There’s a great deal of beauty in the Northeast Ohio landscape, especially when you consider spring in Cleveland and the surrounding area. This area was heavily glaciated during the Pleistocene – the most recent Ice Age – which has given us a largely flat landscape with occasional evidence of glacial movement. One of the most obvious features created by glaciers is our own Lake Erie, although some local lakes and ledges were also formed at this time. It is incredible to imagine how life returned to this newly shaped milieu when the snow and ice retreated… it must have looked a lot like springtime. Today, some of the most incredible places to visit during springtime in Cleveland are the natural features with the most history… and others that were shaped by the influence of humans. Regardless of which you visit, you are in for a treat at these lively places.

1. Lake View Cemetery

Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Lake View Cemetery/Facebook
Lake View Cemetery is full of history and, somewhat ironically, life. As springtime in Cleveland returns, it endows this pretty, park-like resting place with pops of color and a seemingly endless collection of daffodils. Plus, ducklings and goslings appreciate its water features and frequent the area with their parents as soon as they hatch.

2. Brookside Reservation

Brookside Reservation Bear Parking Lot, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
Ever heard of Blossom Lane? For just a moment in time, this collection of trees in the Cleveland Metroparks splendidly lights up with watercolor-esque hues that are downright breathtaking. These trees were donated by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio in 1993, and they have dazzled ever since.

3. University Circle

University Circle, Cleveland, OH, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
The pattern of bold and blossoming continues in Cleveland's distinguished University Circle. This breathtaking neighborhood is stunning everywhere, but its crown jewel of a park and a sapphire-blue lagoon draw particular interest each spring. In and around the Fine Arts Garden, cherry blossoms offer a sampling of aromas to the air, adding to the ambiance of spring in Cleveland.

4. Centennial Lake Link Trail

Centennial Lake Link Trail, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
This interurban hike, once completed, will connect Cleveland's innermost neighborhoods with Lake Erie. It follows the former path of the Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad, a path that has been traveled since the 1850s. Today, despite urbanization all around, this earthy trail includes all sorts of greenery and wildflowers.

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5. Furnace Run Metro Park

Furnace Run Metro Park, 4955 Townsend Rd, Richfield, OH 44286, USA
Summit Metro Parks / Facebook
Furnace Run Metro Park is an absolute wonder in the springtime. Here, Daffodil Trail comes to life with thousands of blooms each spring. Bring hiking boots, because this trail can get a little muddy.

6. The Holden Arboretum

The Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094, USA
The Holden Arboretum/Facebook
As life returns to the local landscape, The Holden Arboretum takes on a new sort of magic. The Holden Arboretum features around 3,500 acres of gorgeous blooms across 20 miles of hiking trails. Be prepared to spot a few critters, because waterfowl, in particular, love this pretty area.

7. Princess Ledges

4361 Spruce Ave, Brunswick, OH 44212, USA
Kimberly Morgan/AllTrails
Brunswick is a hub of residential streets and traffic, but beyond this you will find that there is more than meets the eye. Princess Ledges Nature Preserve is a little slice of paradise, and its namesake sandstone ledges are bathed in hues of emerald as springtime approaches.

8. Hinckley Lake

Hinckley, OH 44233, USA
Danyel OHail/AllTrails
Like many other places in Northeast Ohio, Hinckley Reservation has its very own stretch of sandstone ledges. It also features a lake and an unusual annual springtime tradition. Each year, locals gather to witness the fabled return of the buzzards.

So do you agree that these are some wonderful places to admire and appreciate springtime in Cleveland? Life truly prospers here as sunlight slowly returns to the region. Which of these pretty places is your favorite? If you have been to any of these locations during spring in Cleveland, be sure to leave us a comment and tell us about it. We would love to hear from you. If you’re eager to get out and explore more hiking trails in Cleveland and beyond, be sure to use AllTrails+. It offers the most helpful information so you can enjoy your time on the trail.

Craving more adventure? No matter the season, you will fall in love with a trip to the West Side Market.

The Day Trip Of A Lifetime You Can Only Take In Cleveland

 

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Things To Do Around Cleveland In Spring

Katie Feldkamp | February 28, 2024

What are some of the best hikes to take throughout Cleveland in the Spring?

Let’s face it – winter in Cleveland can be harsh. By the time spring rolls around, many people are eager to get outside and breathe in the (slightly warmer) fresh air. The next time you have the urge to set foot on a hiking trail, here are some favorites:

  • The Scenic Loop Trail at the Rocky River Reservation
  • Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Akron
  • Bridal Veil Falls Trail at the Bedford Reservation
  • Brandywine Gorge Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

For more information on these and several additional trails, check out this article on the best springtime hikes in Cleveland.

Where are some recommendations for gardens to visit during Spring in Cleveland?

When craving a field of color after a grey winter, you’ll love checking out one or more of these stunning gardens throughout the Cleveland area. Suggestions of places to visit include:

  • Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron
  • Secrest Arboretum in Wooster
  • Fine Arts Garden right outside the Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Beech Creek Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve in Alliance

For more information on these and several other gardens, check out this article on gardens to visit during springtime in Cleveland.

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