Experience the Arts
Cleveland Museum of Art. Considered one of the top art museums in the nation, the always free
Cleveland Museum of Art is home to a wide-ranging permanent collection, including works by Picasso, Monet, van Gogh and Warhol. Visitors begin their tour in the glass-topped atrium and then head to the galleries of their choosing to see pieces ranging from jewel-encrusted Fabergé eggs to medieval statues.
Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa).
moCa showcases an ever-changing and free collection of exhibits, ranging from photos and sculpture to audio works and video productions. The four-story building is clad primarily in mirror-finish black stainless steel – reflecting its urban surroundings and changing in appearance with differences in light and weather.
SPACES & Transformer Station.
SPACES gallery, a venue dedicated to those who create and experiment with traditional and digital media, offers contemporary art aficionados an immersion in the unexpected through its frequently updated exhibits. The nearby
Transformer Station entices historical and art enthusiasts alike with gallery spaces located in a former streetcar substation.
Cleveland Institute of Music. Alumni of the
Cleveland Institute of Music perform with the world’s leading orchestras, and visitors to The Land can listen to student concerts in University Circle, most of which are free.
Cleveland Institute of Art. The world-renowned
Cleveland Institute of Art offers free access to its Reinberger Galleries, which feature work from faculty and students as well as international artists.
The Sculpture Center. Founded in 1989, The Sculpture Center features exhibits from artists of all voices and backgrounds. The organization also founded the
Ohio Outdoor Sculpture database with a growing list of 1,500 publicly accessible outdoor sculptures in Ohio.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Museums
Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum. It’s all about the Benjamins at the
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Learning Center and Money Museum. Visitors can investigate and identify counterfeit bills and create their own currency, among other interactive exhibits to learn about finance, economics and the history of money.
Dittrick Medical History Center. Visitors will be thankful for modern medicine after laying eyes on a Civil War-era amputation set complete with a rusty, old saw. From the library of the Renaissance physician who treated the Holy Roman Emperor to a 19th century condom made of animal membranes, the
Dittrick Medical History Center covers the unnerving—yet fascinating—history of medicine.
International Women’s Air and Space Museum. Visitors to the
International Women’s Air & Space Museum can learn about the contributions of women to aviation and space exploration, from the exploits of Amelia Earhart to the workings of the WASPs of WWII and NASA astronauts.
Cleveland Police Museum. Murder. Gangsters. Motorcycles. The
Cleveland Police Museum offers visitors a first-hand look into the history of the city’s law enforcement, including the tenure of famed mafia crime fighter Eliot Ness as the city’s safety director and death masks from Cleveland’s unsolved Torso Murders crime spree in the 1930s.
National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. Patrons of the
National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame can take in the oompah-pahs at this museum dedicated to the “happiest sound around.” It celebrates Cleveland’s very own form of polka, with artifacts and memorabilia from legendary stars like “America’s Polka King” Frankie Yankovic.
The Great Outdoors
Public Square. At the center of Downtown Cleveland lies
Public Square. The park offers green space for visitors to lounge, a café to enjoy a quick bite or leisurely drink, a splash zone for kids to cool off in the warmer months and an ice rink during winter. Plus, free performances and fitness classes are held throughout the year.
Cleveland Metroparks. With a collection of 18 parks, including several beaches, the
Cleveland Metroparks are the “Emerald Necklace” surrounding the city. More than 23,000 acres are filled with picnic pavilions, hiking trails, bike paths, playgrounds and swimming spots.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Situated between Cleveland and Akron,
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers 33,000 acres of forests, water and wildlife. Highlights include the Towpath Trail with more than 80 miles of path unexposed to traffic; Ritchie Ledges, a series of ancient rock formations; and Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot-tall waterfall. The park celebrates its
50th anniversary in 2025, with festivities continuing through the end of the year.
Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Located on a 1.5-mile stretch of boulevard in the University Circle neighborhood, more than 30 gardens make up the
Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Filled with sculptures and unique horticulture, each garden represents a different culture found in Cleveland.
Rockefeller Greenhouse. Inside the
Rockefeller Greenhouse, travelers see a variety of botanical displays, including a desert cacti collection and orchid garden. Outside, visitors can view the Japanese Garden, Latin American Garden and the Betty Ott Talking Garden, which provides recorded descriptions to help visually impaired guests experience the gardens and features plants that appeal to all the senses.
Historical Hot Spots
Terminal Tower. A fixture of Cleveland’s skyline, the Terminal Tower was once the tallest skyscraper in the world outside of New York City until 1953. The tower is free to look at, and it costs a mere $5 to ascend to the 42nd floor observation deck on select weekends.
Downtown Architecture. Travelers can experience an array of architectural styles at sites like The Arcade, once known as “Cleveland’s Crystal Palace” and considered one of the world’s first indoor shopping malls. Then, take in neoclassical architecture—and a new novel or two—at the Cleveland Public Library.
Take a Hike Tours. Talking shop with John D. Rockefeller or going behind bars with Levi Johnson (builder of Cuyahoga County’s first courthouse and jail) are included in the popular Take a Hike Tours. Offered in-person May through September, these free walking tours are hosted by costumed characters from the city’s history and showcase distinct neighborhoods. Self-guided versions are also offered.
Lake View Cemetery. With more than 285 acres of scenery, Lake View Cemetery is the final resting place of many power players in Cleveland’s civic and industrial development, including John D. Rockefeller and inventor Garrett Morgan. It also is home to the 180-foot-tall sandstone monument to President James Garfield, where the flag-draped caskets of the President and his wife Lucretia are displayed for viewing.
West Side Market. Delicacies such as cassata cake and bacon jerky await at the West Side Market, a century-old food lover’s paradise located in the Ohio City neighborhood. Shoppers make their way through the subway-tiled, barrel-vaulted concourse to a variety of food stands, many of which have been family-operated for generations. While purchasing food comes at a price, taking in the sights and smells (freshly made crepes!) doesn’t cost a thing. Thanks to a current renovation, visitors can soon look forward to new outdoor seating, a beer garden and monthly events spotlighting local vendors.
Heinen’s Downtown. Once home to a bank, the three-story historic Cleveland Trust building now houses Heinen’s grocery store in Downtown Cleveland. Visitors can enjoy a glass of wine or treat themselves to Mitchell’s Ice Cream while exploring the store and enjoying its beautiful architecture.