what to do in cleveland

What to Do in Cleveland If you remember the theme song to “The Drew Carey Show,” then you already know that “Cleveland rocks.” But see for yourself at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (751 Erieside Ave.). The massive collection of stage outfits, concert posters, instruments, handwritten lyrics and personal items tells the always interesting and often juicy history of rock and roll. When you need a little break from wandering galleries, have a seat in the theater where a trio of screens continually plays clips and music of each inductee.

Cleveland rocks in more ways than one, and you don’t have to go far to see how. Right next door is the Great Lakes Science Center (601 Erieside Ave.), where you can explore hundreds of science exhibits as well as the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, chock full of space history. The center is right on Lake Erie; head outside to tour the Steamship William G. Mather .

Visit The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (3900 Wildlife Way). The re-creation of tropical rain forests is a visual and aural delight with a waterfall and simulated thunderstorms in addition to the 600-plus animals in residence. Once you experience this environment, you’ll better understand the importance of saving the world’s rain forests, which is the goal of this exhibit.

If you’re a fan of “A Christmas Story” and looking for things to do in Cleveland, you’ll have a blast at A Christmas Story House & Museum (3159 W. 11th St.). Tour the house, where some scenes were filmed, and check out the movie props and memorabilia.

Spend some time in University Circle (4 miles east of downtown). In addition to medical and education facilities (including the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Art), University Circle is a renowned destination for its many cultural sites, including the next four on the list.

The Cleveland Museum of Art (11150 East Blvd.) has a collection that is amazing in quantity, quality and diversity. A highlight is the European arms and armor collection.

Explore the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (1 Wade Oval Dr.) galleries for a jam-packed crash course in archeology, astronomy, ecology, geology, human evolution and prehistoric life as well as Ohio’s native plants and animals.

Spend some time relaxing at the Cleveland Botanical Garden (11030 East Blvd.), where each season brings its own reason for visiting. Many of the individual gardens, like the Japanese and restorative gardens, are designed with serenity in mind, but one is intended to promote activity: the Hershey Children’s Garden, which features a maze and tree house.

Local history is front and center at The Cleveland History Center (10825 East Blvd.). One of the center's highlights is the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum. Temporary exhibits of clothing and textiles are always on view as well.

Experience the area’s beautiful natural scenery and recreation opportunities at one of the 18 reservations making up Cleveland Metroparks.

Admire the city’s architecture and public art either on a self-guiding tour (pick up a brochure at Cleveland Visitors Center, 334 Euclid Ave.) or a guided Trolley Tours of Cleveland (2000 Sycamore St.) tour.

Mingle with Clevelanders at the West Side Market's (1979 W. 25th St.) more than 100 vendor stalls.

Theater in Cleveland is a pretty big deal. Not counting New York’s venues, PlayhouseSquare (1501 Euclid Ave.) is the country’s largest performing arts center. Plan to spend a night at the theater during your time in the city; it's a great option for those interested in things for couples to do.