Nice weather in Northeast Ohio only lasts a few months, and there’s just oh so much summer goodness to pack into those sweet days. Here’s a checklist of some of the best summery — and often cheap — things to do in Cleveland before those leaves start to fall.
Go Kayaking
You probably don’t own one of those boats docked on Lake Erie, but you can still get yourself out on the water this summer. Strike that. You should still get out on the water this summer. Kayak rentals are the best way to do that. And tandems are the best value, plus you get to share the experience with a pal and defray the cost. Most tandems go for $25 or $30/hour at 41 North in Lakewood in the Rocky River Reservation, Great Lakes Watersports in the Flats, Chagrin River Kayak and Rentals in Eastlake, or at Put-in-Bay Watercraft out in the islands. Credit: Scene ArchivesDisc Golfing
Various Locations
With courses all over Northeast Ohio, and most of them free of charge, disc golfing is a fun outdoor activity for dates or hanging with buddies or (with no promises of success) children. You throw specialty discs — you’ll have to buy them or locate a cousin who’s weirdly into it already — at “holes:” metal posts with chandelier-esque chains attached. It’s that simple, and it’s less time-consuming than a full round of 18 holes. Find courses in Hudson, at the Cuyahoga County Airport in Richmond Heights, at Tri-C’s Parma campus (actually on campus), and the region’s premiere course at Euclid’s Sims Park.
Photo via @DiscNDustin/InstagramVisit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Admission to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is free every single Sunday to residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland thanks to a gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation (bring proof of residence in the form of a state ID, utility bill, paystub or W2) and tickets are discounted to $1 every day with a SNAP EBT card. (Tickets in all cases need to be reserved in advance via the museum’s website.) Explore current exhibits on biodiversity and extinction, gaze in wonder at the universe at the planetarium, roam the outdoor wildlife center filled with foxes, coyotes, bald eagles, otters and cranes, and generally bask in the glorious beauty that is the natural world.See a Movie at a Drive-In Theater, because Aut-O-Rama is open and ready for your business
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesGo To The Beach
Hit the beach and better than that, hit all of them. Edgewater is a gem, Euclid Beach is beckoning, Huntington Beach is pristine, and Mentor Headlands is just a short drive out east with gorgeous views and the added bonus of putting you close to Scooter’s Dog House and all the glorious footlong dogs and pounds of golden fries you could dream of and the best tacos in Northeast Ohio at La Casita in Painesville. Looking for something outside of the usual rotation? Refer to Scene’s handy guide to 19 low-key beaches within driving distance of Cleveland at clevescene.com/beaches. Credit: Scene ArchivesBicycling
Grab your bicycle and join hundreds of your closest pals for Slow Roll Cleveland’s free, leisurely paced, 10-mile rides through neighborhoods east and west every Monday during the summer. Find the schedule and meeting points at slowrollcleveland.com Credit: Scene ArchivesGo Camping
Photo via Scene Archives at South Bass Island State Park CampgroundClassical Revolution Cleveland
Classical Revolution Cleveland, featuring violinists Victor Beyens and Ariel Clayton Karas, bassist Henry Samuels and pianist Chris Neiner, has for years been providing free concerts to the community, mostly at the squad’s home base of Happy Dog in Detroit Shoreway, but also outdoors through the pandemic and at offbeat locations like senior centers. They return in June to their free monthly shows after taking May off with more unique programs and special guests. The Cleveland Orchestra may be a world treasure, but Classical Revolution brings intimate and affordable classical performances to the masses. Keep up with their schedule at facebook.com/classicalrevolutioncleCleveland Public Theatre
If shows at Playhouse Square are out of your reach, you can still catch dynamite theater whatever your budget at Cleveland Public Theatre, which last year expanded its pay-what-you-want policy to include all tickets to all shows. The city’s home for original and experimental works did so in the belief that art is essential and it thus must be economically accessible. Find CPT’s full schedule cptonline.org and buy your tickets there or by calling the box office. Credit: Scene ArchivesHit Up A Dance Party
In addition to all the concert series, also be sure to check out a whole bunch of no-cover themed series and monthly dance parties at clubs around town: Dollar Country is usually spinning dustbin country at the Little Rose Tavern every month, Emo Night Cleveland brings all the tunes and emotions, and Black Mass Cleveland’s punk-rock drag showcase shouldn’t be missed.Take Your Dog To A Dog Park
If you don’t have one, adopt one. There are a ton of awesome dog parks around Northeast Ohio.Hit Up Local Art Galleries
While the Cleveland Museum of Art and the big hitters in University Circle get the most attention, Cleveland’s filthy with small art galleries catering to every taste that offer free exhibitions all year long. Whether you’re dipping into Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios or bopping around to one of the dozens of eclectic galleries scattered east to west, summer’s a great time to take in some local and regional art. Check Scene’s ongoing arts coverage, our events database, and CAN Journal for suggestions. Credit: Scene ArchivesFRONT Triennial
The second iteration of the FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art returns this summer with dozens of free installations, performances and public programs from more than 75 international artists. ‘Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows’ promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural exhibition and runs July 16 through October 2 all across Cleveland, Akron and Oberlin. Find out more at frontart.org Credit: Scene ArchivesSee The Kelley’s Island Glacial Grooves
Did you know that there was a National Natural Landmark about an hours drive (and a ferry ride) from downtown Cleveland? The Glacial Grooves of Kelley’s Island are 400 feet long, 35 feet wide, and up to 15 feet deep. They were created by the slow movement of the massive glacier that created the Great Lakes and Lake Erie Islands and are a site to see!Visit League Park
Cy Young threw out the first pitch when League Park opened at the corner of Lexington and East 66th. The Tribe won the 1920 World Series there. Babe Ruth hit his 500th homerun at the park. Though it was mostly torn down in 1951, parts of the park remain, and Cleveland has plans to renovate the space.Mentor Rocks
The free Mentor Rocks concert series returns in 2022 with a full slate of concerts at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater. Along with the usual slate of all the cover bands channeling nostalgia and playing the hits, headliners Everclear, Fastball and Parmalee will stop by town. The series runs Tuesday evenings June 7 through August 30 from 7 to 9 p.mSports, Recreation and The Outdoors
There are certainly parts of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland Metroparks you haven’t yet explored, and this summer’s as good a time as any to expand your local nature travels. Beyond that, the Metroparks offer plenty of other ways to get a deeper understanding of nature, including free guided bird watching walks, tours of local reservations, kayaking lessons, nature hikes and family-friendly events. Make use of the expertise you’re already paying for. Find more information all summer long at clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/calendar Credit:@CleveMetroParks/InstagramCatch A Minor League Game
Check out the future stars of the Cleveland Guardians for a fraction of the ticket and concession prices at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario by heading down to Akron for a Rubber Ducks game (cheapest ticket: $5) or Lake County for the Captains ($8). Not only will you sit up close and personal to the action, both teams’ schedules are filled with promotional nights and giveaways sure to make even the most disinterested baseball fan have funIce Cream Tour at Mitchell’s
1867 West 25th St., Cleveland
A tour of an ice cream plant and eating ice cream while high? Awesome. In 2014, Mitchell’s opened their flagship store on West 25th in Ohio City and they also offer tours of their production facility! These are tasting tours, so be prepared to try some delicious ice cream. Credit: Scene ArchivesSwim in Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
About 40 miles East from Cleveland on 422, you’ll find Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, where you’ll find one of the best campgrounds and natural sights around. Whether you just went to go camping, jump off the quarry or see some live music, you should visit this place. In August alone, there are three music festivals at the park.Do Nothing
Social calendars are getting quickly filled now that the weather is nice. It can be supremely overwhelming, especially after a couple years with little social contact. Do nothing. It’s great.Waterloo Arts District Concerts
With support from the Ohio Arts Council and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture,
the ClevelandRocks:Past Present Future series will ultimately showcase 25 local musical artists/groups in the Waterloo Arts District of North Collinwood. Every show is free to the public and will take place on the first Friday and third Saturday in multiple performance spaces on Waterloo, including the Beachland Ballroom, the Tower Stage (at the NorthEast corner of E. 156th St. and Waterloo Rd.) and the Windmill Stage (at the NorthWest corner of E. 156th and Waterloo Rd.).Go for a Picnic
Nothing like an old fashioned picnic to get you and your loved ones out of the house. Pickup some food from a local restaurant or grocery, grab some local brews, and you’re all set.
Photo via Scene Archives at Brookside Reservation Credit: Scene ArchivesSwim at a Public Pool
For those of us not lucky enough to have a friend with a pool, the region’s public swimming offerings are the next best thing. There are, of course, Cleveland’s public pools, but with erratic openings based on temperatures and staffing, they are hardly worth counting on. Luckily, you can snag a guest day pass in many suburbs where the water is warm and the beach chairs bountiful: Dragga Pool in Mayfield Heights will run you $10 as a non-resident, Walter’s Grove in Parma will cost you just $6, Parma Heights’ primo pool awaits for $8, Foster and Becks Pools in Lakewood will let you in for $5.50, and Beachwood’s absolutely stunning outdoor aquatic center will refresh and entertain you for $10. Credit: Scene ArchivesVisit a Quaint Local Downtown Like Medina or Chagrin Falls
Northeast Ohio and basically all of Ohio is known for having a ton of quaint downtowns to visit. Check out our list, pick your favorite and go. Get some ice cream, go to an antique shop, walk around the local park. How quaint.Rockin’ On The River
Out east in Lorain, Rockin’ on the River brings a roster of Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin cover bands, plus many more, to Black River Landing in what’s one of the most popular and longest-running outdoor concert series in the area. Admission is just $7 when the gates open at 5:30. Check out the full schedule, with weekly dates from late May through early September.Roller Skating
With support from the Ohio Arts Council and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture,
the ClevelandRocks:Past Present Future series will ultimately showcase 25 local musical artists/groups in the Waterloo Arts District of North Collinwood. Every show is free to the public and will take place on the first Friday and third Saturday in multiple performance spaces on Waterloo, including the Beachland Ballroom, the Tower Stage (at the NorthEast corner of E. 156th St. and Waterloo Rd.) and the Windmill Stage (at the NorthWest corner of E. 156th and Waterloo Rd.).Take a Scenic Drive
Northeast Ohio has some of the most beautiful roads in the midwest. From the Cuyahoga Valley to the Chagrin Valley, to the lake to Amish country, there are plenty of beautiful drives to take on a hot summer day.The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival
Now in its 25th year, the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival returns with free, outdoor summer performances of Hamlet (June 24- July 10) and The Learned Ladies (July 22 – August 7) in venues all around town. Routinely voted as one of the best outdoors experiences in Cleveland in Scene’s Best of Cleveland poll, catching the bard under the stars is one of the best ways to enjoy a summer night. Find the complete tour schedule at cleveshakes.com Credit: Scene ArchivesMetroparks Sounds of Summer Series
Edgewater and Euclid Beach Live haven’t made their post-pandemic return, but the Metroparks this year will bring a free traveling concert series across the region to some of the most iconic spots in the emerald necklace. Catch Billy Likes Soda on May 27 at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, The Level Up Band on June 24 at the Wildwood Marina, The Mourning Glory on July 29 at the Stinchcomb Memorial, Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band on August 26 at Huntington Beach and The Breakfast Club on September 30 at Squire’s Castle.Stand Up Paddling
Various Locations
It’s just like surfing. Kind of. If you want the feeling of catching a wave without worrying too much about swallowing mouthfuls of Lake Erie water or coming into contact with whatever creatures lurk beneath its surface, stand up paddling may be more up your alley. Stand on something that closely resembles a surfboard and glide calmly through the water as you push off with a paddle: a sort of surfing and kayaking hybrid. Huntington Beach and Edgewater both have this activity.
Photo via @AlohaSUPOhio/InstagramTake A Hike!
Every week mid-May through mid-September you can explore downtown through Take A Hike! A program of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, Take A Hike offers free guided walking tours of neighborhoods east to west, giving you the lowdown on the things you never knew you didn’t know. Get out in the sun, get those legs moving, and learn about the city you call home. Find a schedule at clevelandgatewaydistrict.comWade Oval Wednesdays
Cleveland’s marquee free weekly community outdoor concert series, Wade Oval Wednesdays, is back this year with mid-week concerts, food and sunshine starting June 15 and running through August 17. Grab some friends, a lawn chair, and enjoy a hump-day break sure to inject some relaxing fun into your frenzied schedule. Credit: Courtesy UCIGo To The Zoo
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is free to all Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township residents every Monday (with the exception of Monday holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day), and there are few better free summer experiences than traipsing around the zoo and checking out enough animals that even Noah would be jealous.Cleveland Stories Dinner Party
Dig into Cleveland’s history with Cleveland Stories Dinner Party, a semi-weekly series presented by the Cleveland History Center at the Music Box Supper Club featuring guest speakers on slices of the city’s past, from sports to music to industry. Next on the schedule is ‘The Irish Invade Cleveland & Transform It’ with historian and author Margaret Lynch on June 30. Admission is free; a three-course dinner will run you $20.Hit Up A Festival
Cleveland loves a festival, and once again, there are about 578 to enjoy this year. While many charge for admission, many more are absolutely free to enter (people watching is always the best part anyway), and many of those are totally free (Rooms to Let, Juneteenth Freedom Fest, Pride in the CLE). Ohiofestivals.net has a pretty comprehensive list of all the Northeast Ohio gatherings on the calendar for 2022.Check out the Redline Greenway
Cleveland’s newest gem just opened and the two-mile trail connecting the Zone Recreation Center and the West bank of the Cuyahoga is already one of the most popular routes in the Metroparks. The westernportion of the trail abuts I-90, but once you get past the exchanges at W. 44th and W. 41st, you descend into a scenic, shaded ride along the train tracks. The whole thing is safe, clean and beautifully landscaped and with Ohio City at one
end and Detroit-Shoreway on the other, there’s no shortage of places to stop for a
bite or a brew as you enjoy your afternoon.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesZip on a Zip Line
For Clevelanders who like their thrills a bit more tame than a roller coaster, zip lining offers not only some action adventure but tree-top views to boot and options abound. Try the Metroparks’ Go Ape zip lines in the Mill Stream Run Reservation, Lake Erie Canopy Tours in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Mohican Adventures, Tree Frog Canopy Adventures in Glenmont or Common Ground in Oberlin with views of the Vermillion River Valley.
Photo via Scene ArchivesVisit an Ohio Winery
Ohio’s largest wine region straddles the Grand River just south of Lake Erie, and there’s been a pleasant string of progress and growth in recent years. Recently, anchor destinations like Ferrante, Debonné and Harpersfield have been joined by forward-looking wineries like M Cellars, Laurentia and Kosicek, where the focus continues to shift away from sweet native grapes to classic European varietals. But it isn’t just the grape scene that is enjoying steady change as more and more new dining, drinking, lodging and even eco-friendly recreational activities all continue to come online. If your familiarity with the region starts and stops with Geneva-on-the-Lake or South River Vineyard, there’s plenty for you to discover on your next road trip.
Photo via Scene Archives
