This is the final weekend the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be open for several years.
Why it matters: A lengthy renovation and expansion begins after Memorial Day that will give the already popular destination a new look and make it the state’s largest aquarium.
Zoom in: Today, the aquarium is home to around 200 species, many native to North Carolina’s waters, including sand tiger sharks, an albino alligator and, sometimes, sea turtles.
- Many of the fish and other animals. including two families of Asian small-clawed otters, will remain on-site throughout construction, aquarium staff said.
- Renovations will add a massive 400,000-gallon shark habitat, new touch tanks and more.
Driving the news: Construction breaks ground Tuesday. The state says it will take around 30 months, putting completion in late 2028.
- North Carolina has two other state-run aquariums, but Fort Fisher is the closest one to the Triangle.
- Fort Fisher’s Civil War-era historic site and beach access both will remain open.
By the numbers: The aquarium had about 474,000 visitors in 2025…