There are so many fun things to do in North Carolina, but there are certain places that we LOVE visiting! If you are looking for a nice family-friendly place to visit in North Carolina, check out the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. We love this North Carolina vacation spot at the beach, It is our absolute favorite aquarium that we have visited!
We are sharing with you all the fun things about this aquarium plus our own experiences here.
Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links. This just means that we make a little money if you buy something through one of our links. It does not cost you any more to purchase an item through our links. It just helps support this blog so we can continue to bring you more content like this.
Things to do at the aquarium
Inside
The aquarium has a lot of different fish and sea creatures.
You can touch a horseshoe crab, a sea urchin, a skate, and a shark at no extra charge.
They also have a Cape Fear region showing fish and other animals in the area. This part of the aquarium even has an albino alligator!
Another section of the aquarium has a huge tank with sharks, sea turtles, and large fish in it. There is a concave viewing window that you can climb in to feel even closer to the fish.
There are many other exhibits to see including a giant shark mouth to stand behind for a picture or two.
Multiple kinds of jellyfish can also be seen.
Outside
Outside, there is a playground for children and a walk around dinosaur exhibit. The dinosaurs are automated to move and make noises (some even spray water!).
Where is this North Carolina Vacation Spot at the Beach?
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is located at Kure Beach, which is about 20 miles south of Wilmington, N.C.
If you are vacationing near Southport, you can take the ferry there to Kure Beach. It is a 35 minute ride and only costs $5 for your vehicle. The ferry docking is really close to the aquarium.
You can also visit Fort Fisher if you like historical sites. They have a small museum, and you can walk around outside. This is a free place to visit!
Related post: Why You Should Check Out North Carolina’s Hidden Gem
How much does it cost to visit this North Carolina Vacation Spot at the Beach?
The cost is $12.95 for an adult and $10.95 for kids (ages 3-12).
There are also military and senior citizen discounts available.
If you have a zoo membership, you can get in at a discounted rate (as long as your pass includes this aquarium as a reciprocal location).
Parking is free!
There are also a few free days during the year:
- Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
- Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
- the third Monday each January.
Why we love this aquarium so much
We have been visiting this aquarium since the early 1990’s.
There are so many things to see here, and they don’t cost extra like they do at a lot of aquariums!
This place is educational, but it is also a lot of fun.
It is great for families with kids, but it is also interesting for those without small children.
We went here last month, and even though we have been here many times, it was still fun!
It is usually not crowded and very nice for its size.
Overall, the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is one of our favorite aquariums.
Related post: Visit Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina
Aquarium Information
Address: 900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC 28449
Hours & Days: Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. year-round (except on Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
Related posts:
Five Cheap Souvenirs to Collect
7 More Souvenir Ideas When You’re On a Budget
Have you ever been to this aquarium? What are your favorite vacation spots?
If you found this post helpful, we would love for you to share it with your friends and family!
This looks like a really cute little day for a family
Thank you Holly! We love going here. We have been going since I was little, and I still love it now that I’m older! It is super kid-friendly!