A Day at the South Carolina Aquarium
Story and Photography by Mark A. Leon
In the coastal town of Charleston, South Carolina where charm and warm Southern etiquette are part of our DNA, it is fitting that we have an aquarium pitted right on the Charleston Harbor that deems the same beauty and respect as the rest of our colony. Charleston is a place passionate about history, knowledge and marine biology. From the sharks to the gators, stingrays to starfish, the interest for aquatic life is one that fuels us with ambition, intrigue and desire. Even for those that have Southern blood through and through, the sighting of a dolphin or sea turtle is one filled with wonder.
As I walked through the floors of the South Carolina Aquarium with a spectacular view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and passing sailboats in the back, I was taken to a time of innocence when I was a little boy and all I wanted to do was see all the colors of the fish, touch them as they swam beneath the water and talk to them hoping through some miracle they would talk back and with the addition of new Lego displays, that feeling of childhood was intensified.
Whether you are five years old or eighty, there is a place for you at the aquarium. With wide open spaces, a staff that truly loves to teach and awe inspiring moments including an eight foot albino alligator and majestic bald eagle, you will not regret a day of escape and learning.
Come with me as we share a photo expose of a day at the South Carolina Aquarium.
Welcome to Liberty Square
Stingray
Spectacular view of the harbor
Proud bald eagle loves to pose
Otters have a soothing waterfall to put them to sleep
Lego otter
Lego frog
Alligator
Gator up close
A view poisonous snakes are lurking
Turtles just trotting along
Lego shark – Great photo opportunity
Go to the Shrimp Shack to purchase food to feed the outdoor water creatures
Bricks Alive – Where Lego and fish co-exist
Nemo and Dory playing in their Lego home
Love to pet the baby sharks
Starfish
The rich colors and style of the ocean life
We are all in school to learn
Just getting along
Lego dolphin – Sorry, no real ones
Belly flopping shark
Rich blues of the ocean floor
Just Flounering Around
You Lookin’ At Me?
Look Out! Its a Shark
Ollie’s Trading Post
Sea Turtle Love
If you have not visited, it is time to make your way, so round up the family and enjoy a day with the wonders of the water. If you have already walked the hallowed halls, why not remember why you loved it in the first place.
For locals, the SC Aquarium offers wonderful annual passes/memberships. Their new membership cards are now being produced with biodegradable material and make for a wonderful gift.
Charleston Daily
Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston. As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is. Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.
My son went to the corium day before yesterday his first time ever going he has been to the Ripley’s aquariums the ones at Myrtle Beach in the one in Tennessee he said the Ripley’s Aquarium is so much better he did not like the one in Charleston he is in 8th grade and 13 years old this is my son’s opinion since I’ve lived in Charleston I came one time to the aquarium and I felt the same way it is way overpriced deathly not worth the price to come inside not a lot of real action and that’s based on about 17 years ago when I seen it my son just seen it 221 17 and the way he explained it to me that he didn’t care for it it sounds like it’s the same from when I went around 17 years ago