Conway City Guide
Image by Pollinator via wikipedia

United States

Conway City Guide

South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina, is a quiet river town along the Waccamaw River with a historic downtown and a nice Riverwalk. It offers a slower pace than nearby Myrtle Beach but still has access to beaches and outdoor activities. The cost of living is lower, making it good for remote workers who want a relaxed spot close to city amenities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Food gets you fresh seafood and Southern dishes. There are some international options like Mexican and Chinese. Vegetarian and vegan choices are available but limited. Most places close by 9 or 10 PM.

Local Dishes:
Shrimp and grits, Southern comfort food
International Cuisine:
Mexican, Chinese
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Limited
4

Nightlife is quiet, mainly casual bars and pubs downtown. For more variety, you have to go to Myrtle Beach.

Coffee Culture
Good
6

Coffee culture is growing with several local cafes offering good coffee. Specialty roasters are more in the wider region.

💰
Tipping
Required
18%

Tipping is expected, generally 15-20% at restaurants and for rideshares. Other services often get similar tips.

Top Attractions
Conway Riverwalk
Outdoor
A scenic walkway along the Waccamaw River with parks and views.
Historic Downtown Conway
Cultural
Area with historic buildings, shops, and dining.
Horry County Museum
Museum
Local history museum with exhibits about the region.
Theatre of the Republic
Entertainment
Community theater with local performances.
Myrtle Beach
Nature
Nearby beach destination with boardwalk and attractions.
Brookgreen Gardens
Nature
Sculpture garden and zoo about 45 minutes away.
Huntington Beach State Park
Nature
Park with beaches, trails, and historic Atalaya Castle, under an hour away.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are available at major carriers in Myrtle Beach nearby, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Prepaid plans usually don't require ID; contract plans might. eSIMs are becoming more common.

Available at:
AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Yelp(Lifestyle)
Uber/Lyft(Transportation)
Weather Channel App(Weather)
AllTrails(Outdoors)
OpenTable(Food)
DoorDash/Grubhub(Food Delivery)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Downtown streets are generally clean with regular waste and recycling services.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Few 24/7 services. Pharmacies rarely open all night. Some convenience stores open late. Emergency rooms open 24/7.

Groceries
Food Lion
Publix
Walmart Supercenter

Supermarkets like Food Lion, Publix, and Walmart Supercenter offer groceries. International options are limited locally but better in Myrtle Beach. Most stores open 7 AM to 10 PM and are open on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept credit and debit cards, but cash can help with small vendors and tipping.

ATMs

ATMs are common at banks and convenience stores. Out-of-network withdrawals usually cost $2.50 to $5.00 per transaction.

Schools
Local only

Public schools are managed by Horry County Schools and teach primarily in English. No international schools in Conway, but some exist in Myrtle Beach.

Available Schools:
Horry County Schools

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
2
Available Spaces:
Conway Innovation Center
Focuses on startups and small businesses; may offer flexible spaces and meeting rooms.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Crooked Oak Coffee House
Local cafe with Wi-Fi and work space.
Rivertown Roasters
Coffee shop with good Wi-Fi and relaxed vibe.
Starbucks
Multiple locations with Wi-Fi.
McDonald's
Fast food with free Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Horry County Memorial Library
Quiet space with Wi-Fi.
Hotel Lobbies
Some hotels offer Wi-Fi and seating for guests or visitors.
Community Centers
Wi-Fi and public access vary; worth checking local centers.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Conway has a small digital nomad scene. Meetups and coworking spaces are scarce. Nomad networking is mostly online or in larger nearby cities.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Green spaces include the Conway Riverwalk and city parks with shaded areas suitable for walking and running.

Running
Good
7

The Riverwalk and local streets offer safe, scenic running routes, popular during the day.

Gyms
Available

Gyms and fitness centers are available, with some options in nearby Myrtle Beach.

Available Gyms:
Conway Recreation Center
Planet Fitness
Anytime Fitness
YMCA of Coastal Carolina
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts are at the recreation center and parks, mostly hard courts. Equipment rentals are rare locally.

Padel
Poor
0

Padel courts are not common in Conway.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga classes are available with various styles and English-speaking instructors. Meditation centers are less common locally.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Martial arts like Karate, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are practiced here. English-speaking instructors are available.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing; the climate is subtropical.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Waccamaw River are popular. Sailing and windsurfing are more common in the Atlantic near Myrtle Beach.

Surfing
Good
7

Surf spots are about 15-20 miles away at Myrtle Beach. Suitable for beginners and experienced surfers, best in fall and spring. Surf schools and rentals available.

Diving
Limited
5

Diving mainly occurs off Myrtle Beach with wrecks and reefs. Visibility varies and rentals and certification centers are available nearby.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Conway Medical Center is the main hospital with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are widespread and stock common medicines. Care quality is good overall.

Hospitals:
Conway Medical Center
Pharmacies:
CVS
Walgreens
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets federal and state safety standards and is safe to drink.

Common Scams
Online scams, Phone scams (IRS impersonation, tech support), Lottery scams

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

There are several parks and playgrounds, including at the Riverwalk. Family-friendly cafés and nearby beaches add options for kids.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Limited
5

The area is somewhat conservative with limited dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces. Myrtle Beach has more options. Legal protections vary.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Many parks and outdoor areas welcome pets. There are veterinary services and some pet-friendly spots, but always check ahead.

Communities
Conway, SC Community Facebook Group (Community)
Horry County Government Facebook Page (Government)
Conway Downtown Alive Facebook Page (Community)
Waccamaw Publishers (Media)
Nextdoor App (Community)

Quick Facts

Population
24,849
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is usually reliable, but outages can happen during storms or hurricanes. The local utility restores service quickly.

Beach Access
Available

Beaches are 15 to 20 miles away at Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, with wide sandy shores and good quality.

Languages
English(90%)
Emergency
911
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
2

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
June, July, August, September
Hot and humid summers are common.
Hurricanes/Tropical Storms
June, July, August, September, October, November
Risk of hurricanes and storms can cause flooding and power outages, especially August and September.
Thunderstorms
June, July, August, September
Frequent summer thunderstorms happen regularly.

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