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Well, to keep things simple, the Cleveland Zoo is something of a constantly changing environment....
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Well, to keep things simple, the Cleveland Zoo is something of a constantly changing environment. Similar to what wild animals experience. Part of the Cleveland Metroparks system, a gigantic series of parks that stretch throughout Cuyahoga County and neighboring counties in Ohio, this reserved space of land for both foreign and native wildlife has a little bit of something for everyone. For the herpeotologist, the avian lover, or just the kiddies that like to laugh at the hippos, this zoo has pretty much everything. With the special programs that it has every year, there is guaranteed to be something that everyone likes.
Well for starters, the admission is reasonable and the entire setup of the zoo is great. I warn you, bring lots of sunblock and comfortable shoes! If ytou want your exercise, this is one place to do it, considering the hill to the "Apes, Aquarium, and Cats" is roughly a mile long and a pretty good angle. Unless you want to laze out and take the train up there. (CHEATER!) The zoo offers a pretty good variety of animals, and plenty of things for the kids. Little boxes around the zoo are let kids put in a "ZooPass" for information about a specific animal, or commentary from the keeper. The ZooPass costs extra, but is good all year long. Plus the kiddies feel special, and wont throw things at the more open exhibits (although I won't mention what my landlord did with a slinky to the Flamingoes at the entrance).
To survive this day, make sure you bring a wagon or something similar for the kids. They will be tired as this zoo is a lot of walking, even for the most devout of walkers. Water or Kool-Aid is must! The zoo is relaxed on bringing beverages with you, as long as they are not in a glass container. I usually make a big jug of Kool-Aid and bring some plastic cups along. Whenever I am hiking that hill to the Ape building, I cannot tell you how nice it is to take a break to a refreshing cup of something to drink. Also, bring a hat and some sunglasses. Sunblock is one of those no-brainer bits, even though some of the exhibits are inside, the walk to get to them is outside!
The only thing about this zoo I WOULD NOT recommend would be the Rain Forest. It is a separate building that is humid, has free-flying birds, and is basically a bad mock-up of a South American rain forest. The animal collection stinks. If anything, I would only recommend the rainforest to take wedding photos in front of the waterfall in the beginning.
Overall, this zoo is a day worth of fun. Mondays have always had free admission (for Cuyahoga County residents), and anytime of year is good to go, although I prefer spring or close to fall. If you need a break with another species, check this place out!
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My husband and I visited this place this past summer. It has amazing gardens, built after famous...
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My husband and I visited this place this past summer. It has amazing gardens, built after famous architects and landscapers. The Japanese Garden was my favorite one. The gift shop has a great array of items, and I bought some wonderful pastry plates shaped as a flower, which have been a hit with all of my friends.
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The best part of the Great Lakes Science Center is the interactive exhibits on the third floor. ...
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The best part of the Great Lakes Science Center is the interactive exhibits on the third floor. It allows kids (and grown up kids) to have science come alive for them. The OmniMax Theatre is great but not for the faint of heart (or stomach). We especially enjoyed the kids area that goes to the terrace overlooking Lake Erie. It's a beautiful view as well as something educational. Add to this its neighbors, the Cleveland Browns Stadium and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and it is a great destination.
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Finally the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame opened. You can spend a whole afternoon there with no...
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Finally the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame opened. You can spend a whole afternoon there with no problem. It has different floors with many displays from early rock to present. You can listen to the history of Rock, see the costumes worn by your favorite artists etc. There is a phone installed by Yoko Ono and if it rings, you get to talk to her live. You can visit the gift shop and have a bite to eat as well. They have traveling displays to freshen things up as well.
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Memphis Kiddie Park
Category:
Playgrounds Parks & Trails
10340 Memphis Ave
Cleveland,
Ohio 44144
(216) 941-5995
If you have young children (ages from about 1 to 7) this is the place to take them to get used to...
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If you have young children (ages from about 1 to 7) this is the place to take them to get used to amusement parks and rides. Prices are reasonable so you can visit more often than you would the larger parks. Plenty of parking. Various rides for the small fry, miniature golf for the older kids and consession stands.
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This is a neat planetarium to learn about astrology. They have booklets with the constellation...
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This is a neat planetarium to learn about astrology. They have booklets with the constellation and a history of each one (what Native Americans believed them to symbolize) so you can point them out in the observatory and learn about each one. Their movie about stars was too scientific and a bit too boring for me, so I recommend skipping that portion. Otherwise, this is a great alternative to seeing the stars, since Columbus tends too have too many lights to see the real ones.
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it really is an absolute hidden treasure in the midwest. the collection is one of the best and...
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it really is an absolute hidden treasure in the midwest. the collection is one of the best and the exhibits are world class. for 2 days of adventure, take time to visit the natural history museum located in the same oval, great fun for the kids!
Pros: free, parking
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If you enjoy looking at vintage cars and walking through a mansion from yesterday in Cleveland,...
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If you enjoy looking at vintage cars and walking through a mansion from yesterday in Cleveland, then the Western Reserve Historical Society is a must see.
This last year the WRHS was free during the summer months. They asked only for a donation! The admission fee is quite reasonable.
Cleveland Indians fans will enjoy the large neon Chief image in the gallery to the right as you enter. If you are into vintage architecture and furniture, then you must take the guided tours of a mansion that makes up part of the museum. You cannot go alone, so check the tour times before you check out the other parts of the museum.
The car exhibits include vintage Cleveland cars and examples of rare and usual cars made in Detroit and Indiana. They even have vintage French cars in one of the halls. Airplanes and commercial vehicles are part of the display.
There is so much in this grouping of halls, it is impossible to review all of it.
The museum also has an excellent gift store that you can shop at, even if you don't have time to view the exhibits.
Excellent use of your time! Bring your kids!
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We are so fortunate to have the Cleveland Museum of Art in our city. It has on display some of the...
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We are so fortunate to have the Cleveland Museum of Art in our city. It has on display some of the most amazing artworks from various famous artists. Although part of the building is now closed due to renovation and expansion, it is worth a trip to enjoy the rest of the space. The atmosphere is calm; there is plenty of parking (free on certain days) and the location is perfect.
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Jacobs Field
Category:
Baseball & Softball Clubs
2401 Ontario St
Cleveland,
Ohio 44115
(216) 420-4200
Jacobs Field is a beautiful ballpark. It seats a lot ledd than Municipal Stadium, but it is so...
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Jacobs Field is a beautiful ballpark. It seats a lot ledd than Municipal Stadium, but it is so much nicer (IMHO). It is in downtown, but there is a lot of parking. It is right next to Gund Arena and there are many places to eat outside the park which are reasonably priced. Unfortunately the Indians have had their problems in recent years, but atleast that means that tickets are easier to come by these days.
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