Day 1 - The Flats and Aquarium

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium 

We started the day off at the Great Cleveland Aquarium, which is located in the flats of downtown. Driving downtown, we were both very excited to finally see the aquarium that we had heard so much about. We had heard through T.V commercials and radio broadcasts what a great aquarium it was and we went in with expectations which were soon deflated when we first walked into the brick factory-looking building. The people who worked there were all very friendly and seemed to be very committed to making sure we had a good experience. However, we found there to be a dull variety and the water to be overall cloudy and dirty looking.

Here are some pictures of the display cases we took!

The water usually appeared very cloudy, especially in the touch tank.

The display cases were surrounded by old brick, and the transition from different sections of the Aquarium were broken apart with brick tunnels you had to walk through. It provided a very industrial feeling to the exhibit, 

Personally, we had expectations of the Aquarium being much more modern. Here was one really cool part of the Aquarium at the end. The shark tank and sea tube were much more modern looking, and the glasses were really big so you could stand right next to the sharks!

There was also a tube you could walk through at the end that was surrounded by water and fish. This was our favorite part because not only could you see the sharks, but there was a really good variety of fish there. Also, when the sting rays swam above the glass over your head, you could see their faces so closely! It was really cool.

Overall, it took us about 20 minutes to walk through the entire exhibit. We were not impressed until the end, and considering tickets cost $21 dollars, we were somewhat disappointed. However, the Aquarium was placed in a good area right next to the Nautica Pavilion and popular restaurant, Shooters. We spent the rest of our day walking around the flats, exploring local restaurants and shops. 

Cleveland is still trying to expand and rebuild the flats, an area that was once very popular and lively in the 80's, by creating the Flat's East Back Project. This project will help build a riverfront boardwalk with a lot of restaurants, retail, and housing units. According to Cleveland.com, the opening is expected to be sometime in spring of 2013. (Source:http://www.cleveland.com/pdrealestate/plaindealer/index.ssf/2011/03/the_flats_east_bank_project_clevelands_waterfront_revitalization_is_now_underway.html)

The area is definitely great, and Cleveland has a huge advantage by being placed next to a Great Lake. We look forward to see the flats continue to grow!