Children's Museum of Cleveland
Located on Euclid Avenue in University Circle, this museum is a hands-on, multi-sensory, creative learning environment that encourages children to learn by doing. The museum offers daily programs and specialized exhibits (permanent, temporary and traveling) focused on the needs of children below the age of 10 years.
Some of the more popular exhibits are "Tool Town" which is a model town where simple machines manipulated by the children illustrate how these machines work. "Raceways" is a clever hands-on exhibit which illustrates some of the principles of physics via golf balls running on specially designed tracks. This is a delight for us older folk as well and can be very mesmerizing.
The museum is located at 10730 Euclid Ave (University Circle). Operating hours are 10a-5p daily. They are closed January 1, Easter, Thanksgiving and December 25.
Note: They have a web site,
www.museum4kids.com, which has not been responding, lately. We have been unable to get a definitive answer on the futures of this site.
City of Cleveland Greenhouse
and Botanical Garden
Note: there are two 'botanical gardens' in Cleveland frequently confused by tourists because of
similar names: this 4-acre 'City of Cleveland Greenhouse and Botanical Garden' on 88th Street and the larger, 10-acre 'Cleveland Botanical Garden' on East Boulevard.
This is the former, City of Cleveland facility which has the famous 'Talking Garden',- taped descriptions of many of the plants which visitors are actually encouraged to touch and smell. This is a self-guided tour;
guided tours are available by appointment (phone 216-664-3103).
Open 10a-4p daily. Admission is FREE.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Note: there are two 'botanical gardens' in Cleveland frequently confused by tourists because of
similar names: the 4-acre 'City of Cleveland Greenhouse and Botanical Garden' on 88th Street
(described above) and the larger, 10-acre 'Cleveland Botanical Garden' on East Boulevard.
This is the latter. To some people, a garden is a garden and there isn't too much difference. Wrong! This facility actually has ten different gardens ranging from the
natural to the formal.
Currently under development is their special 18,000 square foot greenhouse (which they call the Glasshouse).
Recently opened to the public, this futuristic structure features examples of two of the world's most fragile ecosystems: the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica.
The gardens are currently open 1 April through 31 October, 9a to dusk,
Monday through Saturday. They open at noon Sundays and close at dusk. Parking (due to their
construction efforts) can be somewhat of a pain and is along the city streets (metered parking, only).
For more information, visit their web site: www.cbgarden.org |
Cleveland Metro Parks
Every large city has its parks and they are usually maintained and operated by some kind of park authority. Cleveland has taken it a whole giant step farther: the Cleveland Metro Parks. Each of the 14 parks is a 'Reservation', each has a purpose but all are operated together to create almost 20,000 acres of landscapes and facilities enjoyed daily be residents and tourists.
Facilities range from trails, horses & stables to water facilities and golf courses. Plus there is the famed Cleveland Zoo with the largest inventory of primates in North America.
Cleveland Metroparks has an excellent web site at: www.clemetparks.com.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
One of the Cleveland Metroparks 'reservation, this 170 acre facility is home to the largest collection of primate species in North America. Thousands of animals roam the Zoo's 168 acres and 2 acres of The RainForest, a special, very popular, indoor attraction.
Occasional special attractions, including concerts, are scheduled from time to time. One, coming this August, is Twilight at the Zoo. The bands and other entertainers scheduled for appearances are the who's who of musical America - and tickets range from $50 to $125. (see their web site for details).
Obviously, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is much more than just another zoo. To the little ones in your family it can be as entertaining as a circus (most kids love animals and this is close-up) but prepared to spend a day. (Food and drink is available, of course.)
For more information, visit their web site at: www.clemetzoo.com
Cleveland Museums
One would expect to find many museums in any large city and Cleveland is certainly no exception. Here are some of special interest to tourists:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Ride aboard climate-controlled rail coaches (built between 1939 and 1940) through the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area to such destinations as Canal Visitor Center, Hale Farm & Village, Inventure Place, Peninsula and Quaker Square. Many different special and custom journeys are available. For more information ant to review their extensive schedule, see their web site at:
www.cvsr.com
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