1 Roosevelt Boulevard Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. If your looking to take a trip with the family to an aquarium be sure to visit Pine Knoll Shores. Below are some of the questions you ask yourself when visiting the aquarium with family or large groups and hopefully you will find the answer to many of these:

1) How long does it take to tour the Aquarium?

It can take approximately 2 hours to tour the Aquarium. If you plan on participating in any programs or event, please allow yourself some additional time.

2) When is the best time to visit?

For a less crowded experience, fall and winter months are excellent times to visit the Aquarium.

3) What types of disability access do you have?

All entrances, exits, exhibits and restrooms are wheel chair accessible. The Aquarium has several wheel chairs.  Pocketalker personal amplifiers are available to assist our guests free of charge. Inquire about availability with our visitor services staff.

4) Where do we park?

From March through May, many school groups visit and buses often fill the parking areas. Parking areas can also fill to capacity during peak summer months. During these times, and on rainy summer days, expect to park in our over flow parking lot.

5) Do you allow photography and videotaping at the Aquarium?

All types of photography are permitted at the Aquarium. A tip for taking photos inside the Aquarium is not to aim the camera straight at the tank. The flash will cause a light spot in your picture. Instead, position yourself so the camera is at a 45-degree angle to the window.

6) Are food and drink allowed in the Aquarium?

No. The Aquarium does not allow food or drink inside the building to ensure our animal’s health and safety. Snack and soft drink machines are available outside the Aquarium exit doors, as well as having a vendor on-site that offers a variety of food/drink options. We ask that all visitors eat outside while enjoying the wonderful weather.

7) Who do I contact if I have lost something at the Aquarium?

Lost and found inquiries can be made with our Visitor Services Coordinator at 252-473-3494, ext. 225. The Aquarium keeps found items for 30 days before donating them to local charities.

8) What type of payment does the Aquarium accept? Is ID required?

The Aquariums accepts cash, traveler’s checks, master card and visa as payment for admission fees. The Aquariums do check ID for the safety of our visitors so please bring your id with you during your visit.

9) How do I get there?

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located off of Airport Rd., approximately 3 miles North of Manteo. The Aquarium is adjacent to the Dare County Regional Airport. For directions from a specific location, call toll free 1-800-832-3474 ext. 4.

10) How do I register for programs?

To register for a program, please call our registrar at 252-473-3494 ext. 232.  If the registrar does not answer right away please leave a message and they will call you back as soon as they can.

11) Do you provide strollers? Coat racks?

The Aquarium does not have a coat room or provide strollers.

12) Can my family get a group rate?

Group rates are for out of state school groups and for civic organizations. They are not available for large family groups.

13) How do I find out what activities are going on during the time I will be visiting?

To find out what programming, events, etc. that will be occurring during your visit please visit our calendar. If you have further questions, please call 252-473-3494.

14) When do you feed the sharks?

The sharks are fed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. However, due to the method we use to feed our sharks visitors are not able to view a feeding unless they go behind the scenes. If you are interested in seeing a shark feeding, consider signing up for our special activities program, Snack with the Sharks.

15) I’m planning a school group visit, how do I register; pay and what are the policies regarding chaperones, etc.?

School group reservations should be made at least two weeks in advance with our Aquarium Registrar at 252-473-3494 ext. 232. Registered NC students and school personnel are admitted free. All non-staff chaperones will receive ½ regular admission fees. Registered out of state school groups will receive a 15% discount off regular admission prices. Group payments are expected at the time of arrival and in the form a single transaction. All group members must check in with our admissions staff and enter together in order to qualify for our group discounts.

16) Are pets allowed into the Aquarium? What is the Aquarium’s pet policy?

Pets are not allowed into the Aquarium in order to ensure the health and safety of our animals. Also, the Aquarium discourages bringing animals to the Aquarium and leaving them in cars. Our weather is frequently hot and humid and animals in cars do not handle this well. If you have brought your pet with you on vacation we highly recommend leaving it at your house while you enjoy the Aquarium.

Historic Sites: The Bellamy Mansion

The Bellamy Mansion is one of North Carolina's most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture 

built on the eve of the Civil War by free and enslaved black artisans, for John Dillard Bellamy (1817-1896) physician, planter and business leader; and his wife, Eliza McIlhenny Harriss (1821-1907) and their nine children. After the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865, Federal troops commandeered the house as their headquarters during the occupation of Wilmington. Now the house is a museum that focuses on history and the design arts and offers tours, changing exhibitions and an informative look at historic preservation in action.

Visit Histortic Fort Anderson

Fort Anderson

After decades of calm, the site once again entered the forefront of history in a national storm, the Civil War. In 1861 the Confederate States of America decided to build a large fort at the site as part of the river defense of Wilmington. The Cape Fear was an essential route for supplies moving by rail from Wilmington to Petersburg and Richmond for General Lee's army.
The Confederate army used manual labor to construct the large sand fortification originally called Fort St. Philip's. There were two batteries, each with five cannons overlooking the shipping channel and providing protection to blockade runners.
In February 1865, following the fall of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the river, Union forces repositioned to attack Fort Anderson. Federals attacked from the land and river. After three days of fighting, the Confederates evacuated the fort at night. Union gunboats started firing at first light, unaware Federal soldiers were breaching the walls of the fort. The infantry frantically waved sheets and blankets to stop the deadly fire from their own forces. There was a one-day fight north of the site at Town Creek before the Federals occupied Wilmington on George Washington's birthday, February 22, 1865.

The Site Today

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, archaeologists uncovered foundations from Brunswick's earliest days. The most visible structure is the hulk of St. Philip's Anglican Church with its surviving walls dating back to 1754. Another interesting foundation is Russellborough, an old sea captain's house that was used by royal governors Tryon and Dobbs.
The visitor center houses several displays that cover the time periods of both the old town and the fort. In the lobby is a colorful mural created by Claude Howell and Catherine Hendricksen depicting a scene from a Spanish attack on the town in 1748. A cannon on display was recovered from the river in 1986 and is believed to be from the Spanish ship Fortuna, which blew up in the river as the townspeople regained control of the port.
The remains of homes, businesses, and other buildings bear witness to the story of Brunswick. Along with artifacts from the Civil War and the imposing mounds of Fort Anderson, this site offers a unique look at two fascinating periods of American history.

Musical: Once On This Island

LTC presents Once On This Island, a highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid.

In almost non-stop song and dance, the show tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

Friday and Saturday nights June 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 7:00pm. We will also have two Saturday matinee performances on June 16 and 23 at 2:00pm. All performances will be held at our theater space; First Christian Church – 900 Gum Branch Road, Jacksonville NC.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students under 18. Call 910-545-2296 to purchase tickets.

Aquariums Around Jacksonville North Carolina

Aquariums Around Jacksonville North Carolina

Visit the Aquariums around Jacksonville and Onslow County! It's something the entire family can do and actually enjoy together all day!

The Aquariums were established in 1976 to promote an awareness, understanding, appreciation, and conservation of the diverse natural and cultural resources associated with North Carolina’s ocean, estuaries, rivers, streams, and other aquatic environments. Visit All Three!

Roanoke Island

374 Airport Road, Manteo, NC, 27954,
Toll Free: 1-800-832-3474 ext. 4

Pine Knoll Shores

1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512,
Toll Free: 1-800-832-3474 ext. 3

Fort Fisher

900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC, 28449,
Toll Free: 1-800-832-3474 ext. 2

And also just a hop skip and waddle away is the Penguin Plunge, May 12-September 30th at the Pine Knoll Shores Location! A great way too cool off your Summer!