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The North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier are in the running for USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award for best aquarium.

“The Aquariums are asking for visitor support by going online and voting for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest,” stated a press release from North Carolina Aquariums. “Vote once per day for your favorite until voting ends on Monday, May 23 at noon ET.”

“We’re honored to find that the North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier are being recognized in such a way,” said Maylon White, director of the North Carolina Aquariums division. “This is such an amazing way to acknowledge the hard work and care that every staff member and volunteer puts into what they do every day.”

The North Carolina Aquariums, which include aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, on Roanoke Island as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, are competing head-to-head with aquariums such as The Florida Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium and the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

“In 2019, the North Carolina Aquariums placed seventh in the nation. In 2020, the Aquariums were closed to the public for six months yet still cared for thousands of species of animals. Then in 2021 the N.C. Aquariums placed fourth in the nation,” stated the release.

“There are so many extraordinary Association of Zoos and Aquariums members on this list,” White said. “We are honored to be in such esteemed company. All these aquariums do outstanding work in conservation. I think this nomination recognizes how North Carolina has stepped up to the national level focusing on animal care and conservation.”

Travel experts for the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award contest select 20 nominees in different categories covering food, lodging, destinations, travel gear, things to do and more, then it’s up to the public to make the final decision by casting a vote once a day for each category. Voting closes on May 23 at noon and winners will be revealed on June 3. The public may vote online for one nominee per category, per day.

Vote for the North Carolina Aquariums at www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-aquarium/.

Advance tickets and member reservations to the North Carolina Aquariums may be purchased online at bit.ly/NCAquariumsTickets. For more information about the North Carolina Aquariums visit www.ncaquariums.com.

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