Cleveland is one of the best-value cities in the Midwest for sightseeing, because several of its most impressive places charge nothing at all. You can fill two or three days with free attractions and spend your money on the few paid sights that justify it. This guide groups the free options by area, then shows where a small spend is worth it.
The anchor: the Cleveland Museum of Art
General admission is free every day it is open, which is every day except Monday and Thanksgiving. It is one of the finest art museums in the country, so a single visit gives you a major collection at no cost. Go for a morning, start with the collections that interest you most and leave time for the grounds around Wade Oval. Special exhibitions may carry a charge, so check before you go.
University Circle on foot
The museum sits among lawns and lagoons, and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens begin just north in Rockefeller Park. The Federation lists 43 individual gardens, from African American to Vietnamese, with statues and terraces that you can walk at your own pace, and an audio tour is available. Street parking is free on the west side of MLK Boulevard and the east side of East Boulevard, except on big event days. Restrooms are limited, so bring food and drink.
Lake Erie for nothing: Edgewater Park
On the west side, Edgewater Park gives you 147 acres of lakefront, a swim beach, a fishing pier and one of the best skyline views in the city. The Metroparks do not charge admission for the park itself, though parking and events may vary. For a woodland alternative, Rocky River Reservation is open from 6am to 11pm and offers shale cliffs, trails and a nature center with a deck over the river. Both are good for picnics, which keep a day cheap.
A national park for free: Cuyahoga Valley
The national park between Cleveland and Akron is free and open every day, with Brandywine Falls, the Ledges and the Towpath Trail. It needs a car or a bike, but a day here costs only fuel and a picnic. The scenic railroad inside the park is a paid add-on if you want it, but it is optional.
Free history and architecture
Lake View Cemetery holds the James A. Garfield Memorial and the Wade Memorial Chapel with its Tiffany interior, and its gates open every day of the year at 7:30am. The Cleveland Public Library Main Library downtown is free to walk through, with a self-guided tour of the Louis Stokes Wing highlights and the Eastman Reading Garden. Playhouse Square offers free public tours led by volunteers on the third Saturday of each month and select Mondays, though registration is required and spaces are limited.
Where a little money goes a long way
If you want to spend on one or two things, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the signature paid sight, and its Thursday evenings stay open until 9pm. The Cleveland History Center, open Thursday to Sunday, charges a modest admission for classic cars, galleries and the carousel. The Botanical Garden and the zoo are good value for families, and the zoo keeps short winter hours. The Severance Music Center tours are another low-cost option, offered on select Sundays at 11:30am.
Getting around cheaply
The RTA Red Line runs from the airport to Tower City, with stops for Ohio City and University Circle, and the HealthLine bus runs along Euclid Avenue from downtown to University Circle past Playhouse Square. Downtown is walkable, and many sights are close together, so you can skip a rental car unless you want the national park or the day trips.
A sample budget weekend
On day one, walk downtown, step into the Main Library and the Arcade, and visit Public Square. On day two, take the HealthLine to University Circle for the art museum, then walk the Cultural Gardens in the afternoon. On day three, drive to the national park for a free outdoor day, or head to Edgewater Park for a lakefront picnic. Pay for the Rock Hall if you can fit it in, and book an evening at Playhouse Square only if a show appeals.
Money-saving tips
Eat at the West Side Market on a market day, since it is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Choose a hotel with free breakfast, such as the Glidden House or the Drury Plaza, which also offers an evening reception, and check the sports and convention calendar before you book, because event weekends push up prices.
