Summertime Fun

FREE Tuesdays! No kidding!

All youth 18 and under get free general admission to Great Lakes Science Center every Tuesday when accompanied by an adult. Offer does not include OMNIMAX Theater or Steamship William G. Mather.




Extreme Science Night: Father’s Day Edition
Saturday, June 18
7 – 11:30 pm

Bring Dad and enjoy a night of extreme science fun! See Facing Mars, tour the Mather Steamship, watch the OMNIMAX movie, Fighter Pilot, and enjoy lots of hands-on fun! $24 ($85 for a family 4-pack.) Reservations at 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.)


Great Summer Science Day Camps
June 13 – August 19

Summer camps are back! We offer week-long camps for grades K-8, preschool camps and the High School Summer Science Institute. With more than 30 camp themes and six different camp locations, there’s no end to the science fun! Don’t get left out. Register at 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.) Find out more about our summer camps here.

Supported by Lockheed Martin, Ohio Virtual Academy powered by K12, Medical Mutual, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Ohio Lottery and Cargill.

Space Sleepover
Family Overnight
Friday, July 29
7 pm

It’s all space, all the time! Launch stomp rockets, fly your own Mars glider, see NASA Glenn Visitor Center exhibits, watch the OMNIMAX movie, Destiny in Space, and explore the Facing Mars exhibition. Then grab your sleeping bag and spend the night. $39 ($35 members.) Register at 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.)

Amazing Science Spectacles

Watch a large-scale spectacle of science as our wild and wonderful staff educators perform incredible experiments that defy gravity…and common sense! Check daily schedule for Big Science Show times.

Supported by Connect a Million Minds, an initiative of Time Warner Cable.

Great Lakes Fun


Steamship William G. Mather
Now through October

Tour the ship that built Cleveland! Climb aboard this historic 618-foot Great Lakes freighter and explore its cargo holds, pilot house, guest quarters and engine room. Learn more about the Mather here.

Mather programming is supported by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

Rock and Boom
Monday, July 4
6 pm

Celebrate Independence Day from the decks of the Steamship William G. Mather and tour the boat. Fireworks at dusk. Food sold on board. $12 ($10 members.) Space is limited. Reservations at 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.)

Air Show Deck Party
September 4 – 6
10 am – 5 pm

View the 2011 Cleveland National Air Show from the decks of the Mather Steamship. Food sold on board. $15 ($12 members.) Reservations at 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.)

Great Lakes Adventure Week
July 4 – 10

Dive into a week of Great Lakes fun! Enjoy lake-themed activities, special programs, guest scientists, microscopic investigations and more. Free with paid admission to the Science Center.

Lake Erie Sails
July 7, 8, 9, 10
1 pm, 3:30 pm, 6:30 pm

Take a two-hour sail aboard the schooner, Appledore IV, and learn about basic ship functions, knot tying and Lake Erie ecology. Reservations recommended. Space is limited. $47 per person ($34 members.) Groups of 10 or more $34 per person. Includes admission to the Steamship William G. Mather. Call 216-621-2400 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm.)



OMNIMAX® Magic


Born to Be Wild
Now through September 5

Experience an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This engaging film features orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them - saving endangered species one life at a time. Get dates and show times here.

Summer Movie Discount

Show your Cuyahoga County Public Library card at our box office and get $2 off Born To Be Wild. Good for up to 4 discount admissions per library card. Valid through September 5.

Born To Be Wild Displays

Visit Cuyahoga County Public Library and see the Born To Be Wild displays on view at all 28 branches during the month of June. Each display showcases books, DVDs and CDs related to animals in the wild.

Tornado Alley
Now through September 5

Fasten your seatbelts for a thrilling OMNIMAX adventure as you witness a tornado's destructive power at point-blank range. Experience the life of a storm chaser and learn about one of the world's most extreme weather phenomena. Featuring storm chaser Sean Casey. Get dates and show times here.



Space Adventure

Special Exhibition – Facing Mars
Now through September 5

Would you leave behind your family, friends and familiar surroundings to risk your life on a three-year mission to Mars? Explore 28 entertaining and thought-provoking exhibits designed to ignite your imagination. Learn more here.

Facing Mars is produced by the Ontario Science Centre. This local presentation is made possible by Continental Airlines, Ohio Virtual Academy powered by K¹², and Ohio Lottery. This exhibition is generously funded by the residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.


NASA Glenn Visitor Center

Discover more than 50 space-themed exhibits. See the actual Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module, check out a real moon rock, maneuver a remote-controlled lunar rover and more. Find out more here.




Space Adventure Week
July 25 – 31

It’s all space, all the time! Blast off for a week of space-themed events, programs and workshops.

On Monday, July 25, meet two NASA astronauts—Greg H. Johnson and Mike Fincke—who flew with the STS-134 crew this past May! Check daily schedule for times.

Take a “tour” of the Apollo Capsule; enjoy new rocket demonstrations and paper plane activities; check out our lunar cart and experience what Mars soil feels like; see the OMNIMAX movie, Hubble (daily at noon) and see the debut of our new space-themed Big Science Show!

Programs are free with paid admission to the Science Center. Regular OMNIMAX fees apply for Hubble. No advance reservations required.