North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is at 900 Loggerhead Rd. The aquarium features aquatic life found in and around the Cape Fear River and wetlands area as well as the ocean beyond. Exhibits include sea horses, sea turtles, alligators (including an albino specimen), sharks, jellyfish and stingrays. Interesting facts about marine mammals are presented in the interactive Dolphin Discovery and Right Whale Quest exhibits. Daily dive shows and animal feedings take place, and an educator is on hand to answer questions and offer insight. Guests have opportunities to touch marine animals including stingrays, horseshoe crabs, anemones, sea stars, sea urchins and bamboo sharks. Kids can have some outdoor fun in the Adventure Reef Playground.

The Megalodon: Diving with North Carolina's Ultimate Predator exhibit features 3-D animations of the prehistoric shark species and a 6-foot-tall replica of a Megalodon jaw.

Food is available. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.