Play At The Childrens Museum Of Cleveland
Childrens Museum of Cleveland | Photo by Melissa Moore
After two years of renovations, the all new Childrens Museum of Cleveland reopened in late 2017 in its new midtown location. Now housed in the Stager-Beckwith mansion, the museum has three floors of exhibits.
In the Wonder Lab, children get to play with water, certainly a favorite for most kids. Tots squeal with glee as they watch ball after ball shoot upwards on streams of water. Another highlight is the adjacent Adventure City which provides places for tykes to build, pretend, and climb. Upstairs in the Making Miniatures exhibit, families can go on a hunt to find the museum symbol in more than a dozen dollhouses.
Cuyahoga Valley National Scenic Railroad
One of the more unique things to do in Cleveland with kids has to be exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Its one of just a few railroads operating within a national park!
Spot wildlife, enjoy the surrounding nature, and relax as you take in the scenery together on a ride with the CVSR. Scenic rides are available all season, and the they also offer themed rides and events. While there are some events that cater to adults such as Ales on Rails and Trivia on the Train, they offer kid-friendly rides, too, with the most popular being the Polar Express Train Ride during the holidays.
Hours: The train is running Wednesday-Sunday June-October in 2021. Exact times vary you can check the schedule here.
Pricing: Prices range from $15-28 for adults and $10-23 for children.
Parking: Boarding for CVSR ticketed rides happens either at Rockside Station or Akron Northside Station. Both stations have large parking lots, and parking is free.
Accessibility note: The CVSR does have one handicap accessible car with a lift, but youll need to call to make sure its available/being used on your desired trip.
COVID-19 update: The train is back up and running but at 50% capacity now. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Read more here.
Hike In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
You may be surprised to find an area of unspoiled natural beauty so close to Clevelands urban center. Cuyahoga Valley has been the focus of a massive restoration project in the last few decades.
The scenic Brandywine Falls are Cuyahogas most popular attraction but there are plenty of other nice sights to see. The Beaver Marsh wetlands are a good place to spot a diverse array of wildlife. Ritchie Ledges and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail are both worth exploring.
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Chill In Market Square Park
The small but centrally located Market Square Park is a bustling spot in the city. It is surrounded by bars and restaurants so theres always something going on here.
The Cleveland Bazaar is held in Market Square Park usually twice a month through the Summer months. It is a great place to shop for handmade and unique items and meet independent artists and crafters from the area. here you can pick up everything from jewelry and spooky stuffed toys to artisan hot sauce!
Go For A Hike In Ohio’s National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park isn’t notable just for being the state’s only national park, but it’s also one of the most accessible national parks in the country near a major city. Just a short drive outside of Cleveland, one of the primary draws of the park is the 21-mile Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail that follows the Cuyahoga River. There is a lot of breathtaking nature in northern Ohio, but it’s hard to beat the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley with its waterfalls and historic farms. Spring and summer offer warm weather and swaths of flowers, but the fall foliage or sledding in the winter truly make this a four-season destination.
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Live It Up At Jack Cleveland Casino
Are you feeling lucky? Try an evening of games and entertainment at JACK Casino Cleveland. Based in the beautiful and historic Higbee building in the downtown district, JACK Casino has over 100 table games, 30 poker tables and hundreds of slot machines.
The Casino also has three bars and regular live entertainment. You wont struggle to find somewhere to spend your money here. Grab a taste of the high life at Jack Casino during your visit to Cleveland.
Spot Wildlife At Rocky River Reservation
The Rocky River Reservation, as you might have guessed, is spectacularly rocky. Its steep shale cliffs form beautiful gorges surrounded by dense forests and lush wetlands. The area is home to a variety of bird species and visitors may be able to spot the native white-tailed deer.
One of the visual highlights of the park is Berea Falls which, when viewed from the right angle, are framed by three attractive stone bridges. The Reservation has plenty of good boardwalks and walking trails to explore.
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Walk Around The Cultural Sights Of The City
Cleveland, like many US cities, is packed full of cultural sights. So the first thing you should do to get a feel for the place is just to stroll around its centre, lapping up the monuments and taking in the history of it all.
Simply walking around is a good way to get to grips with the city is a great thing to do in Cleveland. Theres the University Circle area and all its grand buildings and the Wade Oval with its various museums. Then there is the Uptown area complete with Cleveland Institute of Art and the Severance Hall . The city centre is very walkable and there are a few great walking tours you can join led by locals who can tell you about the cities past, present and place in the world.
Treat Your Kids To A Day At Cedar Point
Located on the banks of Lake Erie, Cedar Point is an old school amusement park, but by old school, we mean the 1870s. Ah, the 70s what time to be alive. Its actually the second oldest amusement park in the United States of America and even features some original attractions not from the Victorian era, though.
Theres the 1964 Blue Streak rollercoaster, the Cedar Creek Mine Ride from 1969, and the Corkscrew, which dates back to 1976. For more modern offerings, hit up Steel Vengeance . Basically, this park is where its at for adrenaline-pumping fun, and is definitely one of the best things to do in Cleveland with kids. Dont worry if youve got younger children: theres plenty of things for younger kids, too.
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Explore The William G Mather Steamship
Part of the Great Lakes Science Center, the William G. Mather Steamship was the flagship cargo vessel of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company. Built to transport goods to ports throughout the Great Lakes, the ship was built in 1925 and operated until 1980.
The William G. Mather measures 618 feet in length and has been restored to its original condition. It is now a museum ship where visitors can get a feel of what it was like to work on these ships which are considered so important to the industry of the Great Lakes area.
Fun Things To Do In Cleveland With Kids Family Friendly Activities
- Christina Rado
Being the largest city in Ohio, Cleveland sure has a lot of adventures and attractions for kids waiting to be explored by your family.
Cleveland was founded by Gen. Moses Cleaveland in 1796 and soon grew from being a port city to a major manufacturing center.
After the world wars, Cleveland was the major city to have risen from the ashes and was declared to be the best location in America.
This gave birth to its lively sports and music scene, while its economic recovery in the 80s saw the establishment of various cultural institutions that you should visit.
Here are fun things to do in Cleveland with kids if this sounds like your next family vacation.
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Explore Your Rustic Side At A Working Farm
Stearns Homestead
Stearns Homestead is just 30 minutes outside of Cleveland in the suburb of Parma and one of the most bucolic excursions you can take in the Cleveland area. The working farm dates back to the 19th century and the historic houses are now museums detailing the agrarian lifestyle that the area was once known for. What kids love, however, is picking up some animal feed to give to the resident horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, and chickens. The farm is only open on weekends from May to October, weather permitting.
See The Butterflies At The Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Do you have a budding gardener on your hands? Cleveland Botanical Garden lets kids get down and dirty with over 350 species of exotic plants! Opened in 2003, the Glasshouse has a two-story butterfly habitat where the delicate-winged creatures soar and flutter overhead.
In the Hershey Childrens Garden, a giant tree house offers a birds eye view of the outdoor gardens while allowing kids to use their imaginations racing up and down the stairs. Hidden paths lead to fairy gardens and even a kid-sized bird nest.
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Nasa Glenn Research Center
If you have a budding astronaut, scientist or space engineer in your family you can arrange to take them on a fascinating tour of the Glenn Research Center, which offers public tours once a month from April through October. You will need to book your tour well in advance as these very popular tours are often sold out. Your 45 minute tour of the research center combines fun and education and will take you to selected non-classified areas of the center to see how the scientists and engineers develop and use various aeronautics to continue the amazing NASA space programs. Please note that these tours are only available to American citizens and green-card holders with valid ID.
NASA Glenn Research Center Tours, 21000 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44135, Phone: 216-433-4000
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Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Cleveland became home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, recognizing and celebrating those who have had an influence on the development of rock and roll. The building is located on the shore of Lake Eerie with seven levels of exhibits and attractions. An array of things to read, see and interact with will keep the entire family entertained.
- A café is located within the building
- The top two floors feature temporary exhibits, so be sure to check out what is on display when you visit
- Group packages and rates are available
- Check the website for details regarding special events, performances and inductees
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114 781-7625
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Nasa Glenn Research Center Tours
NASA Glenn Research Center Tours allow visitors to explore the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, located at Lewis Field near the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. As one of 10 primary NASA field centers, the center was established in 1942 and is home to a B-2 Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility, which houses the largest space-environment vacuum chamber in the world, and a National Historic Landmark-designated Zero Gravity Research Facility. Between April and October, the center offers free guided public tours once a month, lasting approximately 45 minutes and offering participants a chance to explore the center’s primary facilities. Visitors must sign up in advance for tours by emailing the center with participant information and must receive a confirmation email to guarantee tour spots.
21000 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44135, Phone: 216-433-4000
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Get Spooked At The Buckland Museum Of Witchcraft & Magick
The United States very first museum to Witchcraft and Magick was started by Raymond Buckland way back in 1966. The collection used to be displayed in the basement of his home but has since expanded into its permanent home in Cleveland.
Visitors can see artifacts from notable pagans and occultists such as Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley including ceremonial jewelry, crystal balls and even, purportedly, a demon in a box. Guided tours of this fascinating museum are available.
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How To Get To Cleveland With Kids
We purchased a round trip flight to Cleveland from Los Angeles on Spirit Airlines. We had no issues with our flight on both legs of the journey.
We traveled on a red eye flight which is our favorite way to travel because the kids can sleep the whole night, we get there early in the morning and then we have a whole day to explore the city.
Traveling with kids and looking for tips, then make sure to click the links below and read more:
Things In Cleveland: March For Lives Pride Martian 5k Cle Market
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NFL QB and former Ohio State standout died this morning after being hit by car
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Best Hostel In Cleveland The Cleveland Hostel
The Cleveland Hostel is a bit of a cool enclave. Staying here means big communal lounges, large private rooms, and sizeable dorms. Theres a ton of places to hang out, meet fellow travelers, and cook yourself up a meal in the shared kitchen. The best thing about this cool Cleveland accommodation has got to be its awesome rooftop terrace complete with views of the city, of course.
Play At Various Parks With Playgrounds
There are several parks throughout the city of Cleveland and the surrounding area that have great playgrounds. And we all know that sometimes all kids need is to run around on a playground for a while.
Some parks with good playgrounds in/around Cleveland include:
- Fairview Park This park in Ohio City has a baseball field, playground, and a mini water park. Its also right next to Kentucky Gardens, which is a beautiful community garden space.
- Lakewood Park It has a playground with play structures, as well as a skatepark, tennis and volleyball courts, and even a pool.
- Liberty Playground Located in Independence, this large playground has many play structures, climbing walls, slides, and a new area designed specifically for kids aged 2-5.
- Broadview Heights Playground & Splash Pad The fully enclosed playground has fun play structures, and the splash pad operates during the summer months.
- Prestons H.O.P.E. Playground Park This park in Beachwood is unique in that its a fully-accessible playground for kids of all ages and abilities.
- Every Childs Playground Located in Avon, this park has all sorts of fun things to play on, including a zip line, a rock wall, and some nature trails.
These are only a few of the several parks around the city that include a play area for children. If they just need to run around and wear themselves out, any park is always a good idea!
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Best Things To Do In Downtown Cleveland
Playhouse Square
Broadway is to New York City what Playhouse Square is to Cleveland. It is the largest performing arts center in the nation outside of New York. Think about that again. Playhouse Square is the second-largest performing arts area in the USA. In Cleveland.
See the 5 original magnificent theaters . The crystal-encrusted outside chandelier.
All within walking distance of each other and this vibrant downtown Cleveland neighborhood.
Stop at Corbos bakery before or after the show for a true Italian treat. Or, consider eating at . Before the show.
Broadways greatest continue to perform here. Ive seen The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, A Christmas Carol and countless more since I was a member of the Broadway Series for years.
If you are into theater, you need to check out Playhouse Square.
1501 Euclid Ave.Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Script Cleveland Signs
Youve seen the script signs, right? No visit is complete without taking your picture at least by one of them!
Currently, there are 6 Cleveland Script signs around town.
Find them at :
Go ahead and have some fun and see if you can find them all.
William G. Mather Steamship
Part of the Great Lakes Science Center, the Mather Steamship is a restored 618-foot historic ship where you can see what life was like onboard a working Great Lakes freighter.
Built in 1925, see how this ship helped transform Cleveland into an industrial giant. Marvel at the pilothouse, the guest quarters and the large cargo hold.
East 4th Street
