Travel to Ohio’s Beautiful Aquariums

Ohio’s many rivers, lakes and streams make the Buckeye State a natural choice for an aquarium. In fact, the state has three such facilities in the world, including the new major Cleveland Aquarium. These water museums make great places to get out of the house, and young and old alike can always learn something new about Ohio’s many waterways.

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Ohio’s newest aquarium, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, opened outside downtown Cleveland in January 2012. Located in the historic Cleveland Powerhouse Building across the Cuyahoga River from downtown, the aquarium features 10 exhibit areas and 35 tanks. Preludes include a wide area of ​​animals aquatic plants found in Ohio’s lakes, rivers and streams, and seas; where visitors actually walk into the center of the lake.

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open daily from 10:00 a.m. at 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 allow walkers inside the exhibit space.

Cleveland Aquarium
2000 Sycamore Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
216 862-8803

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Located in the heart of Columbus, part of the well-regarded Columbus Gateway complex, the Columbus Aquarium is known for its 192,000 gallon manatee aquarium, one of only two facilities outside of Florida, and its Discovery Coral Reef exhibit, one. the largest of its kind in the United States. Other highlights include the reptile house and its collection of endangered snakes.

The Columbus Tickets and Aquarium for seven days week, year round. Hours vary by season. Admission to both the zoo and the aquarium (2012 pricing) is $14 for adults, $10 for those over 60, $9 for ages 2 through 12 and children under 2.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
(9) 190 Riverside Drive
Powell, OH 43065
800 666-5397

Greater Cincinnati New Port Aquarium
Yes, it’s technically located in Kentucky, but the Newport Aquarium is a short drive from Cincinnati, across the Ohio River, and a host of aquatic animals native to the Buckeye State. The facility features a massive 70 lines in 14 galleries, including five acrylic tunnels that allow visitors to walk “inside” the tanks. Highlights of the Newport Aquarium include the Ohio riverbank exhibits; Frog Bog, with more than 20 species of frogs from around the globe; and Penguin Palooza, a cold-weather habitat that is home to more than a dozen species of playful penguins.