Best Things To Do In North Charleston, South Carolina

things to do in north charleston south carolina
Lorrie
Lorrie 
Updated
| 3 min read

Northern Charleston is located near the airport and is the perfect area for a short getaway. It has museums and places where you can learn the history of the area. There are several tours offered in Charleston that you can do during your stay in this charming southern city.

1. Patriots Point Navel and Maritime Museum

Posted by Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum on Sunday, 2 April 2017

Patriots Point Navel and Maritime Museum was created in the 1970s by the Patriots Point Development Authority, centered around the USS Yorktown. Along with the museum is a historic fleet of national ships, a cold war memorial and the only Vietnam experience exhibit in the US. It strives to preserve the history of those who served our country. The museum has educational programs and overnight camping

Patriots Point Navel and Maritime Museum

Address: 40 Patriots Point Rd Mt Pleasant SC

Price: Seniors & Active Duty Miltary - 17 USD; Adults - 22 USD; Children (6-11) - 14 USD; Kids under 6 & Active Military in uniform - Free

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6:30 pm closed on Christmas

Duration: 2 hrs

Access: cross the Ravenel bridge to Mt Pleasant - 13 min away from Charleston

Website: Patriot’s Point Navel Museum

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2. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Adventure (ship) at Charles Towne Landing, South Carolina
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user The ed17 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site is located off of the Ashley River and marks the point where a group of English settlers arrived in 1670 and started the Carolina colony. This site introduces visitors to early colonist history with interactive exhibits and allows them to tour the Adventure, Charleston’s only 17th-century replica sailing ship. As well, visitors can see animals in the Animal Forest natural habitat zoo. The grounds also include an 80-acre garden (32.4 hectare), with an elegant live oak alley and the Legare-Waring House.

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Address: 1500 Old Towne Rd Charleston SC

Price: Senior - 6.50 USD; Adult - 10 USD; Youth - 6; Under 5 - free

Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Access:8 min drive from north charleston - head SC-7

Website: Charles Town Landing

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3. North Charleston Fire Museum


North Charleston Fire Museum has the largest collection of restored firefighter equipment, with 20 trucks dating back to the 1780s. The exhibits show the life of a firefighter and the advancements over time. They also show films on the history of firefighting.

North Charleston Fire Museum

Address: 4975 Centre Point Drive North Charleston SC

Price: Adults - 6 USD; Kids 12 and under - free

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday 1pm to 5 pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving and New Years Day

Access: under 10 min on I-26W

Website: North Charleston Fire Museum

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4. Shopping at Northwoods Mall


Northwoods Mall has 130 stores, 10 restaurants and a cinema on site. Stores include Charlotte Russe, Sears, Areopostale, Children’s Place, American Eagle Outfitters, Champs Sport, Zales and more.

Northwoods Mall

Address: 2150 Northwoods Blvd North Charleston SC

Opening Hours: 10 am to 9 pm, daily

Website: Northwoods Mall

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5. Entertainment at North Charleston Coliseum and the Performing Arts Center

Posted by North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, 22 March 2017

North Charleston Coliseum is a multi-venue facility that seats around 13,000 people. It’s the home of the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team and it also serves as the home of the Charleston Southern University Basketball team. In 1993 it hosted the World Cup figure skating exhibition and it is run by the city of Charleston.

The Performing Arts Center hosts various events including family shows, concerts, ballets, symphonies, art festivals and more. It’s also home to the Best of Broadway, now in its 17th season. The North Charleston Pops also play at this venue. Upcoming acts include the Harlem Globetrotters, the Price is Right live show, Earth Wind and Fire, the Florida Georgia Line, Mamma Mia, and the Newsboys.

Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center

Address: 5001 Coliseum Drive North Charleston SC

Access: I-26W

Website: Charleston Colisium

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6. Tours Around Charleston


The Pub and Brewery Tour of Charleston was founded by 12th generation Charlestonians and is the only European-style pub tour that covers four to five pubs within 10 city blocks. With your choice of covering either all of Charleston or just the King Street area, you can learn about history and experience Charleston foods along the way. They also offer a bus brewery tour, exploring the microbreweries of the area.

Frankley Charleston LLC showcases the African American history of Charleston. The air-conditioned van tour takes visitors through moments of triumph as well as disasters in history. The company started doing tours in 2000 and features knowledgeable guides who take a look beneath the veneer to recreate the atmosphere of 18th and 19th century South Carolina.

Plantation Tours from Crafted Travel takes you on a drive to historic plantations. They have two options - the first is a tour of the Middleton Place Plantation, which has the oldest landscaped gardens and is a national historic landmark. This tour includes chauffeured car service, horseback exploration, garden market, nursery, house museum and the plantation stable yards. Learn the history of the family which includes signers of the Declaration of Independence. The other option is the Magnolia Garden Tour, the oldest privately owned garden, where you can explore all the beautiful flowers. This tour includes chauffeured limo service, Drayton family home tour, nature tram ride, scenic river walk, and a kid-friendly petting zoo.

Pub and Brewery Tour of Charleston

Price: Walking Tour - 29 USD or Bus Tour - 65 USD

Duration : Walking Tour 2.5 hours; Bus Tour 3 hours

Website: Pub and Brewery Tour

Frankly Charleston LLC

Price: Adults - 18 USD; Seniors - 16 USD; Kids over 6 - 8.50 USD

Opening Hours: 3 tours daily 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm

Website: Frankly Charleston LLC

Craft Tours Plantation Tours

Price: Middleton 109 USD and Magnolia 99 USD

Duration: 4 hrs

Website: Plantation Tours

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Enjoy a trip to North Charleston!

Montague Avenue, North Charleston
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Thomson200 used under CC0

Whether you are here for a layover or a longer stay, there is lots to do between the various tours, museums and entertainment. Experience the charm of the south and see it through the eyes of others as you visit North Charleston.

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I'm a self-employed pet sitter and have been in business for almost 13 years. I'm a solo traveler since 2011 and have visited Charleston, Newport RI, Chicago, Denver, Boston, Mackinaw Island and...Read more

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