Conway, SC

Conway is the county seat of Horry County, South Carolina, a small city of roughly 25,000 residents situated on the west bank of the Waccamaw River in the northeastern part of the state. Often described as a quiet, tree-lined Southern town, Conway offers a slower-paced contrast to the high-energy resort scene just down the road. It functions as the historic and civic heart of Horry County and as a gateway to the Grand Strand, the long string of Atlantic beaches that runs along the South Carolina coast. Myrtle Beach, the nearest major city and tourist hub, lies approximately 15 miles to the southeast, a drive of about 20 to 25 minutes, while Charleston is roughly 95 miles to the southwest.

The city's downtown centers on a historic district that hugs the Waccamaw River, where a public riverwalk offers shaded paths, benches, and views of the slow-moving waterway. The surrounding blocks are home to locally owned shops, restaurants, and a number of preserved historic homes, giving the town a walkable, small-city feel that contrasts with the high-rise beachfront developments to the east. The Conway Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and reflects the town's 18th- and 19th-century roots.

Just steps from the riverwalk, the Horry County Museum occupies a pair of historic buildings in the downtown area and traces the region's natural and cultural history, from the native Waccamaw people through the colonial era and the rise of the Grand Strand tourism industry. It is a popular stop for visitors interested in the deeper story of the area beyond the beaches.

A short drive south of Conway, on the former plantation lands between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, Brookgreen Gardens is one of the area's marquee attractions. The property combines a sculpture garden with a Lowcountry wildlife preserve, showcasing both American figurative sculpture and the region's native plants and animals across several thousand acres. It is roughly 30 to 40 minutes south of Conway.

Nearby, Huntington Beach State Park offers a different kind of outing, with three miles of beach, a freshwater lagoon, marshland trails, and the historic Atalaya castle, the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington. The park sits about 25 miles south of Conway, near Murrells Inlet, and is popular with families and birdwatchers.

Conway makes a compelling base for short-term rental owners because it offers something the beach itself often does not: a quieter, walkable, historic setting within easy reach of the Grand Strand's biggest draws. Guests can stay among live oaks and river views, spend a day on the Atlantic, and still return to a town that feels distinctly local rather than tourist-built. The combination of small-city amenities, natural attractions, and proximity to Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens, and the state parks gives the area a year-round appeal that extends well beyond peak beach season.