Charlestonstylish in the south

Aimed at inspiring conservation, this waterfront aquarium extends 200 feet into the Charleston Harbor. Opened in 2000, the 93,000-square-foot building includes nine galleries and more than 5,000 aquatic animals, such as American alligators and loggerhead turtles as well as 12,000 specimens of plants. It is focused on highlighting the Southeast Appalachian Watershed including the mountains, the piedmont, the coastal plain, the coast, and the ocean regions. Feel as though you are kayaking through the saltmarsh tidal creeks of the low country at the Saltmarsh exhibit where you can also try your hand at feeding the 26 stingrays in the 6,000-gallon tank. For the little ones, Toddler Cove provides the ideal spot for climbing and playing with life-size aquatic structures built into a cushy floor. Don’t miss the rare Albino Alligator at the Blackwater Swamp Exhibit.