Although Cleveland is nicknamed "The Forest City," there is a lot more to the second largest city in Ohio. It is full of tourist attractions of all varieties, from malls to museums. A combination of the city's outdoor and metropolitan activities is enough to keep any family from being bored.
Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes are located in southern suburb of Strongsville. The 1,000-foot long refrigerated ice chutes are surrounded by scenic hills and forests. The facility charges $8 for adults and $6 for children under 11 for an all-day pass, as of February 2011. The chutes are only available during the winter, although the chutes do not require snowfall to run properly. Children must be at least 42 inches tall to ride. Beside the chutes is a large Swiss chalet, with fireplaces, a snack bar, bathrooms and a large TV.
The Cleveland Children's Museum is located in Cleveland's University Circle on the east side of the city. The museum puts on a variety of exhibits designed to educate and entertain children. Topics explored include nutrition, simple chemical reactions and mathematics, all of which are presented in a way that will keep a child interested and engaged. The museum remains open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and charges $7 for entry to both children and adults, as of February 2011; babies under 11 months old enter free.
Cleveland's I-X Center is a convention hall next to Hopkins International Airport; for three weeks in spring, the center turns into an indoor amusement park, replete with rides from roller coasters to carousels. Attractions in the amusement park vary from year to year, but have included animal shows, petting zoos, live music and theater. Hours of operation vary, so check the park's website before attending.
Edgewater Park is a scenic state park located west of downtown Cleveland. The park is home to a 900-foot long beach good for swimming, along with playground equipment and great views of the skyscrapers of downtown Cleveland. The area is largely treeless, and is a good place to fly a kite, run around and play in the water. Nearby is a large picnic area and several public restrooms.
