From a museum devoted entirely to polka music to a festival celebrating duct tape, a visit to Cleveland promises anything but the ordinary. For travelers looking to experience all that makes Cleveland one-of-a-kind, look no further than the wacky places, offbeat attractions and eccentric events offered throughout the region.
Unusual & Unique Museums
House from A Christmas Story and Museum. We “triple dog dare ya” to go to “House from A Christmas Story” and Museum in the Tremont neighborhood, where part of the holiday classic was filmed. Visitors can see Ralphie’s house restored to its big screen setting with props like the “fra-gee-lay” leg lamp and the Red Ryder BB gun. For a once in a lifetime opportunity, visitors can reserve an overnight stay at the iconic house.
Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum. Whether picking from a 23-foot money tree or identifying counterfeit bills, visitors can follow the history of money at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Learning & Money Museum, one of just 12 Federal Reserve banks in the nation.
National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum takes visitors on a journey through legendary oompah bands, vintage accordions, ornate performance costumes, images and video of this ethnic folk dance that reflects happiness and prosperity.
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, Dittrick Medical History Center covers the unnerving—yet fascinating—history of medicine.
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick. Step into a world of folklore and the supernatural at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick. The museum called multiple cities home over the years before relocating to Cleveland in 2015. Visitors can view a range of items from Ancient Egyptian after-life dolls to artifacts from the Salem Witch trials.
Baseball Heritage Museum. Travelers can step into the restored ticket booth of League Park, the oldest ballpark in the world, to visit the Baseball Heritage Museum. The free museum features rare memorabilia that present the rich history and diversity of baseball like programs, uniforms, signed baseballs and other keepsakes.
The Sanctuary Museum. Inside the century-old St. Hedwig’s church is The Sanctuary Museum, which houses a display of religious artifacts from around the world. Guests can sit on reclaimed church pews and find themselves in awe of the stained-glass window collection and a 19th century statue of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
Merry-Go-Round Museum. Visitors can interact with real merry-go-round artisans, ride a restored Allan Herschell Carousel, admire gorgeously restored carousels and learn the history behind this beloved amusement park ride at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.
Troll Hole Museum. About an hour drive from Downtown Cleveland is the Guinness World Record’s largest collection of troll dolls at the Troll Hole Museum. Visitors can peruse through a grotto, mountain troll room and a Christmas-themed display to see thousands of troll dolls.
Museum of Illusions Cleveland. A new wacky addition to The Land, Museum of Illusions Cleveland is sure to keep you on your toes. Experience the unbelievable through interactive exhibits including the Walk-in kaleidoscope, Vortex tunnel and Infinity room.
One-And-Only Attractions
Superman House. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s the
Superman House! Located in the Glenville neighborhood, comic book fans can take photos next to the big red metal “S” mounted on the front fence of Superman co-creator Jerry Spiegel’s childhood home. Guests can also check-out the poster-size reproductions of Superman’s first comic appearance where co-creator Joe Shuster’s house once stood.
Lake View Cemetery. At
Lake View Cemetery, visitors can set a dime on John D. Rockefeller’s headstone for financial prosperity, take in the neoclassical beauty of Wade Memorial Chapel and enjoy the view from atop the memorial of James A. Garfield.
World’s Largest. Photo opps are plentiful in Cleveland, where visitors can see some of the most unusual of the “world’s largest” attractions including the
country’s largest outdoor chandelier at Playhouse Square and the
world’s largest rubber stamp in Willard Park, which reads “FREE.”
Superelectric Pinball Parlor.
Superelectric Pinball Parlor brings out the inner child in every visitor. With more than 20 pinball games ranging from the 1950s to the latest releases, this arcade in the Gordon Square Arts District is full of bells and whistles and clacks and dings.
Castle Noel. It’s the holidays all year round at
Castle Noel in Medina, roughly 30 minutes outside of Downtown. With movie sets from favorite holiday films like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf” and “The Santa Clause,” the indoor attraction houses the largest privately-owned collection of Christmas movie props and costumes—and it even periodically “snows!” Visitors can also ride the Santa Klaus Mountain Slide just like Ralphie and Randy in “A Christmas Story.”
Funky Festivals
Brite Winter. Neither snow nor subfreezing temperatures keep Clevelanders down—or indoors. Brite Winter is an annual arts and music festival held in mid-to-late February. Guests can expect art, fire and fun while listening to bands on multiple stages along with frosty beer vendors and belly-warming food trucks.
Kurentovanje. Cleveland is home to the largest Slovenian population outside of Slovenia, so it’s no surprise that Cleveland Kurentovanje is quite the celebration. Known as Slovenian Mardi Gras, events range from polka dancing and Slovenian cooking lessons to the awakening of the furry Kurenti monsters who scare away winter during an annual parade and festival in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
Cleveland Garlic Festival. Due to the region’s mineral-rich soil, more than 300 varietals of garlic are grown in the Cleveland area. The local bounty is celebrated each August at the Cleveland Garlic Festival with competitions between local top chefs, independent farmer vendors and a tent devoted entirely to cheese.
The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival. For nearly two weeks around Easter every year, Cleveland State University becomes home to the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India. The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival draws an attendance of nearly 10,000, including fans, competitors, performers and their friends and family from around the world.
Twins Day Festival. You’ll think you’re seeing double every August at the Twins Day Festival. The largest gathering of twins and multiples in the world takes place in the city of Twinsburg, roughly 30 minutes from Downtown. Attendees can enjoy a talent show, lookalike contests, a parade, recreation options and live entertainment.