|
 The
newly expanded Aquarium takes visitors on a tour
of North Carolina’s amazing aquatic life
“from the mountains to the sea.” The
journey is arranged in five galleries: Mountain,
Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters and Ocean.
Among the 38 innovative exhibits
are re-created shipwrecks that showcase the diverse
marine life attracted to these sunken vessels.
The 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck display in
the Ocean Gallery features a three-quarter-size
replica of a German U-boat that was sunk off Cape
Lookout in World War II. The Queen Anne’s
Revenge duplicates the 18th century artifacts
in Beaufort Inlet thought to be the wreckage of
the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship.
Also new to the Aquarium
are a pair of playful river otters, a roaring
mountain waterfall, a trout pool, a jellyfish
gallery, a sportfishing display and a cypress
swamp display. Touch pools allow personal contact
with stingrays, whelks and other creatures. The
Aquarium offers an array of activities and field
trips, and has facilities for weddings, celebrations
and meetings. Visitors also will find a large
gift shop and a snack bar.
 Aquarium
Information
HOURS:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving
Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
PHONE:
252-247-4003; 1-866-294-3477
WEBSITE:
www.ncaquariums.com
DIRECTIONS:
Five miles west of Atlantic Beach, Carteret County,
on North Carolina’s central Coast. From NC
58, turn onto Pine Knoll Boulevard at the stoplight,
Milepost 7; turn left onto Roosevelt Boulevard.
 MAP:
North
Carolina Aquarium - Pine Knoll Shores
ACCESSIBILITY:
The parking lot, entrance, exhibits and restrooms
are wheelchair-accessible. Some outdoor facilities
also are wheelchair-accessible.
|
