When Cleveland was founded in 1796, its proximity to numerous canals and railroads made it an ideal manufacturing center. As it became a place where many cultures intersected, Cleveland developed a unique culture of its own. Listed below are the museums that best showcase the rich culture Cleveland has to offer.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Museum
Dedicated to archiving the history of rock and roll
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an iconic, music-minded museum filled with pop culture memorabilia, instruments and musical artefacts. It contains great displays and interesting, up-to-date information about the history of rock and roll. With a fantastic array of exhibitions dedicated to musical artists—including the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley —and information about their influences, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an interesting, family-friendly day out.
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 10am-5:30pm Weds 10am-9pm Thur-Sun 10am-5:30pm Staircase to Hall of Armor – Cleveland Museum of Art © Tim Evanson/Flickr.com
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an iconic, music-minded museum filled with pop culture memorabilia, instruments and musical artefacts. It contains great displays and interesting, up-to-date information about the history of rock and roll. With a fantastic array of exhibitions dedicated to musical artists—including the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley —and information about their influences, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an interesting, family-friendly day out.
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 10am-5:30pm Weds 10am-9pm Thur-Sun 10am-5:30pm Staircase to Hall of Armor – Cleveland Museum of Art © Tim Evanson/Flickr.com
Cleveland Museum of Art
Museum
A diverse collection of amazing artwork
One of the great benefits of visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art is its price: free. The old and new buildings are connected by a stunning atrium, and the museum’s Provenance Café is a lovely spot to get refreshments to break up the tour. It’s a fantastic place to take visitors and truly shows off Cleveland at its best.
Opening hours: Tues 10am-5pm Weds 10am-9pm Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-5pm Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
One of the great benefits of visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art is its price: free. The old and new buildings are connected by a stunning atrium, and the museum’s Provenance Café is a lovely spot to get refreshments to break up the tour. It’s a fantastic place to take visitors and truly shows off Cleveland at its best.
Opening hours: Tues 10am-5pm Weds 10am-9pm Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-5pm Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
A Christmas Story House & Museum
Museum
A child’s dream come true
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.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm
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.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Museum
Cleveland’s first natural history collection
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a wonderful planetarium and museum that focuses primarily on prehistoric discoveries (dinosaurs!), fossils, and other geological specimen. The Megalodon exhibit, in particular, is a crowd pleaser, as are the breathtaking gemstone exhibits and life-size dinosaur skeletons.
Opening hours: Mon-Tues 10am-5pm Weds 10am-10pm Thur-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a wonderful planetarium and museum that focuses primarily on prehistoric discoveries (dinosaurs!), fossils, and other geological specimen. The Megalodon exhibit, in particular, is a crowd pleaser, as are the breathtaking gemstone exhibits and life-size dinosaur skeletons.
Opening hours: Mon-Tues 10am-5pm Weds 10am-10pm Thur-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12pm-5pm
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Building, Museum
Fresh, forward-thinking art
The Museum of Contemporary Art features fascinating and educational programs, performances, and exhibits in an edgy, steel-panelled building. The spaces are well conceived and visitors are kept interested by the rotating sculpture paintings and new installations that regularly come and go. The exhibits are very diverse and remarkably unique – this museum is truly unlike any other.
Opening hours: Tues 11am-5pm Weds 11am-9pm Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sun 11am-5pm
The Museum of Contemporary Art features fascinating and educational programs, performances, and exhibits in an edgy, steel-panelled building. The spaces are well conceived and visitors are kept interested by the rotating sculpture paintings and new installations that regularly come and go. The exhibits are very diverse and remarkably unique – this museum is truly unlike any other.
Opening hours: Tues 11am-5pm Weds 11am-9pm Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sun 11am-5pm
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