Though the weather may be dreary and cold in March, you'll find that this underrated travel destination has a lot to offer. In fact, Cleveland was featured by Frommer's Jennifer Reilly as her editor's pick for favorite underrated city. Cleveland, in northeastern Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie, offers the health-conscious resident and visitor a wealth of events and activities to pursue during March, as well as year-round.
Parks
On March 15, witness the return of the buzzards to the Buzzard Roost at Hinckley Reservation, a Cleveland Metropark. Dress warmly, and don't forget your binoculars, so you can search the skies for the arrival of these turkey vultures. Welcoming of the buzzards starts as early as 6:30 a.m.
Enter the garbage-bag race or the fire-hose race at the March Winter Carnival at Boston Mills Peak Resort in Sagamore Hills, less than 20 miles from Cleveland.
According to the Weather Channel, the average high temperature in March is 46 degrees. However, March temperatures can be unpredictable, offering up everything from snow days to highs in the mid-60s. Toward the end of March, the weather can be mild enough to dust off the bike or your running shoes. Get outside and walk, jog or cycle the 5.7-mile Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal through Cuyahoga Heights and Valley View.
Attractions
Visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden in March during Orchid Mania and see dramatic lobby displays and orchids in their natural settings in the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse. Don't forget your camera so you can take pictures of these exotic blooms as you stroll through the glass house.
The Cleveland Museum of Art nearby features permanent collections of pre-Columbian, medieval European, Asian and Indian art. Admission is always free to its permanent collections, which include an enclosed courtyard filled with a dozen medieval suits of armor.
A seasonal outdoor rink near the Botanical Gardens is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. There is no charge to glide around the Rink at Wade Oval, a silicone polymer ice rink, which is usually open through March 21.
Gordon Square Arts District
Head to the Gordon Square Arts District for a healthy bite to eat or an evening's entertainment at one of the many establishments in this newly revitalized neighborhood. The Near West and Cleveland Public theaters offer live dance, musical and theater performances.
Catch an independent, foreign or documentary movie at the refurbished Capitol Theater, one of the screening venues used during Cleveland's International Film Festival every March.
After dinner and a movie, bundle up and take a walk along the West 65th Street or West 76th Street walking trails.
St. Patrick's Day
Start your day March 17 with real Irish fare, a heaping bowl of oatmeal. High in fiber, low in fat and sodium-free, oatmeal is a healthy and authentic way to start the day's celebration of all things Irish. Get your green on and head out to watch and join in the revelry at Cleveland's annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Ohio's oldest parade, begun in 1867, kicks off at Superior Avenue and East 18th Street and ends at Rockwell and East Sixth Street.
Easter Eggs
During the last weekend of March, you can breakfast with the Easter Bunny and enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Cleveland's Metroparks Zoo. Spend the rest of the day exploring The Rainforest, Australian Adventure and the other attractions. Since 1957, the Manolio family has created an eggshell display on the lawn of their home on Linden Lane in Lyndehurst. The display of over 40,000 shells is set up approximately 10 days from Palm Sunday until a few days after Easter.
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