Summer in Cleveland offers a blend of urban vibrancy and natural beauty, making it the perfect location to start a summer bucket list. From sun-soaked days on the shores of Lake Erie to thrilling hikes and hidden local gems, Greater Cleveland promises a season of fun each time the wheel of the year turns. So gas up the car, grab your travel journal, and get ready for endless fun when you start checking items off this Cleveland summer bucket list.
1. Attend a summer concert at Blossom Music Center
Nestled away in the national park, Blossom Music Center is actually an integral piece of Cleveland's rockin' history. While the amphitheater may not look large at first glance, this venue can host more than 20,000 people at its epic outdoor performances. From metal acts to summer performances by The Cleveland Orchestra, this incredible spot puts on the best summer concerts near Cleveland each and every year.
2. Visit Squire's Castle
One of the coolest secrets in the Cleveland Metroparks is none other than Squire's Castle. In around 1897 or so, this Romanesque Revival castle was completed as a rustic gatehouse for the site where Standard Oil executive Feargus B. Squire intended to build a summer home. While Squire never built his dream home, he did stay in this rustic castle from time to time. However, after about a decade of ownership and no further movement in the creation of his countryside estate, Squire sold the castle and land to a developer that went bankrupt. In the 1920s, it was taken over by the Cleveland Metroparks, who gutted the castle and filled in its basement. Today, the open-air structure is open to the public, the perfect backdrop to a dreamy summer picnic.
3. Stop by the Great Falls of Tinker's Creek
Tinker's Creek hides one of my favorite local waterfalls... and it's one of dozens purported to be in Bedford, Ohio. This stunning overlook, complete with historic elements from a long-gone mill, is part of the Cleveland Metroparks. The stunning creek is actually the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River, and it was named for the principal boatsman of Cleveland's first survey crew. Now a National Natural Landmark, this stunning natural feature in Bedford Reservation is an incredible summertime visit.
4. Take a float trip down the Cuyahoga River
The Ohio skies are beautiful, so why not recline under the sunny sky and watch the clouds pass by? With an excursion by Float The River, you can relax and splash your way along a scenic route of the Cuyahoga River. At roughly two hours long, these excursions are super laid back and enjoyable. Just don't forget to bring a waterproof bag to hold your phone and keys... Nothing puts a damper on summer fun like losing your keys in the river muck!
5. Attend the Asian Lantern Festival
Now a coveted annual attraction, the Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the most exciting events of the summer. When the sun goes down, the lanterns bathe the zoo in warmth, surrounded by vibrant displays that will knock your socks off. As you might expect, most of the lanterns are animal themed in some way, and each is beautiful. On select nights, guests can even drive through the displays. You'll want to stop by this year's exhibit to see what's new!
6. Go hunting for a ghost ship
While Lake Erie may be home to a number of totally submerged shipwrecks, there is one local ship that's, for all intents and purposes, a wreck. Now considered a ghost ship, this abandoned wreckage in Lorain is a bit of a local mystery. How did it get there? Who even owns it? Who's responsible for removing it? The answers, like the water trapped in the ship's deteriorating hull, is murky. One thing is for sure... the ship definitely won't be here forever, so if you're looking for an oddity to add to your bucket list, you've found it.
7. Visit Ohio's longest sandy beach
While it may look tropical, Headlands Beach State Park is just a drive away from Cleveland. It's the longest naturally occurring beach in Ohio, and it's also home to sand dunes that will make you feel like you're in the Carolinas. Such an unusual landscape has also sprouted some unique plants that are nonexistent in other parts of the state. Whether you're hiking or sunbathing at this spot, you're in for a treat.
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This Cleveland summer bucket list is a great way to get out and enjoy all that our area has to offer. From beaches to hidden cultural gems, there's no shortage of things to do near Cleveland.
Want even more summertime adventure? Take the Cleveland caves and waterfalls tour to add some oomph to your summer travels.
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