CLEVELAND (Sept. 5, 2017) - Labor Day weekend may be over and school may be back in session, but that doesn't mean the excitement of the summer season needs to end. Since fall doesn't officially start until September 22, residents and their visitors have a few weeks to take part in summertime activities in The Land. From participating in the nation's largest urban cycling festival to picnics in the park to taking an unconventional tour of the city, Destination Cleveland recommends residents explore the region and savor the (hopefully) summerlike weather.
Cycle the City
NEOCycle
- Cycling enthusiasts, novice riders and folks who just like good food and music should stop by NEOCycle at Edgewater Park from Friday Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 10. As the nation's largest urban cycling festival, it features races and rides including the Edge of the World Cyclocross Spectacular, XC Mountain Bike Race and the Night Ride, which offers unique views of the skyline while riding on the West Shoreway. If pedaling through the city isn't your jam, The Hub at Edgewater Park will host Music Fest with local bands, food trucks, Art Party Cleveland, yoga, mini-golf and other activities throughout the weekend.
- Edgewater Park, Cleveland, 44102
- The Hub at Edgewater Park, Friday, Sept. 8, 6 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Places to Picnic
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Residents can reconnect with nature as they picnic in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With 33,000 acres of park space, including scenic views at Brandywine Falls and winding hiking trails at the Ledges and Kendall Lake, nature enthusiasts can find the picnic spot that best suits them. Cuyahoga Valley National Park has designated picnic areas where groups can grab a seat for a bite to eat. To extend a day in the park, residents can climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR). CVSR's special events in September include the Evening Ride on the Rails, Steampunk Railroad Event or Emerging Brews ride.
- 1550 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, 44264
The Holden Arboretum
- Just a 30-minute drive from Downtown Cleveland, the Holden Arboretum offers more than 3,600 acres of land for picnicking. Locals can choose to unpack their picnic baskets in scenic locations like the Butterfly Garden, Wildflower Garden or next to the Lotus Pond. To work up a pre-picnic appetite, residents can hike above the trees as they trek along the Murch Canopy Walk and climb the Kalberer Emergent Tower. From checking out wildlife below their feet to enjoying stunning views of Lake Erie from the observation platform, residents will want to have their camera ready to capture the scenery.
- 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland, 44094
- Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tour de Cleveland
Lolly the Trolley
- For city tours with a touch of history, residents can hop aboard Lolly the Trolley for a one-hour or two-and-a-half hour tour through Cleveland and its neighborhoods. Sights like the West Side Market, University Circle, Playhouse Square, The Flats and North Coast Harbor are just a few of the highlights that residents will see as they travel on this iconic red trolley. Plus, tour guides share fun facts about Cleveland's history, which residents can stow away for a future round of Cleveland trivia.
- All trolleys depart from the Powerhouse at Nautica on the West Bank of the Flats, 1101 Winslow Ave., Cleveland, 44113
- Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. tours; Sunday, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. tours
BrewBoat CLE
- Residents can raise a glass to summer and enjoy their brews with views as they pedal their way down the Cuyahoga River on BrewBoat CLE. Ohio's first and only pedal-powered paddle-wheel party-boat, BrewBoat CLE gives guests the chance to cycle Cleveland's waterfront and enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown. Residents should be sure to BYOB, pack some snacks and even put a playlist together for their cruise through Cleveland. Tours are filling up quickly as the BrewBoat wraps up its season on October 1.
- Boats depart from Channel Park Marina, 5300 Whiskey Island, Cleveland, 44102
- Visit www.brewcle.com for tour availability
The Great Outdoors
Go Ape Mill Stream Run Reservation
- Zip lines, Tarzan swings and rail tracks sound like an outdoor adventure one may find in the jungle, but Clevelanders can participate in all of these activities at Go Ape Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville. The Go Ape Treetop Adventure features five zip lines, suspended obstacles and Tarzan swings as part of a two to three hour journey through the scenic Cleveland Metroparks Mill Stream Run Reservation. After a day above the trees, residents can explore the grounds of the reservation including bike paths, hiking trails and the Strongsville Wildlife Area.
- 16200 Valley Pkwy., Strongsville, 44136
- Hours by appointment
Entertain This
Scene 75 Entertainment Center
- Summertime means hours of fun and games, and the recently opened Scene 75 Entertainment Center has plenty of options for kids and kids at heart. From laser tag to go-karts, mini-golf, arcade games and bumper cars, families and friends can banish boredom from their vocabulary for the day (and friendly competition will not be in short supply). Even the youngest Clevelanders can enjoy the fun at the bouncing inflatables section of Scene 75. For a bite to eat, guests can stop by Food Truck Alley and purchase local fare from the likes of The Proper Pig, River Dog Café, Boca Local Burrito Factory and Sauced Pizza.
- 3688 Center Road, Brunswick, 44212
- Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.;
Friday, 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Summertime Sweets
Mitchell's Ice Cream
- I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Clevelanders can stop by one of Mitchell's Ice Cream's eight locations to enjoy this favorite summertime sweet treat. With flavors like Wildberry Crumble, Coffee Chocolate Chunk or Pralines & Cream, residents can choose from a variety of unique scoops or rely on classics like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. For a behind-the scenes look at Mitchell's, tasting tours are available every Saturday in September at the Ohio City Flagship Kitchen and Shop...samples included!
- Mitchell's Ice Cream shops are located in Avon, Beachwood, Ohio City, Rocky River, Solon, Southpark Mall, Uptown and Westlake
For more end of summer activities or to learn more about Destination Cleveland or new attractions and activities, please visit thisiscleveland.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our channels on YouTube and Pinterest.
DON'T FORGET: Destination Cleveland's Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at thisiscleveland.com or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44114) Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. to plan your adventure.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland's convention and visitors bureau. This private, non-profit organization's mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes more than 17 million visitors annually. For more information, visit thisiscleveland.com.