The Christmas Story House

This is OP. You all always have the best suggestions. Thank you!

I have family in Cleveland and visit frequently with my child who is right in the age range you'll be travelling with. When younger, the Natural History Museum, Botanical Garden and Science Museum were all hits. Last summer our kid really enjoyed our trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a visit to Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. On the west side of Cleveland, Edgewater Park, Lakewood Park and Huntington Beach are all on the water and have great playgrounds. In Lakewood, Melt Bar and Grilled is a kid-friendly spot (grilled cheese restaurant) and Mahall's is an old school bowling alley with a good restaurant attached. We always go to Malley's for ice cream, and there are multiple locations around town. Another poster mentioned the Nature Center in Bay Village which has a nice planetarium and is near a fun pizza place called Chatty's. If you're looking for something indoors that is active, check out Winterhurst skating rink and Nosotros Rock Climbing Gym, both in Lakewood.

Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Bay Village is small but nice. There’s an old fashioned ice cream parlor/candy store nearby called Malley’s.