Cleveland is more than just a city of rock and roll, sports and industry. It also has a lot of hidden gems and quirky attractions that will surprise and delight you. Whether you’re looking for culture, history, art or nature, you’ll find something to suit your taste in this diverse and vibrant city. Here are 10 great attractions you can’t miss when you visit Cleveland.
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick
If you’re fascinated by the occult, you’ll love this museum that showcases the collection of Raymond Buckland, a prominent figure in modern witchcraft. You’ll find artifacts, books, tools and art related to various forms of magick, from ancient to contemporary. You can also attend lectures, workshops and events that explore the history and practice of witchcraft and magick.
Cleveland Police Museum
Learn about the history and evolution of law enforcement in Cleveland at this museum that displays uniforms, badges, weapons, vehicles and more. You can also see some of the most notorious criminals and cases that the Cleveland police have dealt with, including an electric chair used for executions, a bullet-riddled car from a gangster shootout and evidence from the unsolved Torso Murders.
A Christmas Story House and Museum
Fans of the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story will enjoy visiting the house where it was filmed. You can tour the house and see props, costumes and memorabilia from the movie, including the leg lamp, the Red Ryder BB gun and the bunny suit. You can also buy souvenirs at the gift shop or even stay overnight at the house or the neighbouring Bumpus House.
Lake View Cemetery
This historic cemetery is not only a resting place for some of Cleveland’s most famous residents, such as President James A. Garfield and John D. Rockefeller, but also a beautiful park with gardens, ponds, sculptures and monuments. You can admire the architecture of the Garfield Monument and the Wade Chapel, or enjoy the views from the hilltops.
World’s Largest Rubber Stamp
One of Cleveland’s most unusual landmarks is this giant sculpture of a rubber stamp that says “FREE”. It was originally commissioned by Standard Oil in 1985, but was rejected by the company’s executives for being too controversial. It was later donated to the city and placed in Willard Park, where it stands as a symbol of free speech and expression.
Sidaway Bridge
This pedestrian bridge over Kingsbury Run was once a popular shortcut for students and workers, but it was closed in 1966 after a fire damaged its wooden deck. Since then, it has become a canvas for graffiti artists who have covered its steel structure with colourful murals. It is also a reminder of the Torso Murders that took place in Kingsbury Run in the 1930s.
Cleveland Museum of Art
This museum is one of the most renowned art museums in the world, with a collection of over 61,000 works from various cultures and periods. You can see masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol, as well as ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Asian art. The best part is that admission to the museum is free for everyone.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
This botanical garden is a green oasis in the city, with 10 acres of outdoor gardens and a glasshouse that features two different ecosystems: a spiny desert of Madagascar and a lush rainforest of Costa Rica. You can see exotic plants, animals and butterflies, as well as seasonal displays and events.
West Side Market
This market is the oldest public market in Cleveland, dating back to 1840. It is housed in a historic building with a clock tower and a vaulted ceiling. You can find over 100 vendors selling fresh produce, meat, cheese, baked goods and ethnic specialties. You can also sample some of the local delicacies, such as corned beef sandwiches, pierogies and gyros.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
This aquarium is located in a former power plant on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. It features over 50 exhibits and 5,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, stingrays, piranhas, seahorses and more. You can walk through a 175-foot underwater tunnel, touch a stingray or a starfish, or even dive with the sharks.
