Last week my family found ourselves on a beach vacation during Tropical Storm Elsa. Luckily, all Elsa had in store for us was a bit of rain and some windy conditions. We knew Thursday would not be a good beach day, so we planned ahead and purchased tickets to North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. We were glad we purchased them early in the week because by Thursday they were sold out.

Alligator – photo Kayla Gladfelter

We have been to many aquariums, some large, like the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and others tiny. This one is somewhere in the middle.

What I liked about this aquarium was it was set up by the different areas of North Carolina, showcasing wildlife indigenous to the mountains, the marshes and the coastal areas.

Saltwater marsh – photo Alli Cullen

We enjoyed seeing huge tanks with large fish and sharks and small tanks with jellyfish. Kids young and old enjoyed the touch tank with stingrays.

Elsa did stop bringing us rain long enough to let us explore the walking paths outside through the saltwater marsh. There we saw big white egrets and tiny frogs smaller than a dime hopping on the ground.

My favorite was a Lionfish that appeared to be posing for my picture.

I would definitely recommend a visit if you’re ever in the Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle area of North Carolina.

— Tracey Cullen, art director

Fish closeup! – photo Kayla Gladfelter

Eastern Diamondback – photo Tracey Cullen

Seahorse – Tracey Cullen

Turtle – photo Alli Cullen

Spiny lobster – photo Alli Cullen

Lion fish photo- Tracey Cullen

Julie, Brayson, Kayla and Matt Gladfelter at the touch tank with stingrays – photo Tracey Cullen

Jellyfish – photo Kayla Gladfelter