Kid-friendly activities in Cleveland?

[Anonymous]

We are going to a family wedding in Cleveland this summer. We are in the process of debating if we are taking our kids (they are invited) and how long we are staying, since its a bit of a drive. What are some kid friendly things we can do there. We figure we will go to the zoo and the hotel pool. Anything else? Any great kid museums (or regular museums kids would like) or fun playgrounds or indoor play areas?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Great Lakes Science Center. Haven't been in a few years, but it was awesome.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. We like the Rock Hall too and nieces and nephews have gone as young as 2 and were still entertained.
It's been just over ten years since I've been to the Zoo but I enjoyed it. I didn't have any kids yet but I went with three siblings and their six kids. My brother stayed in the area until last year and I know the zoo was a frequent destination.

I was just in Cleveland a few weeks ago for a funeral. It was just my ten year old and I. It's not normally that long of a drive but we hit snow in the mountains of PA and really dense fog and it added a couple of hours onto our trip.

DD and I found that with all the family gathering for lunch here, dinner there, and popping into each other's hotel rooms, that there wasn't much time for anything other than swimming. Even that was a timed event. That was true of the last family wedding we attended as well. We had grand plans of places to see and fun things to do with the kids but it didn't work out as planned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great Lakes Science Center. Haven't been in a few years, but it was awesome.

+100

We were just there this past week. So many hand-on activities for the kids (mine are ages 3, 3, and 6 - they absolutely loved it).

Also might want to look into the baseball schedule.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot to do!

In addition to the zoo and science center, the botanic gardens have a children's garden, there is the natural history museum, the Children's Museum, the Crawford Auto Museum, and the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art has children's programming. There is also a submarine museum--USS Cod. Lake Farm Park is outside the city but might be fun. Shaker Lakes has a nature program and is only 15 min from downtown.

You could also take a boat tour on Lake Erie on the Goodtime 2. There's a new aquarium, but I have never been there.

Cedar Point amusement park is 90 min away if you have an extra day. There's a water park in Aurora, which is less than an hour away.

[Anonymous]

15:49 has some excellent suggestions. I like the Westside Market, which has wonderful fresh fruits and veggies and fresh baked goods, cheeses, etc. Great Lakes Brewery, which is adjacent, has good food and beer.

[Anonymous]

15:49 captured most of them. There's enough to keep your kids occupied for a week or so.

[Anonymous]

Cedar Point is definitely worth the trip if you have time!