Big cities are full of attractions that adults can appreciate, like bars and grown-up-friendly playgrounds. However, there’s plenty for kids to appreciate in big cities, too! If you’re looking for family-friendly attractions in Cleveland, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many awesome options to explore with the kiddos. There’s a reason Cleveland is known as the Best Location in the Nation, and your kids will agree after checking out these cool spots:
Ready for an adventure? This hour-long road trip will take you to some of the coolest spots in The Land.
Google Maps
- The Berea Depot, 30 Depot St, Berea, OH 44017
The Berea Depot/Facebook All aboard! This cool dining concept in Berea is located inside a historic train station… and a train track still exists right next to the building! The Berea Depot is a unique restaurant offering a ride to an older era. Their menu is a bit elevated, but there are all sorts of kid-friendly options like mozzarella sticks, quesadillas, burgers, chicken wings, and more. Mix and match sides to create a buffet the whole family can enjoy!
- Malley’s Chocolates, 14822 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
Lisa Journey/Google Images Since the mid-90s, the Lakewood Malley’s Chocolates storefront has boasted a charming Alice in Wonderland themed soda fountain… and the ice cream served up here is pure magic. The splendor of Wonderland begins as soon as you step through the door, as your senses will be teased with super sweet aromas. The ice cream shop is in the back of the store and, no matter what flavor you choose, you should absolutely get extra hot fudge to dunk on your mouthwatering ice cream treat. Your taste buds will be begging to return time and time again! 14822 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
- The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland/Google Images Located inside an incredible historic mansion, the Children’s Museum feels almost like another world… like its threshold transports visitors to a world where magic and wonkiness run the show. Pictured here is The Wonder Lab, a place where kids can embrace their inner scientist and investigate common questions. Elsewhere in the museum, creativity runs rampant, and discoveries are waiting to be made. There’s something for everyone here! The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
- The Hershey Children’s Garden, 1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Cleveland Botanical Garden/Facebook At the Hershey Children’s Garden, nature is a playground. Located within the outdoor expanse of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, this kid-friendly destination embraces beauty and fun at the same time. Here, kids can get creative in the sandbox, embark on scavenger hunts, play on interesting fixtures, and take part in any number of seasonal activities. Be sure to have your camera set to sports mode for this location, because your young family members will be buzzing around the garden like busy little bees! Hershey Children’s Garden, 1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Tim Evanson/Flickr In addition to being one of the nation’s finest art museums, the Cleveland Museum of Art has one more bragging right: it’s totally free to visit! While paintings and sculptures dazzle visitors, their collection of ancient artifacts is arguably the crown jewel of their collection. If a kid in your family is in the depths of an Ancient Egypt phase, they will be dazzled to know that Howard Carter, the Egyptologist that introduced King Tut to the world, collected many of the ancient artifacts still shown at the museum. This museum truly allows visitors’ imaginations to run wild! The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, 750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108
Erik Drost/Flickr Now this is a budget-friendly destination that will wow visitors of all ages, and it’s the best price ever: free! This charming greenhouse is open to the public and is surrounded by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, which hide oodles of discoveries. The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse nurtures plants for landscaping around the city, and it also boasts some neat botanical displays. One display even has cacti and succulents, creating an unexpected contrast to the deciduous landscape of Northeast Ohio. 750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108, USA
- West Creek Reservation’s Lookout Ridge Loop, 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134
James & Lexi/AllTrails At just about a mile in length, Lookout Ridge Loop in West Creek Reservation is almost too beautiful for words. The park is filled to the brim with wetlands, which can be admired via a lovely boardwalk hike. Kids in particular love keeping a lookout for frogs, turtles, and waterfowl in this rich and verdant landscape. Sometimes, birds like herons dazzle visitors with their presence! Whether or not you spot a massive bird, you are almost guaranteed to see tiny critters like dragonflies during the warmer months. 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134, USA
There’s something for everyone at these family-friendly attractions in Cleveland! Have you visited any of these spots? Tell us about your visit in the comments!
Google Maps
The Berea Depot/Facebook
All aboard! This cool dining concept in Berea is located inside a historic train station… and a train track still exists right next to the building! The Berea Depot is a unique restaurant offering a ride to an older era. Their menu is a bit elevated, but there are all sorts of kid-friendly options like mozzarella sticks, quesadillas, burgers, chicken wings, and more. Mix and match sides to create a buffet the whole family can enjoy!
Lisa Journey/Google Images
Since the mid-90s, the Lakewood Malley’s Chocolates storefront has boasted a charming Alice in Wonderland themed soda fountain… and the ice cream served up here is pure magic. The splendor of Wonderland begins as soon as you step through the door, as your senses will be teased with super sweet aromas. The ice cream shop is in the back of the store and, no matter what flavor you choose, you should absolutely get extra hot fudge to dunk on your mouthwatering ice cream treat. Your taste buds will be begging to return time and time again!
14822 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, USA
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland/Google Images
Located inside an incredible historic mansion, the Children’s Museum feels almost like another world… like its threshold transports visitors to a world where magic and wonkiness run the show. Pictured here is The Wonder Lab, a place where kids can embrace their inner scientist and investigate common questions. Elsewhere in the museum, creativity runs rampant, and discoveries are waiting to be made. There’s something for everyone here!
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland, 3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Cleveland Botanical Garden/Facebook
At the Hershey Children’s Garden, nature is a playground. Located within the outdoor expanse of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, this kid-friendly destination embraces beauty and fun at the same time. Here, kids can get creative in the sandbox, embark on scavenger hunts, play on interesting fixtures, and take part in any number of seasonal activities. Be sure to have your camera set to sports mode for this location, because your young family members will be buzzing around the garden like busy little bees!
Hershey Children’s Garden, 1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Tim Evanson/Flickr
In addition to being one of the nation’s finest art museums, the Cleveland Museum of Art has one more bragging right: it’s totally free to visit! While paintings and sculptures dazzle visitors, their collection of ancient artifacts is arguably the crown jewel of their collection. If a kid in your family is in the depths of an Ancient Egypt phase, they will be dazzled to know that Howard Carter, the Egyptologist that introduced King Tut to the world, collected many of the ancient artifacts still shown at the museum. This museum truly allows visitors’ imaginations to run wild!
The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
Now this is a budget-friendly destination that will wow visitors of all ages, and it’s the best price ever: free! This charming greenhouse is open to the public and is surrounded by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, which hide oodles of discoveries. The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse nurtures plants for landscaping around the city, and it also boasts some neat botanical displays. One display even has cacti and succulents, creating an unexpected contrast to the deciduous landscape of Northeast Ohio.
750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108, USA
James & Lexi/AllTrails
At just about a mile in length, Lookout Ridge Loop in West Creek Reservation is almost too beautiful for words. The park is filled to the brim with wetlands, which can be admired via a lovely boardwalk hike. Kids in particular love keeping a lookout for frogs, turtles, and waterfowl in this rich and verdant landscape. Sometimes, birds like herons dazzle visitors with their presence! Whether or not you spot a massive bird, you are almost guaranteed to see tiny critters like dragonflies during the warmer months.
2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134, USA
Looking for more fun in the Cleveland area? Take the kids to these nine local playgrounds to keep the fun going.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
