12 Exciting Things to Do in North Charleston SC
Riverfront Park in North Charleston | source
Head up I-26 to experience the best things to do in North Charleston SC!
Commonly confused as an area that’s in the north part of Charleston, North Charleston is actually is a separate municipality than the City of Charleston.
It’s just a short ride on the interstate from downtown Charleston to this thriving city, and it has plenty of things to do in its own right.
From local distilleries to plenty of shopping opportunities, North Charleston is a great way to spend a day or two of your Charleston vacation.
Since it centrally located between downtown, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley, many visitors choose to use North Charleston as their main base.
Whether you’re staying in North Charleston or visiting for the day, you’ll need to bring your rental car as this area is quite spread out.
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Written 7/2022
Best Things to Do in North Charleston SC
Park Circle historic sign | source
1) Go shopping at Tanger Outlets.
Tanger Outlets in North Charleston | source
This large shopping center in North Charleston has everything from Coach to J. Crew to Carter’s.
If you get hungry while shopping, there’s an onsite Starbucks, a Great American Cookie Company, and Savannah Candy Kitchen for quick snacks.
If you need something more substantial, there are several fast food places just outside of the parking lot including Panda Express, Buffalo Wild Wing’s, Jimmy John’s, and Five Guys.
While it is an open air shopping center, most of Tanger Outlets is covered.
Address: 4840 Tanger Outlet Boulevard, North Charleston, SC
2) Relax at Riverfront Park.
Kids playing at Riverfront Park
This multi-use outdoor space has become a cornerstone of the Noisette Shipyard property.
Visitors can bring their dogs to the expansive dog park, or watch their kids play on the playground.
On hot days, the splash pad is a welcome site for everyone!
Each spring, the High Water Music Festival is held here, and people come from all over the South to see acts like Modest Mouse, Jack White, and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Address: 1061 Everglades Avenue, North Charleston, SC
3) Sample locally made Sweet Tea Vodka at Firefly Distillery.
The oldest continually operating distillery in Charleston has a state-of-the-art facility in North Charleston’s Park Circle neighborhood.
Come for a tasting and stay for one of the many outdoor concerts that are held on property throughout the year.
They also have rotating food trucks so you can make a full day out of your visit.
Address: 4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston, SC
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4) Get up close and personal with the Hunley submarine.
The Hunley inside of its protective bath | source
The first working American submarine, this vessel disappeared during a Civil War battle.
It wasn’t until a diver found it in the mid-1990s that many of the mysteries surrounding the Hunley began to be solved.
Today, the museum at the Shipyard in North Charleston provides a fascinating view of what it was like to man the submarine and how to Hunley is being restored.
Even younger kids will find the mystery fascinating!
My favorite part of the tour is seeing the actual Hunley immersed in its special bath of preservation chemicals.
It’s very much an ongoing historical and scientific process, so you can learn something new with every visit.
Address: 1250 Supply Street, North Charleston, SC
5) Catch a show at the North Charleston Coliseum.
There’s always something fun going on here!
We’ve done everything from Disney on Ice to a Beach Boys concert over the years at the North Charleston Coliseum.
The property recently added a parking garage for easier parking, but the area around the Coliseum can be busy right before show times.
Plan ahead and come early.
If you need to grab something to eat before your show or concert, the Coliseum is right across International Boulevard from a few restaurants like Golden Corral and Jimmy John’s.
Address: 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC
NOTE: If you’re planning to go to a late night concert, there’s a hotel literally steps from the front doors of the convention center. The Embassy Suites is incredible convenient to the Coliseum, Tanger Outlets, and local restaurants.
6) Chill out at the Carolina Ice Palace.
Front of Carolina Ice Palace | source
Perfect for beginners and pros alike, the Carolina Ice Palace is the area’s only ice skating rink.
You can rent skates here, and stabilizers for kids and beginners are provided for free.
There’s also a small snack bar if you need to fuel up between laps around the rink.
Check the website for the daily open skate times.
Address: 7665 Northwoods Boulevard, North Charleston, SC
7) Cheer on the South Carolina Stingrays.
Stingrays game at the North Charleston Coliseum | source
If you’re inspired after your visit the Carolina Ice Palace, you’ll want to see if the South Carolina Stingrays are in town.
This minor league hockey team always puts on a fun show, and the themed nights are the most fun.
Grab some nachos and one of the inexpensive tickets, and prepare to cheer on the most fun hockey team in the South!
Address: 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC
8) Find your new favorite brew at Coast Brewery.
Located not far from the Hunley museum, this local brewery offers tasting hours from 4-7 PM on Thursdays and Fridays.
They’re in the process of getting food on-site, but, in the meantime, they have food trucks come during the tasting hours.
Address: 1250 2nd Street North, North Charleston, SC
9) Eat your way through Park Circle.
Wall painting outside of Patch Whiskey’s art studio in Park Circle | source
The trendiest neighborhood in the Charleston area, Park Circle is an example of a successful community revitalization.
Once boarded up storefronts are now filled with locals and visitors alike, and many of Charleston’s best restaurants are located within a few blocks of East Montague Avenue.
Start the day with a cup of joe from Orange Spot Coffee, then head to Madra Rua Irish Pub for lunch.
For dinner, you’ll have the tough choice of deciding between the goose fat fries at the Tattooed Moose, the burgers at DIG in the Park, and the rustic, wood fired pizzas at EVO Pizzeria.
Don’t forget to grab dessert at Park Circle Creamery!
Address: East Montague Avenue in Park Circle between Virginia Avenue and Jenkins Avenue
10) Treat your family to a night at Frankie’s Fun Park.
Mini golf at Frankie’s Fun Park | source
Another Lowcountry institution, Frankie’s Fun Park has been offering up go kart races and arcade games since 1994.
Pay only for the activities you want as there is no entrance fee.
You can try the classic go karts, the batting cages, or the mini golf course.
On a hot day, try the bumper boats, or head inside for laser tag and arcade games.
Address: 5000 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC
11) Wander through the North Charleston Fire Museum and Educational Center.
It’s small but worth it if you have little kids!
My daughter at the North Charleston Fire Museum
My 2 kids love everything about this place from the free fire hats to the 3D movie to the sticker creator.
In addition to the many vintage fire trucks on display, visitors will learn about the history of firefighting and how it has evolve to save more people.
You will have a tough time pulling your kids off of the play area in the middle of the building, which tests their fire knowledge and has a special slide and fireman’s pole for them to try out.
An interactive display towards the back of the museum shows visitors the most common ways for house fires to start and what people can do to prevent them. There are lots of lights and sounds and smoke to illustrate the point!
At only $6 for adults (free for kids under 12), it’s an inexpensive thing to do in Charleston, too.
Address: 4975 Centre Point Drive, North Charleston, SC
12) Take a dip at Whirlin' Waters Adventure Park.
Main play area at Whirlin’ Waters | source
The ultimate water park in the Charleston area, Whirlin’ Waters is where you take the big kids for a day of fun!
It has the most slides and rides of all three county water parks, including a new family tube ride.
Compared to Mount Pleasant’s Splash Island and James Island’s Splash Zone, Whirlin’ Water is SO much more fun for older kids and teens.
Located inside of Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston, this water park is the perfect way to cool off if you’re visiting during the area’s hot and humid summers.
Free free to bring your own snacks or grab summer classics like hot dogs, nachos, and popsicles in the onsite cafe.
Address: 8888 University Boulevard, North Charleston, SC
Which of these North Charleston activities would you be most excited to try?
