Feast and Frolic With the Animals at the North Carolina Aquarium this Holiday Season

By Claire Aubel

Atlantic Beach, NC - Give thanks for North Carolina’s diverse habitats and animals by visiting the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores over Thanksgiving week.

Throughout the week, the Aquarium offers a variety of hands-on special activities and free programs.

See the hidden side of Aquarium life in Behind the Scenes: Aquarium Close Encounters on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tour animal holding areas and labs, and help prepare food and feed animals.

Feast with the fishes and other creatures in Dinner with the Critters on Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Aquarium is closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, but reopens on Friday, Nov. 27, at 9 a.m.

Stick around for more indoor adventures on Sunday, Nov. 29. Spend the afternoon aiding in animal care, during the Aquarist Apprentice program from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Or, take a Behind the Scenes: Aquarium at a Glance tour from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

All special activities require a fee and advance registration. For program details, visit www.ncaquariums.com.
Free programs include:
• Daily Live Dive! shows at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the shark-filled Living Shipwreck
• Daily Animal Feeding programs at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Daily Creature Features at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. that offer a close-up and sometimes hands-on encounter with animals
• Toddler Time on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. Bring your tots and spend time doing crafts, games, music, puppets and live animals.
• Story Time on Friday, Nov. 27, at 9:30 a.m.
• On Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, watch three river otters feast and frolic during Otter Enrichments at 11 a.m.

The Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $8 for ages 18-61; $7 for ages 62 and up; $6 for ages 6-17; no charge for ages 5 and under and members of the North Carolina Aquariums. The Aquarium is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Atlantic Beach, NC 28512. See www.ncaquariums.com or call 252-247-4003 for more information.

Photo: Gather around the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and watch aquatic creatures feast and frolic. During Thanksgiving week, the Aquarium offers special activities and free daily programs. The Aquarium is closed on Thursday, Nov. 26.

To view North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores' web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-728-North_Carolina_Aquarium_at_Pine_Knoll_Shores