Shopping in Conway

Shopping in Conway breaks down into two distinct circuits: the walkable cluster along Main Street and the highway strip toward North Conway. Your experience depends entirely on which one you choose, and the two don't overlap much.

Main Street Conway is genuinely small—you're talking a bookstore, a couple of antique shops, and a hardware store that's been there long enough to know what you need before you ask. This is where locals actually shop when they need something specific or want to browse without a plan. The highway corridor (Route 16) is where you'll find the bigger box names and chain restaurants. Neither is bad; they just serve different purposes, and knowing the difference saves you a frustrating drive.

Winter changes the equation. Weekends pull tourists from across the region, so if you're shopping in Conway between November and March, expect busier parking lots and longer waits in smaller shops. Off-season, you get the place to yourself. Shoulder seasons—late September through October, April through May—are genuinely pleasant. You can actually park on Main Street.

Compared to North Conway, shopping in the village proper is quieter and less designed for quick browsing. That's intentional. If you're looking for chain retailers and franchises, North Conway is ten minutes north. If you want to actually talk to someone while you shop, Conway delivers.

We've listed nine places across both areas. Start with what you're actually looking for, check the hours (some Main Street shops keep shorter winter schedules), and plan accordingly.