Where to Stay in Charleston
ARRIVE BY CAR, BUS OR MOTOR COACH

Note for buses or motor coaches: to safely comply with Charleston tourism laws, please follow the directions below:

FROM I-26 EAST
  1. Take  I-26 to the end and follow the signs to the Meeting Street/Visitors Center exit.
  2. Merge right onto Meeting Street approximately 10 blocks to Calhoun Street.
  3. Turn left onto Calhoun Street, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
  4. Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street
  5. Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for the motor coach pick-up and drop off.
FROM HIGHWAY NORTH (WEST ASHLEY)
  1. Take Highway 17 North across the Ashley River Bridge, and follow the signs to Calhoun Street.
  2. Turn left onto Calhoun Street.
  3. Stay on Calhoun Street approximately 15 blocks, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
  4. Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street
  5. Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for the motor coach pick-up and drop off.
FROM HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH (MT. PLEASANT)
  1. Follow Highway 17 South across the Cooper River.
  2. Take the East Bay Street/South Carolina Aquarium exit.
  3. At the light, turn left onto East Bay Street and follow to Calhoun Street.
  4. Take a left onto Calhoun Street.
  5. Stay on Calhoun Street 2 blocks, the parking garage will be located on your left just before you reach Aquarium Wharf.
  6. Buses Only: Continue to Washington Street
  7. Turn left onto Washington Street and follow the signs for the motor coach pick-up and drop off.

 

Convenient Parking

A parking garage operated by the City of Charleston is located at 24 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
Metered parking is located along Washington Street and Concord Street.

CARTA DASH

Trolleys stop at the Aquarium every day.
Click here for trolley map and times.

HANDICAP PARKING AVAILABLE

The Aquarium is dedicated to meeting the needs of our visitors. Call (843) 720-1990 for more information about handicap accessibility and other special needs.

In order to serve all our guests, the South Carolina Aquarium is committed to providing engaging experiences for everyone, no matter their ability, so they will have a full Aquarium experience.

STROLLERS

Strollers will not be available to rent at this time. Strollers brought into the Aquarium must remain with guests at all times.

WHEELCHAIRS

Wheelchairs are available for free checkout at Admissions and at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Users must leave a photo ID as a deposit to check out a wheelchair. The Aquarium has two elevators and our exhibits are accessible by wheelchair. Our Feed the Rays and Feed the Fishes: Behind the Scenes Experience are both wheelchair accessible.

PARKING

Parking is available in the Aquarium Garage. The entrance is located on Calhoun Street between Washington and Concord Streets at 24 Calhoun Street. Accessible parking is available on all levels – with spaces for larger vehicles on the first floor.  If you are driving and would like to drop off a passenger, the Fort Sumter roundabout will get you closest to the Aquarium’s entrance.

SENSORY RESOURCES

The Aquarium has sensory bags, modified maps, weighted lap pads and a series of Aquarium Stories available to guests. Sensory bags are equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards. It also includes a modified map of the Aquarium that indicate “headphone zone” areas, as well as areas with a more calm and secure atmosphere. Sensory bags can be checked out and returned at Admissions and the Information Desk located just inside the main entrance for use during the visit. Expedited entry can be arranged by calling (843) 577-3474 (FISH). Users must leave a photo ID as a deposit to check out a Sensory bag. For resources or to learn more about the Aquarium’s commitment to sensory inclusion, click here.

SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY

Service animals are permitted for visitors that require them. Service animals are defined as dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls. For the health and safety of your animal and ours, service animals are restricted from our behind the scenes tours.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT/COMFORT ANIMAL POLICY

For the health and safety of your animal and ours, emotional support, comfort and/or therapy animals are not allowed at South Carolina Aquarium.

NURSING ROOM

Please feel free to nurse anywhere you are comfortable. A private nursing room with a baby changing table is located just past the restrooms, near the Classrooms and Sea Turtle Snack Bar. The nursing room is disinfected regularly.

CHANGING TABLES

Changing tables are located in both the men’s and women’s restrooms.

ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS

Accessible restrooms are located on the first floor of the Aquarium across from the gift shop near the main entrance. While we do not have a family/companion restroom, we will do our best to provide accommodation in any way we can. Please see the Information Desk for assistance.

STRAW POLICY

The South Carolina Aquarium offers paper straws at our Sea Turtle Snack Bar. Stainless steel straws are available for purchase in the Gift Shop. Plastic straws are not provided due to animal health concerns. Please pack one if needed.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDS)

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are located throughout the Aquarium.

PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS

Guests that require a paid personal care attendant (PCA) may be accompanied by them at no additional cost during their visit to the South Carolina Aquarium. This applies to all ticketed events, aquarium admission and programs that the visitor is attending.

Guests that require Personal Care Attendants who wish to purchase advance tickets for ticketed events, aquarium admission, membership and group sales should contact (843) 577-3474 (FISH) or [email protected] to request a complimentary companion ticket for a paid PCA. The visitor and the paid PCA must pick up these tickets at will call in person at the point of entry.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

American Sign Language interpreters can be arranged at no additional charge for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. We require at least two weeks’ notice to make arrangements. To request this service, please contact us at [email protected] or (843) 577-3474 (FISH) (voice call).

CLOSED CAPTIONING

Closed captioning is available on many pre-recorded videos throughout the galleries. Scripts are available at the Information Desk for videos that do not have closed captions.

If you have other questions or would like information about additional accommodations, please contact us at [email protected] or (843) 577-3474 (FISH).

Membership pays for itself in just two visits!
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