Halloween in Conway, SC: The Up & Coming Halloween Town You Need to Experience
You've probably heard of celebrating Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts or Sleepy Hollow, New York - but have you ever thought about spending Halloween in Conway, SC?
The very small town I went to in college hardly crossed my radar the 5 years that I lived there, and yet, coming back here over a decade later rewarded me with one of the most fun and spooky weekends. Conway, South Carolina is climbing up the rankings for Halloween destinations, and is now one of top destinations to travel to in October.
If youโre looking for a unique Halloween getaway thatโs full of local spirit, old-fashioned fun, and just the right amount of eerie atmosphere, Conway is the perfect spot to celebrate. In this guide, I'm going to share why Conway has been named the Halloween Town of South Carolina, and everything you need to know for experiencing it yourself.
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The City of Halloween: A Brief Intro to Experiencing Halloween in Conway, SC
Are you ready to experience the Halloween town of South Carolina? Before we dive into all of the fun things to do and see in Conway, let's take a look at what makes this riverside town special, where it's located, and why it's worth a visit for this time of year.
ย Why Visit Conway, SC for Halloween?
Conway goes all out for Halloween โ from ghost walks through its historic district to costume contests, themed markets, and spooky riverboat rides.ย
The townโs oak-lined streets and century-old buildings add to the eerie charm, creating the perfect backdrop for ghost stories and local legends. It's family friendly, but can also be the perfect weekend bar hopping with your crew.
Where is Conway in South Carolina?
Conway is located in the northeastern part of South Carolina, just inland from the popular coastal city of Myrtle Beach. Itโs about a 20-minute drive from the shore, making it an easy and peaceful alternative to the busier beach towns nearby.
ย How Long to Spend in Conway for Halloween
You can easily enjoy all of the fun activities for Halloween in Conway, SC in a weekend. The city is small, but is also packed with plenty of cool decorations, fun activities, and lively bars to enjoy.ย
This was honestly the first time I ever visited without also visiting Myrtle Beach, since I had two packed days in Conway town. You can also easily visit on a day trip, although we'd certainly recommend at least one overnight stay!
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Experiencing Halloween in Conway, SC: Getting There
Conway is easy to reach whether youโre flying in, taking public transportation, or driving.
ย Where is the Closest Airport to Conway, South Carolina?
The nearest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), located just 15 miles away. From there, you can rent a car or take a taxi or rideshare to reach downtown Conway in about a half hour.
ย How to Get to Conway from Other Cities in South Carolina
If youโre coming by bus, Greyhound and Southeastern Stages both have routes that stop in nearby Myrtle Beach, from where you can connect to Conway by rideshare or taxi.
For those driving, Conway sits conveniently alongย U.S. Highway 501, which connects directly from Myrtle Beach and links to major interstates like I-95 and I-20 โ making it an easy road trip from cities like Charleston, Columbia, or even Charlotte.
Conway sits on the Waccamaw RIver.
Halloween in Conway, SC: What to See & Do
Now that you know why you should visit Conway for Halloween, and where the town is located, let's go over all of the fun things you can do in the area!
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Explore the Decorations
Conway has invested millions in decorations, and they even have a team working the entire calendar year on Halloween decorations alone!
From decorated alleyways to animated skeletons you can find so many unique and fun Halloween decor. Each year also has a special theme as well. This year (2026) the theme is films, so you'll find each corner dedicated to a different movie. Some of my personal favorites are the Wizard of Oz and Dirty Dancing.
The city of Conway also has a virtual map which pins all of the decorations, so you and your family (or friends) can make it a mission to check them all off!
Check out the Haunted House
Experiencing Halloween is never complete without visiting a haunted house, and Conway has one right in the heart of town! It's $25/person, and you can even get a "scaredy stick" (for $10) if you don't want to be scared but also don't want to miss out.
Adopt a Skeleton
From 2:00-4:00 pm head over to Conway's city hall and you can adopt your own skeleton! It's completely free of charge, and you'll also get an adoption certificate with your new little friend.
Walk the Riverwalk
Justa. few minute walk from the center of town you can enjoy a walk along the new boardwalk along the Waccamaw river. Conway went all out to bring the Halloween spirit to the river walk with cobwebs, skeletons, and even props right in the river itself!
You can also stop by Bonfire Taqueria for a bite on the water, or take a drink to enjoy during your walk (In October you can walk around with an open container!).
Join a Pedal Pub
Join Conway's newest excursion - a pedal pub which brings you around the town's best local bars with a fun group. You can choose from the traditional historical route or in October you can enjoy the particularly created for Halloween in Conway, SC.
Enjoy the Main Square
Right in the heart of Conway you'll find a large pumpkin statue, and around it are kiosks setup in the evening with toys, treats, and local crafts. It's particularly popular for families, and you can also hit the food truck for incredible boardwalk favorites like fried Oreos and funnel cake.ย
Go on a Pirate Ship Ride Down the Waccamaw River
One of the top things to do in Conway during Halloween is to go on the pirate ship cruise. Just for October the Sea Gypsy moves to downtown Conway for a family-friendly sail down the Waccamaw. Toddlers and babies are $14, and children and adults are $29.
Rides are 30 minutes, and include free face painting and dress up. Make sure to book in advance for tickets, especially during the weekends when they're more likely to sell out.
ย Experience a Ghost Tour
One of the most iconic activities during Halloween is joining a ghost tour, and you can get one right in Conway! Ghost tours are just a few days, and go from 6:00-8:00 pm. There are limited spots, so make sure to book in advance!
ย Sip on Festival Cocktails
One of my favorite past times of college was going out for drinks with my friends. Downtown Conway now has plenty of great bars to choose from, and many have great seasonal drinks from pumpkin beer and spiced ciders to pumpkin infused cocktails.
Some of my personal favorites are Whitaker's, Chanti's, and Riverside Bistro. Just make sure to reserve ahead, or try to grab a seat at the bar to avoid long wait times.
Enjoy Conway Movie Nights
For the month of October Conway hosts free movie nights at the Terrace every Friday night at 7:00 pm.
Can't make it for a movie night? The Terrace has fun decorations too, and also has live music at times.
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Halloween in Conway, SC: Shopping, Dining, & Facilities
Now that you know all of the fun ways to enjoy Halloween in Conway, SC, let's go over the dining, restrooms, and shopping in town.
Where to Eat & Drink for Halloween in Conway, SC
There are plenty of great places to eat and drink for Halloween in Conway! Here are a few local favorites:
- Crafty Rooster: One of the most popular bars in town with great comfort food and a local feel.
- Chanti's: A pub with tasty bar food and pizza. They also have two great pumpkin beers and the best pumpkin cookies.
- Whitakers: They have excellent seasonal cocktails.
- Crooked Oak Tavern: Head to the secret back room - they also have incredible wings!
- Palmetto Taps: A brewery where you can pour your own flights and are charged by the ounce.
- Trestle: They have both a bakery and restaurant.
- A Cup Full Cafe: The go-to spot if you want specialty coffee.
- Stella's ice cream: Delicious and unique flavors, run by CCU alumni.
- Anto's Pizza: A pizzeria that has been ranked the #1 pizza in the world! It's an absolute must, but you need to go early since there are long lines and they sell out in the afternoon.
ย Public Bathrooms in Conway
Right in the center of town you can find a building of public bathrooms. They're located on Laurel St between 2nd & 3rd Ave & in Scarborough Alley, and they're open until 10:00 pm.
ย Shopping in Conway
One of the things I love about Conway is that all of the shops are locally run boutique stores. Head to the Black Witch Market to enjoy the beautiful interior, or walk along 3rd avenue for some other adorable locally run businesses.
Love natural products like aluminum-free deodorants and essential oils? Head to Good Day Sunshine!
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Halloween in Conway, SC: Where to Stay
Most visitors tend to stay in hotels in Myrtle Beach and visit Conway for the day. However, Conway also has some stunning Airbnbs on Elm Street, just minutes walking from the downtown area!
Originally the property shown below was a bed & breakfast, but is now listed on Airbnb. I was staying at my friend's house, but the listing looked really beautiful, and if I was with a big group for Halloween in Conway, this is most likely where I'd choose to stay.
Halloween in Conway, SC: Rules & Safety
Conway is a very safe town, and is also really family-friendly, especially for Halloween.
One thing that is exciting for Conway during Halloween is that you're able to drink on the streets. This is for the month of October, allowing visitors to take to-go drinks with them while enjoying all of the outdoor activities that the city has to offer.
Just remember to leave no trace and pick up after yourself!
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Experiencing Halloween in Conway, SC
Now you know pretty much everything you need to know for experiencing Halloween in Conway, South Carolina! But don't go just yet - we have a few other things to share with you.
Weather During Halloween in Conway, SC
Conway experiences a really nice Fall season, with hot and sunny days, and cooler nights. You can easily dress light during the day, but we suggest bringing a light sweater to wear at night or inside of the bars and restaurants. Remember sunscreen too, as the sun can be really strong during the day!
How to Pack for Halloween in Conway
- Sunscreen for walking around during the day
- Halloween costume
- Comfortable shoes for walking around (I always useย Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)ย
- Sweater or light jacket for the evenings
- Small Bag/ Backpack (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
- Power Bankย (we useย Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Cameraย to capture all of the decorations (we use the Sony A7Riii)
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โ Tips for Experiencing Halloween in Conway, SC
Is Celebrating Halloween in Conway, SC Worth it?
I have to say, being that I travel a lot, and have also lived in Conway, I did not expect it to be as incredible as it was! The city does an amazing job with decorations, and it has a great vibe, without being overly touristy.ย
I understand now why Conway has been named "the city of Halloween", and highly suggest adding the city to your Halloween bucket list!
Travel Planning Tools
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So are you ready to experience the city of Halloween in South Carolina? It is one of our favorite holidays to celebrate around the world, and celebrating Halloween in Conway, SC is definitely something you should add to your bucket list.
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