2025 Summer Fun Guide

2025 Summer Fun Guide
Having Fun Yet?

Summer’s finally here, and we are happy to embrace the celebrations that mark the season. We have pulled together special events, open-air concerts, interesting things to do, under-the-radar places to visit, and outdoor gear to maximize comfort and convenience on the go. You’ll find options for every budget and interest with this line-up of summer fun. 

Free & Fabulous 

• 78th Street Studios – Cleveland’s largest art complex in a historic warehouse in Gordon Square. On every third Friday of the month, enjoy music, food, makers, galleries and shops with 50+ exhibits. 78thstreetstudios.com
• Beach it along Lake Erie – Take the day to spread out your blanket on the beach, soak in the sun, cool off in the waves, and picnic with your pals. We suggest three public beaches along Lake Erie: Mentor Headlands State Park in Lake County boasts Ohio’s largest beach, with a half-mile of pristine natural sand and 35 acres of hiking trails. Huntington Beach in Bay Village offers an expansive park with great concessions on a breezy plateau above the sandy beach. Cleveland’s Edgewater Park has not only a great beach, but also skyline views of the city, a dog area, kayak rentals, walking trails and a bar, among other amenities. These are just a few great Lake Erie beaches to visit. Follow this link for more: clevelandtraveler.com/best-beaches-near-cleveland/

• Federal Reserve’s Money Museum – Cleveland’s chapter of the U.S. Central Bank offers interactive exhibits in its 1923-art deco-style building to learn how cash works. Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. clevelandfed.org

• RTA’s B-Line Trolley – “Free with a smile,” you can enjoy a trolley ride through downtown Cleveland from the Warehouse District to Terminal Tower and Public Square, on to the Cleveland Public Library and Playhouse Square. riderta.com/routes/b-line

Live Music & Events

• Akron’s Summer Concert Series: Akron Recreation & Parks hosts the 2025 summer concert series over nine weeks at different park locations. This summer, the city is celebrating Akron’s Bicentennial by adding festivals at select designated concerts (*), which begin at 6 p.m. with special activities, so bring your chairs, blankets, family and friends. All other concerts begin at 7 p.m. akronohio.gov
• Tuesday Night Summer Concerts at Wickliffe Community Center, 900 Worden Road, 6-8 p.m. Free and open to the public. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the fun. Food trucks will be available. June 10 – “Funkology;” July 8 – “Abbey Normal” and Classic Car Show; Aug. 12 – “Ted Riser.”  cityofwickliffe.com

• WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays – June 18-Aug. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy 10  free summer concerts on Wade Oval in Cleveland’s University Circle, including food, dancing and fun. universitycircle.org 

• The 46th Annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland – June 26–28, the Fest pays tribute to the wide spectrum of jazz traditions, including live musicians from around the world featuring swing, Cuban rumba, Brazilian guitar, South African vocals, free jazz, bebop, chanting, dancing and more. tri-c.edu/jazzfest/

• Larchmere PorchFest – June 28, 1-10 p.m. This East Side music festival brings 30+ bands to front porches of homes along Larchmere Boulevard so listeners can enjoy free tunes from neighborhood yards. larchmereporchfest.org 

• Lunch By the Lake at Cleveland’s Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame – Starting July 5 (and nearly daily through August), noon to 2 p.m., the Rock Hall’s 2025 Artists in Residence will be performing live, setting the mood for the perfect afternoon on the lakeside plaza. rockhall.com

• Akron Bicentennial Signature Celebration Week (July 1-6) – This week-long event celebrating Akron’s bicentennial includes a downtown festival, a major parade (the largest in over 50 years), and the Bridgestone Bicentennial Homecoming featuring “Feature the Future,” which showcases local industries and innovations. Don’t forget the Heart of Akron Festival (July 3-5) with food vendors, live music, and a fireworks display on July 4th.  akron200.org

• Akron’s PorchRokr Festival –  Known as “Akron’s Best Holiday,” more than 100 bands descend upon Highland Square every August for this annual music festival. You can also shop local boutiques and makers, such as Akron Art Works and I’d Rather Not, all while noshing on local bites from Square Scullery, Upper Crust Pizza and Kitchen and Mustard Seed Market & Cafe. highlandsquareakron.org

• Concerts & More at the Glen – Free concerts on select Fridays at the lovely Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland featuring local musicians. Music starts at 7. Get an updated schedule at goto.lakemetroparks.com/concerts-at-the-glen.

 

50 Bucks of Fun 

• Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game Ticket at Progressive Field: Ticket prices start at $21 apiece, so for two tickets and parking, you get hours of fun at the Major League ball field for about $50. tripadvisor.com
• Lunch Cruise on Lady Caroline: At $54 per person, experience Cleveland’s North Coast from local waterways. Lady Caroline is a four-deck, 120-foot-long ship featuring more than 15,000 square feet for passengers to enjoy. Three of her decks are fully enclosed and climate-controlled. The sky deck features a covered bar and open views for sweeping panoramic sightseeing. Passengers will see the city, river and lake in a whole new light while enjoying the sounds of onboard DJ entertainment. Your ticket includes a freshly prepared buffet meal along with a selection of beverages. ladycaroline.com

 

Summer-Worthy Splurges

• Taste Your Way Through The Land: For $60-$111 per adult, get to know Cleveland better on one of four three-hour, food-focused tours of its coolest neighborhoods. Discover Cleveland’s unique stories and local flavors with a fun and delicious walking tour through some of The Land’s outstanding neighborhoods with an expert local guide who leads you on a culinary adventure to tasty dishes and fantastic sights, history and things to do in Cleveland. Come hungry and enjoy tasty samples at each stop. relishcle.com

• The Best of CLE: For $200+ per group of up to three (approx. $66 per person), this two-hour private tour in a comfortable SUV/van takes you to many of the best sights and views of Cleveland. Your guide will drive you around and share Cleveland’s history while covering plenty of ground in the comfort of a private tour. Hassle-free pickup from a Cleveland hotel is included.  thisiscleveland.com

• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at 4000 Medina Road, Akron, is the ultimate steakhouse destination for people seeking a stylish, lively and contemporary dining experience. Nationally renowned for its USDA Prime beef and steakhouse fare, Fleming’s is equally celebrated for the ‘Fleming’s 100’, an award-winning wine list that features 100 wines by the glass. Along with Prime beef, other dishes include chops, freshly grilled fish and poultry, salads, side orders and decadent desserts.  flemingssteakhouse.com

 

BETTER GEAR FOR EVERY BUDGET

We looked to outsideonline.com and amazon.com to compile this list of dependable gear that should elevate your outdoor experiences this summer, whether you’re at an open-air concert, neighborhood festival, special tour or nearby beach. (Note: Prices may have changed since the writing of this article.

SUNGLASSES FOR EVERY OCCASION

• Best Under $25: Goodr OG ($25)

• • Best Budget Shields: Knockaround Campeones ($55)
  • Most Fun: Blenders Millenia X2 ($59)

• Best for Swapping Lenses: Tifosi Moab ($80)

• Most Lightweight: Scott Stride ($120)

• Best Casual Shade: Kaenon Ojai ($150)

• Best Oversized: Dragon Amped ($150-160)

• Best in Mixed Light: Glade Ramble ($159)

• • Most Versatile: Smith XC Sunglasses ($175)
  • Best Ventilation: Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep ($202)
  • Best for Cycling: Zeal Harbinger ($249)

• Best for Running: Julbo Density ($250)

• Best When On Water: Bajio 12 South ($259)

• Best Full Coverage: POC Devour Glacial ($270)

 

BEST CAMPING CHAIRS

outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/camping/best-portable-camping-chairs/

Portable camp chairs that offer more than just the bare minimum.

A comfortable, well-made camp chair is a worthwhile investment because of how integral it is to an enjoyable camping trip. After all, the best part about camping is lounging comfortably around a campfire with friends and family for hours.

• Best Value: GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker ($70)
• Most Versatile: DOD Sugoi Chair ($119)
• Most Portable: Helinox Chair One (re) ($120)
• Best Overall: Big Agnes Big Six Armchair ($175)
• Best for Families: Kelty Lowdown Couch ($180)
• Splurge: Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair ($300)

OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS FROM AMAZON

SIMPLY SOLAR LIGHTS

• Minetom Solar String Lights for Outside: $6.99. This 33-foot-long string of 100 LED Outdoor Fairy Lights features eight light modes.
• Ariceleo Multi-Colored Solar String Lights: $9.99. This 33-foot-long string of 100 LED copper wire, multi-colored lights features eight lighting modes; waterproof, outdoor and indoor use.
• Brightown Outdoor String Lights: $13. This 25-foot-long string features 13 globe-shaped LED lights that are waterproof and dimmable.

 

PORTABLE COOLERS

• AMNOW Insulated Backpack Cooler: $17.99. – This portable, leak-proof, waterproof large-capacity soft cooler backpack with multiple pockets and compartments holds 36 beverage cans. Includes wine openers and reflective strips.
• Coleman 60qt Wheeled Cooler, Insulated Portable Chiller with Ice Retention: $54.99 – TempLock insulation keeps drinks ice-cold. Recessed wheels and a retractable handle with a comfort grip make it easy to move. Holds up to 47 cans with 30 lbs. of ice. Made in the USA.
• VINGLI 80-Quart Wagon Rolling Cooler Ice Chest: $179.99. This long-handled, insulated cooler cart with 10-inch wheels will elevate any outdoor celebration with style and ease. Features a split double lid for easy access; attached bottle openers with cap catchers; and 48-hour cooling capacity for up to 96 beverage cans. 

 

ON-THE-GO SUN SHADES

• Versa-Brella UPF 50+ Personal Sun Shade: $27.99. This portable umbrella provides a 10-foot-square area of shade. It features a secure clamp, 360-degree swiveling,  adjustable position for maximum sun protection; compact with carry case.
• Rio Beach MyCanopy Personal Chair Sun Shade: $36.03. This low-profile personal sun shade clips onto most beach chair frames and slightly adjusts forward or back to eliminate the need for a beach umbrella. Features SPF 100 and blocks 99.8% UVA and UVB rays; folds when you collapse your beach or camp chair.
• 2-Pack Large Beach Umbrellas: $48.99. Get two 48.8-inch sun shade/rain umbrellas with universal clamps. Wind-resistant, waterproof, 360°adjustable, UV protection. For your beach chair, stroller, wheelchair or camping chair.

 

NO-FUSS OUTDOOR GAMES

• JOYIN Glow-in-the-Dark Outdoor Lawn Darts Game Set: $19.99. The set includes two glow-in-the-dark large target circles and four throws. Made of durable and high-quality rubber materials for longer usage. No sharp edges that could cause injury.

• Himal Collapsible Portable Corn Hole Boards with 8 Cornhole Bean Bags (3 x 2-feet): $36.99. Easy assembly, easy tear-down and easy-carry. With a weight of 2 kg and a length of 11-inch x 11-inch x 4-inch after folding, these corn hole boards are lightweight and portable, yet strong and durable.
• Kan Jam Pack ‘n Go Pickleball Portable 4 Player Pickle Ball: $59.99. This outdoor game comes with two paddles and two balls. No need for a court, boundaries or a pickleball net. Set-up takes seconds. The compact size of the goals and the lightweight nature of the paddles and balls make it easy to transport.