9 Amazing Natural Wonders Hiding In Plain Sight Around Greater Cleveland — No Hiking Required
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 04, 2018
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cleveland is overflowing with spectacular hikes, but let’s be honest: not all of us are capable of taking long hikes. Whether it’s due to circumstance or scheduling, it can be rough battling cabin fever at times during each and every season. Fortunately, there are many wonders that you don’t have to hike to encounter. Whether you’re craving a nature-meets-suburbia vibe or a scene straight out of a fairy tale, there are many gorgeous places around Cleveland that will take you worlds away from the hustle and bustle of life.
For early mill workers, the High Falls of the Chagrin River was a lifeline. The Village of Chagrin Falls grew around the waterfall, and today it sits at the heart of a picture-perfect suburb. The Chagrin River falls about twenty feet at this scenic spot, leaving locals and visitors mesmerized. For our full article on this dreamy destination, click here.
Lake Erie's shoreline is full of beautifully scenic spots where one can picnic and watch the sun sink into the horizon. Lake Erie sunsets are truly magical, displaying an impressive array of color over a giant natural mirror. You'll think you fell into a watercolor painting!
This man-made wonderland houses some of nature's finest creations, and it won't cost you a dime to visit. This lovely little slice of paradise can be found at 750 E 88th St., hidden amid the city's stunning Rockefeller Park Cultural Gardens.
Are you ready to take the most scenic drive of your life? Let's take a tour along the 25-mile expanse of Valley Parkway. This charming stretch of road begins in the Rocky River Reservation and concludes in the Mill Stream Run Reservation, meaning you'll travel through some of the loveliest gems in the Cleveland Metroparks. For our article on this terrific road trip, click here.
Voinovich may be a man-made park full of art and music, but it is overflowing with natural splendor, as it is nestled against Lake Erie at the north end of the East Ninth Street Pier. Here you will witness coastal birds and bugs, and on especially clear days you may even spot some movement underwater.
Cleveland is especially beautiful in the spring, and the city's splendor as the seasons change is best captured at Wade Lagoon. Here, the surrounding gardens (accented with pieces from the Cleveland Museum of Art) and trees paint the landscape in a series of breathtaking colors.
Get ready to get close to some of nature's most delicate creations. At the Cleveland Botanical Garden, 18,000 square feet of tropical splendor is awaiting your visit. For our full article on this awe-inspiring escape, click here.
Like Voinovich Park, the fishing pier at Edgewater Beach is a manmade wonder that gets you closer to nature in a breathtaking way. You'll love seeing Lake Erie's shore from the pier, and Downtown Cleveland will serve as your picturesque backdrop. For an especially unforgettable experience, swing by the pier at sunset.
Nestled away in the southernmost reaches of the Cleveland Metroparks is a sapphire gem awaiting your discovery. Tucked between East and West Drive in Hinckley is a scenic 87-acre lake. It is just one of many wonders in Hinckley Reservation, but it is the easiest to access and can even be seen from the road. For our full article on this picturesque lake, click here.
There is so much natural splendor in Cleveland that many of it is accessible from even the most urban places. Which of these pretty places is your favorite?
