Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Station Road Bridge Trailhead · Cleveland
Ohio's national park needs no entrance pass. Its Cuyahoga County end is close to Cleveland: start at the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville, the Canal Exploration Center in Valley View, or the Lock 39 Trailhead in Independence. Most of the park, including Brandywine Falls and the Ledges, lies farther south toward Akron. The park is open every day; some areas close at dusk.
Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, Penitentiary Glen Reservation · Cleveland
Lake Metroparks' Penitentiary Glen Nature Center has the interactive 'Nature Calls' exhibit, a Window on Wildlife for watching birds, and seasonal art shows, with 8.5 miles of trails around a deep gorge and the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center next door. Admission is free. Families can borrow X-Plorer Packs (bring ID) and sensory packs.
One of the country's great art museums never charges for general admission. Wander the permanent collection, from ancient Egypt and medieval armor to Impressionists and contemporary art, plus the ArtLens Gallery's interactive displays. Open Tuesday through Sunday, with late hours on Wednesdays and Fridays. Some special exhibitions may be ticketed; parking in the museum garage is paid.
This lakeside nature center in Bay Village offers free general admission to its live animal exhibits and natural history and space science displays, plus free wildlife rehabilitation services (440-871-2900). Open daily 9am to 4pm. Free parking on Porter Creek Drive.
James A. Garfield Memorial, Lake View Cemetery · Cleveland
The 180-foot tomb of President James Garfield, dedicated in 1890, has a mosaic-domed Memorial Hall, the Garfields' caskets in the crypt below, and a balcony with views of Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline. Open daily 10am to 4pm until it closes for the season on Friday, Nov 20. The cemetery grounds stay open year-round.
Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation · Parma
Cleveland Metroparks' Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma's West Creek Reservation is a science center about local streams and stormwater, with public programs, a play area and trail access.
Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
CanalWay Center, Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation · Cleveland
Cleveland Metroparks' CanalWay Center ties nature to history, with a canal boat play area, a bird viewing room and live animals in the children's Nature Nook, along the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation.
Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Brecksville Nature Center, Brecksville Reservation · Cleveland
The last of Cleveland Metroparks' original WPA-era trailside museums, open since 1939, where up-close wildlife encounters are a big part of a visit. Outside, trails lead through deep forested ravines and a restored tallgrass prairie with grasses over eight feet tall.
Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation · Cleveland
Cleveland Metroparks' Rocky River Nature Center has a deck looking out at a 360-million-year-old shale cliff, exhibits on the giant Devonian fish Dunkleosteus and the valley's early people, a giant indoor oak tree for kids called HideAway Hollow, and more than five miles of trails starting at the door, including the Fort Hill Stairs.
Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
North Chagrin Nature Center, North Chagrin Reservation · Cleveland
Set between Sunset Pond and Sanctuary Marsh, this Cleveland Metroparks nature center has native live-animal exhibits, a children's play area, wildlife viewing areas and naturalist-led programs.
Fri 2–7pm; Sat & Sun 10am–5pm; closes 4pm Dec 24 and 31; closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25
CMA Community Arts Center (Centro de Artes Comunitarias) · Cleveland
The Cleveland Museum of Art's Community Arts Center in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood offers free hands-on art activities for families and people of all ages. Drop in on weekends and Friday afternoons, see the Parade the Circle puppets and costumes, and watch for free special workshops. Free parking on Castle Avenue.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland in University Circle is free for everyone living in Ohio and for all youth 18 and under. Adults from outside Ohio pay $10. Open Thursday through Sunday.
Verified Oct 28 · mocacleveland.org
Catch: Only for Ohio residents and youth 18 and under ($10 for other adults)
Through the Mandel Community Days, residents of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights get free general admission every Saturday and Sunday (adults normally pay $25 in advance, $28 at the door). Reserve tickets online and bring proof of your address. It covers everything in a general admission ticket, including the Dynamic Earth and Evolving Life wings, the Curiosity Center and the outdoor wildlife center. Garage parking is paid.
Verified Oct 28 · cmnh.org
Catch: Only for residents of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Hts, Maple Hts or Warrensville Hts · Free ticket required: reserve online and bring proof of address
The Cleveland Museum of Art's Play Days fill the atrium with music, storybook readings, games and hands-on art-making for the whole family. This one, Assembly Required, is about how things are made and put together. Free, and no ticket needed.
Lorain County Metro Parks' Holiday Lights has a mile-long drive-through display at the Carlisle Equestrian Center (13630 Diagonal Rd.) and a half-mile decorated walking trail at the Carlisle Visitor Center. Free, no registration. Visitors are asked to bring a nonperishable food donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Extras on select nights: balloon twisting (Wednesdays), Santa Nights (Thursdays) and a kids' Santa Shop.
One of Northeast Ohio's biggest holiday celebrations fills downtown Lakewood's Detroit Avenue with a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, holiday train, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, children's games and food trucks. Free and family-friendly.
A free Sunday afternoon of arias and ensembles from the opera repertoire, sung by the Cleveland Institute of Music's CIM Opera Theater in Kulas Hall. Admission is free with a reserved seating pass.
Lakewood Public Library, Main Library Auditorium · Cleveland
The Largely Literary Theater Company's Sara Showman and Mark Dawidziak bring Dickens's Christmas stories and 1840s London holidays to life in a one-act show. A free library program in the Main Library Auditorium.
Every Monday, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is free for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township (adult tickets are normally $25, $24 on weekdays). Adults 18 and over show a driver's license or state ID, or a current utility bill plus a matching photo ID; kids must come with an adult. October through March the zoo is open 10am to 4pm, and it's closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Free Mondays don't apply on Memorial Day, Labor Day or a Monday July 4.
Verified Oct 28 · clevelandmetroparks.com
Catch: Only for Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township residents (bring proof) · Minors must be with an adult
Mentor Public Library's Library of Things lends much more than books: telescopes, binoculars, metal detectors, a karaoke machine, ukuleles, game consoles, portable projectors, tools, cake pans, radon detectors, light therapy lamps and more. Reserve online for pickup at the Main, Lake or Headlands branch.
Verified Oct 28 · mentorpl.org
Catch: Library card needed · Borrowers must be 18+ with a government-issued ID
On the third Saturday of every month, the Cleveland Museum of Art opens a section of its galleries from 9 to 10am for guests on the autism spectrum, people living with dementia, and people of all ages with intellectual or developmental disabilities, with their families. Fewer crowds, less noise and a calming corner. Stay for the rest of the day once the museum opens at 10am. No ticket needed; garage parking is paid.
Elyria Public Library System, EPLS Central · Cleveland
Elyria Public Library lends board and lawn games (Clue, croquet, cornhole and more), cake pans, and equipment such as sewing machines, a karaoke system and chafing dishes. Board games and cake pans can be placed on hold and picked up at most library locations.
Verified Oct 28 · elyrialibrary.org
Catch: Library account needed to place a hold
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