Conway city centre is the historic heart of Conway, South Carolina, with a Riverwalk, historic sites, shops and restaurants. You can get maps and walking-tour information at the Conway Visitor Center, then explore downtown on foot.
- Location: central Conway, South Carolina
- Visitor Center: 428 Main Street, in a historic former post office
- Downtown features include the Riverwalk, historic sites, shops and restaurants
Getting oriented in central Conway
Conway city centre has a self-guided tour covering historic homes, churches, buildings and other sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Conway was founded in 1732; English colonists first called the settlement Kings Town, then Kingston.
Start at the Conway Visitor Center, at 428 Main Street, in the building that formerly served as Conway’s post office. It offers free shopping and dining guides, a historic self-guided walking tour, a tree tour and information about the Riverwalk. Guided historic tours are available by reservation for individuals, groups and tour operators.
The historic downtown includes the Old and New Horry County Courthouses, Theatre of the Republic, shops, restaurants and the Riverwalk. For a pause along Main Street, Kingston Park is at 341 Main Street in the historic downtown business district, with benches, a walkway and bistro tables with umbrellas.
How do you get to the city centre?
Downtown Conway is about a 3-minute drive from Budget Inn Conway, or about 42 minutes on foot. You can find the motel’s available rooms when planning your visit.
The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce describes Conway as a 15-mile drive from Myrtle Beach.
Plan a short visit around downtown
A practical first stop is the Visitor Center: pick up the free guides, then use its self-guided historic tour to orient yourself among downtown’s historic buildings. You can add the tree tour or Riverwalk information depending on how you want to spend your time.
Follow the Riverwalk toward Riverfront Park, which sits at its end. The Chamber describes the park as a place for picnics and a children’s playground. The Horry County Museum, historic courthouse grounds and Theatre of the Republic are other downtown attractions identified by the Chamber.
Downtown sites are on the National Register of Historic Places, and Conway is recognized as a Tree City USA. A separate visit to Allan Park in Conway can extend a day in the area.
Check local parking and visitor information
Downtown Conway has free street parking and public lots, but signs and local rules matter because parking arrangements may change. In designated two-hour street-parking zones, the limit is enforced daily from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; parking beyond two hours is an offense. The restriction also applies to designated accessible spaces in those zones.
The designated streets include Kingston Street; parts of Main, Laurel, Elm, Beaty and Second through Fifth avenues. Check posted signs when you park, including for the limits that apply to the specific space.
The Visitor Center’s published hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Its Friday hours are unclear, so check the official site before you go.
Make time for a longer Conway outing
If you have more time, combine downtown’s historic tour with the Riverwalk and Riverfront Park, then choose another Chamber-recommended stop such as the Horry County Museum or Theatre of the Republic. The Visitor Center can also provide information about its reserved guided historic tours, which are offered to individuals, groups and tour operators.
For a wider trip, Conway’s location makes it possible to pair a downtown visit with Myrtle Beach. The Market House in Myrtle Beach is a historic stop to pair with an outing to Conway. Keep the day’s plan flexible around the places you want to visit and the parking signs you find on arrival.
FAQs
Where is the Conway Visitor Center?
It is at 428 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526, in a historic building that formerly served as the post office.
What can you get at the Visitor Center?
It offers free shopping and dining guides, historic and tree tours, and information about the Riverwalk. Guided historic tours are available by reservation.
Is downtown Conway parking free?
Downtown street parking and public lots are described as free. Follow posted signs, since rules and parking areas may change.