Update: Congratulations to commenter 14, Jennifer M for winning the tickets!
On Saturday morning the crew was up early for a Blogger breakfast at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. I was thrilled when I got the invite because although we’ve been to the Aquarium before, it was on a holiday (read: crowded) and the opportunity to explore at a more leisurely pace was exciting. In the first 4 months of operation the Aquarium has had over 200,000 visitors, not bad for Cleveland’s newest attraction. I’m also impressed in how Marinescape NZ Limited and Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. creatively used the existing space and worked to bring new life to the Flats. I’m all for the city re-inventing itself and the Aquarium is a wonderful example on how to do that.
After breakfast with Heather and her girls we got to see a baby alligator up close in an Animal Encounter before we were let loose among the tanks.
The freshwater tanks are close to the ground which Madman loves. He spent a solid 20 minutes running from tank to tank, excitedly pointing and yelling. His favorites are the freshwater stingrays – I finally had to drag him away to see the rest of the exhibits.
I’m sure the lobster tank is one of the most photographed exhibits in the Aquarium. It’s above you as you pass from one exhibit to the next and makes great use of the building’s existing architecture. Madman was pretty impressed.
Of course the best part of the Aquarium is the 11,000 gallon touch tank where you can get familiar with everything from sea urchins to cow nose sting rays. Matilda and Pauline’s kids had a great time practicing their “two-finger touch” petting technique with the playful rays.
The final exhibit is the super-cool underwater tube which is the shark tank. Be prepared to make a few loops through this exhibit because each time you’ll see something different. From trying to find all 15 sharks to watching the stingrays “flock” it’s always changing.
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is adding great activities and events all the time, including yoga (we crashed the end of the class when we arrived but what a peaceful and relaxing place to practice!), overnights, and a sweet fly-fishing clinic on Father’s Day. If you become a member (passholder) you also get access to extended hours and special events.
Here’s the fun part – the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has provided me with 4 tickets to give away to my readers. Just leave a comment below telling me your favorite fish/sea creature. Giveaway ends June 21, 2012 at midnight where one commenter will be chosen by random.org. Good luck!
Disclosure: I was invited to a Blogger breakfast and free tour of the Aquarium. As always, my thoughts are 100% my own. I only share events that my family plans to attend or has attended in the past, so I know they are worth the visit.
Ka-Ka-Ka-Katy 
I think my favorite ocean creature is the state fish of Hawaii (just because I have fun saying it with the kids)…Humuhumunukunukuapuaa
I love watching all the fish just swim around. Very relaxing to see them and the kids love to watch the sharks and marvel at all the colors of the fish.
I love the stingrays. The Baltimore Aquarium has a giant tank with them and we would sit forever watching them. The girls would flip if they could touch them.
I can’t wait to check out this one when we come up next.
I love sea turtles! From the huge turtles to the tiny baby turtles, I love watching them swim around or peek up from the water from underneath lily pads. I’ve haven’t been to the CLE Aquarium yet so I would love to win!
My favorite is the giant spider crab.
I’ve always been a fan of the puffer fish – more proof of Mother Nature’s sense of humor.
We’re big fans of salt water fish like clown fish and tangs. My husband has a 150 gallon salt water tank in our basement rec room. We never pass up a chance at an aquarium!
The sea horse is my personal favorite. It even has its own folk song called Seahorse by Devendra Banhart.
I love watching jellyfish! They look like they are from another planet.
We love turtles and would love to win these tickets!
Mt favorite see creatures are the clown fish and the blue dories? NOt sure on there real name ha this because it reminds me of my sister who oassed from CF back in December anytime she was in the hospital we would pop in this movie if she was having a bad day or in a lot if pain always wanted to take her here but they did not open In time:(
the stingrays! haven’t made it out to the aquarium yet and would love to check it out!
Love sea stars (formerly known star fish, my 3 year old informed me :)!!! Haven’t been to the aquarium yet, so hope we get our chance soon!
I love sharks!
I love me a shark! 😉
I love anything in a touch tank! Especially horseshoe crabs, they’re living fossils!
Very cool that you got to go to that event! The baby alligator is adorable. How do you find out about events like this one?
My fave are the stingrays!
Oh now I would love those tickets.
My favorite ocean creature is a dolphin. (How I miss Sea World here!)I can watch them for ages. Though honestly find most ocean critters pretty intriguing, even the ugly and gross ones. haha
My favorite sea creature has to be the dolphin!
Thanks for the post!