9 Destinations Everyone In Cleveland Needs to Visit This Summer
By Nikki Rhoades|Published June 20, 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.
Summer has arrived in The Land, and locals are ecstatic. Summer brings sunshine, fruity beverages, and lazy days days stretched out on the sand. Sounds a bit like paradise, doesn’t it? We may not have that gorgeous palm tree-lined sunset that every dreamy tropical getaway features, but there are still countless incredible ways to enjoy summer in the CLE. Are you ready to make this year the best summer yet?
Ever noticed how Moses Cleaveland, our city's founder, never seems to be smiling in his portraits? It's because he never had a chance to taste the authentic flavors of this super sweet dessert shop. This retro soda fountain captures the spirit of small-town sweet shops of yore, and it does so by serving up hand-crafted goodies that will make your sweet tooth go wild. There's truly no better way to cool down this summer! This sweet destination is open from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and it stays open one hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.
2. Geneva State Park, 4499 Padanarum Rd., Geneva on the Lake
In neighboring Ashtabula County, Geneva State Park is a lakefront paradise that is too beautiful to pass up. This gorgeous 698-acre park is nestled against Lake Erie, offering nature enthusiasts and sun worshipers alike an incredible opportunity to be immersed in beauty. Here, you can enjoy sandy beaches, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. There's never a bad moment to visit a state park, but summertime here is truly magical.
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3. Brandywine Falls, 8176 Brandywine Rd., Sagamore Hills
This 65-foot waterfall is the dreamiest place to visit after a summer rain. Not only will its fern-lined walls be verdant and lush with color, but the power of its falls will leave you humbled. This gorgeous waterfall is one of the many pretty features of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is a beautiful place to visit in any season.
If the Cleveland Metroparks are the region's emerald necklace, Cleveland's neighborhoods are the components of the region's tiara. University Circle is one of Cleveland's loveliest district, and Wade Lagoon sparkles at its center like a lovely sapphire. Its grounds are overflowing with works of art, an extension of the nearby Museum of Art. There's nothing quite like a day spent at Cleveland's finest lagoon.
This dreamy destination is overflowing with scenic beauty and treasured local history. This park was once the site of the cherished Euclid Beach Amusement Park, remnants of which still decorate the grounds. Today, the grounds are under the care of the Cleveland Metroparks, making the park a gorgeous place to picnic or play. Its 650-foot beach is particularly pretty in the summer, but so, too, are its shady forested areas.
8. Edgewater Park, 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
The 147-acre campus of this park is enriched by beauty that is simply beyond words. Located just a stone's throw from Downtown Cleveland, this dreamy waterfront park features 9,000 feet of shoreline with a 2400-foot urban beach as well as lovely trails and views of the Cleveland skyline. Lake Erie is a beautiful place to spend a day, but it is a magical place to see the sunset.
9. The West Side Market, 1979 W 25th St., Cleveland
The Ohio City neighborhood is one of Cleveland's finest. It is rich with art and culture, and one local landmark, in particular, makes it famous. The West Side Market is the oldest operating indoor and outdoor market in Cleveland, and its roots date back to 1840. However, the building opened to shoppers in 1912, and it has been treating them to diverse selections ever since. Ethnic foods like pierogies and schnitzel can be purchased alongside local produce and spices, and bakers and butchers coexist at this charming local market.
Cleveland is far from tropical, but it’s nothing short of paradise. This gorgeous city is an incredible place to spend the summer, and there is no shortage of fun to be had.