20 Touristy Things In Cleveland That Every Local Should Do at Least Once

By Scene Staff on Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 1:34 pm

Whether you have a free weekend, have visitors staying with you or are doing a staycation, there are surely things in your own city that you haven't done. These 20 tourist attractions are actually worthy of doing at least once in your life.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Erik Drost/Flickr

Kayak Down the Cuyahoga River

Yes, kayak down the Cuyahoga River. Cleveland's history is dominated by the river, from city inception to present day. And there's no better way to see the city from ground level than to wind from the Flats, under the bridges and toward Valley View in a canoe. It's a top-five to-do item for out-of-town visitors. You should join them.

Scene Archives

Visit Lake View Cemetery

12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

The final resting place of John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness, Revolutionary War soldiers, Ray Chapman and more famous and influential people than we have time to name, Lake View Cemetery is also, of course, home to the President Garfield memorial. The view from the second floor balcony is one of the most majestic and underrated in the whole city. The walk around the grounds is amazing. And the property is basically a history of the city's most notable folks. Chances are good you've been meaning to go and never have. Fix that this year.

Adam Moss/Flickr

Visit League Park

6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland

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, the city refurbished the fields for youth play and a small but dynamite museum offers the chance to learn all about the pros and amateurs who once walked the grounds.

Joel/Flickr

Go to Cedar Point

1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky

Voted the best amusement park in America on a regular basis, it's the roller coaster capital of the world, and it's right down I-90. Even if you don't love blood-curdling rides and skyscraper-tall coasters, Cedar Point has something for you, even if it's just the merry-go-round.

Scene Archives

Visit The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum

605 East 222nd St., Euclid

The Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame isn’t the only musical hall of fame in Cleveland. Yes, we have a hall of fame dedicated to Cleveland-style polka music, the happiest sound around. "The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame was founded in 1987 by musicians and leaders of Slovenian and ethnic organizations. The museum traces the story of the city's home-grown sound from its roots in the old Slovenian neighborhoods to nationwide popularity with audio exhibits, historic photographs and original instruments. The archive preserves 6,000 vintage recordings, dating back to 1913."

Eric Friedebach/Flickr

Spend a Day at the Rock Hall

1101 East 9th St., Cleveland

Bitch about who's inducted and who's not if you want — that's half the fun! — but you can't take anything away from the stunning, unparalleled collection of rock history sitting in the glass pyramid by Lake Erie. It's like a top-three item for people visiting Cleveland and the look on your face says it's been many, many years since your last visit.

Scene Archives

Eat at Slyman's

3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland

There are plenty of food-centric tourist lists and there's a good chance most of them will point you toward Slyman's. But you live here. When's the last time you stepped through those doors and had heaven on a plate.

Erik Drost/Flickr

Look Out from the Terminal Tower Observation Deck

50 Public Square., Cleveland

The observation deck of the Terminal Tower is only open a few days a year (bummer), but the view from the top of Cleveland's most-iconic skyscraper is simply breath-taking (yay!). The 30-mile view was unavailable for nine years after 9/11 and renovations to the building, but check in periodically for open hours, because there's nothing quite like this view.

Courtesy of the Natural History Museum

Visit the Natural History Museum

In the midst of a massive expansion project, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is somehow a hidden gem in University Circle. See the museum's wildlife, check out the exhibitions on the world around you and go visit Balto. Sundays are free for residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland, as a reminder, you just have to secure your spot ahead of time.

Marc Buehler/Flickr

Take a Hike Walking Tour

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.