My children are 11, 8 & almost 2. Would they enjoy it? If so, can you recommend a "kid-friendly" hotel and any other area attractions they might enjoy?
THANKS!
The Science Center is right next door to the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, its a blast for kids of all ages…including grown ups. On Memphis Ave in Brooklyn (its not to far away) is Kiddie Park, that the 8 and 2 year old would enjoy (i still have fond childhood memories from there). Depending when you come to town, there is the Cleveland Indians. You’ll be along the lake front and there are some really nice parks along the shore line. Also there is the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland that gives guided tours…there are art museums as well.
April 15th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
The Science Center is right next door to the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, its a blast for kids of all ages…including grown ups. On Memphis Ave in Brooklyn (its not to far away) is Kiddie Park, that the 8 and 2 year old would enjoy (i still have fond childhood memories from there). Depending when you come to town, there is the Cleveland Indians. You’ll be along the lake front and there are some really nice parks along the shore line. Also there is the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland that gives guided tours…there are art museums as well.
References :
Cleveland is my hometown…
April 15th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Your two-year-old likely won’t enjoy the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which will be a problem given the stiff admission charges that other members of your family will pay if you can’t stay long enough to appreciate the museum. Whether your 8- and 11-year-olds will enjoy the museum depends upon their interest in rock in all of its forms. There are movies documenting the history of rock, and kiosks, but there are also costumes, guitars, etc. Do they like Guitar Hero or similar games?
There are other attractions in the immediate vicinity of the Rock Hall that would fascinate kids of all ages, but especially boys. For example, one of the highest-rated, but least known, attractions in Cleveland is the U.S.S. Cod, located a short walk east of the Rock Hall.
The Cod is the only surviving U.S. WWII fleet submarine that has NOT been modified for visitors. This means that visitors must enter and exit using the original hatches and ladders. It opens for the season May 1. Rent "Run Silent, Run Deep," or "Destination Tokyo" before you come, and the Cod will be the highlight of the trip for the two older kids, and perhaps even for you!
http://www.usscod.org/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g50207-d137605-r47117964-USS_Cod_Submarine_Memorial-Cleveland_Ohio.html#REVIEWS
The Great Lakes Science Center is next door to the Rock Hall and features many exhibits that would delight children. It also features the Steamship William G. Mather, one of the great 20th century Great Lakes ore carriers as the flagship of the Cleveland-Cliffs line. The 618-foot ship also reopens to visitors in May.
http://www.glsc.org/
http://wgmather.nhlink.net/wgmqf.shtml
A visit to University Circle also would be interesting to the kids. The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the nation’s best and, importantly, admission is free so you wouldn’t feel compelled to stay any longer than desired by the kids. One of the museum’s most popular galleries fascinates kids of all ages — the Armor Court, featuring not only knight and horse armor, but also all manner of swords and other weapons. The art museum is a great place to park while visiting other University Circle attractions.
http://www.clemusart.com/collections/galleryguides.aspx
A short walk from the Museum of Art is the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, which has an outdoor collection of native wildlife as well as dinosaurs and the famed stuffed Balto (subject of an animated film, several documentaries, and still a beloved icon of Cleveland children many decades after his death).
http://www.baltostruestory.com/news.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balto_%28film%29
The natural history museum also has an excellent planetarium, but I doubt if a two-year could sit through the program.
Also within walking distance of the art museum is the Cleveland Botanical Garden, with exquisite outdoor gardens and unique Glass House exhibits.
http://www.cbgarden.org/Visit/Glasshouse.html
Your kids might enjoy a short walk into one of the Midwest’s architectural gems — The Arcade on Euclid Avenue.
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/arcade1204.jpg
IMO perhaps the downtown hotel offering the best combination of value and location is the Wyndham at Playhouse Square.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50207-d95218-Reviews-Wyndham_Cleveland_at_Playhouse_Square-Cleveland_Ohio.html
A major attraction of the Wyndham is its location next to an RTA Healthline bus rapid station. The Healthline allows riders to travel easily between University Circle and Tower City. At University Circle, a circulator bus is available to reach the art museum, although the walk isn’t bad and is pleasant. All day RTA passes (see links in sources) are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12 and I believe children under 6 ride for free. Your children might enjoy exploring on the rail and bus rapids as much as anything!
The Healthline also takes riders to Tower City, where the Waterfront rail rapid line will take riders to the Inner Harbor location of Rock Hall. Riders also can take the Red Line rail rapid to West 25th, where the West Side Market is a short walk from the rapid station. The West Side Market, one of the nation’s last great municipal street car markets, is another Cleveland attraction. It would fascinate kids, is a great place to eat, and is another popular attraction/destination. It’s best visited in the morning when shelves still are full.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g50207-d272156-r50557056-West_Side_Market-Cleveland_Ohio.html#REVIEWS
The Cleveland Metropark Zoo is very close to downtown and certainly would entertain kids. It has the largest collection of primates in the U.S. and the RainForest, often listed among the nation’s best zoo exhibits.
http://www.clemetzoo.com/tour/area.asp?name=The+RainForest
One of the closest hotels to the Rock Hall is Doubletree Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside. It has an indoor pool and adjacent parking garage reportedly with in/out privileges. It also reportedly offers a shuttle service to any downtown location, as do some other downtown hotels. It recently has had some inconsistent reviews.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50207-d1372556-Reviews-Doubletree_Cleveland_Downtown_Lakeside-Cleveland_Ohio.html
When booking an downtown hotel, be certain to check parking charges and in/out privileges if you plan to drive your car during your stay. The Wyndham, for example, uses a nearby garage but offers a shuttle to and from the garage.
Cleveland also offers the second largest performing arts center in the U.S. after New York’s Lincoln Center. The Wyndham is across the street from Playhouse Square theaters.
http://www.playhousesquare.com/Events/EventsViewAll.aspx
Depending upon the time of your travel, you also might find a kid-friendly event at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the world’s best, or especially at Blossom Music Center. Blossom Music Center is located in the middle of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and features an eclectic group of events.
http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/tickets/index.aspx
Read through Cleveland travel resolved questions for much more to see and do in the Cleveland region.
BOL with your Cleveland trip!
References :
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/travel/20hours.html?em
http://www.universitycircle.org/
http://www.cmnh.org/site/Index.aspx
http://www.rtahealthline.com/
http://www.riderta.com/ro_bus.asp
https://websrvor15.gcrta.org:8003/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10023
http://www.vagablond.com/3286/
http://www.vagablond.com/3288/
http://www.vagablond.com/2588/
http://clevelandfoodie.com/
http://www.positivelycleveland.com/play/events
April 15th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I AGREE WITH CATMAN. PIK HIZ ANSER
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