7 Free Places To Visit Before Summer Break Ends
If you're like me, you're desperately trying to make the most of what's left of summer break (I wish summer lasted forever!). Trying to do it all on a budget can be difficult, so I've compiled some of our favorite FREE family summer activities in the Cleveland area.
1. Adventure Play at Jordan Creek Park
This one may be a drive, but it's totally worth it. We pack a lunch and spend hours here!
Adventure Play is a natural playground and is part of the Lake Metroparks. This park is designed for kids 7+, but when my daughter was 5 years old, she still loved it, though she needed my help on some things.
Adventure Play has a HUGE rock wall, a zipline, a slackline forest, balancing obstacles, a 30-foot rope bridge, and so much more--all for FREE!
Another fun feature is the beautiful walking trails behind Adventure Play, including a story walk and a creek perfect for skipping rocks.
There's also a small nature center on the grounds.
Jordan Creek Park 75250 Alexander Rd, Painesville, OH
2. Columbia Beach Waterfall in Bay Village
This is a small and relaxing spot located on Lake Rd. There's a free parking lot right across the street. Once you cross the street, you'll see a large staircase leading down to the falls.
There is a small beach area where my kids like to play and skip rocks as long as there hasn't been a lot of rain. At the top of the steps, there is a picnic table.
This area is small and probably won't take up much of your day, but I always find it relaxing and fun for the kids.
FYI, it's not stroller-friendly, and there are no bathrooms.
Columbia Beach Falls, 25550 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
3. the Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland is truly blessed to have this fantastic free gem in our community!
It's a great way for kids to experience art at a young age. Lately, we have spent most of our time in the interactive art room on the immediate left when you walk into the main entrance. This room allows kids to explore and experience art through interactive screens. We "made" pottery, drew shapes that turned into art before our eyes, created self-portraits, and learned about poses. The room isn't huge, but there is a lot to explore. We usually spend about an hour in this room.
Another of our favorite exhibits is the Hall of Knights located upstairs. This room really brings the medieval to life! There's also a beautiful lagoon to walk around outside when the weather is warm.
Pay-to-park parking is available in the parking garage, or there is street parking with meters. If you go on a weekend, meter parking is free.
11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
4. free Butterfly House at The Miller Nature Preserve
We try to make it here at least once per season (open seasonally from mid-June through Labor Day.)
You are allowed to hold the butterflies as long as you are gentle. The butterfly house is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The gardens at the preserve are also free, and there's a great trail to explore through the woods.
The conservatory costs $2 a person and is open 10a-5p.
Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Rd, Avon, OH 44011
5. Coe Lake's New Treehouse
Coe Lake has been a family favorite for years, and they just built a brand-new Kiwanis Treehouse!
The treehouse is intended for ALL ages and has a wheelchair lift. It's the newest addition to this already fantastic park.
There's also a beautiful trail to walk along while seeing the stunning scenery around the lake and fountain. They also have kayak rentals available, but we have yet to do that.
They also have a large playground with a zipline and a pirate ship!
Coe Lake, Berea, OH 44017
6. Walk Along The Towpath In Tremont
The Towpath Trail in Tremont is my favorite trail in all of Cleveland!
I'm a sucker for that beautiful Cleveland skyline, and you get such a picturesque view throughout this trail. We brought our scooters this time, and it was so much fun. I was a little nervous going down the steep hill with them, though, so we'll go in the other direction next time. 😆
If you park in the lot across the street from Sokolowski's Overlook, there is a cute little nature play that my kids always love playing on.
Sokolowski's Overlook, 1203 University Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
7. Bradstreet's Landing Pier
The pier is absolutely stunning!
I kept asking myself, are we really on Lake Erie? 🤣
We enjoyed walking out on the pier and seeing the beautiful lake views. Then we searched for sea glass, and the kids tried their hands at catching fish. 🐠
There is a small beach area. The sand is very rough, and there are rocks and driftwood, so I suggest wearing water shoes or flip-flops. There are picnic tables, a free parking lot, and port-a-potties.
Bradstreet's Landing Park 22400 Lake Rd.Rocky River, Ohio 44116
