100+ Things to Do In and Around Cleveland When the Weather Warms Up

6 Nostalgic Summer Foods to Try

Honey Hut Ice Cream 
Thirteen original flavors include specials that rotate every two weeks. Look out for heavy hitters like banana nut bread and lemon meringue pie at its five locations. gohoneyhut.com

Bearden’s Peanut Butter Burger
Topped with melted peanut butter and sweet pickles, this 4-ounce steak burger has been a Rocky River staple for
decades. facebook.com/beardensrockyriver

Dynamite Dawgs Fair Food 
No special event is necessary to indulge in childhood bites like giant corndogs ($4), crispy jumbo funnel cakes ($5) and decadent deep-fried Oreos ($5) in Mentor. dynamitedawgs.com

Eddie’s Grill Slovenian Sausage 
Staffed by three generations of founder Ed Sezon’s family, this beloved walk-up spot at Geneva-on-the-Lake has the works. Cool off with a fresh-squeezed lemonade. eddiesgrill.com

Pickle Bill’s Lobster House All-You-Can-Eat Seafood 
Nothing says summer like Alaskan snow crab ($32.99 per pound), whole Maine lobster ($68.99 per pound) and deep-fried scallops ($17.99). fpicklebills.com

Patron Saint (A new Italian-themed aperitivo bar in Ohio City, May-June)

Adventure Camp (Laurel School) 
This camp teaches teamwork while offering pre-teens a chance to bike, sale and backpack over the 150-acre Shaker Heights campus. $660-$740, June 12-23, laurelschool.org

Teen Paddlesports Wind and Waves Camp (Garfield) 
Traverse winding rivers and open waters on watercrafts, during this Metroparks camp. $165, June 28-30, clevelandmetroparks.com

My Adult and Me (Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation) 
This guardian-child camp provides comfort — also hiking, playing and crafting — for the little ones. $100, July 11-13, clevelandmetroparks.com

Sky High Adventure (Gilmour School) 
This all-day, adrenaline-filled adventure gives the ninja experience with ziplines and rope climbs. Gather up your courage and take the leap. $400, June 12-16, gilmour.org

Cavs Academy (Various Locations) 
Enroll your sports-loving young ones in one of several four-day camps hosted by the Cleveland Cavaliers to sharpen court skills and sportsmanship. $250, various dates, nba.com/cavaliers

Divinity YMCA Day Camp (Parma Heights) 
This experience aims to be a kids’ home away from home, with a curriculum in everything from arts to STEM. $190-$200,
June 5-Aug. 25, clevelandymca.org

Boating and Floating on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River

Float the River 
Peacefully glide away from the hustle and bustle of life with this lazy river experience. The full-service outfitter sends groupings of inner tubes on a one-of-a-kind experience. Complete with a shuttle, it’s a great fun family outing, romantic getaway or afternoon hang with friends. $25, floattheriver.net

BrewBoat Cleveland 
Tap into BrewCLE’s pedal-powered cycleboats, which accommodate up to 16 people, or the all-electric, 12-passenger Duffy boats for a memorable summer day. The machines include a coolers, Bluetooth sound systems and ample space to party. $249-$524, brewcle.com

Hinkley Lake Boathouse & Store 
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors. This Metroparks-operated shop is the ideal starting point for anyone renting stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and pontoon boats to explore the picturesque lake. $20-$80, clevelandmetroparks.com

Three Northeast Ohio Beaches to Enjoy

Edgewater Beach 
The beach in lower Edgewater Park boasts spectacular views of Cleveland and one of the only dog-friendly beach areas. From dawn till dusk, it’s the perfect spot for kayaking, volleyball, fishing, picnics and wading into 1,000 feet of swimming access. Need some shade on the 2,400 foot shore? Grab beachside fare, drinks from the outdoor bar or scoops of Honey Hut ice cream at Edgewater Beach House.

Headlands Beach State Park 
Ohio’s largest natural sand beach provides 35 acres of sand dune habitat, a mile-long paved and wheelchair accessible hiking and biking trails, picnic tables with grills, beach glass hunting, spectacular wildlife and, of course, swimming in Lake Erie. The Dunes State Nature Preserve connects via the hiking trail and offers great birding as well as insight to rare and unique plants like switchgrass, searockets, cocklebur and more. 

Huntington Beach 
Located in Huntington Reservation, this beach is the lakefront home to educational endeavors, local art, Ohio wildlife and relaxation. The Noshery, a newly built concession stand, features made-to-order crispy walleye sandwiches, craft beer and more. Three-mile trails lead to the nearby Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, with interactive activities for children and a planetarium, and BAYarts, home to galleries, plays and more.

Northeast Ohio Hikes We Love

1.7-mile Woodpecker Way in Acacia Reservation 
This trail is one of the longer paved options, but it still makes a great option for those looking for something more accessible. Walk, run, use a wheelchair or bring a bike — whichever way suits your needs.

4.1-Mile NC Bridle Main Loop  in North Chagrin Reservation 
Rocky and unpaved but scenic, this trek is for the horse-lovers of Northeast Ohio, whether you’re completing those four miles on horseback or there on foot to admire.

1.5-mile Paddling Loop  in Hinckley Reservation
Splash your way from the Hinckley Lake Boathouse around the flat, leisurely edge of Hinckley Lake.

1.4-mile Rockcliff Spring  in Rocky River Reservation
Fitness enthusiasts rejoice, this Cleveland Metroparks app-exclusive trail isn’t the longest of the bunch, but boasts several stations for various workouts, adding to its intensity and variety.

4.2-mile Hawthorne Parkway Buckeye Loop in Bedford Reservation
For this hike, you’ll have to utilize the Cleveland Metroparks app as the route pieces together portions of the 1,444-mile-long Buckeye Trail.

Cleveland Metroparks
Bird nerds will find a bit of paradise on the 2 1/2-mile-long Hemlock Loop Trail carving its way through the Northwest section of the Brecksville Reservation, where barred owls can be spotted year-round. “Even though they are nocturnal, they will sit in hemlock, oak and spruce trees during the day,” says naturalist Jen Brumfield. If you strike out on sightings, slip into the Brecksville Nature Center for a number of programs on select dates. 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville, 440-526-1012, clevelandmetroparks.com

Cuyahoga Valley National Park 
Dreaming of hiking Old World trails or climbing a staircase carved right out of The Lord of the Rings? The 2-mile-long Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park might be for you. This beautiful trail is surrounded by deciduous and evergreen forests that lead right up to a Tolkien-esque staircase carved out of rock more than 100 years ago. “It’s an area that in some ways doesn’t belong here,” says park ranger Rebecca Jones. “You come around the corner and think you’re in Canada.” 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula, 440-717-3890, nps.gov/cuva

Lake Metroparks
The Penitentiary Glen Reservation boasts a variety of hikes, such as the Gorge Rim Loop Trail, which runs nearly a mile down and back through a hemlock forest into a ravine. Keep an eye out for a path to a small waterfall near the northern section of the trail. “It’s the hike I recommend the most when people come here, but you can connect it to other trails and just keep going,” says park ranger Andy Avram. 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland, 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks.com

Island Hopping on Lake Erie’s Gems

Kelleys Island
The second largest in Lake Erie boasts beautiful beaches and shimmering sunsets. Families spend days playing minigolf, hanging out at the Caddy Shack and indulging in ice cream from Papa T’s Deckside Ice Cream. When it’s time to settle in for the night, vacationers can find accommodations at the State Park Campground. 

South Bass Island (Put-In-Bay) 
This well-known vacation spot lets island goers take vintage rides at the Put-In-Bay Antique Car Museum, explore the natural limestone of Perry’s Cave or tear up the track at the Put-In-Bay Raceway. Don’t miss the Bash on the Bay Aug. 23-24 with Pitbull and Luke Bryan.

Middle Bass Island 
The Big Dipper-shaped Middle Bass Island sits among a group of many smaller islands. Beachgoers, and their cars, can travel across Lake Erie on the Miller Ferry that leaves from Catawba. Once on the Island, guests marvel in the antique beauty of Lonz Winery, which features century-old wine making equipment, and an open-air plaza. Accommodations from cabins to camping can be found at the Buck Creek State Park Campground.

Amish Country
Distance from Cleveland: 74 miles
The appeal: cultural experiences,
shopping, dining
Where to start: Berlin, OH
Key summer event: Holmes County Fair, Aug. 7-12
Quirky roadside attraction: World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek, OH
Where to stay: Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek
More info: visitamishcountry.com

In Ohio’s Holmes County, horse-drawn buggies outnumber cars and a commitment to simplicity, tradition and faith guide daily life. A deep dive into the area’s 30,000-strong Swiss-German Amish community starts in Berlin, a charming small town filled with quaint shops and homestyle restaurants. The Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center depicts the struggle for religious freedom in Europe and exile to America.

Niagara Parkway
Distance from Cleveland: 218 miles
The appeal: wine, theater, natural wonders and family fun
Where to start: Niagara Falls, ON
Quirky roadside attraction: The largest floral clock in the world, Niagara Falls, ON
Where to stay: Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Key summer event: Canada Day, July 1
More info: visitniagaracanada.com

Ontario’s Niagara Parkway, which stretches from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake offers an unforgettable approach to one of the most mesmerizing wonders in the world — Niagara Falls. When the late-afternoon sun is shining, a perpetual rainbow dances on the misty water droplets rising from the thundering chasm straddling the U.S. and Canadian border. The excitement builds until you’re standing at the edge of Horseshoe Falls at Table Rock Welcome Centre feeling the spray on your skin and the cool wind produced by the sheer force of the Niagara River spilling 180 feet over the brink. There’s plenty more in Niagara Falls to keep the whole family happy for days, from a Journey Behind the Falls to the soaring birds-eye view from Skylon Tower. 

Hocking Hills
Distance from Cleveland: 182 miles
The appeal: family fun, camping, hiking and nature
Where to start: Logan, OH
Quirky roadside attraction: Pencil Sharpener Museum; Logan, OH (reopening late summer/early fall)
Where to stay: Hocking Hills State Park Lodge & Cabins; Benton Township, OH
Key summer event: Lilyfest, July 14-16
More info: explorehockinghills.com

Venture into southern Ohio and explore the breathtaking natural landscapes along the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway. The scenic route connects the six distinct sectors of Hocking Hills State Park: Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House and Old Man’s Cave. Each offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and explore caves, cliffs and waterfalls. If you’re looking for more amenities, head to the Old Man’s Cave area, where you’ll find a visitors center, camping, cabins, and the brand new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge. For the first time, the park has an upscale lodging option amid the crisp, fresh air and serene sounds of nature. The centerpiece of the lobby is the sweeping two-story view of the forest.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Distance from Cleveland: 440 miles
The appeal: Maritime history, Nature
Where to start: St. Ignace, MI
Quirky roadside attraction: Santa’s Workshop, Christmas, MI
Where to stay: Big Bay Point Lighthouse B&B, Big Bay, MI
Key summer event: Lilac Festival, June 9-18 / U.P. State Fair, Aug. 14-20
More info: uptravel.com

Michigan’s middle finger points to the Mackinac Bridge, an engineering marvel and the gateway to the off-map Upper Peninsula, a rugged and breathtakingly beautiful part of the state sandwiched between lakes Michigan and Superior. Once you’ve crossed the five-mile-long suspension bridge, take a ferry from St. Ignace to car-free Mackinac Island, where you’ll be transported back in time in a horse-drawn carriage clip-clopping through streets surrounded by Victorian architecture, such as the iconic Grand Hotel. As tempting as it is to stay awhile on the island, the rest of the U.P. beckons with dense forests, scenic shorelines punctuated by historic lighthouses (including one you can sleep in) and small towns loaded with rich maritime history.

David Grohl Alley, Warren 
Travel time from downtown Cleveland: 1 hour, 8 minutes 
Give yourself bonus points if you knew Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is from (drumroll): Warren. Grohl was born in the Trumbull County city and lived there until he was 3 years old. In 2009, residents and artists in Warren decided to honor their native rocker, renaming a downtown alleyway “David Grohl Alley,” and adorning it with 900-pound drumsticks and a dozen murals, one of which is on the back of Greg Bartholomew’s All American Comics. “[Grohl] is one of the godfathers of grunge music,” Bartholomew says. “What’s grungier than an alley?” Between South Park Avenue and Main Avenue, Warren

Hartman Rock Garden, Springfield 
Travel time from downtown Cleveland: 2 hours, 53 minutes 
Whether you classify it as folk art or roadside Americana, Hartman Rock Garden inspires pure fascination. Built by Harry Hartman in his backyard between 1932 and 1939, the site holds more than 50 stone structures, including miniature replicas of Noah’s Ark and Betsy Ross’ house. The abstract Tree of Life sculpture combines themes of patriotism, religion and education that extend throughout the garden. “It’s not modeled on a photo he has,” says Kevin Rose, the garden’s curator. “It’s entirely from his mind. To me, that’s when the garden starts to become something special.” 1905 Russell Ave., Springfield, hartmanrockgarden.org

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums at Spiegel Grove, Fremont
Travel time from downtown Cleveland: 1 hour, 29 minutes 
The 19th president’s historic home and museum are something to see, but its 25-acre Spiegel Grove setting holds its own wonders. While walking the path, part of which was a well-traveled Native American trail before the estate was built, pay your respects at Hayes’ tomb, see five sets of gates originally from the White House and marvel at more than 100 types of trees. “You can really hit a lot of different points of history just walking through this area,” says education coordinator Joan Eardly. Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 419-332-2081, rbhayes.org

World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, Sugarcreek 
Travel time from downtown Cleveland: 1 hour, 35 minutes 
One of the most worthwhile stops between Canton and Marietta on Interstate 77 is Sugarcreek, Ohio’s own Little Switzerland, known for its museum and alpine-themed shops. But make sure you visit the corner of North Broadway and West Main streets, where every half-hour, the 24-foot-tall cuckoo clock comes to life with music, a robotic five-piece band and a dancing couple. “It’s pretty neat to have a clock like that,” says Clayton Weller, a city councilman and former mayor, who helped bring the 1972-built clock to Sugarcreek from nearby Wilmot in 2010. “People stop and dance to it and jump up and down. It’s nice.” 100 N. Broadway St., Sugarcreek

Lake Living in Holland and Saugatuck, Michigan

“The state of Michigan held my childhood ire born from my scarlet-and-gray fandom — even after a decade of Buckeye dominance over the Wolverines. Still, that state up North, with its 3,288 miles of shoreline (second to Alaska), more than 11,000 inlet lakes, 4 million acres of forest, robust legal cannabis program and plateful of award-winning restaurants, breweries and wineries, beckoned.” Read more about managing editor Dillon Stewart’s trip up North. >>

Bourboning on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
“I’ve been traveling to Kentucky at least once or twice a year for more than two decades. My grandfather grew up there, so maybe part of me sees it as ‘The Old Country.’ But more than that, I’m just fascinated with the place. With a culture based on bourbon whiskey, race horses and genteel living, there’s simply no other place in the world like it.” Read more about travel writer Rich Warren’s weekend of bourboning. >>

Hiking Up the Allegheny National Forest
“According to some cultural beliefs, rain on your wedding day symbolizes good luck in the marriage. I ask myself if the same could be true for a road trip. After all, it’s pouring when my 8-year-old daughter, Kinley, and I pull out of the driveway for a few days in the great outdoors of northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. I finally get my answer two hours into the journey when the setting sun drops below the dark rain clouds, shining like a fireball through the misty air. A rainbow arcs in front of the car and the figurative pot of gold is a sign that reads, “Welcome to Pennsylvania Wilds,” at the opposite end of the highest road bridge in Pennsylvania, which soars 270 feet above the Allegheny River on Interstate 80.” Read more about travel writer Laura Watilo Blake and her daughter’s trek east. >>

Sips and Snacks

Presque Isle State Park 
This Pennsylvania gem boasts beautiful, quiet beaches perfect for either a romantic getaway or family outing. Enjoy a waterfront picnic with views of the city and that other Perry Monument. Biking, horseback riding, birding and hiking top off the fun. Check out the Lady Kate Sunset Boat Tour to get on the water.

Marietta and Ohio River
Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. Since then, it has stayed true to its river heritage. Both the Campus Martius and the Ohio River museums explain this important history in detail. The riverfront park offers excellent waterfront views as well as a perfect locale for a summer picnic. 

Sips and Snacks

The Ashtabula Wine Trail
Just 5 miles from the lake are 30 wineries and miles of vineyards that provide over half of all grapes grown in Ohio. Rooted in an 80-year family tradition, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in Geneva is one of the largest wineries on the trail and offers modern tastes, including Italian dishes precisely paired with the drink menu. 

Market Street Soda Works 
Located in downtown Newark, Ohio, this family-owned soda shop offers over 150 varieties of craft bottled soda ranging from standards like cream soda to wilder options like PB&J. Top off your visit with a trip to the Canal Market District, a farmers market featuring produce and arts-and-crafts vendors. 

Dining in Detroit
The Motor City is about more than cars. Joe Ann’s BBQ serves up chicken and ribs from its open charcoal pit. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails offers everything from braised rabbit to walleye. Save room for desert and stop by Sister Pie, a renowned Detroit eatery with seasonal pie flavors, including classic cherry.  

Take to the Trails

West Virginia 
The title “almost heaven” is fitting for a state where winding trails meet flowing waterfalls. Cathedral Falls is a top draw, while the Monongahela National Forest offers five waterfalls tucked into the woods. Both the Allegheny and Appalachian trails wind through the state and offer longer hiking journeys.

Hocking Hills 
Hocking Hills in Southern Ohio boasts cabins, campsites and over 20 miles of hiking trails. Notable sites include the Old Man’s Cave, where rock formations beg to be explored, and the 5-mile Whispering Cave Trail. The park has a variety of cabins, ensuring the adventure does not stop at the end of the trail. 

Kokosing Gap Trail 
Once a part of the Pennsylvania railroad, this 14-mile trail stretches from Mount Vernon to Danville, cutting through the town of Gambier. Perhaps the most notable part of the trail, however, is the Bridge of Dreams, the second-longest covered bridge in Ohio, bringing travelers over the Mohican River.