CLEVELAND, Ohio — Entertainment and tourist destinations statewide were allowed to reopen with new safety guidelines in June.
But some family favorites are just now welcoming back visitors this month for the first time since the shutdown.
One of those places is the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
Nathaniel and Marie Duvuvuei brought their two little ones, Cecila and Lillian, to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium for a day of family fun.
“She loves seeing the stingrays and the sharks. Oh man we could sit at the sharks for hours,” said Nathaniel Duvuvuei.
It’s open once again after COVID-19 shut it down for three months.
“This is our first trek out into public, so it was difficult not having many things to do. Everything that we normally would do with our kids were closed. So, we spent a lot of time at home, but it’s nice to be out. Nice that it’s back open.”
Despite the closure to the public, General Manager Stephanie White said her team was busy 24/7 caring for the more than 300 species including more than 3,000 animals.
“We are here 365 days a year. We, with live animals have essential animal care team here whether the doors are open or closed, and so it’s very difficult,” said White.
Now, operating at 25 percent capacity could mean a financial struggle.
“During our busy spring break season the months that we were closed, we would have seen over 60,000 guests and visitors and over 5,000 school kids that would have been on field trips,” said White.
“Bring your families and bring your friends because seriously, to find an aquarium like this really you’d have to travel for like 13 hours to go see one,” said visitor Steven Kubofcik. He came to the aquarium to celebrate his 30th birthday.
Families, kids and adults alike love the up-close interaction with aquatic wildlife. The sharks, stingray touch pool, and 175 foot seatube walk are a big hit.
It’s been a calming environment and destination location near downtown Cleveland since 2012.
“Where you can really feel like the majesty of nature,” said Kubofcik.
For more information about tickets, hours of operation and new coronavirus regulations at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, click here.
