Within the United States, there are countless great cities that are often overlooked and underrated on the countrywide scale – particularly in the media which tends to focus on Los Angeles and New York City.
One of these cities is Cleveland, Ohio, a city that has much to offer locals and tourists alike – and one that has much cultural significance with regards to the history of the nation.
To help this process along, we have compiled a list of our top ten picks for best tourist attractions in Cleveland, Ohio – ranging from the cultural to the historical, and everything in between.
First on our list, we have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – perhaps the most well known attraction that the city of Cleveland has to offer.
This is not only the location where musicians are inducted, but it is also an active museum and gallery, where fans can come and see artefacts and photographs from musical history.
You will be familiar with the stereotypical ‘hello Cleveland’ quote, and this is a nod to the fact that the city has become synonymous with the rock music genre, and with popular music in general.
Address: 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd, Cleveland OH, 44114
For the artistic or cultured amongst you, why not pay the Cleveland Museum of Art a visit?
This museum has hundreds of local relics and pieces of art, with each of them explained in detail, and with extensive collection records that interested visitors can peruse at their leisure.
The museum also runs art classes and workshops – allowing kids and adults alike to express themselves creatively and learn more about some of the techniques that have long been popular in this part of the world.
For one of the most impressive collections in the country, this is certainly not one you want to miss!
Everyone loves a little retail therapy, and the West Side Market is one of the best locations in the city to find and interact with small businesses and boutiques, each selling local produce and homemade products.
There really is something for everyone here, and the bustling atmosphere of this thriving local market is enough to come and check it out.
As baseball fans will know, Cleveland is home to one of the greatest fields in the country – Progressive Field. Since its creation in 1994, it has been the shining gem of Cleveland, and is the home to the Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Cleveland Indians).
Capable of holding around 43,000 people, Progressive Field is an impressive and well maintained tribute to the state’s long history of major league baseball, and is the perfect attraction for fans of the sport and history buffs alike.
While a cemetery might seem like a strange place to visit on your vacation, Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland is one of the oldest and grandest in the country – boasting intricate headstones, ornaments, and mausoleums, and even acting as the final resting place for some well known figures from history.
Including composer/author Ernest Ball, former US president James Garfield, industrialist John D Rockefeller, and inventor of the Salisbury steak, John Salisbury.
This cemetery is privately owned, and very much acts as a historical look at some of the city’s famous inhabitants and pioneers. Why not take an hour and come pay them a visit? You never know who you might find!
Founded over 130 years ago, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the oldest and most loved attractions in the city – playing host to the largest collection of primates in the United States.
With a renowned rainforest exhibit, which includes a simulated tropical rainstorm, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo really is a great day out for all the family, allowing close encounters with thousands of animals from numerous different species from around the world.
If there is one thing you can say about Cleveland, it is that it is full of history – and the city itself puts a lot of work and money into maintaining their historical landmarks, and educating newcomers and locals alike about the stories behind them.
One such historical memorial is the USS Cod Submarine – a WW2 submarine responsible for sinking around 300,000 tons of Japanese shipping.
The USS Cod was also the only sub at the time to undergo an international rescue mission, when it set out to rescue the crew of a grounded Dutch submarine.
This is great for military history buffs, and the self guided tours are laden with plenty of information and displays for you to sink your teeth into.
What’s more, how often are you going to get the chance to explore a submarine again? That alone should make it worth a visit!
If there is one day out that everyone can enjoy, it is a history museum – and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is without a doubt one of the best in the country.
Showcasing dinosaur bones, astrological equipment, the main attraction here is the skeleton of ‘Lucy’ – one of the human race’s oldest ancestors, and one of the most intact and well preserved skeletons from this time period.
This really is a great day for all ages, and is the perfect time to kill a few hours on a rainy afternoon – all while learning about the country, and the remarkable world.
Last on our list, but by no means least, we have the Rocky River Reservation – a great park and woodland area, equipped with trails, adventure play areas, and even a nature center, where young and old alike can learn about the area, and the plants and animals that call it their home.
Perfect for hiking, bike riding, and taking in the ecstatically beautiful views of rural Cleveland, Rocky River Reservation really is a great place to take the family and enjoy the natural world.
Address: 24000 Valley Parkway, Cleveland OH, 44070
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about Cleveland, Ohio, and the top tourist attractions that every visitor should check out!
It’s true that Cleveland, Ohio has long been an important city in the United States, at least from a cultural point of view, however it has still remained fairly underrated.
That being said, if this list shows anything, it is that the city has much to offer to locals and tourists alike (Check out How To Be A Responsible Tourist).
So, if you are headed to Cleveland, are looking for something to do, then why not check out some of these attractions?
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
