Head to downtown Conway for the best day date! This charming little town has so many fantastic locally owned shops and restaurants, and cool events throughout the year.
About Conway, South Carolina
Founded in 1732 by Robert Johnson, Royal Governor of SC established the site and named it Kingston, later renamed to Conwayborough which was finally shortened to Conway, making it one of the oldest towns in South Carolina
Also Known As Rivertown because the town is situated on the Waccamaw River
It’s only called Conway for 11 months out of the year: It turns into the City of Halloween in October!
Locals love the Main Street USA vibe (and it’s actually called Main Street!) with pretty brick buildings, walkable downtown, river views, locally-owned boutiques, and cool restaurants
Here are our favorite picks…
Dine around downtown Conway
1. Wine on a porch at Encore Floral + Gifts
What you’ll find: Encore Floral + Gifts has a killer gift shop with a mix of antiques and Julie Vos jewelry and pretty accessories for your home and a LOT OF WINE. Shelves and shelves and a cooler full of wine, which you can purchase and open and sip on the porch.
Fun Fact: By the way, the home is one of the oldest in Conway and Jeff the owner is delightful.
Must do: Rock on the front porch and sip wine, y’all. You’ll love it.
2. Cheese Boards + Wine at Carolina Provisions
Carolina Cheese & Provisions is the BEST spot for a wine lunch in the Grand Strand.
What to expect: Cheese. Wine. Crunchy baguettes.
Where: Downtown Conway, 902 Third Avenue, Conway, SC 29526
Read our review: Carolina Cheese & Provisions
3. Have Cocktails + Snacks
Whitakers Conway
fancy apps + cocktails – yes!! Check out Whitakers – they have one location in Conway and another in Savannah.
Bites + Bourbons at Crooked Oak Tavern
Crooked Oak Tavern is a gem in Conway. Any foodie will love this farm to table menu. But,if you’re a bourbon lover, you definitely need to check it out.
Menu: The menu is fabulous – excellent bourbon-friendly pairings like shrimp and grits or the Dirty Myrtle Burger.
Bourbon: Check out the wall of whiskey + bourbon 🥃 Just about every bourbon and whiskey you’d like to try is on the wall of the bar.
4. Craft Beers + Southern Bar Food at HopnWich
Vibe: Located in a large, bright space off of 3rd Avenue, HopnWich is the perfect spot to hop in for lunch, happy hour, and dinner.
Menu: The craft-beer-pairing-friendly menu is extensive with plenty of appetizers for happy hour, build-your-own salads for a healthy lunch option, burgers if you’re carefree about your calorie count for the afternoon, delicious sandwich options, and Southern inspired entrees.
Read our restaurant review: Enjoy craft southern bar food + beers at Hopnwich
5. Lunch or Dinner at Rivertown Bistro
A cool, open space (with exposed brick!), lively atmosphere, superb service, fine wine list, and one of the best menus in the area make this one of the best restaurants in all of the Grand Strand, not just Conway.
Read our review: Rivertown Bistro Restaurant Review
6. Sweets at the Trestle
After all of that walking around downtown Conway, you deserve a sweet treat!
What to order: Pop into the Trestle bakery for a cake pop. Or a slice of cake. Or a whole cake. Or a donut, pastry, cookie….
Read our review: Treat your self at Conway’s Sweet Spot
Shop around downtown Conway, South Carolina
Downtown Conway has the best collection of locally-owned boutiques.
8. Find outdoors-y gear and gifts
Papa’s General Store is a collection of outdoors-y apparel, an entire wall of brightly colored insulated cups, toys, gifts, shoes, kids clothes, women’s clothes, men’s clothes.
9. Pick out a New cute outfit
Sa’Shay on Main is a cute boutique with affordable and trendy women’s clothing and jewelry – definitely stop in to try on a few outfits!
10. find the perfect gift
the Painted Dragonfly has a collection of beautiful Lowcountry home and decor items for your next party, your home, or for a friend!
11. Shop For your home
Encore Floral + Gifts is filled with Julie Vos jewelry, a huge wine selection, home decor items, and antiques!
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