Top 12 Attractions in Cleveland

December 16, 2023

Cleveland, Ohio offers a surprising number of exciting and interesting attractions for visitors. From world-renowned museums and cultural institutions to professional sports and unique neighborhoods, Cleveland has something for everyone.

Attraction	Description
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum	Iconic museum showcasing the history of rock music with interactive exhibits.
Cleveland Museum of Art	Houses over 45,000 art pieces spanning 6,000 years.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History	Features dinosaur skeletons, a mummy, and the famous “Lucy” fossil.
Great Lakes Science Center	Interactive science museum with a focus on STEM subjects.
Cleveland Botanical Garden	10 acres of gardens and glass houses with global plant species.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo	Over 3,000 animals in naturalistic habitats on 165 acres.
West Side Market	Historic indoor/outdoor market with diverse food vendors.
Cleveland Cultural Gardens	Public gardens representing over 30 world cultures.
Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art	Contemporary art exhibitions in a striking architectural setting.
Playhouse Square	America’s second-largest performing arts complex with historic stages.
Downtown Cleveland	Features The Arcade, Terminal Tower, and various attractions.
Lakefront Neighborhoods	Diverse communities offering cultural experiences and cuisine.

Here are the top 12 attractions you don’t want to miss when visiting Cleveland.

Table of Content

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Name and Location:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

History and Significance:
Established in 1983, it’s dedicated to archiving the history of some of music’s most influential artists, producers, and others who have significantly impacted the rock and roll genre.

What to Expect:
Memorabilia from famous rock and roll artists, interactive exhibits, and educational displays.

Visitor Information:
Tickets required for entry. Open daily. Parking available nearby.

As the city where disc jockey Alan Freed first coined the phrase “rock and roll,” Cleveland is the perfect location for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. This striking building designed by famous architect I.M. Pei houses fascinating and entertaining exhibits that trace the history of rock music and honor its most influential artists. Interactive displays allow you to touch and hear the evolution of rock ‘n roll, from early blues and R&B artists through the latest inductions. An expansive collection of stage costumes, musical instruments, original song lyrics and more immerse you in rock and roll culture. Don’t miss this quintessential Cleveland experience.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Name and Location:
Cleveland Museum of Art, located in the University Circle neighborhood.

History and Significance:
Founded in 1913, it’s renowned for its diverse and extensive collection of art from around the world.

What to Expect:
Art collections spanning 6,000 years, including Asian and Egyptian art, modern European paintings, and more.

Visitor Information:
Free admission to the permanent collection. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Paid parking available.

The Cleveland Museum of Art houses an incredibly diverse and significant collection of over 45,000 pieces of art spanning 6,000 years. Highlights include stunning antiquities, medieval armour and tapestries, Gothic masterpieces, Impressionist paintings like Monet’s Water Lilies, and cutting-edge contemporary works. The museum itself is a work of art, designed with grand galleries bathed in natural light. Additional wings house exhibits like the delightful children’s gallery, sculpture garden, glassworks, decorative arts and prints. Admission is always free, making this world-class museum experience incredibly accessible.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Name and Location:
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, in the University Circle area.

History and Significance:
Established in 1920, it’s known for its research and collections in areas of anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, botany, geology, paleontology, wildlife biology, and zoology.

What to Expect:
Exhibits on dinosaurs, precious gems, wildlife, and more, including a planetarium.

Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open daily. Parking available onsite.

Discover over four billion years of the natural world at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Located just minutes from downtown at the gorgeous Wade Oval, the museum contains everything from stunning dinosaur skeletons to sparkling gemstone exhibits. The most famous display is “Lucy” – several hundred fossil bones documenting one of the most complete early hominid specimens ever discovered. Additional highlights include an ancient Egyptian mummy, wildlife dioramas, a planetarium and an interactive children’s space. Outside, don’t miss walking through the museum’s botanical gardens. With so much to explore, you’ll want to spend the entire day uncovering natural history secrets.

Great Lakes Science Center

Name and Location:
Great Lakes Science Center, located on the lakefront near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

History and Significance:
Opened in 1996, it focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics, with a special emphasis on the Great Lakes region.

What to Expect:
Interactive science exhibits, a NASA Glenn Visitor Center, and the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater.

Visitor Information:
Ticket purchase required. Open daily. Parking available nearby.

At the Great Lakes Science Center, learning is always thrilling and hands-on. As one of the country’s largest interactive science museums, this campus features hundreds of permanent and visiting exhibits focused on science, technology, engineering and math. See a miniature version of the Cleveland skyline in the amazing replica railroad exhibit, design your own spacecraft at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, or explore the human body in the World of Health. The center also contains Cleveland’s OMNIMAX Theater, home to an enormous 6-story domed screen showcasing educational films. And the 1937 Steamship Mather museum ship docked outside provides opportunities to come aboard and explore. With so much to discover, curiosity and imagination reign supreme here.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Name and Location:
Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in University Circle.

History and Significance:
Founded in 1930, the garden features themed gardens and a Glasshouse that simulates two distinct climates.

What to Expect:
Beautifully landscaped gardens, exotic plants in the Glasshouse, and seasonal events.

Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Parking available onsite.

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood on Cleveland’s east side, the Cleveland Botanical Garden proves to be an unexpected delight. Ten acres of outdoor gardens linked by glass houses emerge as peaceful, beautifully curated spaces showcasing plants from around the world. The ELEELE Place Visitor Center houses an ethereal glass art installation, seasonal exhibits, and Hershey Children’s Garden created just for kids. Outdoors, wander through spaces like the Japanese Garden with bonsai trees, dramatic Cloud Forest Conservatory, and Costa Rican Glass House overflowing with tropical plants and butterflies. Special events, classes and a charming café make the Botanical Garden a wonderful place to while away an afternoon.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Name and Location:
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, located just south of downtown Cleveland.

History and Significance:
Established in 1882, the zoo is part of the Cleveland Metroparks system and is one of the oldest in the United States.

What to Expect:
A wide variety of animals from around the world, educational programs, and conservation efforts.

Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open daily. Parking available onsite.

Consistently ranked one of the best zoos in the country, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo contains over 3,000 animals across wild naturalistic habitats spanning 165 wooded acres. From the award-winning African Savanna with giraffes, zebras and rhinos to the tropical Primate, Cat & Aquatics building, encounters feel thrillingly close. Don’t miss the adorable bear and wolf habitats with underwater viewing areas as well as the extensive collection of rainforest wildlife like monkeys, sloths and birds. Interactive opportunities abound, from glorious butterfly releases in the summer to train rides circling the park. With so much wildlife to be awed by, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo makes for an incredible day of family fun.

West Side Market

Name and Location:
West Side Market, located in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.

History and Significance:
Dating back to 1840, it’s one of the oldest public markets in Cleveland, known for its diverse selection of fresh and prepared foods.

What to Expect:
A bustling atmosphere with over 100 vendors selling meats, seafood, bakery items, dairy products, fresh produce, and ethnic foods.

Visitor Information:
Open on specific days of the week. Street parking and parking lots available.

Located in the lively Ohio City neighborhood, the West Side Market stands as both vibrant community gathering place and culinary treasure trove. This cavernous indoor/outdoor market first opened in 1912 and continues to showcase the best local and international specialty foods around. Over 100 vendors sell everything from just-caught seafood, Amish country cheeses, freshly baked breads and pastries to Middle Eastern falafel sandwiches all under one roof. The interior main concourse amazes with its lavish exposed brickwork, massive steel beams, stained glass windows and ceramic tile murals. Plan to arrive hungry – this “Foodie Heaven” offers samples galore and irresistible aromas. Wandering the West Side Market makes for a deliciously fun morning or afternoon exploring Cleveland’s culinary diversity.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Name and Location:
Cleveland Cultural Gardens, located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art

Name and Location:
Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, located in University Circle.

History and Significance:
Founded in 1968, MOCA is a leading force in the cultural life of Northeast Ohio, presenting contemporary art and ideas.

What to Expect:
Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, educational programs, and special events.

Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Parking available in the area.

As the first museum dedicated solely to contemporary art in the country, the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) brings cutting-edge art to the city through innovative exhibitions, installations and programs. The facility located in the vibrant University Circle area contains eight galleries, a cafe, bookstore and performance space within its striking black granite and mirrored glass architecture. Past exhibits have featured avant-garde works from both rising and established global artists showcasing every medium from sculpture to video installations. Frequent evening events and happy hours attract a hip, culturally engaged crowd excited to discover something new and boldly creative. MOCA offers an intriguing, unexpected experience for the modern art lover.

Playhouse Square

Name and Location:
Playhouse Square, located in downtown Cleveland.

History and Significance:
The largest performing arts center in the US outside of New York, featuring restored 1920s theaters.

What to Expect:
Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, comedy shows, and more in a historic setting.

Visitor Information:
Advance ticket purchase for shows is recommended. Dining and parking options available in the area.

Downtown’s Playhouse Square stands out as the second largest performing arts complex in America and the epicenter of Cleveland’s bustling theatre scene. Encompassing several city blocks, the recently renovated facilities include nine grand historic stages like the State, Palace and Allen Theatres originally built in the early 1900s. Today over one million patrons flock here annually for Broadway plays, concerts, comedy shows and more. Even without tickets, don’t miss the retro-neon spectacle of seeing the towering GE Chandelier and red-lettered marquees all aglow come nightfall. Before the show, check out the performing arts memorabilia collection at the onsite Playhouse Square Museum. When it comes to world-class entertainment, Playhouse Square remains Cleveland’s brightest attraction.

Downtown Cleveland

Name and Location:
Downtown Cleveland, the central business district of Cleveland.

History and Significance:
The heart of the city, known for its historic architecture, cultural institutions, and as a hub for business and entertainment.

What to Expect:
Shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences. Key attractions include the Public Square and the historic Warehouse District.

Visitor Information:
Easily accessible by public transport. Parking available in garages and lots.

Vibrant downtown Cleveland offers a plethora of fantastic attractions all its own. Marvel at The Arcade’s soaring Hyatt-incorporated atrium, once an elegant Victorian-era shopping arcade, and grab lunch inside the urban Eatry food hall. Catch panoramic city views from the observation deck atop the iconic Terminal Tower. Walk off your meal strolling through Public Square Park’s greenery, seasonal ice rinks and waterfronts. Learn about Cleveland sports history at the Fandom Experience Hall of Fame interactive museum before catching a game at one of the several stadiums nearby. Many fantastic restaurants, the Jack Casino, lively East 4th Street dining/entertainment district, and large-scale events at the Huntington Convention Center also await visitors downtown all year long.

Lakefront Neighborhoods

Name and Location:
Lakefront neighborhoods along the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland.

History and Significance:
These neighborhoods are significant for their recreational opportunities, scenic views, and as a vital part of Cleveland’s identity.

What to Expect:
Scenic views, beach access, marinas, parks, and a variety of dining and shopping options.

Visitor Information:
Great for walking, biking, and leisure activities. Public access areas vary by neighborhood.

Lastly, exploring Cleveland’s vibrant lakefront neighborhoods provides an entertaining glimpse into various community lifestyles and cultures. Check out the West Side Market in hip Ohio City, or enjoy pierogi dumplings and polka dancing in Slavic Village. Not to be missed, Little Italy charms with its galleries, cafes and Holy Rosary Church finished in 1908. Next door, explore several Asian cultures thriving in the Asia Town neighborhood center. University Circle’s enormous Fine Arts Garden filled with museums and attractions beckons nearby. And outdoor markets, microbreweries and restored historic buildings make Ohio City and Tremont favorite locals’ hangouts. Cleveland’s diverse neighborhoods showcase memorable sights, sounds and tastes off the tourist trail.

With world-class museums, entertainment venues, beautiful parks, unique attractions and lively neighborhoods, Cleveland surprises visitors with cultural riches rivaling far larger cities. From rocking out to natural history, thrill rides to culinary delights, sports fandom to lakefront strolling, Cleveland offers an eclectic array of fantastic sights to discover. Use this insider’s guide to uncover the top attractions you won’t want to miss when visiting vibrant Cleveland, Ohio!