Our Favorite Things To Do In Cleveland With Kids

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Cleveland is often overlooked, but we have loved calling it home. From museums and parks to festivals, restaurants, and lakefront views, it is a city full of surprises and memorable family moments.

We know that planning a family outing or weekend getaway can feel overwhelming, especially with kids of different ages and interests. That is why we pulled together a list of our favorite family-friendly things to do in Cleveland, based on what we have loved most over the years.

Whether you are a local looking for something new or visiting with kids for the first time, these ideas can help you plan a fun and relaxed Cleveland adventure.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

There are many zoos across America. However, there is only one Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Our zoo has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Our family has been zoo members since our kids were toddlers, and we have no plans of stopping that tradition. Additionally, our membership provides discounted admission to more than 150 reciprocal zoos nationwide.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo spans 83 acres and is home to over 3,000 animals. My favorite zoo habitat is the Rosebrough Tiger Passage, which houses several gorgeous Amur tigers. Other areas we love include:

• Australian Adventure
• African Elephant Crossing
• African Savanna
• Susie’s Bear Hollow

Cleveland Metroparks is worth a trip regardless of the time of year, but when it’s cold outside, the zoo also features a two-story rainforest building (currently closed for renovations). The zoo hosts several events throughout the year, including Trick-or-Treat Fest, Wild Winter Lights, Asian Lantern Festival, and more.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

I’ll be honest. I didn’t love the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when it opened in 1995. I thought they could’ve utilized the space better with more exhibits. I avoided going back for a long time because of my initial reaction.

I can say that’s no longer the case. The Rock Hall is incredible. It’s such a tribute to musicians and the world of music. It’s hard not to get caught up in the nostalgia and emotion when walking through the various exhibits and tributes to rock and roll legends. One of the coolest features is “Legends of Rock.” The exhibit features handwritten drafts of hit songs, outfits, and instruments from many of music history’s greatest concert moments.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame isn’t just for rockers. The museum encompasses a diverse range of music genres, including hip-hop, heavy metal, folk rock, R&B, jazz, ska, and more.

If you love music, a trip to Cleveland is not complete without a stop at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Great Lakes Science Center

Another family favorite is the Great Lake Science Center. Nestled along Lake Erie, the interactive center features numerous hands-on exhibits that the whole family can enjoy. GLSC is home to the NASA Glenn Visitors Center and the restored William G. Mather Steamship.

The Great Lakes Science Center celebrates science, technology, medicine, engineering, and other disciplines in a fun and interactive way. If you get tired from all the exciting activities, take a break with a movie at the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, featuring the world’s first three-projector, laser-illuminated movie projection system and a six-story-high screen.

The Great Lakes Science Center participates in the ASTC Passport Program, which offers members reciprocal benefits at over 300 cultural institutions nationwide.

Federal Reserve Money Museum

As a personal finance blogger and writer, this one holds a special place in my heart. The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, operates 12 regional banks in various U.S. cities, including Cleveland. Our FED location features a kid-friendly museum dedicated to MONEY.

The free museum (yes, free) features several interactive exhibits on the history and purpose of money, cybersecurity, bartering, cash operations, identifying counterfeit dollar bills, and more. You can also take a photo in front of a 23-foot-tall Money Tree.

The Money Museum has limited hours on weekdays. Check the museum’s website for details and directions before visiting.

West Side Market

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Cleveland’s West Side Market. The city’s oldest public market features 100 food vendors with something for everyone. You may get lost walking around the European-style market, and honestly, that’s probably ok, considering you’re surrounded by the very best culinary delights the city has to offer.

You’ll find a variety of baked goods, fresh produce, meats, spices, dairy products, seafood, and more. Our favorites include Campbell’s Popcorn, Jack Frost Donuts, Pierogi Palace, West Side Market Cafe, Pizza Di Bella, Ohio City Pasta, The Cheese Shop, City Roast Coffee & Tea, and literally ALL of the meat shops.

Terminal Tower Observation Deck

There’s no better place to take in 360-degree views of Cleveland and Lake Erie than the Terminal Tower Observation Deck. The 52-story building has been a part of the Cleveland skyline since 1930 and is the state’s second-tallest building.

The observation deck is situated 668 feet above the ground on the 42nd floor of the building. The seasonal attraction is generally open from Spring to Fall, but this schedule is subject to change.

The only way to purchase tickets is through Eventbrite. Tickets cost $5 per person (plus a $1.27 fee). See the Eventbrite listing for more information and available dates (If the sales page reads “Sales Ended,” that means the observation deck is currently closed).

Take Pics In Front Of The Cleveland Script Signs

Is it even a trip to Cleveland if you don’t snap some selfies in front of the famous Cleveland Script Signs? Thanks to Destination Cleveland, six of the iconic signs are scattered across the city. Locations include:

• Tremont: 1502 Abbey Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
• Edgewater Park: 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, OH 44102
• North Coast Harbor: East 9th Street Pier, Cleveland, OH 44114
• Euclid Beach: 16301 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44110
• The Foundry: 1831 Columbus Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: 5300 Riverside Dr., Cleveland, OH 44135

North Coast Harbor

One of the coolest places to chill within Cleveland city limits is North Coast Harbor. Of course, it’s home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, and FirstEnergy Stadium, but it offers so much more. Located along the lakefront, the harbor features some of the city’s best green spaces, including Voinovich Bicentennial Park, public sand volleyball courts, a playground, and the Nuevo Modern Mexican restaurant.

Boat Cruises

Another great way to explore Cleveland is by spending time on Lake Erie. Several boat cruises operate in the city, offering tours of the lakefront.

The Goodtime III is Cleveland’s largest sightseeing ship. It features four decks and can accommodate up to 1,000 passengers. Tours include views of downtown Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and the Flats.

The Nautica Queen is the top choice if you’re looking for a dining cruise along the waterfront. While not necessarily a sightseeing tour, you’ll still experience much of what makes Cleveland great, along with excellent food and entertainment.

Explore the Cleveland Metroparks

Perhaps Cleveland’s biggest perk is its unbelievable parks system known as the Cleveland Metroparks. The park system spans over 24,000 acres in 18 reservations across Northeast Ohio. There are more than 300 miles worth of hiking trails and eight parks with lakes.

We’re fortunate to have some Metropark trails and parks within our city, all within walking and biking distance. Honestly, we don’t spend enough time exploring this local treasure. Some of our favorite areas within the park system include:

• Edgewater Park
• Bedford Reservation
• Brecksville Reservation
• Huntington Beach Reservation
• Rocky River Reservation

If you love to golf, there are eight Metroparks golf courses in the area, too.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

We’ve visited the Greater Cleveland Aquarium several times over the past decade. While it’s not the largest aquarium around, it’s a special one with unique exhibits that celebrate aquatic life from around the globe. The aquarium also has some areas that specifically focus on Ohio’s lakes and rivers.

No visit to the aquarium is complete without visiting my favorite area — the shark gallery and seatube. The 230,000 tank and underwater seatube feature three species of sharks, stingrays, eels, and other ocean life. I’m a huge shark fan, so it’s where I spend most of my time there when visiting the aquarium. Greater Cleveland Aquarium is also known for its holiday festivities throughout the year, especially visits from Scuba Claus around Christmas.

The Corner Alley

The Corner Alley is more than just a bowling alley. It is a fun and energetic spot in the heart of East 4th Street. Along with bowling, it features a full restaurant, bar, and classic arcade games, making it an ideal place for families to gather and enjoy a variety of activities.

One of our most memorable Cleveland experiences happened here during a daytime visit. While bowling, we met a group of friends from Indiana, all dressed as Ricky Vaughn from Major League. Every year, they visit a different MLB city in themed costumes, and Cleveland was their latest stop. They were a blast to talk to and even took a photo with our kids, making it a day we will never forget.

Enjoy Cleveland’s Sports Teams

Cleveland is a city that loves its sports teams, no matter how the season unfolds. Win or lose, the energy at our stadiums and arenas makes every game an experience worth attending.

As a big basketball fan, the Cleveland Cavaliers are my favorite local team. We were season ticket holders for several years and have attended numerous games, including playoff matchups. The Cavs put on an incredible show, making every trip to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse an exciting event.

Cleveland’s other teams also offer great experiences. We love catching Cleveland Guardians games at Progressive Field, which has some of the best food options in Major League Baseball. Many of the city’s top restaurants and breweries have stands inside the ballpark, so the food selection goes way beyond typical ballpark fare.

Other teams worth checking out include the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Lake County Captains, the Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

Cleveland Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra has been a mainstay in the city since 1918. Since then, it’s grown into one of the most acclaimed orchestras in the world. Franz Welser-Möst leads the world-renowned orchestra.

You can find the Cleveland Orchestra performing during the concert season at the gorgeous Severance Hall in University Circle on the Case Western Reserve University campus. They spend their summers performing at Blossom Music Center, a spectacular outdoor concert venue in Cuyahoga Falls. Our family has been fortunate to catch several performances over the years, including a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope, where the orchestra provided the soundtrack while the movie played on large screens around the facility.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Located in Rockefeller Park, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens are unlike any other gardens on the planet. There are over 30 gardens spanning 1.5 miles, representing different cultures and countries in Cleveland. Each garden features a unique landscape, horticulture, sculptures, and national flags. Countries and cultures represented in the ever-growing garden include:

• African American
• Albanian
• American
• American Legion Peace Nations & American Legion Peace States
• Armenian
• Azerbaijani
• British
• Chinese
• Croatian
• Czech
• Estonian
• Finnish
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Hungarian
• India
• Irish
• Italian
• Latvian
• Lithuanian
• Polish
• Romanian
• Rusin
• Russian
• Serbian
• Slovak
• Slovenian
• Syrian
• Turkish
• Ukrainian
• Vietnamese

More gardens are in development, including those featuring Korean, Lebanese, and Native American themes.

b.a Sweetie Candy Company

If you like candy, check out b.a. Sweetie Candy Company before leaving town. The popular candy store has been around for over 68 years and is the largest candy store in North America. Enough said, right?! I am a candy fiend, so this is my Cleveland happy place.

They literally have everything. I mean everything. And they ship all over the world, too. But a candy delivery isn’t the same as walking the aisles of this massive sugar high masquerading as a store. While you’re there, stop in at Sweeties Soda Shoppe for ice cream, sundaes, sodas (over 200 flavors), and more. And the summer is perfect for a round of mini golf next door at Sweeties Golfland Park.

Playhouse Square

Cleveland is home to some of the finest cultural institutions in the country, and Playhouse Square is one of its most impressive. It is the largest performing arts center in the U.S. outside of New York City, making Cleveland a major hub for Broadway productions, concerts, and live performances.

The Playhouse Square district is made up of five historic theaters:

• Allen Theatre
• Connor Palace
• Hanna Theatre
• KeyBank State Theatre
• Mimi Ohio Theatre

Built in the 1920s, these theaters have been beautifully restored, preserving their original charm while offering a modern entertainment experience. The district is also home to one of Cleveland’s most iconic landmarks, a 44-foot outdoor chandelier that hangs over Euclid Avenue. It is the largest outdoor chandelier in North America and one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Playhouse Square operates year-round as a major Broadway touring venue and is home to several local performing arts organizations, including:

• Cleveland Ballet
• Cleveland International Film Festival
• Cleveland Play House
• Cleveland State University Department of Theatre and Dance
• DANCECleveland
• Great Lakes Theater
• Tri-C JazzFest

Living in Cleveland has given us the chance to experience incredible productions at Playhouse Square. Some of our favorites have included Wicked, Disney’s The Lion King, Dear Evan Hansen, In The Heights, Anastasia, and To Kill A Mockingbird.

A Christmas Story House & Museum

Hammond, Indiana, often takes credit for A Christmas Story, but Cleveland is where much of the movie was actually filmed. It’s also home to the Christmas Story House, the Parker Family’s home, where many scenes from the film take place.

The house is open to the public year-round and is a must-visit for fans of the movie. You’ll see many props, costumes, and memorabilia from the film (yes, the leg lamp is there). My favorite part was climbing under the kitchen sink (where Randy hid) for a quick photo.

Across the street from the house is a museum dedicated entirely to the film. There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase your own leg lamp and other memorabilia.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Although it is not technically within city limits, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad remains an integral part of the Cleveland experience. The railway offers tourist excursions on restored railcars, making it a great option for train enthusiasts and anyone looking for a unique way to explore the area.

The railroad runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Ohio & Erie Canalway, offering scenic views along the way. It also hosts special events for both kids and adults, including The North Pole Adventure, Christmas Caboose Ride, Ales on Rails, and Murder Mystery tours.

It has been a while since our family last rode the CVSR, but it was always a favorite when our kids were younger. Now that they are old enough for events like the murder mystery tours, it might be time to plan another trip.

Cleveland Doughnuts

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re passionate about doughnuts. Whenever we travel, we make a point to visit local donut shops, and while we have found plenty of great ones, some of our favorites are right here in Cleveland. A few standouts include:

• Brewnuts
• Bigmouth Donut Company
• The Vegan Doughnut Company
• Jack Frost Donuts

These are just a few of the many great donut spots around the city. Every so often, we hop in the van for a self-guided donut tour, trying different shops and discovering new favorites along the way. There are still plenty more to explore, and we look forward to the next stop.

Cleveland Museum of Art

We love the Cleveland Museum of Art for two main reasons. First, it is free to visit, which is hard to beat. Second, it is consistently ranked among the best museums in the country and is one of the most visited art museums in the world.

I am not an art expert, and I probably couldn’t name everything in the museum without consulting a reference. When our kids were younger, they thought an art museum was just a place filled with paintings and statues of naked butts. I have to admit, I probably had the same thought at some point. But there is something incredible about seeing such a vast collection of world culture in one place. The museum houses over 60,000 works of art spanning more than 6,000 years.

Beyond the artwork, the museum itself is stunning. We love exploring the galleries, browsing the gift shops, and stopping at the cafés during our visits.

Explore Cleveland

Cleveland isn’t just where we live. It is a city we truly love. Whether you’re visiting as a family, a couple, or on your own, Cleveland offers something for everyone, from entertainment and culture to incredible food, music, and history.

If you’re planning a trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. For more information on things to do, places to stay, and where to eat, visit Destination Cleveland for helpful travel resources.