Shell-abration: Tortoises Turn 50
Two remarkable tortoises hit the big 5-0, and we’re shellabrating them all month long!
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Two remarkable tortoises hit the big 5-0, and we’re shellabrating them all month long!
They’ve been part of the Cleveland Botanical Garden for five decades — quietly charming visitors, outlasting trends, and proving that slow and steady really does win the race.
Yes — there will be party hats.
Daily Activities in May
- Scavenger hunt with tortoise sticker prize, Madagascar Biome
- Themed crafts: Make-your-own yarn turtle, Hershey Children’s Garden or Perennial Play Space
- Meet the Tortoises Creature Feature (daily, 1 – 2pm), Madagascar Biome
- Special Photo Ops with Tortoises on Fridays, 1 – 2pm, Madagascar Biome
Birthday Party – May 30, 11am-1pm
- Scavenger hunt with tortoise sticker prize, Madagascar Biome
- Themed crafts: Make-your-own yarn turtle, birthday hat and tortoise shell, (Clark Hall or Perennial Play Space)
- Tortoise games, Clark Hall
- Collectible t-shirts and more available for purchase in the Garden Store
- Dance party with DJ Kris Koch, Clark Hall
- Meet the Tortoises Creature Feature (1 – 2pm) featuring Tortoise “Spa Day” & special photo ops, Madagascar Biome
- At noon, guests are invited to gather in Clark Hall to sing “Happy Birthday” to the tortoises and enjoy cupcakes (while supplies last).
Here’s more to explore at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Hershey Children’s Garden
Children can become immersed in hands-on activities like: The Hershey Children’s Garden was one of the first of its kind in the country when it opened in 1999, and it... more
The Garden Store
Our carefully curated collection features original, one-of-a-kind, and locally made gifts and garden goods that change with the seasons—and that you won’t find anywhere else. Our friendly staff is always... more
Gateway Garden
The garden’s pronounced seasonal nature offers brilliant bulbs in spring, eye-popping annuals in summer, and showy fall foliage, berries, and bark textures. There’s even a waterfall and small pond. The... more
The Ron and Lydia Harrington Perennial Playspace
The Cleveland Botanical Garden has welcomed a new permanent exhibit, The Ron and Lydia Harrington Perennial Playspace, overlooking the towering plants and trees in the Glasshouses. The Botanical Garden team... more
Geis Terrace
Host all your get-togethers and garden parties on the welcoming Geis Terrace. It’s the perfect spot for an al fresco lunch with family or happy hour with friends. Seasonal plantings... more
Return of the Butterflies
Enter a world of tropical butterflies, beginning April 1, 2026! A fan favorite returns with a burst of color: Return of the Butterflies at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Step into... more
CK Patrick Perennial Garden
Our ever-changing path indulges your senses with a collage of hues and textures. One day you might spy a group of towering foxtail lilies, and a month later come across... more
Artwork on Display
Current artwork on display as of June 2026 Planet Joy (May 30 – July 5) Planet Joy is a collaborative art studio that encourages adults with developmental differences to explore their... more
Costa Rica Glasshouse
Our towering trees, ever-blooming shrubs, and rich vegetation offer a lovely, tropical retreat. In this area, bromeliads, delicate orchids, and lush vines cling to every surface. Our avocado, coffee, papaya,... more
