As the heat mercifully dies down, the promise of fall weather draws out-of-towners to the city before we’re inevitably covered in snow. It’s clear; Cleveland and fall make a beautiful pair. Here are some of the best tours you can take with your visitors to see the city at its best.
It’s clear; Cleveland and fall make a beautiful pair (we’re serious). Here are some of the best tours you can take with your visitors to see the city at its best, even when it’s somewhat chilly outside.
Take a Hike Tours
1010 Euclid Ave., Suite 300, 440-771-1994
Part walking tour, part performance, Take a Hike Tours guides visitors through Cleveland monuments with the help of actors portraying famous historic figures. To learn more about the walking show, visit http://www.clevelandgatewaydistrict.com/history/heritage-tourism/
Photo via FlickrHale Farm and Village
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 216-721-5722
Celebrate the fall season by exploring the history and beauty of the almost 200-year-old Hale Farm and Village. Self-guided tours allow visitors to wander the grounds and catch a glassblowing demonstration.
Photo via FlickrGreater C Cleveland Aquarium
2000 Sycamore St., 216-862-8803
Ever wondered what happens behind-the-scenes at an aquarium? Greater Cleveland Aquarium answers all your burning question with its Very Important Guest Tour. Guides unveil all the tricks that make everything go swimmingly.
Photo via FlickrMuseum of Contemporary Art
11400 Euclid Ave., 216-658-6940
Take your out-of-towners to this mysterious mirrored structure with no explanation. Inside, they’ll find globally-minded, tech-savvy, and culturally significant work. Guided tours with museum educators help lead visitors through the array of works, providing a 30-minute crash course in contemporary art.
Photo via WikimediaLolly the Trolley
1101 Winslow Ave., 216-771-4484
Visit Lolly in all her glory for a memorable sightseeing experience. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived in the city; something about looking at the skyline from inside a trolley makes every building shine a little brighter.
Photo via FlickrA Christmas Story House Tour
3159 W. 11th St., 216-298-4919
Guaranteed to put a gleam in the most cynical sightseer’s eye, the tour of the famed, “A Christmas Story” house is an essential stop for nostalgic out-of-towners and Cleveland residents alike. The year-round tours not only guide visitors through Ralphie’s home, but also introduce out-of-towners to the accompanying museum of all things “A Christmas Story.”
Photo via WikipediaPro Football Hall of Fame Tour
2121 George Halas Dr., North Canton, 330-456-8207
Take the football fanatics in your life to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for tours on memorabilia out-of-towners won’t be able to find anywhere else. Visitors can opt for the “Insider’s Museum Tour” or a VIP “Behind-the-Scenes” tour to learn more about their favorite players and secrets of the game.
Photo via FlickrCuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Tilden House, 2325 Stine Rd., Peninsula,1-800-468-4070 ext. 1 ?
Take your out-of-towners back in time on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Listen to the audio tour as the old-fashioned train travels through Cuyahoga National Park.
Photo via ambersturgis/InstagramSPACES Art Gallery
2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314
Introduce tourists to something unique with the free guided tours at SPACES art gallery. The gallery is a refreshing find for locals and out-of-towners, featuring new experimental art meant to challenge expectations.
Photo via laurendaviesprojects/InstagramBrewBoat Cleveland
Channel Park Marina,
5300 Whiskey Island Dr., 440-941-6690
A boat, a bar, a tour like no other, BrewBoat lets visitors paddle their way down the Cuyahoga River for a boozy sightseeing adventure. The daily cruises are guaranteed to make out-of-towners want to stay another night.
Photo via americaninteriors/InstagramBrewBoat Cleveland
534 Morgan St., Oberlin
A gem of architectural history tucked away in the small town of Oberlin, the Wertzheimer/Johnson house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright draws crowds from all over. Guides host tours and information sessions the first Sunday of each month, showcasing the talents of one of the nation’s most famous architects.
Photo via bweekins/InstagramCleveland Cycle Tours
32860 Fox Chappel Ln., Avon Lake, 440-532-9995
Cleveland Cycle Tours puts a collaborative spin on the classic bike tour. Board the 15-person bicycle as locals and tourists alike pedal throughout Cleveland.
Photo via Heather Zachariah, TipsFromTown/InstagramCleveland Coffee Tours
@clecoffeetours
Take a caffeinated trip through Downtown Cleveland with the guided Cleveland Coffee Tours. In addition to tasting different coffees in the Warehouse District, the shop owners also provide a mini coffee lesson to stimulate any coffee snob.
Photo via Cleveland Coffee Tours/FacebookBuckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
2676 W 14th St., bucklandmuseum@gmail.com?
A new staple of historic Tremont, Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magic made its debut in Cleveland in 2015. Take a self-guided tour through the supernatural artifact collection and learn about the witchy history of the museum’s founder, Raymond Buckland.
Photo via vintage.mick/InstagramTroll Hole Museum
228 E Main St., Alliance, 330-596-1157
Housing the world’s largest troll collection, the Troll Hole Museum is undoubtedly unique. Shake the jetlag off your out-of-towners with daily guided tours of trolls from every era. Make sure to stop by the Grumpy Troll Cafe on the way out.
Photo via Troll Hole Museum/FacebookLake Erie Canopy Tours
4888 North Broadway, Geneva-on-the-Lake, 866-601-1973
Go for some high-altitude sightseeing with a 1.5 mile zipline tour of Lake Erie and Geneva State Park. Lake Erie Canopy Tours gives tourists a birds-eye view with 60-foot sightseeing posts stationed along the zipline trail.
Photo via cg_canopy_tours/InstagramMalley’s Chocolates
13400 Brookpark Rd., 216-325-5570
Take your out-of-towners on a self-guided tour of the world famous Malley’s Chocolates. Visitors can learn about the history of the 80-year-old business on a virtual tour while they enjoy everything Malley’s has to offer.
Photo via annahajrapetian/Instagram
