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Conway ~
worth the drive from anywhere! |
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rive down Highway 501 as it passes through Conway and you'd never think
of turning toward the center of town. Why would you? It resembles every
small town in the South, and a casual glance doesn't reveal the undiscovered
jewel that's only a couple of blocks away.
The visitors who do venture off the beaten path are rewarded for their efforts.
A recent summer day found a California couple walking down Conway's Main Street.
They had discovered the town's shopping and dining charms during a previous trip,
and had returned to venture out on the Historical Trail Tour. Those two fairly bubbled
over with enthusiasm for past experiences and were eager for more.
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eorge and Jo McFarlane are very active retirees who enjoy the lifestyle of Myrtle Trace, their
retirement community. He's from Canada, and she moved from Washington, D.C.
The two found one another and make the most of their time here. "I like the
small town atmosphere," says Mrs. McFarlane, who is an avid golfer. The retirement
community has lots of activities for the couple and they enjoy living between Conway
and Myrtle Beach.
Choices in the small town include shopping, browsing for antiques, historical self-guided
tours, and nature walks that identify the live oak trees that have sheltered some of
America's most prestigious citizens.
Reserve time for Bodega, a kitchen, gift, and specialty foods shop which would fit
perfectly in one of Atlanta's upscale malls, or on King Street in Charleston SC.
Nearby are more gems, from Park Smith, "a rivertown boutique" that showcases
the skill of its clothing buyers in its varied fabrics and designs, to River City Accents,
which offers a thousand gift items with a bent toward nostalgia. Down the street are
antique shops, including Welch Antiques, where owner Louie Welch has become one of
Conway's staunchest advocates. He grew up in nearby (and much more famous) Myrtle
Beach, but now, after several years in this very different world, he tells all who'll listen
that he just wouldn't live anywhere else!
In fact, part-time residents of the beachfront communities who vacation here to escape
harsh winters up north often drive an hour or more to spend the day in Conway.
Likewise, lifelong residents of nearby towns also are discovering that a day in Conway
is filled with pleasant surprises. In recent years, both adults and schoolchildren have found
much of interest here, including a trip on the riverboat, Kingston Lady. Everyone who's
tried it agrees that it's a fun-filled way to spend a couple of hours and learn what makes
the Waccamaw River unique.
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Reserve time for Bodega, a kitchen, gift, and specialty foods shop which
would fit
perfectly in one of Atlanta's upscale malls, or on King Street in Charleston SC.
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Captain Dick Davis expertly pilots his spacious craft down the river, providing breathtaking
views of pristine forests, blue and gray heron, and the occasional lazy alligator. The setting
is breezy and relaxing, perfect to escape the heat of a Southern summer day. In fact, the
river is inviting all year long, and each season offers something different to see as the boat
glides through the black water.
Back along the town's lovely Riverwalk, visitors can sit and watch smaller craft navigate the
twists and turns of the Waccamaw. The more adventurous can rent canoes or pontoon
boats from the Marina and enjoy a personal tour of the river.
When it's lunchtime, walk back along Main Street in search of a restaurant and you'll realize
that this is a community with an abundance of talented chefs. There's not an ordinary meal
to be found.
Tired shoppers can rest and refresh at a number of delightful eateries starting with 410 Main,
whose French-trained chef and Conway native, Faison Cushman, brought her considerable skills
home and now serves to a packed house. Everything is fresh, nothing is fried and the menu
changes daily according to what's available. The emphasis is on homemade, with liberal doses
of herbs and gourmet ingredients, and the day's menus reflect the chef's attention to detail
and her knowledge of how to combine flavors and textures.
Down the street is The Trestle Bakery Cafe, another gem which was one of the first
businesses to help revitalize the area. Justifiably famous for its updated Southern classics,
owner Kendall Elvis has decorated the cafe to be as pleasing as the food. It's so good
people drive from miles around to enjoy the distinctive chicken salad, oriental shrimp salad,
and daily specials. This homemade fare is nothing like the mass production found in so many
restaurants. The desserts are varied and delicious, but personal experience demands a strong
recommendation for the coconut cream pie!
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The Conway Historical Trail identifies dozens of historic,
beautiful buildings and homes to be
admired from a self-guided walking tour.
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History and nature buffs will find there's much more to
Conway than great shopping and unique food. A stroll through the Horry County Museum
will find exhibits of life from a bygone era, and an up close and personal look at the
famous black bears that still live among the nearby live oaks.
Those oaks have been so beloved by Conway citizens that Southern ladies have guarded
them with shotguns raised when necessary, and now, the city enforces a tree ordinance
that protects its oldest citizens. More effective than speed bumps are the majestic old trees
found in the middle of streets, standing like 300 year-old sentinels to
oversee their surroundings.
The Conway Historical Trail identifies dozens of historic, beautiful buildings and homes to be
admired from a self-guided walking tour, and visitors will find that many of these dwellings are
home to third or fourth generation family members who are tireless in caring for them. Another
self-guided tour, A Guide to Some of Our Oldest Citizens - The Live Oaks of Conway, South Carolina,
highlights some of Conway's most memorable trees. These self-guided tours are designed to
instruct or amuse, and are easily accessible to most visitors with a little time to spare.
For those who want to extend their Conway adventure, stay in one of the family motels, or
The Cypress Inn, which provides a perfect getaway within walking distance of the marina,
Riverwalk and downtown. It's one of only a few Inns awarded four diamonds by the American
Automobile Association's travel guide for the Carolinas and Georgia, and it offers a relaxing
experience for all who venture there.
At the end of the day, dining choices range from a wide variety of national restaurants on the
outskirts of town to the more unique restaurants in the Historical District. At the Rivertown
Bistro, the unpretentious building gives way to a casual elegance, where tables are filled and
the food has been praised by writers throughout the Southeast. Darren Smith is the self-taught
chef who demonstrates nightly that some people just have inborn culinary talent, and his wife,
Cyndi, keeps the dining room operating smoothly. The food is more than a cut above, with
unusual combinations of fresh ingredients. Case in point: tempura fried okra under a healthy
slab of grilled wahoo, smothered in shrimp basil sauce. Result? Perfection!
Desserts are just as extraordinary, and the lemon white chocolate sorbet with strawberries
is a strong candidate for the international dessert hall of fame!
Down the street, the Side-Wheeler offers optional dining on the deck, with a great view of
the marvelous Riverwalk beside the Waccamaw River. Co-owner Michael McLaurin works his
magic in the kitchen. Specials often combine fruits with seafood, and a visitor from Ohio
pronounced the lobster-crab cakes not to be missed! Other specials include pecan-encrusted
salmon with praline cream sauce and grilled duck breast with apple-raisin brandy sauce.
There's more of course, but personal discovery is part of the joy of exploration. There's no
doubt about it: Conway is a delightful surprise and still not yet well-known by mass tourism.
That will change, but until then, take advantage of all it offers -- as often as you can.
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Katherine Pettit has worked as a writer,
magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident
has published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing
explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management.
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