Make your journey to the Aquarium as convenient as possible with these tips on navigating to our location, parking, transit options and bus lane information. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Navigating
To ensure the smoothest trip to the Aquarium, we suggest inputting the city-operated Aquarium Garage address as your destination. Using our physical address may cause some navigation systems to direct vehicles to a lane that is inaccessible to the public. Specific directions from major highways can be found at the bottom of this page.
Aquarium Garage
24 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Parking
The most convenient parking for Aquarium guests is a city-operated parking garage located at 24 Calhoun Street, adjacent to Liberty Square and our campus. There is also metered parking on streets surrounding the Aquarium. Please note: Both of these options are pay-to-park and are not operated by the Aquarium.
Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH)
If you’re enjoying a day in downtown Charleston and prefer to park elsewhere, CARTA runs a free shuttle service called DASH throughout the city. To ride to the Aquarium, board along Route 210.
Buses and Oversized Vehicles
Buses and oversized vehicles may park in the Bus Lane behind the Aquarium Garage. Please note: All oversized vehicles other than school buses must have a valid permit from the City of Charleston to park here. Learn more about permits here.
Turn left on Washington Street from Calhoun Street and follow signs for bus parking. If you would like to place exact coordinates into a navigation system, click below.
Accessibility
Thanks to a generous contribution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, an accessibility vehicle is available for Aquarium guests needing transport from the garage to our entrance. To arrange transportation, please call (843) 579-8507 after you have parked. While we make every effort to offer this service, we cannot guarantee transport will be available during your visit.
Directions From Major Highways
From I-26 East
- Take I-26 to the end and follow the signs to the Meeting Street/Visitors Center exit.
- Merge right onto Meeting Street approximately 10 blocks to Calhoun Street.
- Turn left onto Calhoun Street, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
- Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street.
- Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for bus parking.
From Highway 17 North (West Ashley)
- Take Highway 17 North across the Ashley River Bridge, and follow the signs to Calhoun Street.
- Turn left onto Calhoun Street.
- Stay on Calhoun Street approximately 15 blocks, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
- Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street.
- Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for bus parking.
From Highway 17 South (Mount Pleasant)
- Follow Highway 17 South across the Cooper River.
- Take the East Bay Street/South Carolina Aquarium exit.
- At the light, turn left onto East Bay Street and follow to Calhoun Street.
- Take a left onto Calhoun Street.
- Stay on Calhoun Street 2 blocks, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
- Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street.
- Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for bus parking.