Conway is a quiet riverside town just south of Mount Vernon
Conway is a rural town tucked away alongside the Skagit River about 10 miles south of Burlington. With a population of just under 100, its streets are lined with vintage homes and historic buildings. The town’s riverside setting offers stunning views and a woodsy ambiance. Outdoor recreation is a major draw for people, from fishing on the Skagit to hiking trails in nearby forests. “It’s rural but it’s close to everything. There’s a little bar and some fruit stands, but not much else. But you can get to Mount Vernon and Burlington in about 10 minutes,” says Stu McNabb of Windermere Real Estate, who has been working in realty for almost 10 years.
Conway’s restaurants and vintage finds draw locals and visitors
Arcadia Public House, an intimate music venue and bar in a restored dairy barn on Spruce Street, hosts live shows, open-mic nights and local art exhibits. Conway’s Pub & Eatery serves burgers, sandwiches and seafood. It has a full bar, an outdoor patio and often features live music and local art on the walls. Coffee lovers can stop by Lulu’s Espresso. Curious Goods and Conway Antiques offer vintage décor, collectibles and relics that draw antique hunters from all over the area. For groceries and fresh produce, residents rely on places like Lincoln Grocery and the Skagit Valley Food Co-op in Mount Vernon, both offering everyday goods, fruits, vegetables and baked goods.
A small town surrounded by water, woods and mountains
The town is surrounded by a tapestry of parks and outdoor adventures. Its riverside location means residents have easy access to the idyllic scenery in northwest Washington. “The Skagit River isn’t really a boating and floating river, but there are a lot of great fishing spots,” McNabb says. A 25-mile drive west leads to Mount Erie, where winding forest trails climb to summits with sweeping views of the San Juan Islands and the distant Cascade Mountains. Ten miles to the north, Devil’s Mountain rises about 1,700 feet via a gated service road. It has an intermediate, 4-mile round-trip hike that affords visitors a view of the Puget Sound and surrounding mountain ranges. Conway Park, the town’s only public park, has a ballfield situated at the river’s edge.
Homes rarely hit the market in this peaceful rural town
Conway has a rural, residential setting where farmhouses, cottages and Craftsman homes are set on large lots with plenty of privacy. “It’s a farming community, and there are some large estates. You won’t find them coming up for sale very often, though,” McNabb says. Many properties have lush landscaping, gardens and views of farms, wetlands and the distant mountains. The streetscape is simple, with no sidewalks or heavy traffic. A few homes sit along the river or along scenic backroads, immersing residents in the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty. As McNabb said, houses rarely go on the market in Conway. In early 2025, one home of around 2,300 square feet sold for $725,000.
Flooding is a serious concern for homes near the Skagit
Conway is at a very high risk for flooding because of its proximity to the Skagit. Many of its residential properties could be impacted by river flooding, especially during times of heavy rainfall. In recent years, roads have closed in the town during floods, forcing residents to use boats to get around. The city has sought FEMA funding to relocate some homeowners out of high-risk areas.
Conway students attend local K-8 school and Mount Vernon High
Students start their education at Conway School, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade and gets a B rating from Niche. The last four years are spent at Mount Vernon High School, which gets a C-plus. Mount Vernon High has a College in the High School program that allows students to earn college credits on campus, preparing them for a post-secondary education.
Conway is close to Mount Vernon, Burlington and I-5
Conway is just a few miles south of the small cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington, where many residents shop, dine and work. Mount Vernon is also home to Skagit Valley Hospital, the nearest medical center. Interstate 5, a major commuter corridor, offers a direct route to downtown Seattle, about 55 miles away. It’s 70 miles to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which can take nearly two hours during peak traffic hours.
