Free Summertime Family Activities in Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland families are often restless after the long, cold winters. Once the summertime hits, we are ready to grab the family and head out and immerse ourselves in a variety of different activities. However, with the economic downturn, many Cleveland families do not have a lot of spare cash so they seek out the the many free summertime family activities in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cuyahoga County Archives

You and your family can stop by from 8:30am until 3:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can find all of the archives of this county starting from 1835. This is a great place to come as a family to start tracing your family tree. The address is 2905 Franklin Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Every Monday you and your Family can visit the zoo for free. Parking is free as well. Adults will have to bring their driver's license or state I.D. to prove residency. The zoo has hundreds of animals and exhibits, as well as places to eat and shops.

Beaches

Two of the free things to do are Cleveland's beaches. Edgewater is located on the near west side. This park is free and also has free parking. Located on the shores of lake Erie, the park offers a beach and picnic areas. The sunsets are quite beautiful too. There is also a pavilion for those who wish to have a larger party or family get-together. Mentor-on-the-Lake is on the eastern edge. This beach is a bit cleaner and larger. It also offers free parking and beautiful sunsets.

Art Walks

On the second Friday of every month, the Tremont neighborhood offers a free art walk. You and your family can enjoy plenty of art and live music. There are also free refreshments and a diverse crowd of people.

Every June, the Murray Hill area in Little Italy also offers an art walk lasting three days. While they usually do not have live music, most galleries do have refreshments and there is a diverse crowd here as well.

Squire's Castle

Located in the Cleveland Metropark's North Chagrin Reservation, this old castle structure sits. It is purported to be haunted and many locals swear they have seen the ghost of a woman. Visitors are allowed to have a picnic in the castle or spend the day here for as long as the park is open.

Dittrick Museum of Medical History

Located at Case Western Reserve University, admission to this museum is free. You and your family can visit from 10am until 4pm Monday through Friday. You can browse one of the largest collections of medical memorabilia and artifacts in the nation.

Greenhouses and Gardens

Near University Circle just off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is the Rockefellar Park Green House. Here you can browse a beautiful collection of native and exotic plants. They have specific tropical plant and orchid exhibits.

The Cleveland Cultural gardens are located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Rockefellar Park. You can see the collection of 24 ethnic gardens.

Resources

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo