The Cleveland, Ohio area is filled with cultural and historical activities waiting to be explored. Expand your cultural horizons by visiting some of the excellent museums and historical sites.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History offers visitors the opportunity to discover and explore the natural world. This museum houses over 4 million specimens in the scientific fields of anthropology, archeology, astronomy, botany, geology, paleontology, zoology, and wildlife biology. Permanent and special exhibits in conjunction with educational programs are offered to the public at this site. Programs are available for young children, youth, and adults. The Shafran Planetarium is also on site. Tickets can be purchased for the 35-minute interactive shows at the Planetarium. Tickets should be purchased in advance for this attraction.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is situated on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland. Unique items that span a century of rock and roll history are represented in the collection of this museum. Interactive exhibits, films, videos, and sentimental artifacts are displayed throughout the facility. The Museum also offers programs for the public such as concerts, lectures, panel discussions, and film series. This museum was opened in 1995.
Classic car buffs and aviation enthusiasts will be interested in the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. Nearly 200 antique, vintage, and classic automobiles and aircrafts can be seen at this location. The Crawford collection is one of the top ten collections in the nation, according to Car Collector Magazine. The Crawford Collection of historic vehicles was donated to the Western Reserve Historical Society in 1963. The museum is open Monday through Sunday. The History Museum is also located at this complex on 10825 East Boulevard. Tours of the Hay-McKinney mansion built in 1911 are provided between the hours of noon and 5 p.m. The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing of the mansion is one of the top-ranked costume collections in the nation. Garments from the late 1700s to the present are displayed in ever-changing exhibits.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame at Inventure Place in Akron, Ohio focuses on encouraging creativity and honoring the creative achievements of historical inventors. An inventor's workshop is a hands-on exhibit that offers visitors the opportunity to put imaginations to work. Miscellaneous tools, machine parts, nuts, and bolts offer kids and adults a space to assemble anything they can imagine. Safety goggles are required and adults offer assistance with power tools. An area is designated in the workshop space for children under five. This museum was opened in 1995 so it is very modern and worth the short drive from Cleveland.
