Cleveland tours and excursions

Scenic railroad tours

Those wishing to explore the scenic country surroundings of Cleveland can ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which departs from the city of Independence, south of Cleveland. The trip takes you through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park before heading to Hale Farm and Village and Downtown Akron.

Haunted tours

North Coast Ghost Tour operates a three-hour narrated bus tour to 10 haunted sites and places of intrigue.

Walking tours

Walking Tours of Cleveland provides guided tours, which last two hours. Reservations are required. If walking sounds a bit too strenuous, it also runs segway tours. Downtown is compact enough that you’ll have no problems exploring it on foot without the aid of a tour guide. It’s easily accessible from Public Square at Ontario Street and Superior Avenue.

Bus tours

Trolley Tours of Cleveland operates tours of the city on trolley buses covering over 100 points of interest, such as Warehouse District, the Flats Entertainment District and the Northcoast harbour.

Kelleys Island

Located in Lake Erie about 19km (12 miles) north of Sandusky, Kelleys Island is the largest freshwater American island in Lake Erie and offers a tranquil day out of the city.

Attractions include Inscription Rock State Memorial, a limestone rock with pictographs of men and animals carved 300-400 years ago; three hiking trails, sandy beaches and a picturesque and historic Downtown. Kelley’s Island is also very popular with bird-watchers due to the large number of migrating birds that visit it.

The island is accessible by ferry from Marblehead via Highway 163 (total journey time – 2 hours). It is possible to bring a car onto Kelley’s Island, although travelling by foot, bicycle or golf cart is strongly encouraged.

Cedar Point Amusement Park

Cedar Point began life in the middle of the 19th century as a bathhouse resort on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Soon after, rides were introduced and in the intervening years it has grown into one of the largest ride parks in the USA. Today the amusement park is home to 71 rides and 16 coasters, more than anywhere else in the world. It is a popular destination for coaster aficionados the world over. The newest roller coaster, the Valravn, or "Raven of the Slain", takes its name from Danish folklore. It is the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the world. Other facilities include a water park, an IMAX cinema, a marine mammal complex and a mile-long beach.

Cedar Point is located 98km (61 miles) west of Cleveland and is accessible by car via Highway 6 or Highway 2. A Greyhound bus service is operated to the town of Sandusky, which is itself worth a visit for its attractive rural setting and Downtown square. Cedar Point is open from May to September.

Kent State University Museum

Located on the picturesque campus of Ohio's Kent State University, about 30 minutes' drive east of Cleveland, the Kent State University Museum is an unusual institution, which houses an astounding collection of costumes and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present day. Opened to the public in 1985, its collection now includes almost 20,000 items of costume and 200,000 pieces of glassware, as well as fine furniture, textiles and paintings. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.