North Carolina Aquariums welcome military families with complimentary admission – OBX Today

North Carolina Aquariums welcome military families with complimentary admission - OBX Today
Dive show underwater salute to Veterans at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. (Submitted)

North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores and on Roanoke Island are excited to welcome and thank military families with complimentary admission on Monday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jennette’s Pier is offering complimentary walk-ons.

“Our staff, volunteers and visitors are honored to thank service members and their families at the Aquariums on Veterans Day. We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of these heroes and can’t wait to welcome them as our special guests for the day,” said Hap Fatzinger, director, North Carolina Aquariums.

The complimentary admission is extended to all veterans, active, reserve or retired of the U.S. military and their dependents. The Aquariums offer immersive and inspiring opportunities for visitors, from animal encounters to enrichment time—with staff including patriotic salutes during their activities.

The Aquariums require online reservations. Holidays and special days sell out quickly. For an exceptional experience, visitors are encouraged to plan their trip by reserving tickets at any of three NC Aquariums ahead of their visit:

NCA Fort Fisher

NCA Pine Knoll Shores

NCA Roanoke Island

Jennette’s Pier

The Aquariums also remind service members to pack military ID cards for themselves and their family members who qualify for the complimentary admission.

Before visiting any of our Aquariums, plan to be green:

  • Please bring your reusable water bottles and do not bring any single-use plastic cups, bottles, or straws. Our Aquariums offer convenient water refill stations.
  • Carpool to the Aquarium when you have a group visiting together, if possible.
  • Reserve your ticket online and use your cell phone to show us your reservation confirmation. No need to print anything!
  • The Aquariums are smoke-free, tobacco-free environments. E-cigarettes are also not permitted. Please don’t smoke, use tobacco or use an E-cigarette in the Aquariums, outdoor gardens or on boardwalks.
  • Use the receptacles in the designated smoking areas outside to discard cigarettes.
  • Pat yourself on the back for being a green champion!

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.