Cleveland, Ohio — Where to Go
Cleveland Sightseeing Overview
Among Cleveland’s icons is the striking Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, located on the waterfront in the hub of the Downtown core, next to the Great Lakes Science Center and the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
To the north is the Civic Center District, the city’s business center, home to banks, government and community buildings, gardens and fountains. West is the Warehouse District and the Flats Entertainment District, the place to go for trendy restaurants and nightlife.
North of the Warehouse District is the Tower City District, home to Public Square, a public area that forms the heart of Cleveland, along with the historic Terminal Tower building.
The neighboring Gateway District is home to Jacobs Field baseball stadium and Gund Arena, where professional basketball is played. East of the Gateway district is the Theater District, featuring the Playhouse Square Center, the largest performing arts center in America outside New York, made up of five restored 1920s theaters.
Cleveland Tourist Information
Positively Cleveland
Higbee Building, 100 Public Square, Suite 100
Tel: (216) 875 6600.
Website: www.positivelycleveland.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700.
Positively Cleveland have an online ticket service called Ctix at www.ctix.org.
Cleveland Sightseeing
There are no dedicated tourist passes in Cleveland, although there are often visitor package rates that include hotel and attraction/shopping discounts.
Cleveland Sightseeing
There are no dedicated tourist passes in Cleveland, although there are often visitor package rates that include hotel and attraction/shopping discounts.
Key Attractions in Cleveland, Ohio
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
The term ‘rock and roll’ was coined by a Cleveland disc jockey in 1951 and it was largely for this reason that Cleveland became home to this institution dedicated to it. When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1995, it was already emblematic of the city’s revival. Designed by the renowned architect I M Pei, the attraction celebrates the American pop-cultural institution of rock music by honoring its popular and influential performers, producers, songwriters and disc jockeys. Various exhibits, films and displays explore nearly all aspects of rock and roll – from the roots of the genre in folk music, blues and country music to a large variety of rock and roll artifacts.
1 Key Plaza
Tel: (216) 781 7625/ROCK.
Website: www.rockhall.com
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1730 (Wed until 2100).
Admission charge.
Cleveland Museum of Art
Known for the breadth and quality of its collection, the Cleveland Museum of Art opened in 1916. The collection covers 5,000 years of art history, including genres such as Arms and Armour, Medieval and Islamic Art, 19th-century European Painting, American Painting and contemporary Art and Photography.
University Circle, 11150 East Boulevard
Tel: (216) 421 7350.
Website: www.clevelandart.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700 (Wed & Fri 1000-2100).
Admission charge.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History imaginatively brings to life the natural sciences. Disciplines celebrated include archaeology, astronomy, botany, cultural anthropology, paleobotany and zoology. Among its most celebrated features are the Reinberger Hall of Earth and Planetary Systems, where geology and astronomy are integrated, allowing visitors to touch volcanic rock or experience the rumbling of an earthquake, and the Shafran Planetarium and Astronomy Exhibit Hall. The museum also houses an extensive collection of gemstones.
1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle
Tel: (216) 231 4600 or 1 800 317 9155.
Website: www.cmnh.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700 (Wed 1000-2200), Sun 1200-1700.
Admission charge.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Founded in 1882, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is the seventh oldest in the United States and home to thousands of animals representing seven continents. The zoo has an outdoor area covering 66 hectares (165 acres) and an indoor area covering 0.8 hectares (2 acres). Exhibits include a Northern Trek, featuring bears, Siberian tigers, sea lions and reindeer, an Australian Adventure, with koalas, snakes, kangaroos and wallabies, and the Primate Cat and Aquatics Building, which houses animals including gorillas, lungfish and cheetahs. One of the zoo’s most famous exhibits is the Rainforest, an indoor area that presents the delicate animal and plant life of the disappearing tropical rainforests.
3900 Wildlife Way
Tel: (216) 661 6500.
Website: www.clemetzoo.com
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission charge.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Founded in 1930, the Cleveland Botanical Garden is the oldest civic garden in America. Its 3 hectares (7.5 acres) of meticulously kept greenery includes five different types of garden – Japanese, herb, rose, reading and wildflower. The amazing Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse includes a vast greenhouse with recreations of two of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, the sun-baked spiny desert of Madagascar and the misty cloud forest of Costa Rica, as well as an extensive library, a cafe and gift shop and other visitor services.
11030 East Boulevard
Tel: (216) 721 1600.
Website: www.cbgarden.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700 (Wed 1000-2100), Sun 1200-1700 (Apr-Oct); Tue-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700 (Nov-Mar).
Admission charge.
Great Lakes Science Center
The Great Lakes Science Center is one of the largest science museums in America. Rather than feature three or four major exhibits, this science center offers over 340 interactive exhibits, covering a very wide variety of themes, including meteorology, aquatic environments, the planet earth, pollution, sports and music. It focuses on science as it applies to Cleveland in particular – situated as it is on Lake Erie. There is also a children’s area and an OMNIMAX theater.
601 Erieside Avenue
Tel: (216) 694 2000.
Website: www.glsc.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 0930-1730.
Admission charge.
Further Distractions
Western Reserve Historical Society Museum/Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
This museum combines a glimpse into Cleveland’s past, a research and genealogy library and a record of the city’s prominent role in the transportation industry with more than 200 autos on display. The museum also provides visitors a peak into life along Millionaire’s Row by offering a tour through its Hay-McKinney Mansion located next door to the museum.
10825 East Boulevard
Tel: (216) 721 5722.
Website: www.wrhs.org
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Admission charge.
Steamship William G Mather Museum
The Steamship William G Mather Museum is a living relic of Cleveland’s historic role in the Great Lakes steel industry. Built in 1925, the bulk freighter plied the waters of the Great Lakes, supplying coal and ore to Cleveland’s steel yards. In 1980, the ship was taken out of active service and, since 1990, has been this floating museum, restored to bring to life the everyday lives of its crew.
305 Old Erieside Avenue
Tel: (216) 574 6262.
Website: http://wgmather.nhlink.net/
Opening hours: Fri-Sat 1000-1715, Sun 1200-1715 (May, Sep-Oct) ; Mon-Sat 1000-1715, Sun 1200-1715 (Jun-Aug).
Admission charge.
