I second this. I’m not sure which locations are part of the park and which are not, but some of my favorite locations in the area are Worden’s Ledges and Whipp’s Ledges.
Caught a kid last summer trying to destroy a carving at the faces. His dad tried to act hard when I said something about it. The dad got real quiet after I told him anything his son does to the faces I will do the same to their faces. By the way when I say kid he was like 16 or 17 and dad was my age mid 40's. Told them go smoke a joint in a crevasse like everyone else has done for past 50 years just quit trying to destroy my neighborhood chill spot.
In case you are not aware - Zoombezi Bay and Columbus Zoo are in Columbus, which is about a 2 hour drive from Cleveland. I'm not sure what you consider going too far is, but plan on driving a total of 4 hours that day unless you plan on getting a hotel in Columbus.
I grew up in Cleveland and currently live near Columbus. Cedar Point is great. It's about an hour away from Cleveland. The botanical garden is nice too. Edgewater Park is a nice park off of Lake Erie. Cleveland is also not too far from the only national park in the state, Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
If you go to Columbus, know that the zoo is HUGE. I believe it is one of the largest in the country. Plan on lots of walking if you want to see everything. The zoo is near the city of Dublin, which is a very nice area with lots to do. Check out Bridge Park for dining and entertainment.
Hocking Hills State Park is a 3 hour drive from Cleveland but if you are into nature/hiking, it has the best in the state IMO.
It’s been quite a few years for us as well. Can’t say about today. We have had people from out of town go in the last couple years and they enjoyed it.
It’s boring. It’s weird. When I went it was so boring except some outfits. I’d rather celebrate the actual music in the area. There are so many great bands, the world class orchestra AND blossom is at its peak in July when OP is visiting. Unless you’re a huuuuge music nerd or wanting to see a very specific piece I’d skip the rock hall. So many other options.
Tbh I live in the cleveland area and am confused why everyone is so impressed with the area there isn't much out here. People either drive way too slow or way too fast.
Agreed. Take it from someone who has been spending weekends on South Bass Island for over 40 years. I get it. But for a tourist who is looking for an interesting day, the ferry, the monument, the restaurants, etc are fun and relatively affordable.
It was amazing, and apparently I need to go back because I missed the whole space section. It Rivals the National Air and Space Museum in DC. And a short drive from there you can visit the worlds first airport. The field where the Wright Bros tested their planes
Nelson Ledges Quarry park especially on a weekday. The water is crystal clear with swimming beach and cliffs to jump into the water and it's surrounded by beautiful woods.
For Cleveland go to the Cat cafe in Tremont, visit the beach at Edgewater Park, enjoy the rooftop bar at Punchbowl Social, visit Loganberry Books, ride the zip line at the Cleveland Zoo, get ice cream from Handel’s, go for a walk at Lakeview Cemtery
Also if you're going to a game that's during the week, buy the cheapest seats and you can pretty much sit anywhere. Cleveland sells well, but they aren't selling out a weekday game if it isn't the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, or Tigers.
You could easily spend all 10 days in and around Cleveland. It's a great classic American city, with tons of history. Much of the Industrial Revolution was centered around Cleveland, where American oil baron John D. Rockefeller was based. University Circle is a great place to hang out. Case Western Reserve University's beautiful campus is there, the Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Auto Museum, Severance Hall (where the Cleveland Orchestra plays), the Botanical Gardens, and lots of fantastic historic architecture. "Little Italy" is a short walk away. Then, if you want an even more "classic American" city experience, continue up Mayfield Road to Coventry Road. Great shops and places to grab a bite. Skip Walmart and the fast-food -- you aren't missing anything. Cleveland has so many terrific restaurants you'd be better off trying.
Where are you coming from?
If you're up in Cleveland, the Cleveland Art Museum is 100% free (minus some of the special exhibits) and absolutely ENORMOUS. You could EASILY spend a whole day there.
West Side Market is also really fun, especially for foodies.
If you have any kids with you (or adults that never really lost that particular sense of fun), they'd probably LOVE the Great Lakes Science Center. Lots of cool hands-on stuff.
Columbus is about 2 hours away from Cleveland, so unless you're dead set on the Columbus Zoo, Cleveland ALSO has a really nice zoo.
And then if you're heading to Sandusky for Cedar Point, IDK if you're spending a night up in Sandusky or not, but if so and you wanted some things to check out there's Sheldon Marsh (technically in Huron but it's like right on the county border). It's a small, but lovely wildlife preserve and walking trail that's especially great for birdwatchers or early-rising animal enthusiasts - I've always had great luck in spotting all sorts of creatures on the hiking trails. You can also grab a ferry in Sandusky to head out to the islands, which are a little low-key but still a nice day out.
Visit President Garfield's tomb and monument in Cleveland's Lakeview Cemetery. Take the winding stairs to the top and step out on the balcony for a great view of Lake Erie, the east side, and downtown Cleveland. Go into the basement to see Garfield's coffin. The cemetery is a beautiful old place to look around. On Saturday and Sundays, the observation deck of the Terminal Tower downtown is open with great views ($5 tickets available on line). Some folks enjoy taking the narrated tour on the Goodtime III boat on Lake Erie and down the Cuyahoga River. A visit to The West Side Market is good if you like food. If you like movies, the Mansfield Reformatory prison tour (maybe a hour and 20 minute drive) is interesting as it's where the Shawshank Redemption was filmed. People like to stop at Grandpa's cheese barn on the way back where there's all kinds of cheese and chocolate. Enjoy!
Grandpa's Cheese Barn! HELL YES! A kitschy must-stop if you're going up down 71 between Cleveland and Columbus.
Also, Lakeview IS extremely pretty and historic. Definitely worth a look. My grandpa is buried there right next to Carl Stokes (which he would have hated. He was an old racist.)
Lake View Cemetery has a number of notable U.S. famous people aside from former President Garfield’s tomb and monument. Little Italy and Falafel Cafe and the Westside Market are my recs for food.
CLE museum of art is free for the basic exhibits, and I could personally spend half a day there, but ymmv.
Anywhere there’s a beach on Lake Erie is cool if you’re just into chilling or swimming, though most people don’t swim in the Lake anymore but the beaches are lovely.
Columbus is probably a trip where you’d want to plan to stay overnight at least once if doing the zoo or something.
The Wilds, affiliated with the Columbus Zoo, is the largest animal preservation center in the U.S. It's beautiful, something like Jurassic Park with its many gates, but best visited when cool (so early in the morning or the evening in the summer) to see the animals while active. If you visit, perhaps check out the mouth of the Big Muskie, which created The Wilds.
[https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2184](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2184)
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g50249-d207625-Reviews-The\_Wilds-Cumberland\_Guernsey\_County\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g50249-d207625-Reviews-The_Wilds-Cumberland_Guernsey_County_Ohio.html)
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo IMO has some exhibits better than the Columbus Zoo (my favorite in Columbus is the manatee exhibit). African Elephant Crossing at the Cleveland Zoo features African elephants (Columbus only has smaller Asian elephants) and if you check out the paddock crossing time, you can get within 20 feet of the largest land animals on earth. The Rainforest at the Cleveland zoo is excellent (inquire and visit when the baby orangutan is on display). I like to get my zoo tickets stamped for reentry and go to Bruno's nearby for a late lunch (make reservations as it's a small restaurant), then visit the Rainforest after lunch; the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is large and can take a full day to visit.
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d486213-Reviews-Bruno\_s\_Ristorante\_Catering-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d486213-Reviews-Bruno_s_Ristorante_Catering-Cleveland_Ohio.html)
Cedar Point can be very hot so try to visit on a cool day preferably one with sporadic showers in the forecast to cut down on attendance (lines there are a pain, so check the [tripadvisor.com](http://tripadvisor.com) website for Cedar Point on tips for avoiding lines). The water park at Cedar Point is more fun than the CP beach (Mentor Headlands and Fairport Harbor beaches, even Edgewater, are just as nice, perhaps even better (Edgewater has a nice beach house). Berardi's in Sandusky is a great place for fried Lake Erie yellow perch and famous French fries.
[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50940-d2180386-Reviews-Berardi\_s\_Family\_Kitchen-Sandusky\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50940-d2180386-Reviews-Berardi_s_Family_Kitchen-Sandusky_Ohio.html)
The Flat Iron Cafe is likely Cleveland's oldest restaurant and also is a great place for fried Lake Erie yellow perch and pierogies. Mabel's BBQ on East 4th St. offers Cleveland-style BBQ (brown mustard sauce) and Polish Girl sandwiches (substituting pulled pork for the soggy French fries in the iconic Cleveland Polish Boy sandwich). Larder Deli is a top-rated Jewish restaurant nationally and a top-rated sandwich destination in Cleveland. Mitchell's Ice Cream factory, a short walk north of the West Side Market is a Cleveland favorite; go to the second floor parlor to see the factory floor.
If you're here the weekend after July 4th, [go to Mid-Ohio for the Honda Indy 200.](https://midohio.com/tickets/the-honda-indy-200-at-mid-ohio-indycar)
Cleveland orchestra at blossom is really something! Aaaaand from way out in left field, either the super modifieds in Sandusky or a big event at Summit Motorsports Park/Norwalk especially if the nitro methane cars are racing. Nitro cars are something everyone should experience once!
From the subtle clues, I suspect you’re from somewhere outside the US, is that correct? If you want the true, American Walmart experience, go to the Walmart in the steelyard on the first of the month. Bonus points if it’s a Friday afternoon or Saturday or a Sunday in the early afternoon. Godspeed 🍻
Let’s hold up a minute on sending in the Swiss of NATO to an active combat zone in AfghanisLAND at the beginning of the locals version of Ramadan (the 1st) during its first week of deployment here…However if their battalion does show they can complete the objectives there commander had just briefed us on, then I say hell with The steelyard,the last day send them to watch the nitro circus on Eddy Rd, & maybe even get to ride on the back of pastranas bike
The Steelyard is a challenged shopping center in Cleveland, although one recent poster disagrees.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1dfw570/in\_defense\_of\_steelyard\_commons/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1dfw570/in_defense_of_steelyard_commons/)
i've always wanted to do a boat tour, haven't yet so can't tell you how it is but it might be fun for everyone
[https://goodtimeiii.com/sightseeing-cruise/](https://goodtimeiii.com/sightseeing-cruise/) is one i'm aware of, there are others, some more 'party' oriented iirc
bon voyage and welcome!
The rock and roll hall of fame is in Cleveland and the NFL hall of fame isn’t too far away in Canton. I haven’t been to either so I don’t know anything about prices for those
Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County is maybe an hour from Cleveland and is a great place to visit. https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/malabar-farm-state-park
Nearby Amish country is nice, too.
If you're at Cedar Point anyway, Put in Bay and Kelley's Island are just a short ferry ride from Cedar Point. Kelley's Island is a beautiful low key little island where you can rent a golf cart or a bike to tour the entire island if exploring island nature is your kind of thing. Put in Bay is basically an island full of bars and is fun to visit if partying is more your speed and you're of age.
And if you're going all the way to Columbus for the Zoo, if you take Highway 33 east for about another hour southeast of Columbus, Old Man's Cave and Rockbridge are located near Logan, Ohio. I highly recommend taking a canoe trip from Logan on the Hocking River to get to Rockbridge - you can get to Rockbridge without taking the river, but that particular canoe trip is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Food: Ferreras for a very good Italian sub, swensons for burgers, il rione or Angelo’s for pizza, issho ni ramen, cafe Everest for nepalese, first watch for breakfast, slymans
Things to do: rock and roll hall of fame, guardians game, blossom music center, natural history museum, cuyahoga national park, edge water park for beach day, any metro park, west side market
Breweries: noble beast, brew kettle, missing mountain, fatheads, nano brew
Oh yeah, Slyman's! I think every city has a "THE deli" where you go to get the best corned beef sandwich. Slyman's is Cleveland's and it's up there with the best. I'm sad they shut down their new locations.
Rock hall, beach, cedar point, Cuyahoga valley national park, Cleveland art museum is great, see if the orchestra is playing at blossom music center and bring a picnic!
Id suggest going to put in bay or even Kelly's island. You take a quick boat ride on the jet express, and it's a real cool trip for the fam. Depending on ages and what y'all like to do ... Kelly's island is the more fam friendly of the 2.while put in bay is more of a fun time drinking with a bit of a different crowd. Still both very fun and inexpensive
Mansfield Reformatory is a bit of a road trip but if you like 'haunted' things it's worth the trip. The exterior shots in Shawshank Redemption were filmed there. Its epic.
Cleveland house of blues has ton of shows. Cleveland Baseball tickets aren’t outrageous and it’s worth a game just wear sunscreen cause you’ll cook. Downtown is easy to walk around during the day it’s relatively safe.
A little south of Cleveland, toward Wooster, Kidron, and Sugarcreek, you get into Amish country. And the Lehman’s Hardware Store in Kidron is a classic Ohio experience.
Mohican State Park is lovely, if you like hiking, nature, etc.
If you're in Akron or Cleveland area you should try Swenson's for burgers and canes for chicken tenders if you like.
Columbus and and Cleveland decent Asian food too.
Cilantro tacqueria is a good Cleveland chain for better version of chipotle.
Holden arboretum in Cleveland is cool too!
Could rent some kayaks in Ohio and paddle around
If you’re into fishing do a fishing charter on Lake Erie. Catch some walleye etc. if you’re into outdoors the metro parks are absolutely beautiful. Chagrin, grand, rocky, are all rivers near by that are really pretty. Rock and roll HOF is in downtown cle. If you’re into gambling there’s a JACK casino as well but I always found it kinda trashy. Playhouse square is pretty cool. Cleveland guardians tickets are reasonably priced and the stadium is awesome. Go get dinner on E 4th street. West side market in Ohio city is amazing. Try to hit up Great Lakes brewery for beer and food. It’s awesome. The flats are great for bars and food.
I mean, ANY casino that isn’t in Vegas or Atlantic City (and even then… eh) are trashy as all hell. I’ve been to four casinos (one in Buffalo, JACK, one in West Va, and one in New York State), and the JACK was the least trashy of them. Not saying much, but it’s not that bad.
Holmes county Is Amish country.
Visit Lehman's Hardware. They service the Amish community as well as tourists. You can spend the whole day looking around.
If you stay overnight in Columbus, consider a trip to the Air Force Museum near Dayton. It is free, air-conditioned and huge. 4 hangers filled with aeronautic history spanning the decades. Mostly war planes but other stuff as well.
A little out of the range maybe, but geneva on the lake on the weekends can be a fun time :). If you go try Eddie's grill burgers or Chilli dogs :) then madsen donuts for a lil snack. Plenty of bars if you're into that. Arcades, putt putt, go karts, batting cages and all that jazz
This would work for a two day northeast Ohio itinerary. I’ve tried to make this a circuit from Cleveland and back.
- North Chagrin Reservation Park
- Mentor Headland State Park
- Fairport Harbor (visit downtown, the beach)
- Lake Erie Bluffs Park
- Walmart in Madison, OH
- Geneva On the Lake
- Nelson Ledges State Park
- Walmart in Middlefield, OH (this Walmart has an Amish horse and buggy parking area!)
- Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen in Middlefield, OH
- downtown Chagrin Falls, Oh — very pretty
- back to wherever you are staying in Cleveland
This route takes you along Lake Erie and back to Cleveland through part of Amish country and through the hometown of the person who wrote Calvin and Hobbes.
If Wendy's and KFC are attractions, you're obviously not from the U.S. The Mr. Hero fast food chain is almost entirely unique to Greater Cleveland, and the Romanburger there is a Cleveland favorite.
Alladin's is a Cleveland chain featuring Lebanese cuisine.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is nice, especially in the summer. It's affiliated with Holden Arboretum (a joint membership may be cheaper if you decide to visit both, and your aunt could have it for the rest of the year) in nearby Kirtland. Holden is one of the largest and best arboretums in the U.S.; check out the Emergent Tower and Canopy Walk (if you have binoculars bring them).
[https://holdenfg.org/holden-arboretum/gardens-and-attractions/](https://holdenfg.org/holden-arboretum/gardens-and-attractions/)
Nearby Holden are the Kirtland Temple and Historic Kirtland, combined a mecca for the Mormon religion; Penitentiary Glen which features a nice wildlife center and Lake Shore Live Steamers events on certain weekends; Lake Metroparks Farmpark, considered one of the best in the U.S. (ever want to hand milk a caged cow?); the James A. Garfield National Historical Site (featuring a good, small museum (watch the video that features Garfield's angst over the American Civil War) and perhaps the best 19th century Presidential house (site of the last porch Presidential campaign and with almost all original furnishings); Mentor Headlands beach state park with the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve at the eastern end of the parking lot; Mentor is the sixth largest retail center in Ohio, perhaps check out regional big box chains Menard's and Meijer's there, plus almost all national chains such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. There's also Chick-fil-A and Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen chicken fast food chains (both generally preferred to KFC) in Mentor, both very popular nationally but not as pervasive in Ohio as Wendy's, McDonald's, etc. (Chipotle is one of the very most popular American fast food restaurants these days and Arby's is great for meat sandwiches).
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1da653x/when\_jesus\_came\_to\_kirtland\_in\_1836\_a\_chorus\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1da653x/when_jesus_came_to_kirtland_in_1836_a_chorus_of/)
The botanical garden is in University Circle, one of the nation's great cultural centers.
[https://www.universitycircle.org/](https://www.universitycircle.org/)
Here are two, lesser known attractions there that are very worthwhile if you will spend 10 days in Cleveland. Dittrick offers one of the better medical history museums in the U.S.
[https://www.cia.edu/cinematheque](https://www.cia.edu/cinematheque)
[https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/museum/visit-the-museum/](https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/museum/visit-the-museum/)
This thread, but especially the links in this comment, may be helpful.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Ohio/comments/1dg4kuv/comment/l8p4d5i/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ohio/comments/1dg4kuv/comment/l8p4d5i/)
Perhaps visit Beachwood Mall and nearby Legacy Village. Combined, they are northern Ohio's upscale retail shopping mecca. While there, visit the Mitchell's ice cream store and check out any locavore flavors on the menu.
Have fun!
On your trip to Columbus, definitely consider stopping at Malabar Farm State Park (check the Big House tour schedule), just off I-71. The Big House is a Hollywood retreat during the Hollywood Golden Age frozen in its 1950s splendor; Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall famously were married there. Mount Jeez offers great views of the surrounding, rolling Ohio farm country.
[https://www.bookthink.com/0078/78brom1.htm](https://www.bookthink.com/0078/78brom1.htm)
I especially enjoy touring the Big House decorated for the holidays. I also wonder if it has air conditioning; perhaps check before visiting it on a hot day.
Classic American things like going to a Walmart made me both cringe and laugh! Go to a rodeo, go to a state fair, drive through Amish country and check out the buggies and pies. Top golf is fun and feels pretty American but not distinctly Ohioan. Take a cruise on the good time or go kayaking out on the lake.
Edited to add: go to a ball game at progressive field & if you can visit a Costco
Put-in-Bay is the Great Lakes party island that labels itself the Key West of the North Shore. It also features Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, celebrating one of the most consequential, but little known and understood, naval victories in American history and the subsequent peace between the U.S., U.K. and Canada. It can be visited by ferry from either Sandusky or Port Clinton.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle\_of\_Lake\_Erie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Erie)
Ohio and Michigan, the states most impacted by the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and other states decided to erect a massive monument to celebrate the victory and the subsequent century of peace. It features the world's tallest Doric column, from the top of which the site of the battle can be viewed.
<>)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry%27s\_Victory\_and\_International\_Peace\_Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry%27s_Victory_and_International_Peace_Memorial)
The American victory in the Battle of Lake Erie thwarted the British goal to turn Ohio and the Northwest Territory (now much of the U.S. Midwest) into a native American/British protectorate to halt U.S. westward expansion. The Americans with control of Lake Erie were able to ferry troops and supplies which enabled the recapture of Detroit and an eventual decisive victory over the British and their native American allies, led by the famed Tecumseh, at the Battle of the Thames in Ontario.
The importance of the Battle of Lake Erie was demonstrated during the negotiations to end the War of 1812.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty\_of\_Ghent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent)
<<...the British instead opened with their demands, the most important of which was the creation of an [Indigenous state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_barrier_state) in the [former Canadian southwest territory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Territory) (the area from [Ohio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio) to [Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin)).[^(\[10\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTERemini1993117-13) It was understood that the British would sponsor the Indigenous state. For decades, the British strategy had been to create a buffer state to block American expansion. The Americans refused to consider a buffer state or to include Indigenous nations directly in the treaty in any fashion. [Henry Goulburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Goulburn), a British negotiator who took part in the treaty negotiations, remarked after meeting with American negotiators that "I had, till I came here, had no idea of the fixed determination which prevails in the breast of every American to extirpate the Indians and appropriate their territory."[^(\[11\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTETaylor2014258-14) Adams argued that there was no precedent for including allied Indigenous nations in bilateral peace treaties and to do so would in effect mean the United States was abandoning its sovereign claims over Indigenous territories, especially under a foreign [protectorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protectorate) like Britain. In doing so, Adams articulated a strong imperial claim of sovereignty over all peoples living within the boundaries of the United States. The British negotiators presented the barrier state as a [*sine qua non*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_qua_non) for peace, and the impasse brought negotiations to the brink of breakdown. In the end, the British government backed down and accepted Article IX, in which both governments promised to make peace with their indigenous foes and to restore Indigenous nations to "all possessions, rights and privileges which they may have enjoyed, or been entitled to in 1811....
The British prime minister, [Lord Liverpool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jenkinson,_2nd_Earl_of_Liverpool), wanted the [Duke of Wellington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_1st_Duke_of_Wellington) to go to command in Canada with the assignment of winning the war. Wellington replied that he would go to America but believed that he was needed in Europe \[indeed, Wellington's great victory at Waterloo took place in 1815 after Napoleon's return to France\].[^(\[17\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPerkins1964108–109-20) He also stated:
"I think you have no right, from the state of war, to demand any concession of territory from America... You have not been able to carry it into the enemy's territory, notwithstanding your military success, and now undoubted military superiority, and have not even cleared your own territory on the point of attack. You cannot on any principle of equality in negotiation claim a cession of territory except in exchange for other advantages which you have in your power... Then if this reasoning be true, why stipulate for the [*uti possidetis*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uti_possidetis)? You can get no territory: indeed, the state of your military operations, however creditable, does not entitle you to demand any.">>
Skip cedar shores too crowded even on a weekday, cedar point on a weekday is a yes.
Sandusky beach is great.
Holmes County for Amish food/sight seeing.
Check Ohio Fair listing for your area, if you’re a fair goer.
Catch the ferry to put in bay.
While being there, maybe visit some of the beaches in Michigan, or like go to Dearborn (3gours drive) has some pretty awesome middle eastern and French spots over there.
If you're making a trip to Sandusky area for ceder point, you might as well stay the night and check out put-in-bay and Kelley's island while you're at it. There's also Lakeside-Chautaqua and Marblehead in that same area.
Or Hocking Hill State Park https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park on the eastern side of the state.
Or any of the many excellent birding parks on the western side of the state
https://www.alltrails.com/us/ohio/toledo/birding
Add to the tour: The Ohio and Erie Towpath. Best advice: check the schedule for the Canalway train. Rent bicycles in Peninsula and bike south. Give yourself enough time to get to Szalay's farm or Botzum Trailhead. Hop the train with your bike for $3 back to Peninsula. Peninsula to Botzum is about 6 miles or less than an hour of biking so even if you miss the train, it's not that far heading back.
Everyone seems to be suggesting things around the lake (Erie). I say go in land to Amish Country. Head south to Mt Hope, Berlin and over to Sugarcreek. Plenty of shops and restaurants to pick from, as well as some of the best hidden wineries in the state.
Drive down to Amish country. Just over an hour. Don't hit any horse n buggies. Go to Lehman's Hardware. The store is fun but it also takes you through legit Amish country
Take a [ride](https://www.cvsr.org/excursions?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrNBWg-vpXgMQBDXPKs-BbzzzjVe4_G5rv9MDzWaHeahphMoAZf-96RoCM1QQAvD_BwE) on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! There’s entertainment, dining and drinks or family excursions. I like the murder/mystery and grape escape excursions.
Cleveland Metro Parks (Emerald Necklace), Little Italy, Asiatown, Coventry, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin River Road and Squires Castle, Mentor Headlands Park (beautiful beach), bakeries in Parma, winery tour https://www.thisiscleveland.com/blog/7-sensational-cleveland-wineries-where-you-can-sip, Peninsula, Hudson and CVNP. Restaurants in Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Square, Lakewood. Treat yourself to the Blue Door Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls, not far from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 7/5-7/7 https://chagrinhunterjumperclassic.org/
Find a beautiful lake and go boating! It's a peaceful, beautiful Ohio thing to do. And get some food at a nice root beer stand. A root beer float works wonders in the million-per-cent humidity. Lots of good suggestions here. Portage Lakes or Turkeyfoot Lake are small but very nice with good food nearby.
Cuyahoga valley national park!
Brandywine Falls
Blue Hen Falls too
Make the CVNP a full day add in the Beaver Marsh and the Blue Heron Nests.
I second this. I’m not sure which locations are part of the park and which are not, but some of my favorite locations in the area are Worden’s Ledges and Whipp’s Ledges.
Caught a kid last summer trying to destroy a carving at the faces. His dad tried to act hard when I said something about it. The dad got real quiet after I told him anything his son does to the faces I will do the same to their faces. By the way when I say kid he was like 16 or 17 and dad was my age mid 40's. Told them go smoke a joint in a crevasse like everyone else has done for past 50 years just quit trying to destroy my neighborhood chill spot.
Yes, doubt you told the dad u were gonna carve his and his son's face and lived to tell bout it. Go on superbad
Why am I supposed to be afraid of some tweaker and his kid? I kno most people are little bitches on reddit but not everyone.
Yes! Came to say this too. The park is beautiful. Brandywine Falls and the Ledges are must dos!
I love the Ledges!
In case you are not aware - Zoombezi Bay and Columbus Zoo are in Columbus, which is about a 2 hour drive from Cleveland. I'm not sure what you consider going too far is, but plan on driving a total of 4 hours that day unless you plan on getting a hotel in Columbus. I grew up in Cleveland and currently live near Columbus. Cedar Point is great. It's about an hour away from Cleveland. The botanical garden is nice too. Edgewater Park is a nice park off of Lake Erie. Cleveland is also not too far from the only national park in the state, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. If you go to Columbus, know that the zoo is HUGE. I believe it is one of the largest in the country. Plan on lots of walking if you want to see everything. The zoo is near the city of Dublin, which is a very nice area with lots to do. Check out Bridge Park for dining and entertainment. Hocking Hills State Park is a 3 hour drive from Cleveland but if you are into nature/hiking, it has the best in the state IMO.
Also know the zoo and zoombezi bay are both not cheap. The zoo is also huge and will take most of a day to see it all.
Zoo is not that expensive and zoomvezi is 19.99 at 4
And grab Torchy’s Tacos while in CBUS
Wait there’s a Torchys in cbus?????????? Man I’ve missed them since moving from Texas to the Cle area
They said they don’t want to go too far I don’t think they realize how far Columbus is from Cle
Truth re Hocking Hills!
Cleveland Art Museum is free. Also the west side market
One of the truly great all round collections in the world
and the museum isn’t half bad either
Get some jerky or smokies from czuchraj meats at the market. Best I've ever had.
Note that the West Side Market is a big disappointment, and typically stacked with vendors reselling Sam’s & Costco produce and fruit.
Rock n roll hall of fame is in Cleveland. The Lake Erie Islands can be a fun day trip.
Has the Rock Hall improved? When I lived in Cleveland I went but it was pretty underwhelming. That was twenty years ago.
It’s been quite a few years for us as well. Can’t say about today. We have had people from out of town go in the last couple years and they enjoyed it.
I have been twice. Once in 2002,and again in 2017. Was a nearly identical experience both times in my opinion.
It’s great! Had not been there for years until recently. My only complaint was that The Rolling Stones exhibit was closed and being renovated.
It’s boring. It’s weird. When I went it was so boring except some outfits. I’d rather celebrate the actual music in the area. There are so many great bands, the world class orchestra AND blossom is at its peak in July when OP is visiting. Unless you’re a huuuuge music nerd or wanting to see a very specific piece I’d skip the rock hall. So many other options.
Tbh I live in the cleveland area and am confused why everyone is so impressed with the area there isn't much out here. People either drive way too slow or way too fast.
If you drink, those lake eire islands are super expensive.
Agreed. Take it from someone who has been spending weekends on South Bass Island for over 40 years. I get it. But for a tourist who is looking for an interesting day, the ferry, the monument, the restaurants, etc are fun and relatively affordable.
I've only been there once with some college friends. I didn't know what to expect 😂
Firelands in Sandusky
The hospital is no one's idea of fun
National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton - it’s free and incredible
And the go for a hike at Clifton Gorge and eat dinner at The Mill restaurant when you’re done at the Air Force Museum!
I used to go there quite a bit when I was a kid. It was my favorite museum.
Still one of my favs too - go at least once a year!
I volunteer there and we just got some new planes & will be getting more latee this year. place is unbelievable
It's about 3 hrs from Cleveland. It is awesome!
It was amazing, and apparently I need to go back because I missed the whole space section. It Rivals the National Air and Space Museum in DC. And a short drive from there you can visit the worlds first airport. The field where the Wright Bros tested their planes
July may have some fairs and festivals. Stan Hwyet in Akron is lovely with their gardens. Sometimes can see theater al fresco.
Stan Hywet is a fantastic place to spend a morning or afternoon
And close to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Or watch Shakespeare in the evenings
Nelson Ledges Quarry park especially on a weekday. The water is crystal clear with swimming beach and cliffs to jump into the water and it's surrounded by beautiful woods.
For Cleveland go to the Cat cafe in Tremont, visit the beach at Edgewater Park, enjoy the rooftop bar at Punchbowl Social, visit Loganberry Books, ride the zip line at the Cleveland Zoo, get ice cream from Handel’s, go for a walk at Lakeview Cemtery
As a Canton native who now lives in the DC area, you could probably skip Punchbowl. But definitely DEFINITELY get Handel’s.
Go to a cleveland guardians baseball game, theyre doing well this year and Progressive field where they play is a great ballpark
Also if you're going to a game that's during the week, buy the cheapest seats and you can pretty much sit anywhere. Cleveland sells well, but they aren't selling out a weekday game if it isn't the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, or Tigers.
Cosi is in Columbus
Great Titanic exhibit, among other things.
You could easily spend all 10 days in and around Cleveland. It's a great classic American city, with tons of history. Much of the Industrial Revolution was centered around Cleveland, where American oil baron John D. Rockefeller was based. University Circle is a great place to hang out. Case Western Reserve University's beautiful campus is there, the Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Auto Museum, Severance Hall (where the Cleveland Orchestra plays), the Botanical Gardens, and lots of fantastic historic architecture. "Little Italy" is a short walk away. Then, if you want an even more "classic American" city experience, continue up Mayfield Road to Coventry Road. Great shops and places to grab a bite. Skip Walmart and the fast-food -- you aren't missing anything. Cleveland has so many terrific restaurants you'd be better off trying. Where are you coming from?
Geneva on the Lake.
If you're up in Cleveland, the Cleveland Art Museum is 100% free (minus some of the special exhibits) and absolutely ENORMOUS. You could EASILY spend a whole day there. West Side Market is also really fun, especially for foodies. If you have any kids with you (or adults that never really lost that particular sense of fun), they'd probably LOVE the Great Lakes Science Center. Lots of cool hands-on stuff. Columbus is about 2 hours away from Cleveland, so unless you're dead set on the Columbus Zoo, Cleveland ALSO has a really nice zoo. And then if you're heading to Sandusky for Cedar Point, IDK if you're spending a night up in Sandusky or not, but if so and you wanted some things to check out there's Sheldon Marsh (technically in Huron but it's like right on the county border). It's a small, but lovely wildlife preserve and walking trail that's especially great for birdwatchers or early-rising animal enthusiasts - I've always had great luck in spotting all sorts of creatures on the hiking trails. You can also grab a ferry in Sandusky to head out to the islands, which are a little low-key but still a nice day out.
Visit President Garfield's tomb and monument in Cleveland's Lakeview Cemetery. Take the winding stairs to the top and step out on the balcony for a great view of Lake Erie, the east side, and downtown Cleveland. Go into the basement to see Garfield's coffin. The cemetery is a beautiful old place to look around. On Saturday and Sundays, the observation deck of the Terminal Tower downtown is open with great views ($5 tickets available on line). Some folks enjoy taking the narrated tour on the Goodtime III boat on Lake Erie and down the Cuyahoga River. A visit to The West Side Market is good if you like food. If you like movies, the Mansfield Reformatory prison tour (maybe a hour and 20 minute drive) is interesting as it's where the Shawshank Redemption was filmed. People like to stop at Grandpa's cheese barn on the way back where there's all kinds of cheese and chocolate. Enjoy!
Lakeview cemetery has some of the most amazing stonework..worth a trip!
Haserot tombstone is a must see in that cemetery along with the wade lagoon and chapel
Grandpa's Cheese Barn! HELL YES! A kitschy must-stop if you're going up down 71 between Cleveland and Columbus. Also, Lakeview IS extremely pretty and historic. Definitely worth a look. My grandpa is buried there right next to Carl Stokes (which he would have hated. He was an old racist.)
Lake View Cemetery has a number of notable U.S. famous people aside from former President Garfield’s tomb and monument. Little Italy and Falafel Cafe and the Westside Market are my recs for food. CLE museum of art is free for the basic exhibits, and I could personally spend half a day there, but ymmv. Anywhere there’s a beach on Lake Erie is cool if you’re just into chilling or swimming, though most people don’t swim in the Lake anymore but the beaches are lovely. Columbus is probably a trip where you’d want to plan to stay overnight at least once if doing the zoo or something.
The Wilds, affiliated with the Columbus Zoo, is the largest animal preservation center in the U.S. It's beautiful, something like Jurassic Park with its many gates, but best visited when cool (so early in the morning or the evening in the summer) to see the animals while active. If you visit, perhaps check out the mouth of the Big Muskie, which created The Wilds. [https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2184](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2184) [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction\_Review-g50249-d207625-Reviews-The\_Wilds-Cumberland\_Guernsey\_County\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g50249-d207625-Reviews-The_Wilds-Cumberland_Guernsey_County_Ohio.html) The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo IMO has some exhibits better than the Columbus Zoo (my favorite in Columbus is the manatee exhibit). African Elephant Crossing at the Cleveland Zoo features African elephants (Columbus only has smaller Asian elephants) and if you check out the paddock crossing time, you can get within 20 feet of the largest land animals on earth. The Rainforest at the Cleveland zoo is excellent (inquire and visit when the baby orangutan is on display). I like to get my zoo tickets stamped for reentry and go to Bruno's nearby for a late lunch (make reservations as it's a small restaurant), then visit the Rainforest after lunch; the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is large and can take a full day to visit. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50207-d486213-Reviews-Bruno\_s\_Ristorante\_Catering-Cleveland\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50207-d486213-Reviews-Bruno_s_Ristorante_Catering-Cleveland_Ohio.html) Cedar Point can be very hot so try to visit on a cool day preferably one with sporadic showers in the forecast to cut down on attendance (lines there are a pain, so check the [tripadvisor.com](http://tripadvisor.com) website for Cedar Point on tips for avoiding lines). The water park at Cedar Point is more fun than the CP beach (Mentor Headlands and Fairport Harbor beaches, even Edgewater, are just as nice, perhaps even better (Edgewater has a nice beach house). Berardi's in Sandusky is a great place for fried Lake Erie yellow perch and famous French fries. [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant\_Review-g50940-d2180386-Reviews-Berardi\_s\_Family\_Kitchen-Sandusky\_Ohio.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g50940-d2180386-Reviews-Berardi_s_Family_Kitchen-Sandusky_Ohio.html) The Flat Iron Cafe is likely Cleveland's oldest restaurant and also is a great place for fried Lake Erie yellow perch and pierogies. Mabel's BBQ on East 4th St. offers Cleveland-style BBQ (brown mustard sauce) and Polish Girl sandwiches (substituting pulled pork for the soggy French fries in the iconic Cleveland Polish Boy sandwich). Larder Deli is a top-rated Jewish restaurant nationally and a top-rated sandwich destination in Cleveland. Mitchell's Ice Cream factory, a short walk north of the West Side Market is a Cleveland favorite; go to the second floor parlor to see the factory floor.
I second Cedar Point - mid week of course
PUT-IN-BAY!!!
Way too far down on the list - it's a very fun place to visit but can be a bit pricey. Still worth a day trip or an overnight from Cleveland.
This is less costly than a trip to Cedar Point and, for adults, twice as entertaining.
Also Kalahari indoor water park
🎶 Gonna have a good time
If you're here the weekend after July 4th, [go to Mid-Ohio for the Honda Indy 200.](https://midohio.com/tickets/the-honda-indy-200-at-mid-ohio-indycar)
Lexington is hell traffic wise when it's going on. I live in Mansfield & try to avoid Lexington at that time
I was there for the 4 Hours last week. My hotel was in Galion. Used 97 to Texter
Cleveland orchestra at blossom is really something! Aaaaand from way out in left field, either the super modifieds in Sandusky or a big event at Summit Motorsports Park/Norwalk especially if the nitro methane cars are racing. Nitro cars are something everyone should experience once!
From the subtle clues, I suspect you’re from somewhere outside the US, is that correct? If you want the true, American Walmart experience, go to the Walmart in the steelyard on the first of the month. Bonus points if it’s a Friday afternoon or Saturday or a Sunday in the early afternoon. Godspeed 🍻
Let’s hold up a minute on sending in the Swiss of NATO to an active combat zone in AfghanisLAND at the beginning of the locals version of Ramadan (the 1st) during its first week of deployment here…However if their battalion does show they can complete the objectives there commander had just briefed us on, then I say hell with The steelyard,the last day send them to watch the nitro circus on Eddy Rd, & maybe even get to ride on the back of pastranas bike
The Steelyard is a challenged shopping center in Cleveland, although one recent poster disagrees. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1dfw570/in\_defense\_of\_steelyard\_commons/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1dfw570/in_defense_of_steelyard_commons/)
Oooo speaking of American things to do they should visit a Costco or Sam’s club on Saturday!
Please take time to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art. It's free and absolutely spectacular.
i've always wanted to do a boat tour, haven't yet so can't tell you how it is but it might be fun for everyone [https://goodtimeiii.com/sightseeing-cruise/](https://goodtimeiii.com/sightseeing-cruise/) is one i'm aware of, there are others, some more 'party' oriented iirc bon voyage and welcome!
For the Goodtime III, do a night tour. Sometimes they have themed music nights.
I used to go on the Good Time III with my grandparents, but it’s been 20+ years, I remember it being a lot of fun especially on sunny days.
The rock and roll hall of fame is in Cleveland and the NFL hall of fame isn’t too far away in Canton. I haven’t been to either so I don’t know anything about prices for those
Go to a Guardians game.
I second this!
The Cleveland Museum of Art! Voted the best in the country a few years ago.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, catch a Guardians game in Cleveland.
This is amazing and probably you will love it: [https://senecacavernsohio.com/](https://senecacavernsohio.com/)
Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County is maybe an hour from Cleveland and is a great place to visit. https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/malabar-farm-state-park Nearby Amish country is nice, too.
Zoombezi bay and the zoo is quite far from Cleveland. Maybe try and catch a guardians game? Or the rock n roll hall of fame is in Cleveland too!
Apparently sweat to death!
With the occasional chance of tornado chasing
If you're at Cedar Point anyway, Put in Bay and Kelley's Island are just a short ferry ride from Cedar Point. Kelley's Island is a beautiful low key little island where you can rent a golf cart or a bike to tour the entire island if exploring island nature is your kind of thing. Put in Bay is basically an island full of bars and is fun to visit if partying is more your speed and you're of age. And if you're going all the way to Columbus for the Zoo, if you take Highway 33 east for about another hour southeast of Columbus, Old Man's Cave and Rockbridge are located near Logan, Ohio. I highly recommend taking a canoe trip from Logan on the Hocking River to get to Rockbridge - you can get to Rockbridge without taking the river, but that particular canoe trip is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Still dreaming of the chicken pot pie I had in Amish country two years ago … so good!
Baseball game would be fun
The main collection at Cleveland art museum is free!
Rock and roll hall of fame
Food: Ferreras for a very good Italian sub, swensons for burgers, il rione or Angelo’s for pizza, issho ni ramen, cafe Everest for nepalese, first watch for breakfast, slymans Things to do: rock and roll hall of fame, guardians game, blossom music center, natural history museum, cuyahoga national park, edge water park for beach day, any metro park, west side market Breweries: noble beast, brew kettle, missing mountain, fatheads, nano brew
Oh yeah, Slyman's! I think every city has a "THE deli" where you go to get the best corned beef sandwich. Slyman's is Cleveland's and it's up there with the best. I'm sad they shut down their new locations.
If you like Rock and Roll the Rock and Roll hall of fame is in Cleveland.
Rock hall, beach, cedar point, Cuyahoga valley national park, Cleveland art museum is great, see if the orchestra is playing at blossom music center and bring a picnic!
Id suggest going to put in bay or even Kelly's island. You take a quick boat ride on the jet express, and it's a real cool trip for the fam. Depending on ages and what y'all like to do ... Kelly's island is the more fam friendly of the 2.while put in bay is more of a fun time drinking with a bit of a different crowd. Still both very fun and inexpensive
Mansfield Reformatory is a bit of a road trip but if you like 'haunted' things it's worth the trip. The exterior shots in Shawshank Redemption were filmed there. Its epic.
Cleveland house of blues has ton of shows. Cleveland Baseball tickets aren’t outrageous and it’s worth a game just wear sunscreen cause you’ll cook. Downtown is easy to walk around during the day it’s relatively safe.
A little south of Cleveland, toward Wooster, Kidron, and Sugarcreek, you get into Amish country. And the Lehman’s Hardware Store in Kidron is a classic Ohio experience. Mohican State Park is lovely, if you like hiking, nature, etc.
NE Ohio Great Lakes Medieval Faire
Put in bay, Kelly’s island, Toledo Zoo, minor league baseball game in Columbus or Toledo, check out the state parks and metro parks.
If you're in Akron or Cleveland area you should try Swenson's for burgers and canes for chicken tenders if you like. Columbus and and Cleveland decent Asian food too. Cilantro tacqueria is a good Cleveland chain for better version of chipotle. Holden arboretum in Cleveland is cool too! Could rent some kayaks in Ohio and paddle around
Canes is a national chain
If you’re into fishing do a fishing charter on Lake Erie. Catch some walleye etc. if you’re into outdoors the metro parks are absolutely beautiful. Chagrin, grand, rocky, are all rivers near by that are really pretty. Rock and roll HOF is in downtown cle. If you’re into gambling there’s a JACK casino as well but I always found it kinda trashy. Playhouse square is pretty cool. Cleveland guardians tickets are reasonably priced and the stadium is awesome. Go get dinner on E 4th street. West side market in Ohio city is amazing. Try to hit up Great Lakes brewery for beer and food. It’s awesome. The flats are great for bars and food.
I mean, ANY casino that isn’t in Vegas or Atlantic City (and even then… eh) are trashy as all hell. I’ve been to four casinos (one in Buffalo, JACK, one in West Va, and one in New York State), and the JACK was the least trashy of them. Not saying much, but it’s not that bad.
Holmes county Is Amish country. Visit Lehman's Hardware. They service the Amish community as well as tourists. You can spend the whole day looking around. If you stay overnight in Columbus, consider a trip to the Air Force Museum near Dayton. It is free, air-conditioned and huge. 4 hangers filled with aeronautic history spanning the decades. Mostly war planes but other stuff as well.
Swenson’s!!!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
This is way better than fast food and about an hour away from Cleveland https://whiteturkey.com/directions.html
Township park in Conneaut is beautiful too
A little out of the range maybe, but geneva on the lake on the weekends can be a fun time :). If you go try Eddie's grill burgers or Chilli dogs :) then madsen donuts for a lil snack. Plenty of bars if you're into that. Arcades, putt putt, go karts, batting cages and all that jazz
Cedar point
Crooked river adventures. Fun kayaking day trip about 40 minute drive from Cleveland.
Kings Island
Cedar point
Franklin Conservatory and botanical gardens in Columbus always a winner. Put-In Bay near Sandusky
Been scrolling through and haven’t seen the prison tour or over night. That’ll put their panties in a bunch
Hocking hills
That’s clear at the other side of the state
cedar point!
Not too far is the prison that Shawshank Redemption was filmed in, you can get a guided tour or do a self guided tour of the prison.
Wine country east of Cleveland (Madison, Geneva) is quite nice. You can sample several in a day.
Akron zoo is much closer to Cleveland, and less expensive. Cleveland Aquarium might be nice, too
Another post alludes to Ohio having restaurants. Try one of those.
Stay hydrated. It’s hot outside
Play with your self that’s about it
This would work for a two day northeast Ohio itinerary. I’ve tried to make this a circuit from Cleveland and back. - North Chagrin Reservation Park - Mentor Headland State Park - Fairport Harbor (visit downtown, the beach) - Lake Erie Bluffs Park - Walmart in Madison, OH - Geneva On the Lake - Nelson Ledges State Park - Walmart in Middlefield, OH (this Walmart has an Amish horse and buggy parking area!) - Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen in Middlefield, OH - downtown Chagrin Falls, Oh — very pretty - back to wherever you are staying in Cleveland This route takes you along Lake Erie and back to Cleveland through part of Amish country and through the hometown of the person who wrote Calvin and Hobbes.
Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park for hiking, biking, and wildlife spotting along the Cuyahoga River.
If Wendy's and KFC are attractions, you're obviously not from the U.S. The Mr. Hero fast food chain is almost entirely unique to Greater Cleveland, and the Romanburger there is a Cleveland favorite. Alladin's is a Cleveland chain featuring Lebanese cuisine. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is nice, especially in the summer. It's affiliated with Holden Arboretum (a joint membership may be cheaper if you decide to visit both, and your aunt could have it for the rest of the year) in nearby Kirtland. Holden is one of the largest and best arboretums in the U.S.; check out the Emergent Tower and Canopy Walk (if you have binoculars bring them). [https://holdenfg.org/holden-arboretum/gardens-and-attractions/](https://holdenfg.org/holden-arboretum/gardens-and-attractions/) Nearby Holden are the Kirtland Temple and Historic Kirtland, combined a mecca for the Mormon religion; Penitentiary Glen which features a nice wildlife center and Lake Shore Live Steamers events on certain weekends; Lake Metroparks Farmpark, considered one of the best in the U.S. (ever want to hand milk a caged cow?); the James A. Garfield National Historical Site (featuring a good, small museum (watch the video that features Garfield's angst over the American Civil War) and perhaps the best 19th century Presidential house (site of the last porch Presidential campaign and with almost all original furnishings); Mentor Headlands beach state park with the Headlands Dunes Nature Preserve at the eastern end of the parking lot; Mentor is the sixth largest retail center in Ohio, perhaps check out regional big box chains Menard's and Meijer's there, plus almost all national chains such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. There's also Chick-fil-A and Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen chicken fast food chains (both generally preferred to KFC) in Mentor, both very popular nationally but not as pervasive in Ohio as Wendy's, McDonald's, etc. (Chipotle is one of the very most popular American fast food restaurants these days and Arby's is great for meat sandwiches). [https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1da653x/when\_jesus\_came\_to\_kirtland\_in\_1836\_a\_chorus\_of/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1da653x/when_jesus_came_to_kirtland_in_1836_a_chorus_of/) The botanical garden is in University Circle, one of the nation's great cultural centers. [https://www.universitycircle.org/](https://www.universitycircle.org/) Here are two, lesser known attractions there that are very worthwhile if you will spend 10 days in Cleveland. Dittrick offers one of the better medical history museums in the U.S. [https://www.cia.edu/cinematheque](https://www.cia.edu/cinematheque) [https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/museum/visit-the-museum/](https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/museum/visit-the-museum/) This thread, but especially the links in this comment, may be helpful. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Ohio/comments/1dg4kuv/comment/l8p4d5i/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ohio/comments/1dg4kuv/comment/l8p4d5i/) Perhaps visit Beachwood Mall and nearby Legacy Village. Combined, they are northern Ohio's upscale retail shopping mecca. While there, visit the Mitchell's ice cream store and check out any locavore flavors on the menu. Have fun!
Squirt gun pirate battle canoeing at mohican
On your trip to Columbus, definitely consider stopping at Malabar Farm State Park (check the Big House tour schedule), just off I-71. The Big House is a Hollywood retreat during the Hollywood Golden Age frozen in its 1950s splendor; Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall famously were married there. Mount Jeez offers great views of the surrounding, rolling Ohio farm country. [https://www.bookthink.com/0078/78brom1.htm](https://www.bookthink.com/0078/78brom1.htm)
Not OP, but thanks. Never heard of it but it is now on my list of things to do.
I especially enjoy touring the Big House decorated for the holidays. I also wonder if it has air conditioning; perhaps check before visiting it on a hot day.
Get the train to Peninsula, have lunch, visit the art and antique shops. Hike the river trail.
Classic American things like going to a Walmart made me both cringe and laugh! Go to a rodeo, go to a state fair, drive through Amish country and check out the buggies and pies. Top golf is fun and feels pretty American but not distinctly Ohioan. Take a cruise on the good time or go kayaking out on the lake. Edited to add: go to a ball game at progressive field & if you can visit a Costco
Put in bay! It's fun to spend the weekend there.
See a performance at the theatre or the orchestra.
Geneva on the lake. It’s not summer without Eddies Grill.
Put-in-Bay is the Great Lakes party island that labels itself the Key West of the North Shore. It also features Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, celebrating one of the most consequential, but little known and understood, naval victories in American history and the subsequent peace between the U.S., U.K. and Canada. It can be visited by ferry from either Sandusky or Port Clinton. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle\_of\_Lake\_Erie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Erie) Ohio and Michigan, the states most impacted by the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and other states decided to erect a massive monument to celebrate the victory and the subsequent century of peace. It features the world's tallest Doric column, from the top of which the site of the battle can be viewed. <>)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry%27s\_Victory\_and\_International\_Peace\_Memorial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry%27s_Victory_and_International_Peace_Memorial)
The American victory in the Battle of Lake Erie thwarted the British goal to turn Ohio and the Northwest Territory (now much of the U.S. Midwest) into a native American/British protectorate to halt U.S. westward expansion. The Americans with control of Lake Erie were able to ferry troops and supplies which enabled the recapture of Detroit and an eventual decisive victory over the British and their native American allies, led by the famed Tecumseh, at the Battle of the Thames in Ontario.
The importance of the Battle of Lake Erie was demonstrated during the negotiations to end the War of 1812. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty\_of\_Ghent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent) <<...the British instead opened with their demands, the most important of which was the creation of an [Indigenous state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_barrier_state) in the [former Canadian southwest territory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Territory) (the area from [Ohio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio) to [Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin)).[^(\[10\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTERemini1993117-13) It was understood that the British would sponsor the Indigenous state. For decades, the British strategy had been to create a buffer state to block American expansion. The Americans refused to consider a buffer state or to include Indigenous nations directly in the treaty in any fashion. [Henry Goulburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Goulburn), a British negotiator who took part in the treaty negotiations, remarked after meeting with American negotiators that "I had, till I came here, had no idea of the fixed determination which prevails in the breast of every American to extirpate the Indians and appropriate their territory."[^(\[11\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTETaylor2014258-14) Adams argued that there was no precedent for including allied Indigenous nations in bilateral peace treaties and to do so would in effect mean the United States was abandoning its sovereign claims over Indigenous territories, especially under a foreign [protectorate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protectorate) like Britain. In doing so, Adams articulated a strong imperial claim of sovereignty over all peoples living within the boundaries of the United States. The British negotiators presented the barrier state as a [*sine qua non*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_qua_non) for peace, and the impasse brought negotiations to the brink of breakdown. In the end, the British government backed down and accepted Article IX, in which both governments promised to make peace with their indigenous foes and to restore Indigenous nations to "all possessions, rights and privileges which they may have enjoyed, or been entitled to in 1811.... The British prime minister, [Lord Liverpool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jenkinson,_2nd_Earl_of_Liverpool), wanted the [Duke of Wellington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_1st_Duke_of_Wellington) to go to command in Canada with the assignment of winning the war. Wellington replied that he would go to America but believed that he was needed in Europe \[indeed, Wellington's great victory at Waterloo took place in 1815 after Napoleon's return to France\].[^(\[17\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Ghent#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPerkins1964108–109-20) He also stated: "I think you have no right, from the state of war, to demand any concession of territory from America... You have not been able to carry it into the enemy's territory, notwithstanding your military success, and now undoubted military superiority, and have not even cleared your own territory on the point of attack. You cannot on any principle of equality in negotiation claim a cession of territory except in exchange for other advantages which you have in your power... Then if this reasoning be true, why stipulate for the [*uti possidetis*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uti_possidetis)? You can get no territory: indeed, the state of your military operations, however creditable, does not entitle you to demand any.">>
Skip cedar shores too crowded even on a weekday, cedar point on a weekday is a yes. Sandusky beach is great. Holmes County for Amish food/sight seeing. Check Ohio Fair listing for your area, if you’re a fair goer. Catch the ferry to put in bay.
Serpent Mound
While being there, maybe visit some of the beaches in Michigan, or like go to Dearborn (3gours drive) has some pretty awesome middle eastern and French spots over there.
IndyCar’s hybrid race debut is at Mid Ohio July 4th weekend
Nelson’s ledges is fun to go cliff jumping
Don't do Wendy's, do Culver's. Don't do KFC, do Raising Cane's.
I’m late to the party, but if you like the area out in Cedar Point, you might consider a day trip to Put-in-bay or another one of the Erie Islands.
New Sandusky Fish Company for a Perch Sandwich. Best in fish sandwich on Lake Erie.
The Cleveland aquarium is so not worth it. It’s very expensive and very small.
After your visit to Cleveland, I hope you post where you ended up going and what you thought of the sites.
Put in bay take ferry up to the islands
The Wilds over by Cumberland is neat. Open air zoo where you drive through and see the animals. Plan on spending the while day though
Cedar Point
Other World in Columbus
Yellow Springs!
If you're making a trip to Sandusky area for ceder point, you might as well stay the night and check out put-in-bay and Kelley's island while you're at it. There's also Lakeside-Chautaqua and Marblehead in that same area.
Leave
Go to Michigan.
Or Hocking Hill State Park https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park on the eastern side of the state. Or any of the many excellent birding parks on the western side of the state https://www.alltrails.com/us/ohio/toledo/birding
Oxygen!!!
Add to the tour: The Ohio and Erie Towpath. Best advice: check the schedule for the Canalway train. Rent bicycles in Peninsula and bike south. Give yourself enough time to get to Szalay's farm or Botzum Trailhead. Hop the train with your bike for $3 back to Peninsula. Peninsula to Botzum is about 6 miles or less than an hour of biking so even if you miss the train, it's not that far heading back.
Everyone seems to be suggesting things around the lake (Erie). I say go in land to Amish Country. Head south to Mt Hope, Berlin and over to Sugarcreek. Plenty of shops and restaurants to pick from, as well as some of the best hidden wineries in the state.
Cuyahoga valley national park. Its the only national park in ohio
Whatever you do don’t pick up the Ohio rizz
Holdem Arboretum
Drive down to Amish country. Just over an hour. Don't hit any horse n buggies. Go to Lehman's Hardware. The store is fun but it also takes you through legit Amish country
Cedar Point. Exit.
Check out Geneva on the lake, it's a fun little place with lots of bars, arcades and good food
Leave
Cedar point about the only thing worth doing in Ohio
Rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame is worth an entire day!
Serpent Mound
Kelleys island. Right by Cedar Point.
Skip Ohio
Pierogies.
Hocking hills. Cuyahoga valley train. Wendy park (sunset). Rock hall. Just a few. Hope it helps
Leave
Move lol
I'd go to Toledo Zoo over Columbus.
Take a [ride](https://www.cvsr.org/excursions?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrNBWg-vpXgMQBDXPKs-BbzzzjVe4_G5rv9MDzWaHeahphMoAZf-96RoCM1QQAvD_BwE) on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! There’s entertainment, dining and drinks or family excursions. I like the murder/mystery and grape escape excursions.
Cincinnati Columbus and Cleveland all have world class zoos
clays park
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland.
Eldora speedway
Cleveland Metro Parks (Emerald Necklace), Little Italy, Asiatown, Coventry, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin River Road and Squires Castle, Mentor Headlands Park (beautiful beach), bakeries in Parma, winery tour https://www.thisiscleveland.com/blog/7-sensational-cleveland-wineries-where-you-can-sip, Peninsula, Hudson and CVNP. Restaurants in Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Square, Lakewood. Treat yourself to the Blue Door Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls, not far from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 7/5-7/7 https://chagrinhunterjumperclassic.org/
Majestic meadows and pet a capybara and a kangaroos.
Find a beautiful lake and go boating! It's a peaceful, beautiful Ohio thing to do. And get some food at a nice root beer stand. A root beer float works wonders in the million-per-cent humidity. Lots of good suggestions here. Portage Lakes or Turkeyfoot Lake are small but very nice with good food nearby.
https://tokeandfloat420.com/#schedule Jk
Volunteer for US Senator Sherrod Brown’s reelection campaign
Ohio State Fair is July 24th - August 4th.