NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores sits on North Carolina's Crystal Coast and spans more than 30,000 square feet across five exhibit galleries — Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters, and Ocean. The aquarium opens its spaces for private events ranging from intimate daytime meetings to full evening buyouts, hosting weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, and more. Soundside Hall, the aquarium's signature event space, measures approximately 37 by 50 feet with a high cathedral ceiling, a working fireplace, and an adjoining wooden deck overlooking Bogue Sound. It accommodates up to 125 guests for banquets, ceremonies, and receptions. The Big Rock Theater seats 150 and is equipped with a large-screen AV system for presentations, lectures, and small-scale performances. Evening gallery rentals extend the experience further: the Saltwater Galleries — including the 306,000-gallon Living Shipwreck exhibit — host private events for up to 175 guests alongside the aquarium's resident sea life.