Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland is a hub for fun and exciting activities. The city has a rich, deep history that is reflected in its cuisine, parks and museums. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or foodie, there is something for you to enjoy.
The Sports Fan
If you love sports, you’ll find no shortage of fun activities in Cleveland. Tailgate in the Muni Lot before a Cleveland Browns game, cheer on the Cavaliers or try to catch a homerun ball at the Cleveland Indians’ stadium. If you’re a lover of history, visit the Baseball Heritage Museum or take a personal tour of historic League Park, the country’s oldest baseball park, built in 1909.
The Adrenaline Junkie
Just a short drive from downtown Cleveland, Cedar Point amusement park has 18 roller coasters to test your bravery and your stomach. Give the Valravn a try — with a 223-foot drop at a 90-degree angle, it’s the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in the U.S.!
The Foodie
Strudel, pierogi, the Polish Boy and fresh seafood — Cleveland is full of delicious and iconic food that reflects its Polish, Hungarian and Ukranian cultural influences. The growing downtown food scene means there’s something for everyone, from the famous corned-beef sandwiches at Slyman’s to impressive smoked meats at Mabel’s BBQ, celebrity chef Michael Symon’s restaurant. The must-see West Side Market is a European-style market that’s over 100 years old and features global cuisine at over 50 booths!
The Film Buff
One of Cleveland’s most popular attractions, the Christmas Story House is the actual home where scenes from this iconic holiday movie were filmed. It has been fully restored to look exactly like it did in the movie. Daily tours are available, and you can even spend the night! Don’t forget to stop by the gift store for movie memorabilia. You can also catch a movie at the historic Capitol Theatre, which was built in 1921.
The Family
Cleveland has a huge variety of family-friendly attractions and activities to enjoy together. Visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium or the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to learn more about beautiful plants and interesting animals. If you’re looking for something hands-on, both the Children’s Museum of Cleveland and the Great Lakes Science Center have engaging exhibits. And finally, your kids can uncover secrets about dinosaurs at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History or ride a restored carousel at the Cleveland History Center.
The Great Outdoors
If you’re a fan of hiking, swimming or just being in nature, Cleveland is the destination for you. The Cleveland Metroparks system is made up of 18 parks that cover 23,000 acres and contain 300 miles of hiking trails. Eight of the parks have access to Lake Erie, and there are also eight golf courses to enjoy. Tucked between Cleveland and Akron is the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which has an additional 33,000 acres of woodlands and trails. Take your car in for an oil change and free inspection before hitting the road!
The Gearhead
If you’re as obsessed with cars as we are, you’ll be happy to know that Cleveland is home to many exciting car shows, from local charity shows highlighting classic cars to the annual Cleveland Auto Show. If you have a car you want to show off at an upcoming event, make sure it’s at peak performance by taking it in for routine car maintenance and needed repairs at a shop you can trust.
Whether you’re staying for the weekend or just stopping by for the afternoon, Cleveland, Ohio, is full of fun things to do. This vibrant and diverse city has something for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts to history buffs. And if you’re a Cleveland resident, use this blog as inspiration to discover new things about your hometown that you may have missed.