Best Things to Do in Cleveland With Kids

Thank you to the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Goodtime III, the Nautica Queen, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, the Cleveland Museum of Art the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, and the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, for each providing complimentary tickets for my family.  All opinions are my own.

While our family loves to travel internationally and explore the world, we are based in the Cleveland, Ohio, and many of our adventures take place close to our Midwest home.  Cleveland is rich with history, art and culture and has so many opportunities for young families.  While it may not be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list, Cleveland offers so much for traveling and local families to explore, and we always have plenty of options whenever we have a day off.  Our list of the best things to do in Cleveland with kids includes something for everyone and also several free activities.

Family Attractions in Downtown Cleveland

#1:  Great Lakes Science Center With Kids

The Great Lakes Science Center opened next to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 to support STEM learning.  Its North Coast Harbor location on the shore of Lake Erie is a picturesque setting.  We have visited the Great Lakes Science Center many times, and our kids particularly love the hands-on exhibits in the main exhibition space on the second level.  My kinesthetic learner and his two siblings could spend hours trying out everything.

Hands-on exhibits

Watching films in the six-story Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater is always a highlight.  We’ve recently seen Rocky Mountain Express and Natural Parks Adventure.  The IMAX photography really makes us feel like we’re seeing the scenery ourselves, and National Parks Adventure particularly reminded me of my trips to Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater

The NASA Glenn Visitor Center has been housed at the Great Lakes Science Center since 2010.  The highlight of this exhibit is the 1973 Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module.  Visitors can try out a nearby replica capsule, which, even with the door removed, was so small that it screamed claustrophobia and made me wonder how the astronauts handle such confined spaces.

1973 Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module

Another favorite exhibit is the Cleveland Creates Zone, which offers various activities for kids to invent, design and tinker.  Each area includes all the materials needed to create and test designs.  My kids enjoy the Creates Zone every time we visit the Great Lakes Science Center and could spent hours testing and refining their rockets and parachutes for hours.  On our last visit, we watched a special physics program in this area that focused on force and motion and absolutely captivated my boys.

Physics Demonstration on Force and Motion

Additionally, the William G. Mather is docked outside the Science Center, but we always seem to visit in the winter when it is closed.  A visit to the Mather is one of the few items still on our Cleveland bucket list.

William G. Mather

My kids love hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math and are always asking to visit the Great Lakes Science Center.

Find out more about the Great Lakes Science Center.

• Great Lakes Science Center Admission:  Adult admission costs $16.95, admission for children ages 2-12 costs $13.95, admission for seniors over age 65 costs $14.95, and admission for college students costs $15.95.  Children under age two are free.
• Great Lakes Science Center Hours:  The Science Center is typically open from 10 a.m. to 5. p.m. every day during the summer and Tuesdays through Sundays during the winter.  Note that due to its proximity to FirstEnergy Stadium and the large number of tailgating revelers in the area, the Great Lakes Science Center is closed on the Browns’ regular season home game dates.
• Great Lakes Science Center Parking: Parking at the Great Lakes Science Center is conveniently available in the 500-car attached garage, and visitors receive a reduced $8 rate with validation.  I paid for parking at the Box Office and avoided looking for a pay station or fumbling with my credit card when exiting.  Visitors entering through the parking garage arrive on level 0.  There are also meters in front of the Science Center, but the two-hour limit really does not provide enough time to fully explore.

#2:  Rock & Roll Hall of Fame With Kids

Cleveland was chosen as the site of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and the Rock Hall opened in 1995.  The Rock Hall definitely draws tourists to the area, and I am fortunate to have one of Cleveland’s claim to fame just across the street from my office.  I’ve always loved the I.M. Pei design that incorporates a glass pyramid and reminds me of the Louvre.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Our family last visited in December 2017.  We started our tour at the Legends of Rock permanent exhibit, which includes artifacts such as handwritten drafts, instruments and costumes.  The British Invasion exhibit is the world’s largest artifact-based collection of the Beetles.  The Rock Hall also has always featured a standing Elvis exhibit with many artifacts and an exclusive 14-minute Elvis video.   The kids particularly enjoyed the costumes. It’s always surprising to see first-hand how small many of the musicians are in real life.  I did feel really old when my younger son asked if Michael Jackson was a basketball player and realized that the King of Pop actually died before he was born.

Michael Jackson’s jacket

The boys were pretty excited to find costumes of musicians they recognized like Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.  We are all still amazed that Lady Gaga actually wore this contraption.

Lady Gaga outfit

We noticed more families with young children touring the Rock Hall than we expected.  While our kids are not familiar with most of the featured musicians, they enjoyed the multi-media exhibits.  My husband and I could have easily spent a few more hours perusing the exhibits, but our shorter highlight tour was a perfect Rock Hall introduction for our kids.

Find out more about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Admission:  General Admission to the Rock Hall costs $26 for adults, $16 for kids age 6-12 and $24 for seniors over age 64.  Children ages five and under are free.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hours:  The Rock Hall is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays all year around and on Wednesdays through Saturdays during the Summer months.  The Hall of Fame is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Parking:  Parking is available at the Great Lakes Science Center garage, and Rock Hall visitors receive a $2 discount with validation.

#3:  Goodtime III With Kids

In June 2018, our family spent an amazing summer afternoon cruising on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River aboard the Goodtime III, Cleveland’s largest sightseeing vessel.  The ship’s four decks offer indoor and open air seating for up to 1,000 passengers to enjoy the view of Cleveland’s skyline, its many bridges and all the new development at the East Bank of the Flats.  The Narrated Sightseeing Tour is especially kid-friendly and a great way for visitors (and residents!) to learn about Cleveland’s downtown from a unique perspective.  A ride on the Goodtime III with kids is a particularly good first boating experience for young passengers, and the views of downtown Cleveland just can’t be beat.

Boarding the Goodtime III

Because there were only about 150 passengers on our mid-week afternoon cruise, we had plenty of seating options throughout the ship.  The kids excitedly tried out a half a dozen views before we even left the dock.

Checking out the views while docked on the Ninth Street Pier

The ship departed exactly as scheduled, and visitors need to arrive in time to board before departure or will be stuck on shore.  We enjoyed an hour of narration about Cleveland’s history, buildings, bridges and trivia and then a second hour of music on the ship’s sound system, which was fun to listen to while watching the ever-changing views.

Cleveland Flats

At the end of cruise, my daughter took full advantage of the dance floor to try out some of her moves.  We were lucky to take advantage of a beautiful summer afternoon and truly enjoy our hometown from a new perspective.  Our kids would love to make an afternoon on the Goodtime III an annual tradition, and I’m sure they would see and learn different things on each cruise.

Find out more about the Goodtime III.

• Goodtime III Admission:  General admission for the two-hour Narrated Sightseeing Tour costs $18 for adults and $10 for children, and reservations are available online for a small booking fee.   Children under five are free, but need a ticket to board.  Advance reservations are required for special events and any trip that includes a meal.
• Goodtime III Hours:  Exact timing for the seasonal cruises varies by day.  Check out the online schedule for details.
• Goodtime III Parking: Parking is conveniently located at the East Ninth Street Pier Parking lot and costs $10 for 2-3.5 hours.

#4:  Federal Reserve Bank Learning Center and Money Museum With Kids

The Federal Reserve Bank Learning Center and Money Museum opened in 2006 and was a huge hit with my kids.  The Federal Reserve Bank Building’s exterior was designed to resemble an Italian Renaissance palace.  Creation of the Money Museum was a brilliant way to use the former bank teller windows that were vacated after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland

The Money Museum is a unique history and learning center that offers multi-media experiences and activities to teach visitors about the history of currency.  Through the Follow the Yellow Brick Road exhibit, we learned that many consider L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz an allegory about money policy.  We’ll never look at the Yellow Brick Road in quite the same way.  The kids loved the interactive exhibits and the two-story money tree.  Make sure not to forget to design your own dollar bills before leaving.

Money Tree

• Money Museum Admission:  There is no admission fee to visit the Money Museum.
• Money Museum Hours:  The Money Museum is generally open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. but closed on all bank holidays.
• Money Museum Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.

#5:  Cleveland Public Library With Kids

The Cleveland Public Library‘s Main Library is known as the People’s University and a wonderful place to visit with children.  The historic Main Library Building is almost 100 years old and resembles a museum.   The research library has a vast collection, and the kids loved the Superman statue.

Superman statue

We visited the special exhibit,  The World of Puppets: From Stage to Screen, which occupied a stunning cathedral-like space on the first floor.  The museum-quality exhibition reminded us of the puppet exhibit at COSI that we enjoyed a few months earlier.  In addition to the many puppets on display, there was a puppet show area where my daughter produced her own show.

The World of Puppets: From Stage to Screen

• Cleveland Public Library Admission:  There is no admission fee to visit the Cleveland Public Library.
• Cleveland Public Library Hours:  The Cleveland Public Main Library is generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.
• Cleveland Public Library Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.

#6:  Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument With Kids

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is dedicated the veterans of the American Civil War from Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.  It opened on July 4, 1894 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2019.  The Monument is located in the southeast quadrant of Public Square and features a 125-foot column with a statue of the Goddess of Liberty on top.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

Inside the Monument, the names of 9,000 Civil War veterans from the area are listed on marble tablets affixed to the walls.  We also learned that body of Abraham Lincoln was placed in this same quadrant of Public Square on April 28, 1865, and tens of thousands of mourners paid their respect to the assassinated President.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument interior

• Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Admission:  There is no admission fee to visit the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.
• Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Hours:  The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months.
• Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.

Family Attractions in the Flats

#7:  Nautica Queen With Kids

The Nautica Queen is Cleveland’s dining cruise ship that departs from the West Bank of the Flats for lunch and dinner cruises.  Our family took a lunch cruise on the day before my kids started a new school year in August 2019, and it was an amazing way to end a lovely summer.  While the forecast showed rain a day or two before our cruise, we ended up with picture perfect blue skies and an ideal 75 degree temperature.

Nautica Queen

As soon as we embarked the ship, we were directed to our table on the middle level.  We ordered sodas and explored the top deck before the buffet lunch was served.  Our meal included salad, beef, pasta, fish, chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, dinner rolls, cheesecake, coffee, tea and ice tea.  And, our lunchtime view was unbeatable as we cruised on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie while passing historic bridges and all the sights of Downtown Cleveland.

Lunch on the Nautica Queen

My favorite part of the cruise was definitely the view from the top deck.  We spent most of our time up there after finishing our lunch.  The railings were high, and I felt very safe for even my youngest child.  My daughter particularly loved the dance floor and kept asking to return for a song or two.  While I may have missed the wind blowing through my hair while accompanying her on the inside deck, the view most definitely never disappointed.  We were all sad to disembark at the end.  There probably is not a better way to really feel like a visitor in our hometown other than spending an afternoon on a cruise.

View from the Nautica Queen

• Nautica Queen Admission:  Rates vary by day but as of August 2019, two-hour weekday lunch cruises with gratuities generally cost $29.65 for adults and $18.95 for children under 12 and two and a half hour weekday sunset dinner cruises with gratuities cost $35.59 for adults and $22.52 for children under 12.  Sunday brunch cruises and Friday and Saturday dinner cruises cost more than weekday cruises.
• Nautica Queen Hours:  The schedule for Nautica Queen cruises is available online.
• Nautica Queen Parking:  Parking is available in an adjacent cash-only parking lot for generally $3-6.  There is also free street parking on nearby streets.

#8:  Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened in its current location in the Flats’ FirstEnergy Powerhouse in 2012 and remains Ohio’s only free-standing aquarium.  The Powerhouse building was originally constructed in 1892 as a power station and is a unique setting for an aquarium.  My prom was held in this building, and I absolutely love how this space has been repurposed and renovated.  We last visited in December 2017 and headed straight to the diver presentation in the shark tank when we arrived.  Watching the diver feed the aquatic life was the highlight of our visit.  A special microphone allowed the diver to talk directly to the audience.  During the presentation, we learned that most shark bites are really caused by mistaken identity.  Sharks explore the world with their mouths, and surfers often look like fish from below.

Diver in the Shark Tank

The 230,000 gallon Shark SeaTube includes four species of sharks, stingrays, angelfish, a giant barracuda and a whole host of other ocean creatures.  Visitors can literally walk under the tank to get a whole new perspective.  If you want to take a peek into the shark tank in real-time, check out the shark cam.

Shark SeaTube

The Aquarium has more than 50 exhibits, 250 species and 1,450 animals from Lake Erie and all across the globe.  Some of our favorite animals included the turtles, lion fish and clown fish with the stunning anemone.

Turtle hanging out

My son particularly enjoyed the Invertebrate Touch Pool where he got the chance to feel a starfish with the official “two-finger” technique.  The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an amazing place to learn about aquatic animals and get a glimpse of life under the sea.

Find out more about the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

• Greater Cleveland Aquarium Admission:  Admission to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium costs $19.95 for visitors age 13-99 and $13.95 for children age 2 to 12.  There is no admission fee for visitors under age 2 and over 99.
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium Hours:  The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium Parking:  Parking is available in an adjacent cash-only parking lot for about $3-6.

University Circle Attractions for Families

#9:  Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland Museum of Art is the art museum we frequent most often.  We’re so lucky to have one of the world’s best free art museums practically in our backyard.  A massive expansion project was completed at the end of 2013 and increased floor space by 65% and included the glass-roofed Ames Family Atrium.

Ames Family Atrium

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 45,000 works and significant Egyptian and Asian galleries.  The Armor Court the ArtLens Gallery are our kids’ favorite exhibits.

Armor Court

We always make sure to spend a few minutes sitting on the bench in front of Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus).

Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus)

Rodin’s Thinker, which sits outside the front entrance, was partially vandalized by a bomb in 1970, and the statue’s lower legs were destroyed and have not been restored.  We love spending time outside the Cleveland Museum of Art and walking around the Wade Lagoon.

The Cleveland Museum of Art features rotating special exhibits.   Some of our favorites over the years were Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors and PROOF: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet.

Find out more about the Cleveland Museum of Art.

• Cleveland Museum of Art Admission:  Admission to the Cleveland Museum of Art is free, but there are fees and sometimes advance reservations required for special exhibits.
• Cleveland Museum of Art Hours:  The Cleveland Museum of Art is generally open daily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Cleveland Museum of Art Parking:  Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16.  There is also metered street parking available nearby.

#10:  Cleveland Botanical Garden With Kids

The Cleveland Botanical Garden features the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, a 17,000 square foot conservatory that features two biomes – the desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica.  Together, these biomes house over 350 plant species and 50 animal species.  We visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden almost every year.

Costa Rica exhibit

We enjoy visiting the Botanical Garden’s annual holiday tradition, Glow, an exhibit featuring holiday-inspired trees, gingerbread house displays and crafts.  Admission to the Garden is often free during the Circle Fest in early December

Glow

The Hershey Children’s Garden was the first children’s garden in Ohio.  It is open from March 31 to October 31 during regular Botanical Garden hours and a great place for kids to explore nature.

Hershey Children’s Garden

• Cleveland Botanical Garden Admission:  Admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden costs $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Children age 2 and under are free.
• Cleveland Botanical Garden Hours:  Cleveland Botanical Garden is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.  The Cleveland Botanical Garden and until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
• Cleveland Botanical Garden Parking:  Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16.  There is also metered street parking available nearby.

#11:  Cleveland Museum of Natural History With Kids

We were members of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for many years.  Our kids especially enjoy exploring the planetarium, the dinosaur exhibit, the gemstones, the toddler-friendly Smead Discovery Center, and the Shafran Planetarium & Mueller Observatory.  Like many natural history museums, the dinosaur exhibit is a favorite for our family.

My daughter has a special fondness for Lucy,  a paleontology icon.  The 3.2 million year old Australopithecus afarensis partial skeleton was discovered in 1974 by team led by former Museum curator, Dr. Donald Johanson, and we never miss saying “hello” to her replica.

Visiting Lucy

The outdoor Perkins Wildlife Center opened in 2016, drastically expanding the Museum’s outdoor animal exhibitions.  There is a new exhibit around each of the winding pathways, including Ohio’s famous bald eagle.

• Cleveland Natural History Museum Admission:  Admission to the Cleveland History Center costs $17 for adults and $14 for seniors age 62 and over, college students with identification and youth age 3-18.  Children under three and are free.
• Cleveland Natural History Museum Hours:  Cleveland History Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
• Cleveland Natural History Museum Parking:  Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16.  There is also metered street parking available nearby..

#12:  Cleveland History Center With Kids

The Cleveland History Center is the headquarters of the Western Reserve Historical Society and features collections that cover community and family history.  The History Center features the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, the Hay-McKinney Mansion, the Kidzibits Hands-on Gallery and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.

Carousel

My kids’ love the antique car collection and learning about the evolution of the automobile.  The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum’s impressive collection of automobiles includes more than 170 antique automobiles.

• Cleveland History Center Admission:  Admission to the Cleveland History Center costs $10 for adults, $9 for seniors age 62 and over, $7 for veterans and $5 for children ages 3-12.  Children under three and active military are free.
• Cleveland History Center Hours:  Cleveland History Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
• Cleveland History Centers Parking:  Parking is available in the attached surface lot off Magnolia Drive and costs $8 for two hours with a $15 daily max.  There is also metered street parking available around University Circle.

#13:  Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland With Kids

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) is one of only 20 modern art museums in the United States.  MOCA opened its new facility in $27.2 million building designed by Farshid Moussavi in 2012.  The main exhibition space on the fourth floor is a wide-open space that is very different from the typical gallery in traditional art museums with paintings and sculptures.  The exhibit we saw during our January 2018 visit did not have any barriers.  While the exhibition featured in this space changes several times a year, it is probably best suited for children over five.

My kids’ favorite part of our visit to MOCA was the Marjorie + Anselm Talalay Classroom on the third floor where visitors can create their own art.  My kids had so much fun creating works inspired by the exhibition that I invested in in a colored tape dispenser for their use at home.

Marjorie + Anselm Talalay Classroom

MOCA is a great resource for Cleveland families and encourages children to use their imaginations to create art in non-traditional ways.

Find out more about MOCA.

• Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Admission:  General admission to MOCA is now free.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Hours:  MOCA is generally open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Parking:  Metered parking and garages are available nearby.

Family Activities in Midtown

#14:  Children’s Museum of Cleveland With Kids

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland reopened, in November 2017, in the former Stager-Beckwith Mansion, one of the four remaining mansions still standing on Millionaire’s Row.  The Millionaire’s Row mansion in Midtown had most recently served as the main campus for Myers University and an elegant banquet hall.  We had been members of the Museum at its previous location in University Circle when my oldest son attended preschool nearby and love the larger and updated space.

Although my boys both are beyond the target age for any children’s museum, they have fun exploring the Children’s Museum with their young sister when we visited in January 2018 and August 2019  I think their favorite exhibit was the Wonder Lab, an industrial science laboratory with water tables, whirlpools and jets. My sons largely ignored the water features but spent most of their time building ball tracks on the magnetic wall.

Adventure City is located in what was the ball room of the Stager-Beckwith Mansion and Myers University.  One of my best friends hosted her wedding reception in this space that now features an amazing indoor two-story climber with a construction site theme.  The space also recreates the much-loved grocery store, doctor’s office, nursery and kitchen that were featured in the Museum’s prior location and also adds an auto shop.  This indoor play area is constructed from smooth wood not suitable for outdoor playgrounds.

This climber was enormous

Serious grocery shopping

Making Miniatures features a collection of dollhouses created by local artist, Cathy Lincoln, and completely entranced my daughter.  Each house was placed on a pedestal and enclosed with a plastic casing.  Children could get up close by standing on small step stools and carefully explore the houses with available flashlights.  My boys were less enthusiastic about dollhouses, but they enjoyed searching for the tiny CMC logos hidden in each house.

She carefully examined each and every dollhouse

Arts & Parts is a bright art studio with different prepared art projects for children to create.  My kids loved that they could tinker, glue and hammer.  I loved that all the materials had been prepared for creating, and clean up was easy.

The Museum also features a Sensory Friendly Room for children who get overwhelmed in loud and crowded spaces and the Meadow for infants and toddlers.   While only vending machines are available on site, the Café offers tables and a microwave for families packing lunch.  There are also party rooms.

The Museum is geared for visitors aged birth to eight.  My nine and eleven year old boys accompanied their sister and enjoyed the Wonder Lab and Adventure City.  But, there were times where they were a bit bored – especially in the Making Miniatures and Art & Parts exhibits.  If the youngest child in your group is over eight, this may not be your ideal activity or, perhaps, plan only a short visit.  The former Stager-Beckwith Mansion is an ideal setting for the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, and my kids had so much fun exploring, imagining and creating.

The new home of the Children’s Museum of Cleveland

Find out more about the Children’s Museum of Cleveland.

• • Children’s Museum of Cleveland Admission:  Admission costs $12 for all visitors over 11 months.  Children 11 months and younger are free.
  • Children’s Museum of Cleveland Hours:  The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.  The Museum is closed on Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  • Children’s Museum of Cleveland Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent surface lot.

Family Activities in Old Brooklyn

#15:  Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the Cleveland area’s most popular attractions and hosts more than one million visitors annually.  The Zoo features the Australian Adventure, African Savanna, Northern Wilderness Trek, the Rosebrough Tiger Passage, the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, the RainForest and Asian Highlands.  When our kids were young, we were Zoo members for years, and our kids learned first-hand about elephants, giraffes, lions and kangaroos from our visits.  We still enjoy a Zoo trip at least once a year.

We have watched as new exhibits such as the Elephant Crossing and Asian Highlands, the Rosebrough Tiger Passage and Asian Highlands have opened and always enjoy a visit to the Zoo.

• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest Admission:  Adult admission costs $16.95, admission for children ages 2-11 costs $12.95 and admission for seniors over age 62 costs $14.95.  Children under age two are free.  Tickets can be purchased online for a savings of $2 each.  Admission to the Zoo only is free on Mondays for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township with identification.
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Hours:  The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and stays open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the summer months.  The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is closed on New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent surface lot.

Find Out More About Cleveland With Kids

There are so many kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland, an up and coming destination.  These five amazing museums are just the tip of the iceberg.  Spending time in Northeast Ohio, check out our favorite activities in Cleveland with kids.