This small, charming aquarium is located inside the Concord Mills Mall. You won’t find staff riding dolphins or whales jumping through hoops, but you will find thousands of aquatic creatures including graceful rays, a gorgeous display of jelly fish, small sharks and an elusive octopus.

Your family can explore interactive touch pools and walk under a 360-degree ocean tunnel with rays and sharks swimming by. Talk and Feed Times happen throughout the day, presented by educators (ask about the schedule when you arrive). Try to catch the Octopus Enrichment presentation when the team feeds and trains the giant Pacific octopus daily at 2:15 p.m.

The Charlotte Aquarium is accredited by the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), which maintains rigorous standards.

Hours
Open Monday through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.