1. Discover Cleveland’s Attractions
Set in the heart of the mid-west, Cleveland offers a myriad of varied attractions, from the well-known, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to the lesser-known, such as the Crawford Automobile and Aviation Museum. The second-largest city in Ohio makes it convenient to catch all the best attractions as most are located within a 10- to 30-minute drive downtown. Visitors and residents alike will enjoy visiting one or more of these Cleveland museums, parks, and other historic sites.
2. Tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland’s premier tourist attraction lives up to the hype. Since 1995, music fans have paid homage to the greatest artists in the genre by exploring exhibits dedicated to legends like the Rolling Stones, The Who, and Bruce Springsteen. From handwritten lyrics, original touring costumes, and documentaries, the multi-leveled museum highlights the major moments and artists in rock history.
3. Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Address: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
Phone: +1 216-661-6500
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo presents a chance to see everything from armadillos to zebras, including the Australian Wilderness exhibit, and the Rain Forest habitat with over 10,000 different plants and animals. On Mondays (except holidays), Cuyahoga County residents can enjoy free entry, making it an appealing outing.
4. Tour the Western Reserve Historical Society
Address: 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106-1703, USA
Phone: +1 216-721-5722
This society showcases how Cleveland’s benefactors lived during the Gilded Age of the late 1880s. The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing boasts over 30,000 fashion items from the late 1700s to today, providing a detailed glimpse into the past.
5. Explore the Universe at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Address: 1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Phone: +1 216-231-4600
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, located in Cleveland’s University Circle area, is a treasure trove of over 4 million specimens. Exhibits include dinosaur bones, natural gemstones, fossils, as well as extensive collections pertaining to Ohio’s diverse plant and animal life along with archaeology.
6. Smell the Flowers at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
Address: 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Phone: +1 216-721-1600
The Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in the city’s University Circle neighborhood, features a magnificent glasshouse and ten acres of diverse outdoor gardens, including a special children’s garden, a rose garden, a woodland garden, and a formal Japanese garden.
7. Learn at the Great Lakes Science Center
Address: 601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Phone: +1 216-694-2000
The Great Lakes Science Center, located at Cleveland’s Northcoast Harbor, offers visitors a chance to “learn by doing” with over 400 hands-on exhibits. You’ll find features primarily focused on technology, the environment, the human body, as well as the Great Lakes. There’s also an adjacent OMNI-MAX theater that showcases intriguing films.
8. Listen to Classical Music at Severance Hall
Address: 11001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106-1796, USA
Phone: +1 216-231-7300
The home of the Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall is an architectural gem. The neoclassical façade and the fanciful Art Deco interior never fail to delight. Concerts are held all year round, featuring an array ranging from classical masterpieces to thematic performances.
9. Tour William G. Mather Museum
Address: 601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Phone: +1 216-694-2000
The William G. Mather Museum is set inside a retired 1925 Great Lakes bulk freighter, permanently docked and open to visitors. It serves as an invaluable resource for learning about the historical significance of life and commerce on the Great Lakes.
10. Admire Classic Cars at Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Address: 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Phone: +1 216-721-5722
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, established in 1963, showcases 200 classic automobiles including 80 cars manufactured in Cleveland, as well as motorcycles, bicycles, boats, aircraft, and more.
11. The Christmas Story House
Address: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
Phone: +1 216-298-4919
The “A Christmas Story House,” located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, was the main set for the beloved 1983 Christmas movie, “A Christmas Story.” The house, newly restored, opened as a tourist attraction and museum in 2006.
12. Walk Around the Cleveland Greenhouse
Address: 750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108, USA
Phone: +1 216-664-2512
Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, located near University Circle, offers free admission and showcases a stunning collection of exotic and native plants. Notable highlights include extensive exhibits of orchids, tropical plants, spring bulbs, and holiday displays.
13. Climb Inside a Submarine
Address: 1201 N Marginal Rd, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA
Phone: +1 440-832-9722
The U.S.S. Cod is a retired World War II submarine moored at Cleveland’s North Coast Harbor. This National Historic Site is unique as the only preserved submarine open to the public, allowing visitors to navigate through its hatches just as sailors once did.
14. Buy Food at West Side Market
Address: 1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Phone: +1 216-293-9830
The West Side Market, at the edge of Ohio City, is a cultural and culinary gem. Opened in 1912, this market combines beautiful architecture with vibrant produce, meat, poultry, and dairy sections, perfect for gathering picnic supplies or enjoying a leisurely stroll.
15. Tour Dunham Tavern
Address: 6709 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103-3913, USA
Phone: +1 216-431-1060
Dunham Tavern, built in 1824, is Cleveland’s oldest building still on its original site. The museum features period art and furnishings and hosts temporary exhibits that enlighten visitors about the city’s rich history.
16. Catch an Exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 11400 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Phone: +1 216-421-8671
The Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art hosts a full schedule of temporary exhibitions each year, highlighting emerging international artists as well as notable figures from Northeast Ohio.
17. Learn About the Ocean at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Address: 2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Phone: +1 216-862-8803
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium features over one million gallons of water and marine life. Visitors can explore exhibits highlighting both local Lake Erie fish and exotic species from around the world.
18. Play at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland
Address: 3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115-2503, USA
Phone: +1 216-791-7114
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland provides an interactive space for kids and adults to learn and have fun together, featuring diverse programs in science, art, and nature labs, along with the exciting Adventure City for children.
19. Shop Local Artisans at Hale Farm and Village
Address: 2686 Oak Hill Rd, Bath, OH 44210, USA
Phone: +1 330-666-3711
Hale Farm and Village, adjacent to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, features working artisans and local livestock, showcasing over 40 artisans selling handcrafted wares, including glass, pottery, and iron crafts.
20. Learn Local History at Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Address: 2929 Richmond Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122, USA
Phone: +1 216-593-0575
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage educates visitors about the Jewish community in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, featuring interactive exhibits and recorded oral histories. The stunning museum is built from Jerusalem limestone, providing a beautiful cultural experience.
21. Gamble at Horseshoe Casino Cleveland
Address: 100 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Phone: +1 216-297-4777
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, located in the historic Higbee’s Department Store building, offers a vast 300,000 square feet of gaming, restaurants, and lively atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
22. Tour Lake View Cemetery
Address: 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Phone: +1 216-421-2665
Lake View Cemetery, founded in 1869, is a 285-acre scenic park hosting over 102,000 graves, including those of notable figures such as John D. Rockefeller Jr. and inventor Garrett Morgan. The cemetery’s beautiful layout and historical significance make it a fascinating place to explore.
