
Beaches & Waterfront Activities in Cleveland, United States
1. Edgewater Beach
A popular sandy beach with a stunning view of downtown Cleveland. Offers a concession stand and volleyball courts.
- Scenic View: Edgewater Beach offers an impressive view of the Cleveland skyline.
- Concession Stand: Unique feature: Edgewater Beach has a concession stand for snacks and drinks.
- Volleyball Courts: Edgewater Beach provides volleyball courts for some competitive fun in the sun.
2. Wade Oval Wednesdays
A weekly summer event at University Circle featuring food trucks, live music, and outdoor activities.
- Live Music: Wade Oval Wednesdays offers a unique opportunity to enjoy live music outdoors.
- Food Trucks: Enjoy a variety of food from local Cleveland food trucks at Wade Oval Wednesdays.
- Outdoor Activities: Wade Oval Wednesdays provide various outdoor activities such as yoga and fitness classes.
3. Cleveland Rowing Foundation
A non-profit organization offering rowing lessons, rentals, and regattas on the Cuyahoga River.
- Rowing Lessons: Cleveland Rowing Foundation offers rowing lessons for beginners and experienced rowers.
- Rentals: Unique feature: Rent a rowboat or kayak from Cleveland Rowing Foundation for an on-water adventure.
- Regattas: Cleveland Rowing Foundation hosts regattas, attracting rowers from across the region.
4. Whiskey Island Beach
A secluded beach located on a man-made island in Lake Erie with picnic areas and a playground.
- Seclusion: Whiskey Island Beach provides a more secluded, quiet experience compared to other Cleveland beaches.
- Picnic Areas: Enjoy a picnic at one of the designated picnic areas on Whiskey Island Beach.
- Playground: Whiskey Island Beach features a playground for kids to enjoy.
5. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Home to over 3,000 animals, including the popular penguin and gorilla exhibits.
- Penguin Exhibit: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's penguin exhibit allows visitors to view these fascinating creatures up close.
- Gorilla Exhibit: The gorilla exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo provides a natural habitat for these magnificent animals.
- Over 3,000 Animals: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to over 3,000 animals, making it one of the largest zoos in the region.
6. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
A historic estate featuring a mansion, gardens, and carriage house.
- Mansion Tour: Take a guided tour of Stan Hywet Hall's magnificent Tudor Revival mansion.
- Gardens: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens offers beautiful and unique gardens, including the Secret Garden and Irish Sculpture Garden.
- Carriage House: Explore the carriage house at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, which houses antique automobiles and carriages.
7. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
A museum dedicated to the history of rock and roll music, with interactive exhibits and memorabilia.
- Interactive Exhibits: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame offers various interactive exhibits for visitors to engage with.
- Memorabilia: See iconic music memorabilia such as John Lennon's glasses and Elvis Presley's jumpsuit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Inductee Artifacts: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame houses artifacts from inductees like Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan.
8. West 3rd Street Pier
A pier located in the Flats offering views of downtown Cleveland and the Cuyahoga River.
- Downtown View: West 3rd Street Pier offers a stunning view of downtown Cleveland's skyline.
- Cuyahoga River Access: Unique feature: West 3rd Street Pier provides easy access to the Cuyahoga River for boaters and kayakers.
- Restaurants and Shops: Find restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues along West 3rd Street Pier in the Flats.
9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
A national park featuring hiking trails, bicycle paths, and the historic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
- Hiking Trails: Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers various hiking trails for different skill levels.
- Bicycle Paths: Unique feature: Explore the park by bike on one of the many bicycle paths available.
- Scenic Railroad: Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a relaxing and scenic journey through the park.
10. Greater Cleveland Aquarium
An aquarium featuring a variety of marine life, including sharks, sea otters, and penguins.
- Shark Tank: The Greater Cleveland Aquarium's shark tank is home to several species of sharks.
- Sea Otters: View the playful sea otters at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
- Penguin Exhibit: The penguin exhibit at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium provides a close-up look at these fascinating creatures.
11. Lake Erie Islands
A group of islands in Lake Erie offering beaches, wineries, and a charming small-town feel.
- Beaches: The Lake Erie Islands offer beautiful sandy beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
- Wineries: Visit the wineries on the islands for a taste of locally produced wines.
- Small-Town Feel: Experience the charming small-town feel and friendly hospitality of the Lake Erie Islands.
12. Cleveland Harbor
A bustling waterfront area offering boat tours, dining, and shopping.
- Boat Tours: Take a boat tour of Cleveland's harbor to see the city from a unique perspective.
- Dining and Shopping: Find a variety of dining options and shops along the Cleveland Harbor waterfront.
- Water Taxi Service: Cleveland's water taxi service connects various destinations along the waterfront for easy travel.
13. North Coast Harbor
A popular downtown Cleveland destination featuring fountains, a boardwalk, and a variety of restaurants.
- Fountains: North Coast Harbor's fountains provide a beautiful and interactive addition to the waterfront.
- Boardwalk: Take a stroll along the boardwalk at North Coast Harbor for scenic views of downtown Cleveland.
- Restaurants: Find a variety of dining options, including restaurants with outdoor seating overlooking the harbor.
14. Cleveland Fleeting Company Dock
A unique waterfront destination offering food trucks, live music, and events on select dates.
- Food Trucks: Enjoy a variety of food from local Cleveland food trucks at the Cleveland Fleeting Company Dock.
- Live Music: Cleveland Fleeting Company Dock offers live music events on select dates.
- Events: Unique feature: Cleveland Fleeting Company Dock hosts various events such as yoga classes and outdoor movie nights.
15. Burnham Beach
A sandy beach located on the shores of Lake Erie with a historic lighthouse nearby.
- Sandy Beach: Enjoy a day at Burnham Beach, a sandy beach along the shores of Lake Erie.
- Historic Lighthouse: Visit the historic Burnham Harbor Lighthouse nearby for a look at Cleveland's maritime history.
- Picnic Areas: Find picnic areas along Burnham Beach for a relaxing lunch by the lake.