Ohio’s many rivers, lakes and streams make the Buckeye State a natural choice for an aquarium. In fact, the state has three such world-class facilities, including the brand-new Greater Cleveland Aquarium. These water museums make great places for a family outing, and young and old can always learn something new about Ohio’s many water creatures.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
The newest of Ohio’s aquariums, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened just outside of downtown Cleveland in January of 2012. Located in the historic Cleveland Powerhouse Building just across the Cuyahoga River from downtown, the Aquarium features 10 exhibit areas and 35 tanks. Highlights include the extensive area devoted to aquatic animals and plants found in Ohio’s lakes, rivers and streams, and the SeaTube, where visitors can actually walk in the middle of the shark tank.
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission (2012 prices) is $21.95 for adults and $15.95 for children ages 2 through 12. Children under 2 are free. Note: the Greater Cleveland Aquarium does not permit strollers inside the exhibit area.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
2000 Sycamore Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
216 862-8803
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Located northwest of Columbus, a part of the well-regarded Columbus Zoo complex, the Columbus Aquarium is known for its 192,000-gallon manatee aquarium, one of just two such facilities outside of Florida, as well as its Discovery Reef coral reef exhibit, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Other highlights include the reptile house and its collection of endangered snakes.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open seven days a week, year round. Hours vary by season. Admission to both the zoo and the aquarium (2012 pricing) is $14 for adults, $10 for those age 60 and older, $9 for those ages 2 through 12 and free for children under age 2.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
9990 Riverside Drive
Powell, OH 43065
800 666-5397
Greater Cincinnati’s Newport Aquarium
Yes, it’s technically located in Kentucky, but the Newport Aquarium is just a short drive away from Cincinnati, across the Ohio River, and features a host of aquatic animals native to the Buckeye State. The huge facility features 70 exhibits in 14 galleries, including five acrylic tunnels that allow visitors to walk “inside” the tanks. Highlights of the Newport Aquarium include the Ohio riverbank exhibit; the Frog Bog, with more than 20 species of frogs from around the globe; and Penguin Palooza, a cold-weather habitat that houses more than a dozen species of playful penguins.
The Newport Aquarium is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission (2012 pricing) is $23 for adults and $15 for children ages 2-12. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free.
Newport Aquarium
One Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071
859 261-7444
Other Travel Articles by Sandy Mitchell
Ten Unusual Road Trip Stops in Ohio
Where to Stay in Ohio’s Wine Country
Winter Festivals in and around Columbus Ohio