Exploring Cleveland’s Cultural Scene: Museums, Theaters, and More
If you’re visiting Cleveland, Ohio, there are a few things that really stick out as instantly worth it to have on your must-do list while you’re there! Luckily, you can maximize your trip even more by saving hugely on city and airport parking with On Air Parking, which offers the cheapest parking across the United States. Here’s a quick list of must-dos while in Cleveland, OH!
Museums
Cleveland Museum of Art
First on our list of recommendations is taking a tour of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This is a completely free admissions museum, allowing people to visit their collections and view them for free. Closed on Mondays, they’re open regularly from 10 a.m. to as late as 9 p.m. the other days of the week, including Sundays! This is a perfect place to visit if you’re a big fan of art, with their A Splendid Land: Paintings from Royal Udaipur exhibit on view until September 10th. If that exhibit doesn’t pluck your fancy, there are others available right now, including Love Gardens/Forbidden Fruit, Animals in Japanese Art, and Native North American Textiles. Stop for a bite to eat at the Provenance Cafe, which is open and has hot meals available Tuesdays through Sundays, though they’re closed on Mondays just like the rest of the museum.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
If history is more your style, you can visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, which does cost $7-$10 for general admission, though they do have various savings programs and other discounts available on their website. Please note, you have to reserve your admission tickets in advance, to protect everyone in the museum.
At the Museum of Natural History, you can look at the collective efforts of over 100 years of research in areas including archaeology, physical anthropology, botany, cultural anthropology, human health and evolutionary medicine, and invertebrate zoology. While you’re there, you can also check out the Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden!
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
If you want to get a little spooky, a little wild, a little wonky, you can swing through the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick, which has open hours Monday through Thursday 12 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday 12 p.m.-7:30 p.m, and Sundays at 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. This museum also requires tickets to be purchased in advance of your visit. Tickets for all ages look to be at the $8 mark, though with taxes and fees, it might wind up looking more like $10 per person for admission. Exhibits include their permanent collection, which features a six-six-sixties, a pagan altar, a gorgeous figure of the Green Man, and information on Crowley. The rotating gallery features an ever-changing rotation of new and interesting things. They also have plenty of information available for the history of witchcraft as well as general education on the topic!
Theaters
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland boasts an amazing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with adult tickets starting at $35, youth (6-12) starting at $25, and little ones under 5 entering free! While this is a museum of sorts, with exhibits all of its own, including The Garage, a Les Paul exhibit, and Pink Floyd’s The Wall, it also hosts live music and events, which is why they’re in our Theater section! Coming in August includes the artist in residence, Ri Rosecrans, which you can watch for free, without needing an RSVP! You can always check their online calendar of events to plan accordingly for your trip and add the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to your itinerary!
Playhouse Square
The Playhouse Square has a variety of events planned, both for adults and more family-friendly events. Running from July 29th to August 20th, for example, is Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End, which works to capture the “everyday joys and struggles faced by women of all ages”. Ticket prices range from $25-$53 for this event, so be sure to check the preferred date! Another event coming to the Playhouse Square would include Code Red: A Drag Manifesto, which is running from August 3rd-5th, with tickets ranging from $12-$20. This is a drag queen from New York City retelling the story of her journey, and is a one-person show which “combines elements of theatre, drag, cabaret, and storytelling”. If you’re really looking for something that the kiddos can enjoy, try out Bluey’s Big Play, running only two days, August 5th-6th, and charging $39.50-$69.50 per ticket. This is just our favorite family pack of pups living out their daily lives! “When Dad feels a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans!” You can keep up with the Playhouse’s busy schedule by checking their online events calendar anytime.
Cleveland Cinemas
If you’re looking for more of that “home away from home” feeling, you can always visit the Cleveland Cinemas, which has three locations you can choose from – Apollo Theatre, Capitol Theatre, or Cedar Lee Theatre. Some Coming Soon titles include The Beanie Bubble, Haunted Mansion, and even a 10th-anniversary celebration of Wind Rises, a popular Studio Ghibli film!
And more!
Now, for our more section, we’ve chosen to highlight a few other special things you can do while you’re in Cleveland, OH.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
If you want to go to a zoo, why not visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo? Tickets range in price: the Total Experience (any age) covering admission and attractions at $25; adults (12-61) with admission only being $19; juniors (2-11) admission only being $15; senior (62+) being $17 for admission only.
You might be wondering what the attractions are that make the tickets worth $25 per head; one example of an attraction would include their upcoming Asian Lantern Festival, which they’ve kindly created an FAQ for! You can also take a gander at the retail and dining options there, but be warned that hours of operation may change due to weather.
Great restaurants
Here are a few good options for restaurants in Cleveland!
Mia Bella Restaurant
We recommend coming with an empty belly, and try to plan to come on a Thursday! There’s live music every other Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and you can call to reserve your table. You can view their menu online, which includes their bread service, soups, raw shellfish, salads, appetizers, and a lunch menu along with their dinner and dessert menus!
TownHall
TownHall also offers its menus online, but please note that there is an Ohio City menu and a Short North menu, so it varies a bit depending on location. TownHall is a great spot to go if you’re looking for friendly staff and great food with the 100% non-GMO guarantee along with being mostly organic!
No matter where your adventure takes you in Cleveland, OH, know that your car is safe and sound parked at a third-party lot reservable with On Air Parking. Offering both city and airport parking, and boasting the cheapest rates – only $3.95/day for Cleveland Hopkins airport parking! – On Air Parking also offers complimentary shuttle services at most lots and has a free cancellation policy, up to the start date of your reservation! Reservations are a breeze made online or on the Android and Apple compatible app. You can reach customer service by calling 888-487-2754, or by texting 424-532-8940 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. EDT. You can also email hello@noson.io.