Apart from being the home of one of the leading teams of the NBA, Cleveland has more to offer. Located along the southern part of Lake Eerie, the second-largest city in Ohio could truly offer different travel options for various types of tourists. Here are some of the best spots in Cleveland:
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
There are plenty of things to do in Cleveland and one of them is to learn new things. You can visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History just downtown of Cleveland in University Circle. This is the perfect place for everyone, adults and kids alike. You will get to learn more about nature, animals, dinosaurs and even outer space.
The museum features different exhibits on dinosaur bones, minerals, and gemstones. You also get to see a moon rock in one of the displays, which is a pretty exciting sighting, if you are going to ask me.
If you are planning to go on a trip that includes seeing live animals, the museum also covers the Perkins Wildlife Center where you can see otters, raccoons, fish, owls, and many more. You also get to learn more about Ohio as the museum exhibits animals and plants that can be found in the state.
The museum is closed during regular holidays but on regular days, it is open from Monday to Sunday in varying schedules per day. From Monday through Saturday, it is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Wednesdays, it is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. And on Sundays, it is open from noon to 5:00 pm.
Museum of Contemporary Art
You could also consider viewing art exhibits in Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art or MOCA. The museum exhibits contemporary artworks from different artists from time to time.
Formerly known as The New Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art showcases artworks of both local and international artists. The museum features temporary exhibits both by national and international artists as well as local artists in the Cleveland area. It also offers different types of adult tours which include Art + Architecture, Deep Dive and See + Do. Do note that these tours needed to be scheduled ahead through their website.
Museum of Contemporary Art’s new building, which opened in 2012, is the new-added attraction to tourists as it is a unique structure designed by Farshid Moussavi. MOCA has public programs throughout the year, including artist talks and gallery tours. You can always check their website for scheduled and upcoming artists to be featured.
Cleveland Metroparks
If you like seeing animals and want to do outdoor activities, then the Cleveland Metroparks could be the right spot for you. It is a 23,000-acre reserve located in Northeast Ohio, specifically in Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township. It is divided into several areas where you have the choice to observe or to explore. And better yet, you can do both. You get to explore its parks, zoos, golf clubs, and several dining options.
There are over a hundred hiking trails within the area and plenty of lakefront parks where you can do boating, sailing, fishing, and paddle sports. You can also do horseback riding and swimming. Your options are limitless when you explore this reserve.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
If you are a plantsman, you might want to consider visiting the Cleveland Botanical Garden––also located in University Circle near the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This garden features a nine-acre outdoor garden and a 17,000-square-foot glasshouse.
There are several outdoor gardens you can visit within the facility, with each focusing on a specific theme, such as the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and Herb Garden. The glasshouse features two different themes––Madagascar and Costa Rica––with one having a desert theme and the other with a rainforest theme.
You will get to see more than 300 species of plants in the whole facility and observe about over 50 different types of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and butterflies.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
This museum is also located in downtown Cleveland and would really excite music fanatics and nerds. You will get to learn the history of rock music and discover more about the artists, composers, producers, and engineers that helped build the music industry, particularly the rock genre.
The museum exhibits not just the Hall-of-Famers, but also the evolution of audio technology. You also get to see some of the works of the people who helped evolve the industry. The museum also showcases different temporary exhibits, which are curated by the museum itself.
Apart from learning more about the music industry, the architecture of the museum is itself a tourist destination. The building is designed by I. M. Pei and structurally engineered by Leslie E. Robertson Associates. It is similar to a glass tent, resembling to the Louvre in Paris.
Playhouse Square
This is the largest performing arts center in the United States which was founded in the 1920s. The theater schedules different concerts every now and then. Playhouse Square features musical concerts, ballet performances, plays, and even dance concerts. If you are visiting Cleveland, or just planning to, you may want to consider checking what shows are scheduled.
The theater actually schedules about 1,000 shows per year, so you are assured that you have plenty of options whatever season you visit the city.
Great Lakes Science Center
This is the perfect spot for science nerds and would really satisfy your curiosity, especially for kids. There are plenty of things to do in Cleveland, and most of them include learning something new. This science facility allows you to learn and to be creative at the same time. There are plenty of interactive activities, which kids would totally love.
Located along the shore of Lake Eerie, the Great Lakes Science Center is able to showcase William G. Mather Steamship, which is a historic flagship and freighter.
There are plenty of things to do in Cleveland, whichever type of tourist you are. If you love the city or outdoors, Cleveland can offer you both. So, consider visiting this great city whenever you are in Ohio.
