Greater Cleveland Aquarium — Aquarium in Cleveland

Greater Cleveland Aquarium and its collection

Greater Cleveland Aquarium, opened in 2012, is an aquarium in Cleveland, United States.

It occupies the old FirstEnergy Powerhouse on the west bank of the Cuyahoga in the Flats, and opened in January 2012 with about 70,000 sq ft of display space. There are 55 displays, grouped into nine themes of local and exotic fish. It is the only stand-alone independent aquarium in the state, and its opening closed a 26-year gap in which the city had none.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include garden eels, snowflake eels, Giant Pacific octopus, cownose stingray and sandtiger shark.

Exhibits

Its exhibits include Coastal Boardwalk Gallery and Coastal Gallery.

Things to do

Things to do include stingray touchpool and seatube.

Conservation and approach

More than a dozen organisations take part in the SPOTD turtle programme, the aquarium's Splash Fund among them. That work is directed at spotted and Blanding's turtles, both threatened in the region.

What the venue says

• 11,000-gallon coastal boardwalk touch pool
• There is no cafe on-site. The Ticket Counter does have a list of nearby restaurants. Snacks are available in the Gift Shop and picnic lunches can be packed for outdoor eating at available picnic tables on warm days.
• Propark Mobility operates a large, credit card-only parking lot directly in front of the Powerhouse. Take a ticket when you enter and pay on exit (usually $3-6 per car). There is also limited neighboring street parking available.
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium is completely wheelchair accessible.
• Strollers are permitted.
• A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed daily.
• The Aquarium welcomes handlers with trained service dogs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).