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Things to Do in Conway, SC: A Local's Guide to South Carolina's Old River Town
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items Conway sits on the Waccamaw River about 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, and it's one of the oldest towns in South Carolina, laid out back in 1732. If all you know is the beach, come spend a day under the live oaks. This is what I'd tell a friend: ...
Map
Sections
6
Start With the History
Down on the River
Downtown: Eat, Shop, and See a Show
Mark Your Calendar
Thinking About Living Here
More From Me
Start With the History
Conway started out as Kingston, became Conwayborough in 1801, and got shortened to plain Conway in 1883. A lot of that history is still standing, right downtown.
Conway City Hall was built in 1824 and 1825 as the county courthouse. Robert Mills designed it, the same man who designed the Washington Monument. Stop and read the marker out front to learn how Kingston turned into Conway.
Conway City Hall and the Kingston-Conway Marker
This church was built in 1858 up on a bluff over Kingston Lake, and the congregation goes back to the 1700s. The old cemetery is shaded and quiet, with burials going back to the town's early days. Walk it slow and read the names.
Kingston Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
The museum sits on Main Street in the old 1905 Burroughs School and covers Horry County's history, prehistory, and natural history. Don't miss the freshwater aquarium full of fish from our own rivers and lakes, which was on the TV show Tanked. Admiss...
Horry County Museum
It's seventeen acres set up like a one-horse family farm from 1900 to 1955, with a smokehouse, a tobacco barn, a blacksmith, and real farm animals. Admission is free, and they give a free guided tour on Saturdays at 10. Leave the dog at home, because...
L.W. Paul Living History Farm
Conway began as Kingston, a river town laid out in the 1730s along the Waccamaw. It later became Conwayborough, and in 1883 its name was shortened to Conway. The town saw Revolutionary War activity, grew through river trade and the lumber and turpent...
A Short History of Kingston and Conway
Down on the River
The Waccamaw is a blackwater river, dark as sweet tea from all the cypress and leaves. It's the reason Conway is here at all.
It's about a mile and a half round trip on a wooden boardwalk under live oaks and cypress hung with Spanish moss. It's free and flat, with a playground, picnic tables, and room for dogs on a leash. After a lot of rain it can flood, so check before yo...
Conway Riverwalk
This guided tour launches in Conway and paddles back into narrow creeks and old cypress trees. You don't need any kayak experience to go. If you've only seen the river from the boardwalk, this is the way to really see it.
Cypress Forest Kayak Tour On The Waccamaw River
It's old rice fields, swamp forest, trails, and a boardwalk, with more than 200 kinds of birds. Watch for swallow-tailed kites in the warm months. The visitor center keeps short hours, so call ahead at 843-527-8069.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge
Downtown: Eat, Shop, and See a Show
Downtown is small enough to park once and walk. A lot of these places close a couple of days a week, so check hours before you go.
This was a movie house that opened in 1947, and when it burned in 1990, local volunteers rebuilt it. The theatre group has been putting on shows since 1969, and they've been right there on Main Street since 1999. It's about 300 seats, so every seat f...
Theatre of the Republic
Conway Downtown Alive keeps up with the shops, restaurants, and events downtown. Stop by the visitor center at 428 Main Street before you start walking. Pick up a map there and you'll find your way around in no time.
Downtown Conway Shops and Visitor Center
This is the dressed-up dinner spot downtown, with a seasonal menu built around local food. It won Best Fine Dining in a local Best of the Grand Strand vote. Save this one for a special night out.
Rivertown Bistro
Bonfire has the same owner as Rivertown Bistro, but it's casual, with smoked meats and tacos. It won Best Barbecue in that same Best of the Grand Strand vote. Come hungry.
Bonfire, A Smokin' Taqueria
Coppers serves Southern home cooking at a fair price, and it's been a downtown staple for more than 20 years. You can go through the buffet or order off the menu. This is the plate lunch kind of place.
Coppers Restaurant
This is a nice stop for a glass of wine and a little something to nibble on. It's right downtown on 3rd Avenue, an easy walk from the Riverwalk. Check their hours first, since a lot of downtown spots close a couple of days a week.
Carolina Cheese and Provisions
Crooked Oak Tavern is a local favorite for lunch, just off Main Street on Laurel Street. It's a good place to sit down and rest your feet after walking downtown. You can book a table ahead through OpenTable.
Crooked Oak Tavern
Mark Your Calendar
Conway knows how to throw a party. These are the big ones every year.
Every October the town takes the name City of Halloween and hangs pumpkins up in the live oaks along Main Street. Last year there were close to 5,000 lit pumpkins, plus a pirate adventure down on the river. It gets crowded on the big nights and parki...
City of Halloween (October 1 to 31, 2026)
As soon as Halloween comes down, Christmas goes up, with the tree lighting on Main Street and Thursday nights of live window displays and shops open late. There's a drive-through light show along the river and a Christmas parade the Chamber has been ...
Rivertown Christmas and the Celebration of Lights
Conway's been doing Riverfest since 1980, on the Saturday before the Fourth of July weekend. There's a golf cart parade, music, food, a kids' zone, and fireworks over the river at the end of the night. Bring a chair and plan to stay till dark.
Conway Riverfest (June 26, 2027)
The farm holds special days through the year, like planting, harvest, syrup making, and Christmas at the Farm. That's when you'll see the most going on, like cooking on the old wood-burning stove. Check the calendar and plan your visit around one of ...
Seasonal Days at the Living History Farm
Thinking About Living Here
A lot of folks visit Conway and end up wanting to stay. Here's where to start looking. Home prices change every month, so treat these as a snapshot and check the latest.
This report put the typical closing price in Conway right around $300,000 over the first half of 2026. That runs well under what you'll pay out closer to the beach. Prices change every month, so look at the latest numbers before you make any plans.
Conway Home Prices, Summer 2026
This one calls Conway a balanced market, meaning it doesn't favor buyers or sellers much either way. Homes were selling for about 98 percent of their asking price this summer. It's a good place to keep an eye on things if you're thinking about a move...
Conway Housing Market Snapshot
The city's website has the basics for new neighbors, from utilities and trash pickup to parks and city news. It's the first place I'd look for anything official in town. If you're thinking about putting down roots, bookmark it.
City of Conway
More From Me
If you're making a trip of it, these will help.
I made this trip planner to keep your beach days, meals, and side trips like Conway all in one place. It's an 11-page printable with pages for where you're staying, where you'll eat, what you'll do, your budget, and your packing list. Print it out, f...
Myrtle Beach Trip Planner
Heading over to the beach too? This is my list of things to do up and down the Grand Strand. I keep it updated, so you'll find something new whenever you check back.
Myrtle Beach and Surrounding Areas