10 Must-Do’s in Cleveland, Ohio
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Most notably, Cleveland is famous for being “the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll.” Cleveland Disc Jockey Alan Freed is credited with first using the phrase on a radio show in the 1950’s. Today, you can explore the history of rock and roll at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of the city’s most iconic attractions. The city is also known for its’ beautiful award-winning park system, close proximity to Lake Erie Beaches, world-class art institutions, rich sports history, and its’ burgeoning food scene, recently ranked #7 in the country by Travel and Leisure.
While I have taken several roadtrips to Cleveland, I never really knew much about the city until I moved here. The past year, I have spent every weekend taking in the city culture, exploring popular attractions, hiking, and testing out local restaurants. Highlighted below are a few of my Cleveland must-do’s, in no particular order.
1. Tour A Christmas Story House & Museum
One of the most timeless holiday films is “A Christmas Story,” a box office failure in 1982 which now airs 24/7 every Christmas Eve. With so many memorable lines (“You’ll shoot your eye out!”) and iconic moments (the leg lamp, the bunny suit), it’s easily one of the most recognizable Christmas films. The colorful yellow house may be just as memorable. I grew up watching this movie in the 80’s and 90’s (way before it became popular), so I really enjoyed learning about the filming process and funny tidbits about the cast. Everything looks exactly the same as it did in the film, right down to the leg lamp in the window! For more details about house tours, the attached museum and gift shop, and pricing visit my full guide to exploring the A Christmas Story house.
2. Explore the Cleveland Museum of Art
One of the country’s premier art museums is located right in Cleveland. And best of all, it will cost you nothing to visit asides from a small parking fee. I usually can find free street parking on weekend mornings. The collection is quite extensive and includes over 45,000 diverse works. You could easily spend several hours exploring, making this a great bang-for-your-buck activity. The museum is most well known for its’ large and impressive collection of Indian, African and Southeast Asian art, although just about every culture is represented. Particularly impressive collections include: Modern European painting and sculpture, Medieval Art, Japanese Art, and Art of the Americas. The modern art collection is pretty impressive – I love the Warhol piece below!
3. Enjoy fun-in-the-sun at Edgewater Park
Cleveland’s park system is pretty impressive. In 2021, it was even awarded the National Gold Medal “Best in Nation” Award for Excellence in Parks. With over 24,000 acres to explore, you will never run out of outdoor activities. Edgewater Park is a gorgeous choice come summertime. With 9000 feet of shoreline, beaches, bike trails, fishing piers, and picnicking facilities, it’s the best place to enjoy some fun-in-the-sun. A gorgeous section of the Lakefront Bikeway travels through this lively park. Fabulous views of the skyline and lake keep you company the entire way. Also, be sure to take your pic next to one of the famous Cleveland script signs.
4. Bike the Towpath Trail
For those who prefer to get in a fabulous workout, even on vacation, the Towpath Trail is where you will want to start your journey. The lengthy 90+ mile trail follows the route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. 20 miles of the trail passes through the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National park, another must-see during your time in Cleveland. The highlight of this trail is a Hike & Bike Aboard program where you can hike, bike, or run to your comfort level and then ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad back for the reduced price of only 5 bucks. Simply flag down the train at any boarding station along the route.
5. Stroll around the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Although it does not receive as much press at the more popular big city zoos, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is pretty impressive. The zoo is home to over 3000 animals including 500 diverse species. The spacious 200+ acre zoo is beautifully landscaped with a number of really impressive exhibits including an indoor rainforest, a beautiful tiger exhibit featuring overhead walkways, and a world-class African Elephant Crossing (the zoo’s largest exhibit to date). Special events to look out for include a festive winter holiday lights celebration and a colorful Asian Lanterns festival.
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