North Charleston

North Charleston is in the Greater Charleston area. It is the third largest city in South Carolina with a lot of muscle in terms of commerce and consumerism.

Born of strife over representation and a fair shake at civic and property rights within the hegemony of the city of Charleston, North Charleston broke off and became its own municipality in 1972, and took some military bases with it, and some rice and indigo plantations.

With its location just to the north of Charleston, it can be readily reached by all the means used in reaching the latter; in fact, most of these are in North Charleston:

• Charleston International Airport, 5500 International Blvd and the Interstate 26 connection to Columbia.
• Amtrak, at 4565 Gaynor Avenue (North Charleston Transit Center)
• Greyhound, likewise at 4565 Gaynor Ave (North Charleston Transit Center)

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority or CARTA provides public transportation between such areas as the Charleston International Airport, North Charleston Transit Center, and Charleston proper.

Lastly, Interstate 26 provides a direct link to Columbia for personal drivers, with US Route 17 connecting other communities along the coastline.

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority or CARTA provides connections to different points within North Charleston.

The greater metro area of Charleston/North Charleston is circumscribed by I-526 for rapid ease in commuting to different areas along with the I-26.

• 🌍 North Charleston Fire Museum (American LaFrance Fire Museum), 4975 Centre Pointe Dr (in the North Charleston Visitor Center), ☏ +1 843-740-5550. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Covers the profession and history of firefighting in the area, with simulators and restored fire trucks on display. $6, Children 12 and under free. (updated Aug 2025)
• 🌍 Friends of the Hunley (Warren Lasch Conservation Center), 1250 Supply St, ☏ +1 843-743-4865. Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 10AM-3PM. Museum about the historic 19th-century submarine HL Hunley that is being restored, and about submarine warfare. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd, ☏ +1 843-762-5585. Daily 8AM-8PM. Expansive park of wetlands and woodlands where you can rent boats or hike various trails, plus a community water park called Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave, ☏ +1 843-308-4746. Daily 6AM-10PM. A picturesque park with an esplanade and boardwalk along the Cooper River, with container ships and the Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial to capture your attention. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 Frankies Fun Park, 5000 Ashley Phosphate Rd, ☏ +1 843-767-1376. Energetic entertainment center with amusement rides and water rides, batting cages, go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and an arcade. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Tanger Outlets Charleston, 4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd, ☏ +1 843-529-3095. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 10AM-7PM. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Istanbul Shish Kabob restaurant, 4940 Centre Pointe Dr Suite C, ☏ +1 843-996-4738. Tu-Su 11AM-8PM. Turkish/Middle Eastern buffet. (updated Oct 2021)
• 🌍 The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips, 4254 Spruill Ave, ☏ +1 843-789-4649. Tu-Su lunch and dinner. Some nice breaded fish filets and brews here. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Ave, ☏ +1 843-459-2948. Daily 11AM-10PM. Everyone seems to be in a pretty jovial mood here by the time they've finished the tour. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Wingate by Wyndham Charleston Airport Coliseum, 4701 Saul White Blvd, ☏ +1 843-554-7154. Lesser expensive option in a seemingly high-priced area, with a fairly good-sized outdoor pool. Formerly a Hampton Inn. (updated Oct 2021)
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center, 5055 International Boulevard, ☏ +1 843-747-1882, CHSEM_DS@hilton.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Renovated all-suites hotel next to the Charleston Area Convention Center and North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. Free shuttle to Charleston Airport, less than two miles away. Indoor pool, free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception, and fitness center featuring a Peloton Bike with toe cages. (updated Jul 2025)

Watch your coin purse just a little, as North Charleston isn't a city without crime.