Cleveland was dubbed “The Best Location In the Nation” back in the 1960’s even though it was going through some tough times. Since then Cleveland has emerged as a great place not just to live but to visit. And the best part is that seeing the sights does not have to cost a lot of money.
Cleveland is unique. In the early twentieth century, it became one of the Meccas for the steel industry and home to some of the early steel and banking tycoons. These tycoons helped create a rich legacy of culture in Cleveland that is present and vibrant today. Steel was not the only industry prominent early last century. The new aviation industry took root there and still exists there today. As an industrial town, Cleveland drew many various ethnic groups through its history. All this rich history and more can also be enjoyed and celebrated on a visit to Cleveland.
Here are some wonderful, unique and inexpensive things to do in Cleveland, summer or winter.
Incomparable Museums Abound in Cleveland Ohio
The Cleveland Museum of Art located at 11150 East Boulevard: As good as any art museum in the world and established in 1913 by the wealthy industrialists of the early 20th century who wanted to give something back to their community, the collection includes 40,000 objects. Exhibits include Japanese, Byzantine, early Christian, and Egyptian art, illustrated manuscripts and early photography. Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Rubens are just a few of the masters on display. There are also wonderful artifacts such as medieval suits of armor, mummies and tapestries. And the best part is that admission is free.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History located at 1 Wade Oval Drive. With 270,000 visitors annually, rivaling New York’s Natural History Museums, CMNH, founded in 1920, boasts, among other things, seven full sized dinosaur skeletons. Wade Gallery showcases over 1500 gems and minerals, it has the largest collection of human and non human primate skeletons in the world plus a planetarium. In all there are eleven different natural sciences and over five million artifacts and specimens to see.
The International Women’s Air and Space Museum located at 1501 North Marginal Road: Located at the airport which is home to the Cleveland International Airshow, this unique museum houses the largest collection in America of personal papers, articles, books, information and artifacts of women in all forms of aviation such as pilots, mechanics, designers, stewardesses, etc. It showcases their lives in the forms of their letters, log books, artifacts, etc. Artifacts in the collection include those of the Women’s Aircorps Service Pilots or WASPS, Harriet Quimby, the first licensed American woman pilot, the famous Amelia Earhart and many woman astronauts. This museum will inspire both men and women.
Cleveland Police Museum located on 1300 Ontario Street: If true crime is of interest, then a trip to the this Museum is an absolute must! Here the policemen tell “our story, our way”. Visitors here can learn all about the famous Cleveland Torso murders of the 1930s as well as about the famous Elliott Ness and much more. The history of the Cleveland police also showcases the rich history of Cleveland itself.
And of course no trip would be complete without a trip here!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located at 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard: As the birthplace of the term Rock and Roll, Cleveland is home to this amazing museum. The museum has a great mixture of permanent and travelling exhibits. Experience the thousands of artifacts as well as incredible performances, videos and interactive displays. Featured collections include Ohio’s contribution to Rock and Roll, the evolution of audio technology, the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson
Cleveland Ohio’s Unique Theatre Experience
Karamu Theatre located at 2355 E 89th St: Theatre abounds in Cleveland from Playhouse Square which is the biggest theatre complex outside of New York, to the intimate theatres such as Dobama in the eclectic Coventry area but perhaps the most unique is Karamu House. Founded in 1915, Karamu House is the oldest African American Theatre in the country. Famous names associated with Karamu are Zora Neal Hurston, Ruby Dee and Langston Hughes. This multicultural theatre presents six shows a season.
Great gardens to see in Cleveland Ohio
Cleveland Botanical Gardens located at 11020 East Boulevard: Founded in 1930, this garden is a place of beauty and learning. During good weather one can walk through ten acres of exquisite flowers enjoying the rose, Japanese, children’s, topiary, and four other gardens. The herb garden is one of the top ten in the country. No matter the weather, one can walk through the 18,000 foot Glasshouse which houses both a recreation of a Madagascar desert and a Costa Rican Rainforest ecosystem combining 400 species of plants and 50 species of animals.
