Aquariums and Planetariums

Aquariums

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores
Atlantic Beach 28512
Phone: (252) 247-4003
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is situated on 298 acres of maritime forest in the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area. The 35,000-square-foot building houses aquariums ranging from 300 gallons to 12,000 gallons, a touch tank, interactive exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, a large auditorium and a gift shop. Outside is a natural marsh area and nature trail.

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Rd
Kure Beach (Fort Fisher) 28449
Phone: (910) 458-8257
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is situated on 24 acres of property within the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. The 30,000-square-foot building houses aquariums ranging from 100 gallons to 17,000 gallons, a touch tank, interactive exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, a large auditorium and a gift shop. Outside is a natural swamp area and a nature trail.

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Manteo (Roanoke Island) 27954
Phone: (252) 473-3494
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is situated on 14 acres of property overlooking the Croatan Sound. The 34,000-square-foot building houses aquariums ranging from 300 gallons to 12,000 gallons, a touch tank, interactive exhibits, classrooms, meeting rooms, research space, a large auditorium and a gift shop. Outside is a nature trail, shoreline boardwalk with observation decks and mounted telescopes, and an excavation area where visitors can dig for fossilized shark's teeth.

Planetariums

Morehead Planetarium
Chapel Hill 27599
Phone: (919) 962-1236
The Morehead Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the United States, is located on the north end of the campus of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Morehead Planetarium Building and grounds, complete with a 68-foot, domed Star Theater and Zeiss Model VI Star Projector, scientific exhibits and classrooms, 24-inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope and observation decks, Visitor's Center, art galleries, rose gardens and the massive sundial were built for students of all ages with all interests. The Planetarium is located near several other attractions in Chapel Hill.