South Carolina Aquarium

After visiting Fort Sumter, we went next door to the South Carolina Aquarium.  We really enjoyed our visit to the aquarium.  The main focus is the Appalachian Watershed region.  You see how water makes it's way from the mountains through the rolling hills of the Piedmont region to the Coastal Plains and on to the Atlantic Ocean.

The aquarium is large and takes 2-3 hours to go through it.  Ticket prices were $14 a piece.  We purchases our tickets in conjunction with the Fort Sumter tour so we saved a few bucks each. It is a very new facility, opening in May, 2000.  We thought it was very well laid out and had very interesting and educational exhibits.  

At the end of the main exhibiting areas is a huge tank that includes several different kinds of fish including a few varieties of sharks.   The aquarium also has a nice gift shop with a large selection of t-shirts and other merchandise.

Thoughts and Recommendations

• This has become one of the top attractions in Charleston and it was easy to see why.  It is well put together and has appeal to persons of all ages.  
• See how many different kinds of birds you kind find in the Salt Marsh - a screened in area that is otherwise outdoors. 
• In the larger tanks, take plenty of time to see if you kind find all the different kinds of fish that are in the tank.  Sometimes you will be surprised at how many different ones there are!
• If you plan on going to Fort Sumter and/or IMAX, you can by combination tickets and save $2-3 each.