Strawberry Heart cake—perfect Valentine’s timing!
Julie’s Sweet Shoppe & Bakery
Family-owned with recipes perfected over years of baking experience. They offer everything from classic chocolate chip to unique seasonal creations you won’t find anywhere else.
Blue Barn Bakery
Known for exceptional pastries and baked goods with an artisan touch. Their cookies are made fresh daily with quality ingredients. Great for those who appreciate the craft of baking.
Ed’s Custom Bakery
Custom decorated cookies are their specialty. Want cookies shaped like hearts with your Valentine’s name? Ed’s can make it happen. Right now they are featuring chocolate covered strawberries. Call ahead for custom orders.
Kassi’s Cookies
Located at Conway Commons, your hometown bakery serving fresh-baked cookies with that homemade taste.
Valentine’s Pro Tip: Call ahead to any of these bakeries by Thursday to ensure they have what you want for Saturday. Many offer custom orders and special Valentine’s decorations!
🌳 Conway’s Best Parks
Conway isn’t just about great food and culture, we’re also blessed with some incredible outdoor spaces.
Here’s your guide to the parks that make our city special:
Beaverfork Lake Park
Conway’s largest park sits on 960 acres with the stunning Beaverfork Lake at its center. Perfect for: Fishing, boating, paddling, swimming, disc golf, and sand volleyball.
Old Ferry Landing Park
Overlooking the Arkansas River and Toad Suck Bridge, this well-kept park offers breathtaking waterfront views. Perfect for: Sunset walks, riverside picnics, photography, and peaceful contemplation.
Cadron Settlement Park
This 150-acre historical park features Cherokee Trail of Tears exhibits, extensive hiking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launching ramp.
Laurel Park
A 26-acre park featuring a large playground, splash pad for cooling down, seven-mile jogging track, spacious lawns, gazebo, and picnic areas with tables, grills, and two pavilions. Perfect for family gatherings!
Toad Suck Park
Right along the Arkansas River with boat ramps, fishing access, and plenty of green space. Home to the annual Toad Suck Daze festival.
Curtis Walker Park
15 acres with baseball and football fields, picnic shelter with five tables and a grill, benches, and a playground.
Pro Tip: Most parks have pavilions you can reserve for birthday parties and family reunions, look on park websites for contact informations and details.
👀 Looking Ahead
Here is a preview of some of the activities and events happening in Conway for the rest of February and beyond.
Feb 17: Lake Conway Public Meeting | 7:00 PM | Mayflower High School Cafeteria
AGFC will update the public on the renovation’s progress. Learn about the 28 miles of boat lanes, new fish habitat, and what’s coming next!
Feb 19: Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn | Windgate Center
True crime fans—Dr. Bonn has personally interviewed BTK and Son of Sam. Tickets are discounted for students. Adult themes, mature audiences.
Feb 21: The Simon & Garfunkel Story | Reynolds Performance Hall
Experience the music and story of folk music’s most beloved duo.
Feb 28: UCA Big Event - Community Service Day
UCA unites for free clean-up, yard work, painting, and small renovations across Conway. Residents and nonprofits can submit job requests!
Mar 1-7: Rhea Lana’s Spring/Summer Sale | Conway Expo Center
Presale tickets Feb 26-28.
May 1-3: Toad Suck Daze 2026
Arkansas’ largest free family festival! Less than 3 months away! 🐸
📰 Community News
Conway Corp’s Eleise Myers Named to Arkansas Women in Power Board
Conway Corp Business Solutions Manager Eleise Myers has been named to the 2026-2027 Arkansas Women in Power Board, where she’ll serve as secretary. Congratulations, Eleise!
Conway City Council to Consider Adding 11 New Positions
The Conway City Council will consider an ordinance to add 11 new city personnel for the 2026 fiscal year. As Conway continues to grow, so does the need for city services. Stay tuned for updates on which departments will be expanding.
UCA Receives Major Grant for Community Development
The UCA Center for Community and Economic Development received a three-year grant for $525,361 from the Walton Family Foundation to create a second Community Development Pipeline Program cohort. This program builds capacity for community development across Arkansas.
💼 Now Hiring: Conway Opportunities
Here are some of the available positions with Conway-based businesses.
Peak Sports MGMT (UCA): Hiring for 20-25 hours/week intern positions, May-August 2026. Onsite at University of Central Arkansas.
Executive Home Care: Actively seeking compassionate Companion Caregivers to provide non-medical support to clients in their homes.
APEX Communications: Arkansas’ largest AT&T Authorized Retailer is hiring Connectivity Experts. Help customers with their communication needs.
Goodwill of Arkansas: Multiple positions available. May involve occasional travel within Arkansas. Frequent physical exertion and exposure to donated goods.
💝 Valentine’s Weekend Reminders
✅ Make Reservations NOW: Saturday is Valentine’s Day. If you haven’t called your restaurant yet, do it today!
✅ Support Local Florists: Conway’s local flower shops create beautiful arrangements and support our community. Order ahead!
✅ Don’t Forget Tax Help: The library is offering free income tax assistance all weekend. Romance isn’t the only thing happening Saturday!
💕 That’s a wrap for this week, Conway!
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s with a significant other, your bestie, family, or just treating yourself this weekend, remember that the best gifts are about creating thoughtful moments and sharing quality time.
Conway gives us incredible opportunities to create memories without breaking the bank. Take advantage of them!
We’ll be back next Thursday with more exclusive Conway happenings, hidden gems, and community news.
‘Til next time,