Cleveland, Ohio, offers visitors and locals numerous inexpensive activities that promote wellness. The city is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie and near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River; both areas provide many opportunities for active recreation, including water sports and visiting festivals and botanical gardens.
Outdoors
Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes, offers a variety of water activities such as sport fishing for fish like walleye, bass and perch. Other activities include swimming, kayaking, boating, scuba diving and canoeing. Inexpensive boat rentals are available by the hour, half day or full day. As of May 2010, a three-day non-resident tourist fishing license costs $19, and is available from the Ohio Division of Wildlife website (see Resources).
Another inexpensive option is to visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville, less than half an hour from Cleveland. The park has 52,000 acres for recreation and relaxation, with activities like camping, bicycling, bird watching and hiking. As of May 2010, entrance to the park is free of charge.
Annual Events
Cleveland offers annual street fairs, festivals and art exhibitions at affordable prices. The Parade the Circle is an event held every June in Wade Oval, University Circle. This free celebration features a parade with colorful floats, musicians, dancers, arts and crafts activities, and food. This is also a great time to visit the numerous museums located at University Circle, as they often offer discounts on the day of the event.
Attractions
Cleveland Botanical Garden and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are some of the attractions that you can visit in the area for a small fee. The Botanical Garden in University Circle houses more than 3,000 plants and shrubs from all over the world. The garden has sights like bridges, fountains and gazebos. Admission fee for adults is $7.50 and $3 for children. The Metroparks Zoo costs $10 for adults and $7 for children. The zoo encompasses over 165 acres and includes an indoor tropical rain forest. Prices are based on 2010 rates.
Cleveland Plus Pass
You can purchase the Cleveland Plus Pass to make your visit even more affordable. This pass gives you admission to 10 major attractions in the region. You can purchase the pass for two, three or five days, and activate it by swiping or scanning it in participating locations, including museums and other destinations in Cleveland. As of May 2010, admission costs about $25 for a two-day pass, $35 for a three-day pass and $50 for a five-day pass. Discounted prices are available for seniors and children. Attractions you can visit with the pass include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Holden Arboretum, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Lake Metroparks Farmpark and more. Purchase a pass online or in person at the Positively Cleveland Visitors Center in downtown Cleveland (see Resources).
West Side Market
West Side Market, located in Cleveland's Ohio City area, is a great place to find a wide variety of foods at affordable prices. Opened in 1912, the market offers visitors a chance to walk around indoors during inclement weather.
Member Comments