SPRING DISCOVERY DAYS

Saturday, March 11 – Sunday, April 16, 10am – 5pm

Did you know that dwarf seahorses are only about one inch long as adults or that little Eastern musk turtles emit a big odor to deter predators? Have you noticed there is no webbing between a green-and-black poison dart frog’s toes or seen the disk on a Northern clingfish’s belly that lets it suction tightly to slimy or rocky surfaces? While the ragged-tooth sandtiger sharks gliding through the Aquarium’s 230,000-gallon shark habitat are always going to make a big impression, we are inviting guests to stop and  appreciate some of the smaller species with contests, daily animal encounters and activities.

And, on Thursdays, March 16, 23 & 30 and April 6 & 13 from 11am – 3pm, Northeast Ohio traveling animal educator Nora the Explorer will give guests of all ages the opportunity to learn about, get close to and even touch some remarkable little critters.

Also, anyone who completes A Little Trivia online during Spring Discovery Days will be entered to win a prize pack ($250 value) that  includes a seahorse plush, a drawstring backpack, one-year Annual Pass (or extension on a current membership) and Aquarium-branded gear.

Spring Discovery Days Presenter Nora the Explorer: 

General $19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12), $0 (under 2)
Passholders FREE

Test your small species knowledge with A Little Trivia.

Each Homeschool Class offers 2 simultaneous sessions:
10:15am –11:30am (grades 4-8)
10:15am – 11:30am (grades K-3)

• Each session contains unique, age-appropriate activities.
• Sessions begin promptly at 10:15am, please arrive on time.
• Adults are expected to stay and participate in the program with their students.
• Class fee includes the program PLUS Aquarium admission for the full day. Please feel welcome to explore the galleries more thoroughly after class.
• The classroom will remain available for 30min following the program.
• Please feel welcome to bring and eat a packed lunch. Zero waste lunches are highly encouraged.

Advance registration is required. 

Student: $11
Passholder student: $8
Adult: $11
Passholder adult: $8
Sibling child (age 2-4): $11
Passholder sibling child (ages 2-4): $8

Guests younger than age 2 are free.

Investigate how living things have adaptations to help them get oxygen, find food, use water and seek shelter. Which animals breathe with lungs and which breathe with gills? Is there a fish that actually spits water to hunt? Who has the most impressive camouflage? Observe hundreds of amazing animal adaptations on a guided scavenger hunt through the Aquarium.

After working as a team to build both a freshwater and saltwater food chain, journey into the Aquarium to find out what animals eat. Learn how certain animals avoid becoming prey by utilizing venomous spines, poisonous glands, incredible camouflage and more. Explore what and how aquatic producers, herbivores, carnivores and omnivores eat. Discover how humans fit into the food chain too!

Sensory Friendly Saturday

Saturdays, April 22 & September 23, 9 – 10am

We are opening an hour early exclusively for guests with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences to provide an opportunity explore nearby lakes and faraway oceans in a comfortable and accepting environment. Not only will there be fewer guests but for that hour the Aquarium team also will limit the use of microphones, soften lighting and reduce noise to ensure a comfortable environment for all participants.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium was recently certified sensory inclusive by KultureCity, an internationally recognized organization that promotes an accommodating and positive experience for guests with sensory issues. To achieve certification, the Aquarium’s staff underwent training to recognize guests with sensory needs and handle sensory overload situations. KultureCity sensory bags outfitted with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards are now available to borrow as needed on a first-come, first-served basis. Dedicated areas also have been identified for those who may require a quieter environment.

$19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12), Passholders, children younger than 2 and working caregivers FREE

Passholder Urban Birding

Wednesday, April 12, 10am – noon

Join an Aquarium Educator on an Urban Bird Walk. Coinciding with the heart of spring migration, we’ll find as many birds as possible and contribute to citizen science as we log the data in real-time using the eBird app. Compare bird species in the industrial flats to lakefront property at Metroparks’ Wendy Park. The Aquarium provides binoculars and a guide to common birds in the area. Please dress for the weather, this event takes place outside.

Cost: FREE for Passholders

Duration: up to 2 hours

Total Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles

This is a FREE opportunity exclusively for Passholders. Make sure you are logged into your account to reserve $0 tickets or call 216.862.8803 x7717. 

Passholders are invited to take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes in freshwater, complete a craft with one of our team members, enjoy story time, get a complimentary photo from the photo booth or just enjoy the Aquarium without the first-time crowds.

FREE for Passholders with advance registration. (You must be logged into your member account online to access tickets.)

Fin Fest

Saturday, July 9 – Sunday, July 17

We’re putting a week-long spotlight on sharks to build a broader appreciation for the diversity, importance and plight of these FINtastic animals. We’ll do this by sharing shark-themed videos, trivia and more.

Saturday, July 9 – Sunday, July 17, 10am – 5pm

Sport shark gear! Show your shark shirt, shorts, socks, tie or hat in the Gift Shop and you can enter to win a $125 gift certificate. (daily, 10am – 5pm)

Show us what you know. Pick up an activity booklet with jaw-some word searches, animal facts and more. (daily, 10am – 5pm)

See if you can spot 4 species of shark. When you find them, snap a photo and tag @cleaquarium on social: brownbanded bamboo, nurse, sand tiger and sandbar. (daily, 10am – 5pm)

Meet our mascot, Finn! Snap a photo with a very friendly landshark. (Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm)

Can you tell the tooth? Identify shark teeth and get a shark temporary tattoo or sticker. (daily, 11am & 1:30pm)

Feed the Stingrays. Stingrays, like sharks, are cartilaginous elasmobranchs. Feed these shark relatives. (daily, 10:30am)

Watch a Shark Feed. (Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday, 2:30pm)

Learn from our shark-sperts. Join #cleaquarium aquarists for weekday @CLEAquarium Instagram Live mini shark talks.

• Monday, July 11 @ 9:30am – Shark Gallery Overview
• Tuesday, July 12 @ 9:30am – Shark Pole Feed Food Prep
• Wednesday, July 13 @ 9 :30am – Stingrays, Sharks’ Elasmobranch Relatives
• Thursday, July 14 @ 2:30pm – Behind-the-Scenes of a Shark Pole Feed
• Friday, July 15 @ 9:30am – All Things Shark 

Learn how our SCUBA team prepares to dive with sharks with a special online program. (Greater Cleveland Aquarium Passholders only, Wednesday, July 13 @ 3pm, free with advance registration)

SCUBA diver Stephanie explains why she and her colleagues find so many shark teeth AND how these teeth look and function differently depending on the shark species.

You might have seen the nurse sharks at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium cuddled up like they were having a daytime slumber party. What’s that all about? Get the lowdown on these interesting animals.

Brenton M. shows you what and how we feed the sharks. (Stick with it and you can see another Shark Gallery resident snag a treat.)

Not all sharks look like the ones you see in the movies. Aquarist Mallory H. tells you all about the brownbanded bamboo shark.

Why don’t the sharks eat their neighbors? Curator Ray P. answers one of guests’ most common questions about the Shark Gallery.

Learn about the different types of teeth our dive team finds in the Shark Gallery, explains how they function and and tests your knowledge.

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND

Saturday,  June 18 & Sunday, June 19, 9am – 5pm

Did you know Banggai cardinalfish fathers do not eat for weeks while they turn and guard eggs in their mouths or that male weedy seadragons carry eggs on the base of their tails? Learn more about the Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s residents’ parenting habits onsite with extended Father’s Day Weekend hours, an I SPY trivia hunt, special interpretive signage and a chance to win a one-year Family Pass (or a one-year extension on a current membership).  All fathers also receive a “jaw-some dad” button while supplies last.

General $19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12), $0 (under 2)
Passholders FREE