Guide to Cleveland: 9 Must-See Attractions for an Awesome Visit

Do you love music? How about museums? Well, you are in luck because at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, visitors get the best of both worlds. Every year, a talented group or solo act gets inducted into the museum to join over 700 others who have shaped music as consumers know it today. The inside is not the only memorable part about visiting; the exterior and architectural genius that was invested into the building is evident. When sun rays bounce off of the windows of the slanted building, it resembles a pyramid from Egypt. Though it is recommended to go inside to get the full experience of the Hall of Fame, it is still very acceptable to just appreciate the art from the outside as well.

Another well-established gallery on Cleveland’s art scene is the Cleveland Museum of Art, located in the Wade Park District. Opened in 1916, the Cleveland Museum of Art strives to reach every kind of audience and to help them engage with the arts. Since its inception, the museum has been pivotal in bringing visual art to the Rock and Roll city. Over the years, the museum has expanded, although the original white Georgian marble building is still visible. The museum has received a number of donations and bequests, which have helped develop a permanent art collection that includes 43,000 artworks from all around the world. Furthermore, the museum is has one of the leading arts educational programs in the country, and is home to the Ingalls Library, which is one of the largest art libraries in the United States.

The Playhouse Square is over 90 years old and has become a leader in arts education. It is located in downtown Cleveland, close to Cleveland State University, and it has been a home to performances like Wicked, The Lion King, Kinky Boots, high school graduations, and even FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance tour, so it is no stranger to hosting and putting on outstanding shows. You can join the Playhouse Square and view their upcoming shows; just make sure to purchase a ticket before they sell out!

The West Side Market showcases the incredible variety of culture and people in the city, with Polish, German, Irish, and Middle Eastern vendors along with other delicious representations. With over 100 purveyors, this market is a staple for locals and visitors alike—even President Obama made a stop there.

Based on the beloved 1983 Christmas film, the Christmas Story House is an interactive museum featuring all sorts of props from the movie, from pink bunny suits and aviator hats to leg lamps. It’s very family-friendly – little ones are allowed to touch everything, unlike in a typical museum. If you want a nice dose of the Christmas spirit, head on over to this museum and dive head first into Ralphie’s world of seasonal fun

Of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is over 225 miles long and is the fourth largest lake in North America. It has been cleaned up and is now a popular place for visitors to dive for shipwrecks, icefish during the winter, or fish for sport. Lake Erie even has islands that can be reached by a ferry and are less that one square mile. Though they are small enough to be considered villages, they are packed with little shops, caves, and untouched nature.