Travel doesn’t have to be a weekend-long investment. A day trip is the perfect opportunity to focus on the many things that make North Charleston, South Carolina, great, whether it’s the history, the craft breweries, or the awesome shopping opportunities. You can also mix it up by checking out some of our neighborhood haunts. Plan your North Charleston, SC, day trip today with Visit North Charleston.

• Experience history at Riverfront Park with a lunch at MOMO, then head to the H. L. Hunley Museum and North Charleston Fire Museum.
• Design your own craft brewery crawl to discover some of the best flavors in South Carolina.
• Explore local goods at the shops and boutiques of Park Circle, then grab lunch before heading out for an afternoon of retail therapy at Tanger Outlets.
• Discover what makes North Charleston special with an itinerary that focuses on local favorites and unique experiences.

Though North Charleston is a relatively new city, we have deep roots in Southern and military history. Dive in and discover our storied past with the following recommended itinerary:

• Riverfront Park: Start with a morning at Riverfront Park, which is home to several restored buildings from the city’s naval base era, including officers’ housing and a chapel.
• Lunch at MOMO: Also located in Riverfront Park, MOMO serves up Southern and American classics within a gorgeous Panama-style home from the former naval base.
• L. Hunley Museum: After lunch, head out to the Hunley museum to see America’s first combat submarine and discover the story of its success and sinking.
• North Charleston Fire Museum: Finish the day with an in-depth exploration of firefighting history, including interactive exhibits for a fully immersive experience.

In North Charleston, our iconic Lowcountry culinary chops combine with a no-frills, down-to-earth personality shaped by our industrial past. The result is a craft beer paradise. Sip mouthwatering brews in a laid-back environment perfect for casual hangouts. You might just discover a new favorite. Build your own brewery crawl out of the following stops:

• COAST Brewery Company
• Commonhouse Aleworks
• Holy City Brewing
• Rusty Bull Brewing Co.
• Tidelands Brewing

Rideshare options are available for transportation from place to place, so everybody in your party can join in the fun. Don’t forget to eat along the way. Many local breweries offer snacks or even a full kitchen menu, and there are also several fantastic restaurants to check out along your route.

If there’s anything that North Charleston has lots of, it’s shopping. Named the #1 shopping destination in South Carolina, the city offers everything from handcrafted items and antiques to big-name retail. Best of all, you can fit everything into a one-day itinerary:

• EVO Craft Bakery: Start your day of shopping with coffee and a breakfast of local baked goods. Don’t forget to grab a loaf of fresh bread or some pastries for the road.
• Park Circle: After eating at the bakery, you’re already in Park Circle: a walkable community packed with locally owned shops selling everything from jewelry to cookware.
• Odd Duck Market: Lunch time! You can find delicious artisanal sandwiches, a glass of wine, and local produce from Odd Duck Market, Park Circle’s local café and grocer.
• Tanger Outlets: After a morning of browsing local goods, mix it up with an afternoon at Tanger Outlets. The outlet center offers over 85 stores from internationally recognized names.
• Northwoods Mall: If it’s raining, then you can swap out Tanger Outlets for Northwoods Mall. The mall is North Charleston’s other retail hub, and it’s all indoors.

The popular tourist attractions are all well and good. If this is your second or third trip to North Charleston, however, then you may find yourself looking for something new to explore. The following itinerary will take you through some of the sites that make North Charleston unique:

• The Junction Kitchen & Provisions: Start with breakfast at the Junction, a local favorite that puts a fun modern twist on some timeless classics.
• Mixson Market: Explore the cobblestone streets and Rainbow Road-inspired homes of the Mixson neighborhood, then grab some gourmet coffee and a sandwich at Mixson Market.
• Riverfront Park: Take your Mixson meal to go for a picnic at Riverfront Park, a gem that offers a playground, dog park, boardwalk, and memorial, all within view of the Cooper River.
• Striped Pig Distillery: Finish out the day at Striped Pig Distillery, one of the most unique craft distilleries around, to sample its top-notch rum, bourbon, vodka, and gin.

Whether you’re learning more about North Charleston’s history or indulging yourself with some exciting new purchases, there’s a lot to do in North Charleston. Discover even more day trip activities with Visit North Charleston, your guide to things to do throughout the area. Contact us at Visit North Charleston to learn more or for help with planning your North Charleston, SC, day trip.