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.
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.
Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College · Cleveland
Oberlin College's art museum, about 40 minutes west of Cleveland, has been free and open to the public since 1917. Free street parking out front. Closed Mondays and major holidays, including MLK Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
Dittrick Museum, Allen Memorial Medical Library (Case Western Reserve University) · Cleveland
Case Western Reserve's Dittrick Museum charges no admission. See an 1875 doctor's office, an iron lung, early X-ray machines, a huge collection of diagnostic instruments and the history of contraception, on the third floor of the Allen Memorial Medical Library. Open Fridays and Saturdays (visitor parking is in the attended garage under Severance Hall); closed Nov 27–28, Dec 18–19, Dec 25–26, Jan 1–2 and Jan 8–9.
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
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
Get my FreeBee list
A free account saves favorites and picks free things in Cleveland for you, plus the best ones every Thursday if you want them. No payment, ever.
