The 3 Best Aquariums in Ohio

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Ohio—but the ones at Toledo Zoo and Columbus Zoo are quite impressive as well.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Updated on Jun 10, 2022
If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to spend the day, you could visit one of Ohio’s wonderful aquariums. The Toledo Zoo, Columbus Zoo, and Greater Cleveland Aquarium all offer excellent aquatic adventures—and contribute to global conservation efforts. 
Despite being landlocked,
Ohio
has plenty of opportunities to learn about earth’s oceans and the creatures that call it home. If you’re planning an underwater adventure at one of the Buckeye State’s aquariums, then the only real question is, which one should you visit? 
Always eager to make your life easier,
Jerry
—the
car insurance
comparison
super app
—has put together this list of the three best aquariums in Ohio. In it, we’ll explore what makes each aquarium special and the important role they all play in preserving marine wildlife. 
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#1: Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 

Address: 2700 Broadway Street,
Toledo
, OH 43609
Admission cost: Adults (12-59)—$26, Children (2-11)—$23, Seniors (60+)—$23
What makes it special: 
The
Toledo Zoo
has an excellent
aquarium
that features over
3000 living specimens
housed in 178,000 gallons of water. Guests can see creatures and simulated aquatic habitats from all over the world. Some of the aquarium's most popular exhibits include: 
  • Blacktip Reef Sharks
  • Stingrays
  • The Giant Pacific Octopus
  • Green Sea Turtles
  • Moon Jellyfish that can change color
  • Flashlight Fish 
  • Various other bioluminescent creatures from the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean
  • Pacific Sea Nettles
At the aquarium, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the denizens of the deep at the Ocean Lab and the Touch Tanks. Plus, every day at 2:00 pm, you can watch as live divers descend into the tanks to feed the animals. 
While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the rest of the zoo—there are dozens of great
activities
,
events
, and
experiences
for you to enjoy, from the Aquarium Adventure Trail to the Safari Railroad Tour!
If you enjoy your visit to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, you can
become a member
to support the organization and earn unlimited free admission! 
Pro Tip Before you visit the
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
, make sure you’re familiar with their rules for visitors. Also, if you’re a resident of Lucas Country, bring a valid form of ID with your address on it—it’ll earn you a $2 discount off the cost of admission. 

Conservation efforts at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium carries out
conservation
programs
across the globe
to protect the lives and habitats of all sorts of wildlife. The zoo’s current major initiatives are largely focused on protecting the following animal populations:
  • Pink-Necked Fruit Doves
  • Monarch Butterflies
  • Tasmanian Devils
  • Polar Bears
Closer to home, the zoo also sponsors the
Wild Toledo Prairie Initiative
—a project aimed at restoring and preserving the area’s vital prairie habitats. 

#2: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Address: 4850 W Powell Rd,
Powell
, OH 43065
Admission cost: Ages 3-9—$18.99, Ages 10-59—$24.99, Ages 60 and up—$18.99
What makes it special: 
Another of Ohio’s best aquariums can be found at the
Columbus Zoo
. The marine facility there, known as the
Shores & Aquarium
, plays host to a wide variety of aquatic animals, from the Aldabra tortoise to the West Indian manatees
While you’re visiting the aquarium, don’t forget to check out Discovery Reef and Stingray Bay, where you can see the animals stretch their fins in larger enclosures. 
Pro Tip Columbus Zoo is another institution that offers residents a sizable discount. If you live in Franklin County, bring an ID with your address on it—you’ll save $7 on admission. 

Conservation efforts at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo is committed to furthering the cause of
conservation
by educating the public, providing financial support to its
partners
all over the world, and engaging in some
conservation projects
directly. 
One of the zoo’s main aquatic conservation efforts is to protect and rehabilitate manatees through their partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. 
The Columbus Zoo is also spearheading a new do-it-yourself conservation project to help change the way fish are collected for aquariums. You can read all about it
here

#3: Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Address: 2000 Sycamore St,
Cleveland
, OH 44113
Admission cost: Adults (age 13-99)—$19.95, Children (ages 2-12)—$13.95, Under 2 or over 100—Free
What makes it special:
The
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
is home to over 2,700 live marine specimens from 320 different species. The aquarium has
eight galleries
, each one housing multiple exhibits. The galleries are as follows: 
Each of these galleries offers guests the opportunity to see different animals and exhibits. But there’s even more to the aquarium than that—it also plays host to a nearly endless stream of exciting and entertaining
events
!

Conservation efforts at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium 

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium lends a hand to the
conservation effort
through its financial contributions with the
Splash Fund
, created in 2013. The Splash Fund supports several conservation initiatives, such as
beach cleanups
and the
Spotted Turtle Preservation
project.

What is the best aquarium in Ohio?

Now that you know a little bit about Ohio’s three best aquariums, let’s see which one you’ll enjoy visiting most. What Ohio aquarium is best for you will depend on what you’re hoping to get out of your trip. 
If you’re looking for the largest aquarium in Ohio with the most diverse aquatic population, you’ll want to go with the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. Although the aquarium in the Toledo Zoo technically has more living specimens, it’s still not quite as large. 
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for the aquarium with the most active role in conservation, the Toledo Zoo is going to be your best bet. 
Meanwhile, the aquarium in the Columbus Zoo is great for kids, field trips, and school-related events. 

How to save money on car insurance in Ohio

Finding the best aquariums in
Ohio
is pretty easy. Finding the best deals on
car insurance
, on the other hand, can be pretty tricky. 
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