Blog / Attractions

Paddle Your Way To a Relaxing Day at These Conway Area Kayaking Spots

kayaking new conway sc
You'll find plenty of exciting outdoor activities to enjoy around Conway, South Carolina, including plenty of spots that are ideal for kayaking. If you're looking for a way to spend a relaxing day on the water in the Conway area, grab some paddles and check out a few of these top kayaking destinations.

Waccamaw River

The Waccamaw River winds for 140 miles from southeastern North Carolina to eastern South Carolina. Part of that journey takes the river right past downtown Conway. If you'd like to take a tour to explore the Waccamaw River, Black River Outdoors has you covered. The company's two-hour Cypress Swamp Tour begins in Conway and paddles the calm waters of the Waccamaw River. On your tour, you'll learn plenty of interesting information about the river and the plants and animals that live around it.

Great Pee Dee River

The Great Pee Dee River is another river that flows from North Carolina to South Carolina. In South Carolina, a 70-mile segment of the large and wild river is designated as a State Scenic River. You can navigate the entire stretch of this scenic water by kayak, and you'll find several public boat landings along the river where you can launch your kayak. As you're paddling along, you'll see plenty of herons. If you're lucky, you might even spot alligators and bald eagles.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

The Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling protected area located south of Conway that covers nearly 55,000 acres. In addition to excellent opportunities for hiking, hunting, and fishing, the refuge also has endless opportunities for kayaking. The refuge contains portions of both the Great Pee Dee River and the Waccamaw River. The two rivers converge in the heart of the refuge to create a flourishing estuary where you can spot all types of wildlife. You'll find numerous boat ramps on both rivers that make it easy to explore the waters.

Waccamaw River Blue Trail

The Waccamaw River Blue Trail is a 140-mile paddling trail that winds its way through the protected bottomland hardwood forests of the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. It also passes through several historic cities, including Georgetown and Conway. One thing that sets this trail apart from others in the region is its diverse range of habitats. Since you'll paddle through everything from tidal rice fields to forested floodplains, you'll have a chance to see an amazing variety of animals.

Intracoastal Waterway

If you're interested in a unique kayak excursion, take a trip approximately 13 miles southeast of Conway to the Intracoastal Waterway. Since the waterway is typically calm, it's a great place for every member of the family to explore. As you paddle the waterway, make sure you take some time to explore the inlets so you can immerse yourself in nature and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The next time you want to do some kayaking around Conway, you know you'll have an unforgettable time when you head out to these top paddling spots in the area. image via pixabay
Posted in:

Related Posts

conway riverwalk

Conway Riverwalk Activities

Conway, South Carolina, has great malls, parks, theaters, museums, and other attractions. It's only about 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach along the Waccamaw River. The beautiful Conway Riverwalk downtown is a great place to take a stroll with friends or family, have a picnic, and enjoy some of the fun things to do in the area. Keep reading to learn about the destinations you can explore along the Conway Riverwalk. more The Horry County Museum The Horry County Museum opened in 1981, and it focuses on the area's heritage and natural history. You can see exhibits about Native Americans, local plants and animals, nearby beaches, the military, farming tools, and changing styles and cloth production methods. The museum also features a gallery with past and present photos of the county. In 2014, Horry County Museum moved to the renovated Burroughs School. It was built in 1905, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places. It also has a freshwater aquarium with local fish species that was featured on Animal Planet's hit reality show “Tanked." The building's 600-seat auditorium often hosts public presentations and programs. The museum opened the L.W. Paul Living History Farm in 2009. It teaches visitors about life on a one-horse family farm between 1900 and 1955. As the seasons change, demonstrations and exhibits change with them to give people a complete picture of what life was like at the time. Stop by to take a guided tour Saturdays starting at 10 a.m. The Horry County Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the L.W. Paul Living History Farm is open until 4 p.m. The Waccamaw River Park The beautiful Waccamaw River Park covers 237 acres, and it's a great place for hiking or walking your dog. The property includes a picnic shelter, a mountain bike trail, observation platforms, and a nine-hole disc golf course. It's open every day from 7:30 a.m. to sunset, and it's ideal for watching birds and local wildlife. The Trestle Café & Bakery When you feel like taking a break for breakfast, lunch, or a sweet snack, visit the Trestle Café & Bakery. The place looks like an old-fashioned diner and serves a wide selection of excellent meals. Try the breakfast sandwich with two eggs, cheese, and sausage, ham, or bacon on sourdough bread or an omelet, a pancake, or a bagel. For lunch, order the Trestle Burger with 7 ounces of Angus beef, hickory-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Asiago, Swiss, or American cheese. The Seafood Pasta Plate comes with crab, shrimp, bacon, celery, fresh lettuce, a creamy sauce, and sourdough bread. With the Salad Sampler, you'll get seafood pasta, chunky chicken salad, and fruity chicken salad. The bakery has cookies, doughnuts, pastries, cupcakes, homemade bread, and more. Trestle Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. When you take a stroll down the Conway Riverwalk, you can visit these great places, as well as a variety of interesting stores nearby.

Attractions near Conway SC

Drive Around Town: The Top 5 Local Attractions to Visit Near Conway, SC

Conway, SC is much more than just a pit-stop to the beach. Discover these wow-worthy local attractions in the area. 1. Waccamaw River This beautiful waterway, teeming with cypress trees and local wildlife, is Mother Nature's favorite child in Conway. The options for exploring the portion of this 140-mile-long river that runs through Conway are limitless. You can spend a serene hour or two embarking on the riverwalk, which features a bridge and well-worn walkways. You could also embark on a guided nature and wildlife river tour, where you'll learn about the rich history of the river and its inhabitants while catching glimpses of the scenic tapestry up-close-and-personal. Or, for a more extended stay, enjoy an excursion at the Waccamaw River State Park: proud home to picnics, camping, and all manner of outdoor adventure. more 2. Theatre of the Republic Performing arts lovers from across the nation converge at this center for popular children's and adult productions ranging from Spongebob: The Musical to The Full Monty. An expert staff and production crew with decades of collective experience help transform the amazing talents of local and renowned performers into true magic. Grab a seat in the expansive and immaculate theatre for a sizzling show that you will remember fondly for years to come. 3. L.W. Paul Living History Farm Step back in time and live a day in the life of Historic Conway residents circa early 20th century. You'll traverse a land packed with buildings, tools, and occupations of the era, from a cook and blacksmith to sawmills and smokehouses. Plus, witness and even participate in aspects of farm life, including making lye soap, curing meat, and milking cows. It's educational fun for the whole family. Make any family outing comfortable and safe with the full-size Ford Expedition SUV. This model is bolstered by ultra-secure body-on-frame architecture and has multiple drive modes to navigate any road conditions. A spacious cabin and close to 10,000 pounds of towing capacity means hauling any cargo, including your most precious cargo, is a cinch. And the kids'll stay entertained with infotainment faves. 4. Dog Bluff The first inhabitants and farmers of Conway were ancestors of the modern-day Waccamaw: a state-recognized Native American tribe. They lived and thrived along the Waccamaw River from North Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina. Today's Waccamaw people proudly preserve their culture and traditions on 20 acres of land in Dog Bluff. They hold monthly meetings and school days to educate communities about their proud people. The feature event of the year, though, takes place in the fall when the annual pauwau happens: a gathering where the spirit of this legacy tribe is on full display with special events and customs. 5. Myrtle Beach While Conway has plenty to offer on its own, its close proximity to one of the Atlantic Ocean's most popular beach destinations certainly does not hurt its standing as a tourist draw. This bustling city serves up miles of pristine beaches and a plethora of attractions that encompass miniature golf extravaganzas, fanciful dinner shows, golf getaways, throwback musical extravaganzas, family amusement parks, and aquatic events galore from parasailing to deep-sea fishing. Make a pit-stop at Conway Ford and behold our incredible showroom of iconic cars, trucks, and SUVs.

Must see attractions in Conway, SC

3 Must-See Attractions in Conway, South Carolina

If you want to enjoy a little small town charm, you'll love visiting Conway's most impressive attractions. Conway is part of Horry County. The town is situated on the west banks of the picturesque Waccamaw River. Conway's been around since 1732, so it has heritage galore, as well as modern attractions that are so fun much to explore. When you spend time at these beloved attractions, you'll connect to the culture and history of Conway. You'll also get to meet some of the town's warm and friendly people. more Stroll the Conway Riverwalk The Conway Riverwalk is a hub for townies and tourists alike. It's the perfect place to get some fresh air, people watch, and generally make the scene. The Riverwalk follows the scenic Waccamaw River. Its length is 1.5 miles. When you stroll this beautiful path, which features paved and wooded sections, you'll see so many wonderful sights, including lush plant life, majestic trees, serene marinas, and old-fashioned buildings. The Riverwalk is close to many great eateries and shops, so be sure to enjoy a delicious meal at the Rivertown Bistro or the Crafty Rooster. Indulge in a little retail therapy at Papa's General Store, which offers unique vintage items, and Citi Trends, which sells fashion with a little urban edge. Open to the public from sunrise to sundown, it's also a great place to check out Conway festivals and special events. One example is the annual Conway Riverfest, which is held in the summertime. This festival features fireworks, a kids' zone, and live entertainment. See a Show at the Theatre of the Republic Theatre of the Republic is Horry County's official theater. It's conveniently located right on Main Street. This non-profit organization puts on some amazing shows in a venue with plenty of vintage charm. Some productions are family-friendly, including the crowd-pleasing Disney classic, "Beauty and the Beast." Other highlights from the spring 2020 season include "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Icons - A Vocal Revue." This local theater celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. The theater is an integral part of the Conway community. Visit Horry County Museum This museum is also located on Main Street, so it's easy to get to. If you're interested in learning about the history of the county, as well as Southern culture in general, you'll enjoy your time at this popular Conway attraction. The museum has been open since 1979. It offers a range of exhibits that are entertaining and educational. When you visit, you'll see antique clothing, farm tools, and pictures. These historical items will help you understand the heritage of the region. There is also an exciting exhibit about bears, birds of prey, and alligators. The museum is free to visit and it's open Tuesday through Saturday. Small town charm is alive and well in beautiful Conway, South Carolina. Now that you know three of the best attractions to visit, you'll be ready to enjoy all that the town has to offer. A 15-mile drive from Myrtle Beach, Conway is a great place to call home, as well as an exceptional holiday destination.