Known for its history with the steel industry, Cleveland, Ohio, isn't all time cards, work boots and lunch pails. This historic and diverse Lake Erie city has loads of family-friendly activities for those with children. From high-energy skate parks to fascinating museums, this city on the lake never leaves out the kids.
Kids' Museums
The Hershey Children's Garden at the Cleveland Botanical Garden offers learning and romping in an unexpected spot that is at once urban and green. The Hershey Garden features exhibits from a pond full of hungry goldfish to a wheelchair-accessible treehouse. Rain or shine, the Children's Museum has all-day activities, including a Big Red Barn to explore and wet and wild shenanigans courtesy of the Splish! Splash! exhibit. The Great Lakes Science Center is brimming with cool stuff for kids of all ages, from the Science Phenomena Floor, where touching is encouraged, to the Polymer Funhouse for the 7-and-under set, to the giant Omnimax theater that the whole family can enjoy.
Playgrounds
Cleveland is home to more than 90 municipal playgrounds, so you won't have to go far for a healthy and active outing in one of the city's parks. Enjoy running and freestyle activities in the open green spaces of Gordon Park or cool off in the water playgrounds at Neff Park, Halloran Park and Lincoln Park. Many locations also have public pools.
Beach
Treat the clan to a day of sun on Ohio's North Coast. Cleveland's Lakefront Park is home to Edgewater Beach, which invites energetic visitors to take a refreshing dip on hot days and has plenty of sand for industrious castle-builders. The beach offers views of the lake and city skyline.
Skateboarding
Watch lanky teens bloom with joy on a gray day when you proclaim, "Yes, Junior, there really is an indoor skateboard park in Cleveland." Trick bikes and boards alike are welcome at Chenga World indoor skateboard park, which offers daily admissions as well as memberships. For a fair weather option, glide over to Lakewood Park to enjoy more than 9,500 square feet of rails, halfpipes and obstacles on this outdoor public skate park.
Amusement Parks
In the summer months, discover a jewel for young children that locals have been enjoying since 1952: Memphis Kiddie Park. The park features rides designed for kids 50 inches and under. When spring fever hits but the weather won't comply, you can go to the I-X Indoor Amusement Park, which is typically open for about a month in spring and features thrill rides, games and plenty of family entertainment in the city's expansive International Exposition and Conference Center.
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