North Charleston, South Carolina serves a growing population of roughly 97,000 residents. It was not incorporated as a city until the year 1972. Today it is the third largest city in South Carolina State, and is considered a major retail and industrial center. The city of North Charleston incorporates parts of Dorchester, Charleston and Berkeley counties. The city's total land area is 198 km2.
The city of North Charleston features numerous museums, historical sites and other public attractions, including the American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center. This museum features antique exhibits and one-of-a-kind fire equipment and vehicles which date back to the mid 18th century. The Museum is located between Tanger outlet mall and the North Charleston Coliseum.
The H.L. Hunley Museum displays a Civil War era submarine, recognized as the first successful combat submarine in the world. Lifted from the ocean floor during 2000, the submarine is being restored together with numerous artifacts which were recovered at the site. The museum is located at the old Naval Base in North Charleston.
The Greater Charleston Naval Memorial exhibits sculptures of different types of ships made and serviced at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. The Memorial is situated on the old Navy Yard at Riverfront Park.
The Charleston Area Convention Center has brought millions of guests and visitors to North Charleston ever since its establishment in 1999. The facility has ballrooms, meeting rooms and exhibition halls. The Convention Center contributes a lot to the regional and local economy.
The North Charleston Coliseum is a 13,295-seat venue which is used for special events, local graduations and concerts. It is among South Carolina's biggest places and home to the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team of the ECHL. The Coliseum is conveniently situated near the Charleston International Airport.
The North Charleston Performing Arts Center seats more than 2,000 and offers an excellent place for major Broadway shows, world-renowned musicals and theatrical performances.
The Charleston Area Convention Center, the North Charleston Coliseum and the Performing Arts Center are part of a larger cultural and entertainment complex that residents and visitors to the region can enjoy. These facilities are owned by the city of North Charleston.