Summer in Cleveland: Activities for Every Interest
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.
I love summertime in the Midwest. After a long, dreary, seemingly endless winter, it’s time to finally get outside and get some fresh air. After being cooped up (sometimes for months on end), it’s nice to get active outside as opposed to a stuffy gym. Although I love the snow and winter in general, I have to admit Cleveland’s winter season is way too long even for me. That being said, I did find plenty of great events and activities to keep me interested all season.
Fortunately, this area really shines during the summer season thanks to an expansive Metroparks system, as well as close proximity to Lake Erie beaches and the underrated Cuyahoga National Park. With summer just around the corner, I have compiled my guide to the best activities, no matter where your personal interests lie. Note: this guide includes some activities which require a daytrip (don’t worry – the beautiful beaches are well worth the short drive!).
For animal lovers: Explore the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
One of the things I like best about this city is the wonderful zoo. I quickly bought a membership and continued to use it throughout every season. The zoo is spacious, the animal enclosures are really well maintained, and they have a lot of great exhibits including a Tiger Passage with overhead walkways and Asian Highlands featuring snow leopards and red pandas.
I love the tree-lined walkway up to the Primate, Cat, & Aquatics house: it’s really steep and a great workout (note you can also take a free tram). I also love the indoor rainforest which is currently being remodeled an expanded into a larger Primate House.
As a season pass holder, I enjoy visiting all year, but summertime is the most enjoyable time. The weather is more comfortable, the vibe is livelier, there are plenty of places to picnic, and there are tons of trees surrounding the grounds so it feels more like a park experience. You can also enjoy a scoop of Honey Hut, a local ice cream chain which sources ingredients from Ohio farms.
One great summer event I recommend checking out is the Asian Lantern festival. It gets pretty busy, but it’s really cool to see all the illuminated displays and enjoy some Asian themed treats.
Location: 3900 Wildlife Way. Pricing: $23.50 adults, $21.50 seniors, $19.50 ages 2-11. I highly recommend a membership if you live in the area as it will pay for itself after just a few visits. Pricing current as of 2026.
Fun for the entire family: Sweetie’s Golfland & Candy Company
One of my favorite things to do during the summer season is play mini golf. It’s a fun activity for all ages. Sweeties is a popular 18 hole course (with 2 different courses available) which features lush natural surroundings. It’s only 8 bucks more to play both courses, so a great budget friendly activity. There is a lot of shade here thanks to the many trees, so you can golf even on the hottest days.
You will also find some cute candy themed decorations throughout. After a few hours of fun, you can check out Sweeties, “the largest candy store.” They serve every new and old-fashioned candy you can possibly imagine. Plus, they also serve tasty ice cream. Golf and ice cream on a hot summer’s day: a great way to beat that Midwestern heat! They are open pretty late (9 on the weekdays and 10 on weekends) so you can play when the sun goes down.
Location: 6770 Brookpark Rd. Pricing: $11 for 18 holes, $19 for 36. Early bird deal: Mon-Fri 10-2pm: $9.50 for 18 holes. Pricing is current as of summer 2025.
If you like to hike: Explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park
About 30 minutes outside of the city, you will find one of the country’s most underrated national parks. I never even know there was a national park in Ohio until my first roadtrip to the metro about 10 years ago. After moving to the area, hiking at this beautiful park (throughout the summer and fall months) became one of my favorite things to do.
The big attraction here is Brandywine Falls, a 60 foot waterfall which can be accessed via a moderate 1.5 mile loop hike or a short walk along a boardwalk trail (the upper portion is ADA accessible). It’s easily one of the most scenic waterfalls I’ve seen thus far in the Midwest and the hike is not overly challenging. Note: there is also a shorter boardwalk stroll from the parking lot for anyone not up for a long hike.
For those up for more of a challenge, the steep, woodsy, and less crowded trek to Blue Hen Falls is a quieter alternative. For those more interested in biking, a portion of the Towpath trail runs through the park.
Location: I recommend starting your visit at the Boston Mill Visitor Center, located at: 6947 Riverview Rd. in Peninsula. You can get your National Parks Passport stamped here, learn more about the park, and talk with rangers.
Also, I usually stop for a cup of joe and pastry at Peninsula Coffee house. It’s located on my route, and even though they don’t serve the best coffee, their deck is so beautiful! I love seeing all the beautiful trees and river while I wake up with a cup of joe.
If you like sweet treats: Treat yourself to a homemade scoop of ice cream or custard
Surprisingly, there are a lot of ice cream shops around the metro despite it only being warm for a few months out of the year. Most notably, East Coast Frozen Custard has been a favorite of locals since 1985. They are known for their super thick “concretes” which are available in various flavors like turtle, birthday cake, and cookie dough. They also serve shakes and sundaes. I am not a huge fan of custard, but I loved the variety of flavors available and old-school ambiance.
One of my favorite spots in the metro for delicious ice cream in a beautiful setting is PineCone in North Royalton. They serve a variety of homemade flavors of hand dipped ice cream in a rustic country setting.
You can enjoy your scoop (or 2) in a cup or waffle cone. Milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits are also there to tempt you. The cookie dough is my go-to and Mike loves the Lake Erie Salt Mine. I love sitting on the rustic swing chairs outside as I enjoy a rare sweet treat. Right next door, you can shop for plants and unique gifts at Maria Gardens.
Location: 10301 W 130th St, North Royalton. Tip: While you are in the area, check out Fore Corners mini golf. This course is affordable, never overly crowded, and nicely landscaped. It’s an easy 5 min drive from the ice cream shop.
If you like biking: Check out the wonderful Towpath Trail
This lengthy 90+ mile trail follows a scenic course along the Ohio and Erie Canalway. There are many starting points, so you can plan a route based on your current fitness level. Because it is mostly flat, it is great for jogging or biking. Also, most sections are ADA accessible. A scenic 20 mile portion travels through the national park.
What’s really cool is that the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a bike aboard program where you can bike out to your comfort level and then enjoy a discounted train ride on the Railroad. They will load your bike for you and it only costs 10 bucks. There are various train stations along the route. Most of the trek is woodsy with some water views throughout, and it’s a fun day out for the whole family. The Bike Aboard program is now called The Explorer Program.
Mike and I checked it out the Explorer program for the first time last summer. We biked from the Boston Mill Visitor’s Center to Indigo Lake which was about 6 miles. This is the perfect distance in my opinion for a nice workout and then you can relax on the train back to the visitor’s center. Be sure to check the schedule in advance so you are not waiting too long. We forgot to check but fortunately only had to wait about a half hour.
Tip: Stop at Szalay’s Farm & Market (conveniently located right along the route) for a sweet treat. They serve fruit sundaes, fresh squeezed lemonade, and corn on the cob.
If you like waterfalls: See a rare waterfall that flows into Lake Erie
There are several small waterfalls you can check out in and around Cleveland. One that really stands out to me is Columbia Beach Falls. What sets this one apart from others is that instead of being located in a woodsy forest, it flows into Lake Erie! It’s quite a site to see especially after a powerful storm when the flow is strongest.
Location: 25436 Lake Rd, Bay Village.
Tip: While you are in the region, I recommend driving (5 min) over to Bradstreet’s Landing, which features a historic pier you can walk across. Also, there is a small rocky beach with lots of seaglass (I have found some of my best pieces here!).
If you love nature & wildlife watching: Explore Cleveland Metroparks
The city is home to an award-winning Metroparks system. It’s nice to have such a massive amount of space dedicated to outdoor recreation so close to a major city. It’s honestly one of the best parks systems I’ve seen and I have lived in a lot of different places. I would consider the access to all these wonderful parks the main perk of living here.
There are hundreds of miles of hikes to enjoy, as well as kayaking, fitness courses, cycling, golfing, mountain biking, and horseback riding which you can enjoy at various park entrances.
A few of my favorites:
Mill Creek Falls overlook: No hiking is required to see this 48 foot waterfall, the largest in the county. Pretty impressive! Note: there are signs stating that car break ins are common so definitely protect your valuables.
Big Creek Reservation: This gem in Parma Heights is never overcrowded. It’s an amazing place to birdwatch and you will see so many deer if you arrive early enough. It’s so woodsy and beautiful with lovely creek views throughout. There is a 2.5 mile trail which connects Lake Abram to Lake Isaac.
Brecksville Nature Center: This is a peaceful gem where you can really get lost in nature. I usually hike the 1.5 mile Hemlock Trail. It’s a bit of a challenge due to many steep sections, but I can skip the gym for the day! You can check out my guide for more details on all the great amenities here.
North Chagrin Reservation: Home to Buttermilk Falls and several miles of hiking trails.
Learn more about Cleveland Metroparks
If summer to you means the beach: Explore the Lake Erie shoreline
One of the best parts about living in or visiting this city is the easy access to beautiful Lake Erie beaches. My top pick for active types is Edgewater which is located just minutes from downtown. First off, the skyline views are fantastic here. Second, there is a portion of the beautiful Cleveland Bikeway that travels along the lake. Third, you can get your picture next to one of 6 iconic script signs.
There’s lots to do here including a 1000 foot long beach with the western portion open to dogs. There are volleyball courts set up and a Honey Hut ice cream stand. Other amenities include: a fishing pier, kayak rentals, and picnic tables. Best of all, at the western edge of the beach (called Perkins), you can hunt for treasured seaglass. This type of smooth glass that resembles gems is basically discarded trash which has had years to tumble and eventually smooth out completely. Lake Erie in general is a hotspot for seaglass: you can read about my favorite beaches for collecting “nature’s gems.”
Another beautiful beach is Huntington Reservation with the only drawback for some being a steep staircase to get to the beach. This one is very scenic and a great place to birdwatch. I’ve also found quite a few sizeable seaglass pieces here. Lots of room to swim, scenic picnicking areas, and paddling access are just a few of the amenities here.
If you like old-school downtowns: Plan a daytrip to Vermillion, Chagrin Falls, & Medina
There are a number of charming old-fashioned Main Streets easily accessible from Cleveland and the suburbs. My favorites include:
Chagrin Falls: This is one of the more popular spots with tourists thanks to its’ shining star: a waterfall right off Main St. There are also a number of interesting local shops (including a great little bookstore I frequently pop in) and several independent coffee roasters and local restaurants. Yours Truly is a decent breakfast destination and Heartwood is a great local coffeehouse. For lunch, you can’t beat the scenic setting at 17 River Grille.
Medina: Another great little downtown. There is a beautiful gazebo, lots of great novelty shops (I love shopping for retro collectibles at Operation Fandom), a cute local coffeeshop called Cool Beans, as well as a popular year-round Christmas attraction called Castle Noel (I have not been here yet, but it sounds interesting).
Vermillion: My favorite Main St., this one is a bit further than others on this list. It’s the best small town on Lake Erie. On Main St, you will find local cafes, galleries, treat shops, and boutique shops. Definitely stop in the Woodstock Cafe if you love the 70’s. I love the quaint little beach here with the adirondack chairs and the classic lighthouse: it reminds me of New England.
If you like sports: Attend a Browns pre season game
Preseason Browns games begin in August. Tickets are available in August starting at just 9 bucks (check this year’s schedule for exact dates). This is a really great deal to be able to enjoy an NFL experience at such a low price point. As regular season tickets can cost hundreds, seeing a pre-season game basically allow you to enjoy the same experience at a fraction of the cost.
Mike and I attended our first pre-season games a few years back. As Chicago natives, we jumped on the opportunity to see the Bears play the Browns!
If you like food festivals: Taste of Tremont festival
You will find a number of interesting cultural festivals on any given summer weekend. One of my favorites is the Taste of Tremont, held in late July each year. This is a really cool event for first time visitors as you can sample so many local foods in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. They had everything available here, from tacos, to empanadas, to Greek gyros.
Plus, there are a ton of great local coffeehouses in this area to check out (I like Roasted and Civilization) and of course, the iconic house from A Christmas Story (open for tours).
Other popular summer fests include:
- Tremont Greek Festival: A memorial day celebration going strong for 40+years.
- Larchmere Porchfest: An annual June musical festival featuring over 30 local bands.
- Summer Solstice: A colorful annual June event put on by the fantastic Museum of Art.
- Garlic Festival: Featuring dozens of local vendors with everything garlic on the menu including beer!
