Plan Your Trip to Cleveland

Top Cleveland Attractions

Are you into sports, art or music? We’ve got it all. Below, browse a few family-friendly activities:

• Cedar Point Amusement Park
• Cleveland Botanical Garden
• Cleveland Guardians
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Cleveland Orchestra
• Great Lakes Science Center
• Playhouse Square
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• West Side Market

Don’t stop there! Visit Destination Cleveland for more ideas. 

And when you get hungry, check out a few of our favorite places:

• Adega at the 9
• Alley Cat Oyster Bar
• Bar 32
• Butcher and the Brewer
• Mabel's BBQ
• Marble Room
• Red Downtown
• Many more!

We also asked GPT-4 for some ideas on must-see Cleveland landmarks, and then asked as a follow-up for some off-the-beaten-path suggestions - and it was pretty spot on! Links and bolded text added by a human. 

Cleveland, Ohio, offers a variety of popular attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do in the city:

1. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: This iconic museum celebrates the history and impact of rock and roll music, featuring exhibits on legendary artists, bands, and memorabilia.

2. The Cleveland Museum of Art: Home to a vast collection of artworks from around the world, the museum features both permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as educational programs and events.

3. Progressive Field: Catch a Cleveland Guardians baseball game at this downtown ballpark, which offers great views of the city skyline and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 

4. Great Lakes Science Center: This interactive museum features hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.

5. Playhouse Square: As the country's second-largest performing arts center, Playhouse Square hosts a variety of Broadway shows, concerts, and other live performances throughout the year. 

6. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: With more than 3,000 animals representing 600 species, the zoo offers visitors the chance to see wildlife up close and learn about conservation efforts.

7. The Cleveland Orchestra: Enjoy a world-class performance by the renowned Cleveland Orchestra, which regularly plays at the stunning Severance Hall. 

8. Cleveland Botanical Garden: Explore the beautiful gardens and indoor Glasshouse, which features exotic plants, butterflies, and birds from around the world.

9. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium: Learn about aquatic life from around the globe at this unique attraction, featuring exhibits like a shark tunnel, touch pool, and interactive displays.

10. Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Just a short drive from downtown Cleveland, this national park offers hiking, biking, and birdwatching, as well as scenic views of the Cuyahoga River, waterfalls, and rolling hills.

Cleveland, Ohio offers several off-the-beaten-path attractions and hidden gems that are worth exploring. Here are some unique activities and locations to consider:

1. The Dittrick Museum of Medical History: This museum showcases the history of medicine, featuring fascinating exhibits like vintage surgical instruments and medical equipment.

2. The Cleveland Police Museum: Located in the Justice Center downtown, this small museum highlights the history of the Cleveland Police Department and its role in the community.

3. The Cleveland Grays Armory Museum: A historic armory and museum that focuses on military history, with exhibits on the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

4. Lake View Cemetery: This beautiful and historic cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Clevelanders, including President James A. Garfield. The Garfield Monument and Wade Chapel, with its Tiffany glass windows, are highlights.

5. The Transformer Station: A contemporary art gallery housed in a restored 1924 transformer station, showcasing photography and other forms of contemporary art. Note: This is currently closed. 

6. A Christmas Story House: Fans of the classic holiday movie can tour the home where much of the film was shot, as well as visit the neighboring museum dedicated to the film's memorabilia.

7. Cleveland Cultural Gardens: A series of beautifully landscaped gardens in Rockefeller Park, each representing a different ethnic group that has contributed to the city's diverse history.

8. The Velvet Tango Room: A hidden gem of a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge that offers handcrafted cocktails, live jazz, and an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere.

9. The West Side Market: Though not exactly hidden, the West Side Market is a Cleveland institution that offers a unique shopping experience, with vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other specialty foods.

10. The Arcade Cleveland: Another iconic Cleveland landmark, this Victorian-era shopping mall is not only architecturally stunning but also houses a variety of shops and dining options.

Additional Visitor Resources

In addition to Destination Cleveland, we recommend checking out the following articles for more on exciting things to do and see while in town.

• The Best Things to do in Cleveland, CNN Travel
• The Cleveland Bucket List, The Cleveland Bucket List
• 11 Best Things to Do in Cleveland, U.S. News & World Report
• 25 Best Things do Do in Cleveland, Family Destinations Guide

We look forward to showing you around!