Along the southern shores of Lake Erie lies Ohio's second and the country's 30th-largest city, Cleveland. Located in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland draws visitors from all over the country thanks to the city's rich cultural background, artsy flavor, exciting nightlife and family-friendly attractions, according to Circle-Erie.com.
According to Clemetparks.com, Cleveland boasts 16 major public parks encompassing 21,000 acres along the Emerald Necklace, a winding trail of forests and woodlands encircling the city. Cleveland Metroparks offers fishing, horseback riding, tobogganing, swimming and picnicking. There are also five nature centers where visitors can explore some of Cleveland's natural wonders.
Cleveland Metroparks
216-635-3200
clemetparks.com
With many ever-changing exhibits, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History offers visitors the ability to explore some of the world's natural wonders from the ground up. According to the museum website, exhibits include dinosaurs, wildlife habitats and outdoor gardens. There are also daily planetarium programs and a discovery center for hands-on learning.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Dr.
University Circle
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-231-4600
800-317-9155
cmnh.org
Featuring 3,000 animals spread out over 168 acres, Cleveland's Metroparks Zoo offers interactive learning opportunities that include African and Australian cultural activities. The Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine gives children an inside look at the world of veterinary medicine and lets them see a real veterinarian at work. The zoo also loans out veterinary bags to enhance the children's experience at the center's exhibits. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo exhibits include primates, cats, aquatics, an African savanna, a northern trek adventure and a rain forest. The zoo offers free parking and welcomes guests with coolers and picnic baskets, according to Clemetzoo.com.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, OH 44109
216-661-6500
clemetzoo.com
Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum boasts 150,000 square feet of space, spread out over seven floors. Dedicated to exploring all that the rock music world has to offer, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's ever-changing exhibits showcase thousands of artifacts from the past, present and future of rock and rock-crossover music. According to RockHall.com, the museum's featured collections include memorabilia from the pioneers of rock, including Elvis Presley and the Beatles, and the music industry's most tragic heroes, including Jim Morrison and Michael Jackson. Most of the artifacts displayed in the museum's featured collections are on loan or donated from the artists or their families. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offers free admission to children 8 and under with a paying adult.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-781-7625
rockhall.com
Ohio, the birthplace of aviation, boasts this land and air transportation museum located just off I-90 in Cleveland. The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum showcases classic cars and motorcycles, antique bicycles and a dozen airplanes from the earlier years of air travel. This kid-friendly attraction holds more than 150 vehicles and airplanes and offers exhibits and activities for all ages.
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
10825 East Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-721-5722
whrs.org
