Cleveland dazzles visitors with an array of free activities and attractions. From exploring parks and markets to touring museums and the theater district, some of Cleveland’s best sights won’t cost you a dime.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Free Walking Tour of Downtown | Guided tours exploring Public Square, architecture, and history offered by Cleveland Walks. |
| Edgewater Beach and Park | Beach with nearly a mile of shoreline, picnic areas, playground, and volleyball courts. |
| Cleveland Botanical Garden | 10 acres of gardens, flower beds, and trails with various themed areas. |
| Cleveland Metroparks Zoo | Home to 3,000 animals with interactive shows and events. |
| Cleveland Museum of Art | Art museum with over 45,000 works spanning 6,000 years. |
| Burke Lakefront Airport | Display of historic aircraft and information about aviation history. |
| Playhouse Square | America’s second-largest performing arts center with free tours and shows. |
| Lake View Cemetery | Historic cemetery with notable graves and architecture. |
| Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum | Exhibits on Ohio’s automotive and aerospace history. |
| Free Concerts | Musical performances of various genres at multiple venues. |
Enjoy these 12 top free things to do on your next visit to Cleveland.
Take a Free Walking Tour of Downtown
Name and Location: Free walking tours are offered in Downtown Cleveland.
History and Significance: These tours provide historical insights into Cleveland’s development, showcasing landmark buildings, public art, and historical sites.
What to Expect: Expect an informative stroll through the city’s downtown area, learning about its architecture, history, and culture.
Visitor Information: Tours are typically available on specific days and times. It’s best to check online for availability and meeting points.
One of the best ways to orient yourself in Cleveland is to take a complimentary walking tour of downtown. Offered daily by nonprofit organization Cleveland Walks, an expert guide provides insider knowledge about the city through the eyes of locals. Tours last between 60 and 90 minutes as you explore Public Square, aimless through alleyways, discover stunning architecture, learn Cleveland history and heritage and more. With no need for reservations, just check the website for tour times and meeting spots to soak up Cleveland’s iconic buildings and hear interesting stories and trivia as you walk.
Play All Day at Edgewater Beach and Park
Name and Location: Edgewater Beach and Park, located on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland.
History and Significance: This popular destination offers a scenic view of Lake Erie and has been a favorite recreational spot for Clevelanders for many years.
What to Expect: Swimming, sunbathing, hiking, and picnicking opportunities. The park also features a beach, trails, and green spaces.
Visitor Information: Open to the public with free access. Beach amenities and park areas are seasonally available.
With nearly a mile of shoreline along Lake Erie, Edgewater Beach offers the perfect place to soak up some sun and enjoy scenic views for free. Relax on the sand with a beach read, build sandcastles with the kids and watch boats breeze across the glittering waters. The adjacent large Edgewater Park provides plenty of green space with picnic tables, barbeque grills, a concession stand and children’s play area. Rent stand up paddleboards, kayaks or surreys near the beach during summer. With no entry fees required, visitors flock to Edgewater to walk the peaceful trails, find a quiet spot in nature or play volleyball on free courts.
Tour the Gardens and Parks at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
Name and Location: The Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in University Circle.
History and Significance: Established in 1930, the garden is an urban oasis featuring exotic plants, thematic gardens, and educational programs.
What to Expect: Lush gardens, butterfly exhibits, and themed plant collections. The garden offers a peaceful retreat and educational experiences.
Visitor Information: Ticketed entry with varying hours throughout the year. It’s recommended to check their website for current exhibits and events.
Discover 10 acres of outdoor gardens and natural spaces open to the public at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Showcasing over 50 flower beds and woodland walking trails, highlights include the Hershey Children’s Garden with interactive musical elements, sculptures and water features as well as the large Japanese Garden dotted with pagodas that soothingly crosses a pond. Curl up with a book on one of the many secluded benches tucked amidst rose gardens and herb patches or get lost wandering the peaceful pathways surrounded by vibrant floral beauty – all for free.
See Wildlife at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Name and Location: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, located in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood.
History and Significance: Founded in 1882, the zoo is one of the oldest in the United States. It’s known for its conservation efforts and diverse animal exhibits.
What to Expect: A variety of animal habitats, educational programs, and conservation-focused exhibits. The zoo is home to over 3,000 animals.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with ticketed admission. Check their website for hours, ticket prices, and special events.
Home to over 3,000 exotic animals, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers families affordable fun while observing creatures from around the globe. Interactive daily shows like the sea lion splash or the acrobatics of Snow Leopards Entertain educate audiences about species behavior and conservation. Don’t’ miss getting nose-to-nose viewing caimans in the reptile house or watching silly monkeys swing overhead from vines stretching across walkways. And frequent zoo events like Asia Quest nights, Winter Wine & Ale Fest or Fall festivities promise extra entertainment opportunities. With plenty to do across the zoo’s 165 acres, enjoy an exciting day encountering wildlife wonders for free.
Tour the Cleveland Museum of Art
Name and Location: Located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland.
History and Significance: One of the most prestigious art museums in the U.S., it was founded in 1913 and houses a diverse and significant collection of artworks.
What to Expect: A vast collection of art from around the world, including European, Asian, and American art. The museum also hosts special exhibitions and events.
Visitor Information: Free admission to the permanent collection. Special exhibitions may have a fee. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Housing over 45,000 pieces spanning 6,000 years inside a soaring Beaux-Arts building, the renowned Cleveland Museum of Art dazzles all who enter. The museum boasts an especially strong collection of Asian and Egyptian artifacts while also displaying European masterworks, glass pieces by Dale Chihuly, African tribal masks, medieval armor and more. Interactive touch screens provide additional context as visitors survey paintings from Degas and local Cleveland artists. With no entrance fees, take time exploring this architectural wonder filled with rare treasures from ancient eras through vibrant modern artworks.
Visit the Historic Aircraft on Display at Burke Lakefront Airport
Name and Location: Burke Lakefront Airport, located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland.
History and Significance: The airport is home to the International Women’s Air & Space Museum, showcasing the history of women in aviation and space exploration.
What to Expect: Exhibits featuring historic aircraft, artifacts, and stories about female aviators and astronauts.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily, but hours may vary. It’s best to check their website for the latest information.
Most visitors to Burke Lakefront Airport come for one reason beyond catching a flight – to view a rare collection of historic aircraft parked along the runways. Aviation buffs admire aircraft like famous 1930s speed-record winning racer “Mr. Mulligan” that later crashed in the Allegheny Mountains. Other highlights include a 1931 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft used in the first Cleveland-to-Cleveland transcontinental airmail route and a Douglas DC-3 classic with art deco flair. Interpretive signs detail the unique aviation legacy of each plane you can visit along the fences near Burke’s runway.
See a Show at Playhouse Square
Name and Location: Playhouse Square, located in downtown Cleveland.
History and Significance: It’s the largest performing arts center in the U.S. outside of New York. The square is known for its Broadway shows, concerts, and comedy acts.
What to Expect: A vibrant entertainment experience with a variety of shows and performances in beautifully restored theaters.
Visitor Information: Ticket purchase required for shows. It’s recommended to check the Playhouse Square website for show schedules and ticket availability.
Downtown Cleveland’s Playhouse Square ranks as the second largest performing arts center in America after New York’s Lincoln Center boasting nine stages among the once rundown 1920s era vaudeville theaters. Now these beautifully restored venues shine brighter than ever presenting Broadway classics, music concerts, comedic acts and more. On Wednesdays, student produced RAW Resident Artists Work shows occur weekly where you may catch the next stars of theater. And on most days, you can sign up for a regularly scheduled free theater tour to explore the Playhouse Square complex and learn the history behind its dramatic revitalization.
Explore the Lake View Cemetery Arcade
Name and Location: Lake View Cemetery, located in Cleveland.
History and Significance: Established in 1869, this historic cemetery is known for its architectural beauty and as the final resting place of many notable individuals.
What to Expect: A serene and historic setting with notable monuments, including the Garfield Memorial and the Wade Chapel.
Visitor Information: Open to the public daily. Guided tours are available, and visitors are encouraged to explore the grounds respectfully.
Pay your respects to deceased Cleveland celebrities like John Rockefeller, Elliot Ness and President James Garfield at Lake View Cemetery where over 100,000 people have been laid to rest since its dedication in 1869. Enter under the stunning historic Romanesque arcades built from Vermont marble and Ohio sandstone. Maps help guide you to the gravesites of famous Americans along with Garfield Memorial where intricate mosaics honor the president assassinated only months into his term. The grand architecture, reflective ponds, impressive statues and colorful seasonal landscaping make getting lost wandering Lake View’s 285 pastoral acres intriguing.
See Offbeat Exhibits at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Name and Location: Located at the Cleveland History Center in University Circle.
History and Significance: Part of the Western Reserve Historical Society, this museum showcases the history of transportation with a focus on automobiles and aircraft.
What to Expect: An impressive collection of vintage cars, aircraft, and related memorabilia. The museum highlights the evolution of transportation.
Visitor Information: Ticketed entry. Check the Cleveland History Center’s website for hours, admission prices, and special exhibits.
Tucked away inside the ornate Cleveland History Center, the Crawford Auto-Aviation museum displays over 20,000 quirky artifacts focusing on Ohio’s aerospace innovations and automobile manufacturing legacy. Marvel over the 1934 streamlined Tucker Torpedo prototype and other rare classic cars while staring up at aircraft models suspended dramatically overhead. Kids can climb aboard a 1952 TWA airplane cockpit and bombers from wartime. Unexpected exhibits like the Shelby Cobra Powered 1923 Fire Truck or 1906 Boyd Steam Buggy capture the mechanical ingenuity that put Cleveland transportation on the map, all visible free of charge.
Catch Free Concerts Across Cleveland
Name and Location: Various locations throughout Cleveland.
History and Significance: Cleveland offers a variety of free concerts throughout the year, showcasing local and national artists and promoting community engagement.
What to Expect: Diverse music genres in public spaces like parks and squares. Concerts are typically held during the summer months.
Visitor Information: Free to the public. Schedules and locations can be found on local event calendars or city websites.
From small street fairs to downtown public spaces, dozens of venues across Cleveland offer free musical performances covering all genres. In the Flats, free weekly summer concerts rock with local bands at Music Box Supper Club’s riverside patio each Wednesday. University Circle pulses with world music at Wade Oval Wednesdays while Edgewater Beach hosts Thursday night beach parties. Downtown at Public Square, local jazz, blues and rock bands take the stage during popular Lunchtime Music events. All over Cleveland parks, neighborhoods and downtown sites sizzle with free entertainment almost nightly during summer months for music lovers.
Cleveland makes appreciating history, culture, nature and entertainment accessible with an array of quality free activities from every corner of the city. Tour621 world-class museums without ticket fees, explore diverse Metropark trails or relax at beaches hugging the Lake Erie shoreline. Free theater abounds at Playhouse Square while downtown walking tours provide insider perspectives. And when stomachs rumble, West Side Market overflows with delicious ethnic bites. Discover Cleveland’s generosity through these 12 favorite free things to do.