Three Short Months of Fun
50 WAYS TO LOVE YOUR SUMMER
By Marie Elium
The heat.
The bugs.
The humidity.
Not a summer person? We get it; the season feels stickier and steamier the older we get. But warm temperatures and sunshine are short-lived in Northeast Ohio. Leave the air conditioning behind and let our Summer Fun Guide tempt you with our completely biased and absolutely random list of 50 things to do and places to go.
Kids are everywhere. The car is too hot. There’s no place to park. And the crowds! You can find a million reasons to stay put and just one to get out there and embrace the season: It’s summertime!
- Flower Power
Wander around someone else’s garden (without worrying about getting caught). The free Gardenwalk Cleveland returns July 9 & 10 featuring gardens in 10 neighborhoods including Tremont and Broadway Slavic Village. Gardenwalkcleveland.org
- Don’t Look Down
Think you’re brave? How brave? Lake Erie Canopy Tours adjacent to The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake is an aerial adventure park with ziplines, swinging sky bridges and treetop towers. Lakeeriecanopytours.com
- Saving Face
Cleveland is known for its exceptional art museum but did you know the city also boasts the Cleveland Police Museum? The Kingsbury Run Murders, death masks, Eliot Ness, the 1968 Glenville shootout — all that and more are part of the museum that shares space with the Justice Center downtown. And it’s free. Clevelandpolicemuseum.org
- Wax Nostalgic
If it’s been years since you’ve chewed and sucked sugar syrup from wax bottle candy, you’re in luck. b. a. Sweetie Candy Co. will satisfy both your sweet tooth and your taste for nostalgia. Sweetiescandy.com
- Pitch Perfect
A breezy summer evening at a Guardians’ game is one way to honor the region’s rich baseball tradition. Another is heading over to League Park and visiting the Baseball Heritage Museum. Baseballheritagemuseum.org
- Walk This Way
Start at Public Square and see 10 noteworthy downtown sites, all within a one-mile stroll, as suggested by Boomer contributor Joe Jancsurak. Begin at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and proceed as follows: Howard Metzenbaum Courthouse, Cleveland Public Library, Federal Reserve of Cleveland, the Lincoln statue at the Drury Plaza Hotel, Fountain of Eternal Life at Memorial Plaza (between St. Clair and Rockwell avenues), Key Center (127 Public Square), Site of the First Arc Lamp (corner of Ontario Street and Public Square), Old Stone Church (91 Public Square) and Tower City Center/JACK Cleveland Casino (100 Public Square).
- Worth-the-Trip Gem
The 103rd O.V.I. of Sheffield Lake celebrates the lives and service of Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina County soldiers serving the 103rd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Tour the original barracks that Civil War soldiers built to hold their reunions, and visit the small-but-impressive museum, featuring instruments carried into battle by the regiment, as well as clothing and personal items.103ovi.com
- Dying to Get In
Beautiful monuments and poignant inscriptions make Lakeview Cemetery worth an afternoon of your time. Throw in Wade Chapel’s Tiffany decor and a president’s tomb (James A. Garfield), and you’ve got at least a day of rambling ahead of you. Lakeviewcemetery.com
- Back in the Day…
Think you’ve got it bad? Imagine life as a pioneer with a visit to Hale Farm & Village. Wrhs.org
- Wet Bottoms
Go with the flow and spend an hour or two floating down the Cuyahoga River in an inner tube. Then grab a beer and a bite to eat in lively Cuyahoga Falls. Float the River provides all the gear you’ll need (plus a shuttle to your car). Floattheriver.net
- Which Friday?
78th Street Studios bills itself as Northeast Ohio’s eclectic art maze. See it for yourself on the third Friday of every month — that’s May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19 & Sept. 16 if you don’t have a calendar handy. 78thstreetstudios.com
- Better Than California
We can’t think of anything nicer than a summer evening at one of the region’s wineries. Live music, great wine, picture-perfect settings: and it’s all right here in our backyard. Among our favorites: Laleure Vineyards in Middlefield, Gervasi Vineyard in Canton and Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in Geneva. Ohiowines.org
- Shore Bet
Sand, waves, a nice view, closer than the ocean and not as salty. We’re talking about Headlands Beach Park in Mentor, Ohio’s largest natural beach. Don’t forget the sunblock. Ohiodnr.gov
- Good Dog
Bring your dog to Stow’s Bow Wow Beach Dog Park for a swim in the three-acre lake. No dog, no problem! Go anyway and see good dogs having their best day ever. Stowohio.org
- Rock this Way
Head to Akron’s Highland Square Saturday, Aug. 20 for its annual PorchRokr Music and Arts Festival. Enjoy music from the front porches and yards throughout the historic neighborhood. Highlandsquareakron.org
- What Fire?
Slow-moving and shallow, scenic Upper Cuyahoga River is perfect for beginners yet interesting enough for experienced paddlers. Family-owned Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak near Hiram has everything you need to enjoy a summer afternoon. Camphiadventure.com
- Lake Walk
Take a three-mile stroll around Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation on a paved pathway that’s got just enough gentle hills to get your heart rate up. Clevelandmetroparks.com
- Axe Your Age
Rainy day? No problem. Grab some friends and throw axes (not at them but with them). Get started at Class Axe in Valley View. Clevelandaxethrowing.com
- Roll with It
From Lake Erie’s shoreline to Akron’s Towpath Trail and beyond, Northeast Ohio has hundreds of bike trails to explore. A good place to start is Ohiobikeways.net for maps and trail details.
- Ledges & Lunch
Wander around the cool, moss-covered boulders at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park near Garrettsville (ohiodnr.gov). Follow up with lunch and an unbelievably creamy frozen custard at Frozen Dee Lite on State Route 422, just east of Parkman. We like the fresh-squeezed lemonade with a patty melt. Call for hours. 440-548-2800.
- Step Sitting
Catch the sunset from the Solstice Steps with a spectacular view of Lake Erie. Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Ave, Lakewood.
- Christmas in July
Animated holiday windows from NYC department stores, Christmas movie props, hundreds of vintage toys and ornaments… Snag yourself some holiday spirit at Medina’s Castle Noel. Castlenoel.com
- Gawk & Awe
Plan to be impressed by the elaborate and imaginative flower baskets and oversized planters at Eton Chagrin Boulevard, Pinecrest, Legacy Village and Crocker Park outdoor shopping areas.
- Tremont Treat
Explore the historic Tremont neighborhood with a free, self-guided tour. Clevelandgatewaydistrict.com
- Cool Waters
Berea Falls scenic overlook at the Rocky River Reservation offers a cool break on a hot summer day. Formed from eroded shale and the region’s world-famous Berea sandstone, the falls are a remnant of the region’s glacial history. Clevelandmetroparks.com
- What’s Your Sign?
Get your picture taken at all six Cleveland script signs. Start out at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, then go to The Foundry on Columbus Road, Edgewater Park, North Coast Harbor, Tremont and Euclid Beach.
- Grab a Seat
Spend a couple of hours at the historic Capitol Theatre in the Gordon Square Arts District. Sip a beer, grab a glass of wine, and enjoy the show. Clevelandcinemas.com
- Look Up
Birders know all about Sandy Ridge Reservation, a 526-acre preserve in North Ridgeville known for its wetlands and abundant wildlife. Now you know about it, too. Loraincountymetroparks.com.
- Waterside Dining Part 1
Stroll through the shops in Olmsted Falls then grab a bite at Moosehead Hoof & Ladder, housed in a former firehouse that has a mountain lodge vibe. Ask for a table overlooking the Rocky River. Mooseheadolmstedfalls.com
- Pajamas Optional
Remember the fun of going to a drive-in movie in your pajamas? You can still do it at the Midway Twin Drive-In Theater in Ravenna and the Mayfield Rd. Drive-In Theatre in Chardon. Funflick.com
- Just Quirky
We like the vibe at Sweet Lorain’s 8,000 square feet of vintage wonders and the creative assortment of collectables and gifts at Hixson’s nearby. Yes, you absolutely need that disco ball. sweetlorain.com, Hixsonsinc.com
- The Plane! The Plane!
Airports are a hassle. Planes are cool. Find a parking spot along Brook Park Road and watch planes come in for a landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. For a kick, download the free Flightradar24 app on your smartphone and trace plane routes. Trust us, it’s surprisingly addictive.
- Dark Shadows
Did you know we have an official dark park in Geauga County? Observatory Park is protected from ambient light pollution. That translates into great star gazing. Bring bug spray and a comfortable chair. Geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/observatory-park
- Waterside Dining Part 2
Nothing’s more satisfying than enjoying a cocktail and watching other people exercise. The Sheraton Suites Cuyahoga Falls boasts a deck that overlooks the tumbling Cuyahoga River and the ambitious kayakers who tackle its rapids. Call for reservations at 330-292-3000.
- Car Park
The 64th Annual Father’s Day Car Show at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is set for Sunday, June 19. When you get tired of looking at cars, stroll around the expansive grounds and see what’s blooming. Stanhywet.org
- More Fleas, Please
Handmade, repurposed and vintage items from local artists and crafters take center stage throughout the summer at Peninsula Flea, on the grounds of Heritage Farms Christmas tree farm in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the following Saturdays June 4 & 25th, July 2, Aug. 6 and Sept. 3. Heritagefarms.com
- Little Italy. That is All.
Honestly, if you don’t grab a cream puff at Presti’s in Little Italy, or a cannoli at Corbo’s then you’re missing out. Better yet, grab a meal at one of the neighborhood’s restaurants, stop in at a shop or two, and suddenly, the day is gone. And that’s okay. Prestisbakery.com, Corbosbakery.net
- A Park for Art
Summer is the outdoor art season. One of the biggest around is the Akron Art Expo in Hardesty Park July 23 & 24. Come for the art, stay for the entertainment and food. Akronartexpo.com
- Band Aid
If you like showtunes, patriotic music and marches, catch a performance by The Great Geauga County Fair Band. For a list of local appearances go to Geaugafair.com
- Where There’s a Wind, There’s a Way
The sky’s the limit at the 42nd Cleveland International Kite Festival from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 at Edgewater Park.
- Glass Act
Plan a date night, take a class or just see what’s going on at Glass Bubble Project, where you can learn how to blow glass and have fun doing it. Glassbubbleproject.com
- It’s All Greek to Me
Colorful vegetables you may not recognize and plenty of familiar fruits are just part of what makes the historic West Side Market a must-see summertime stop. What we like is grabbing a container of stuffed grape leaves and a piece of baklava and heading to Edgewater Park for a quick picnic. Go to their Facebook page for updated posts. Westsidemarket.org
- Authentically Asian
Cleveland’s AsiaTown is the place to go for terrific Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese food, grocery stores and gift shops. The vibrant community just east of downtown is home to more than 2,000 residents. Asiatowncleveland.org
- More Art (and That’s a Good Thing)
There’s always something going on at BAYarts in Bay Village. Concerts, classes, a nice gift shops and more. Start with the BAYarts Annual Art & Music Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 18. Bayarts.net
- Popcorn & a Waterfall
We’re talking about charming Chagrin Falls where you can shop and eat and walk your dog and grab a bag of popcorn and visit a cool waterfall. There’s more, but you’ll have to see it for yourself. Chagrinfallspopcorn.com.
- As Fun as It Looks
You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy Topgolf’s high-tech driving range and private bays with cocktails and food service. If you can’t have fun here, you’re just not trying. Topgolf.com/us/cleveland
- Better Than Zillow
Hop in the car and take a gander at the fancy houses along Lake Erie’s shoreline. Start at Lakefront Nature Preserve and drive east along Lakeshore Drive.
- Just-the-Right Size
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo hits all the marks, zoo-wise, but if you like your animals in smaller doses, the Akron Zoo is a great option. You can see plenty of critters in a leisurely afternoon. Plus, it’s shady. Akronzoo.org
- We’re Antique, Not Old
Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of things that are older than we are at the Burton Antiques Market on Saturday, June 11 at The Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton. If you miss it this summer, you have another chance on Sept. 24. Burtonantiquesmarket.com
- Convenient & Cheap
Wipe off the patio furniture, string a few lights, throw some beverages on ice and invite the neighbors over for a summer potluck. Don’t ask what folks are bringing — that’s cheating, and who wants that on their conscience?
