Beaches & Waterfront Activities in Cleveland, United States

Cleveland, United States, Cleveland, Outdoor & Adventure, Beaches & Waterfront Activities

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.