South Carolina Aquarium - Charleston, South Carolina - large public aquarium with over 300 animals

The South Carolina Aquarium opened in 2000 and has quickly become one of the more highly regarded aquariums in the United States, according to critics. The two-story aquarium hosts over 60 exhibits with more than 3,000 individual animals. The largest exhibit is the two-story Great Hall with a two-story window overlooking Charleston and a 15,000-gallon tank displaying the Carolina Seas exhibit.

The other exhibits are arranged according to the various environments in South Carolina. From the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain, each of the Carolingian ecosystems is represented. The Aquarium also features a Discovery Lab and Touch Tank where visitors can touch whelks, stingrays, hermit crabs and other invertebrates that live along the Carolina coast. The Salt Marsh Aviary is an immersive exhibit that features birds and other creatures living along the coastal marshes. Visitors feel the sensation of kayaking through the salt marshes where they can see herons, diamondback terrapins, puffins, and other types of salt marsh animals.

The Aquarium's newest exhibit is the Penguin Planet, home to Waddle and a gaggle of other Magellanic penguins. The Aquarium has developed a series of activities and worksheets for kids to help them understand the plight of penguins in the modern world. The aquarium provides a number of these conservation activations for families to learn more about protecting the animals they see at the facility.

The South Carolina Aquarium is available for special events, including weddings, birthday parties and corporate events. In addition to private events at the Aquarium, there are frequent members-only events and special events throughout the summer and year round. Members-only events may include all-night sleepovers, camping adventures and picnics with the penguins. Events open to the public include dinners in the Sustainable Seafood series, with special guest chefs preparing meals for guests and aquarium staff explaining how food choices can help ensure the future health of the environment and sea life.

The South Carolina Aquarium offers a variety of group programs for school and other youth groups. Among the special outreach programs for groups are the A+ Aquarium Package Tour, a South Carolina standards-based aquarium tour that includes pre-and-post visit curriculum. Families can take part in an unforgettable sleepover in the Tuck in with the Turtles overnight program. The slumber party includes dinner, activities, educational programs and a continental breakfast.

Groups can also tour the Sea Turtle Hospital, a one-of-a-kind sanctuary for injured sea turtles. The Sea Turtle Rescue program at the South Carolina Aquarium cares for any injured or unhealthy sea turtles found along the coast as part of their conservation efforts. The Aquarium is also involved in marine and fresh water conservation efforts and in efforts to save the diamond-back terrapin turtle from endangerment.

The aquarium is open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving, and it is open a half-day on Christmas Eve. Hours vary by season. Admissions range from $10 to $17, with discounts available for groups and special events. Members only events are scheduled throughout the year. For more information about admission and hours, contact the Aquarium at 800-722-6455.