Let’s be honest for just a moment: being an adult is hard sometimes. Many will jokingly say it’s as easy as paying your bills on time, but it seems time is the very issue that plagues our existence. Somehow, it seems, days have gotten shorter. Entire seasons fly by in the blink of an eye, and sometimes it is easy to get so caught up in work or chores that you forget to spoil yourself every once in a while. If you’re a Clevelander, don’t worry. These speedy activities can break up the monotony of any day.
- Go for a hike through Hinckley Reservation.
Matthew Dillon/Flickr Hinckley Reservation may be petite compared to other Cleveland Metroparks, but its campus is overflowing with beauty. You could walk around the 87-acre lake, get a workout traversing the expanse of Whipps Ledges, or visit the intriguing Worden’s Ledges (pictured above). Whatever you decide, you can be in and out in a jiffy.
- Swing by the Museum of Divine Statues on a Sunday afternoon.
Mary B/TripAdvisor This Lakewood museum is small compared to the institutions Clevelanders know and love, but its exhibits are nothing short of exquisite. When places of worship close, many passionate artists collect and restore their holy artwork. You can view that collection at this unusual Lakewood museum each Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.
- Take a tour on Lolly the Trolley.
World_Traveler_6216/TripAdvisor Admittedly, this one may take just a tad bit more than an hour, considering that you’ll have to drive, park and wait for the trolley to fill with passengers, but their super speedy one-hour tours of Cleveland can’t be beaten. Tickets for a one-hour tour are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors over 60, and $10 for children under 17. To purchase your tickets in advance, click here.
- Take a tour through time as you stroll through the Kirtland Temple.
CWLee/TripAdvisor Kirtland, as you may know, is located just outside of Cleveland. The quaint city is actually a huge player in the history of the Latter Day Saints. It was here that they built their first temple, a task that lasted from 1833 to 1836. The site is open to the public, and fortunately, general tours are just under an hour. You can find more tour and ticket information here.
- Admire the beauty of Brandywine Falls.
ExploringNWO/TripAdvisor There’s a reason locals love this gorgeous waterfall! It’s located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and its staircase hike is short and pretty simple to traverse. This waterfall cascades down a drop of 65 feet, creating an astonishing veil of water over shale from Ohio’s days as an ancient ocean. Check out our full story for more information.
- Stroll through a dreamy old growth forest.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook Much of Ohio is developed, but there are also portions of wilderness that appear untouched by the influence of mankind. The A.B. Williams Memorial Woods in North Chagrin Reservation is one such place, and its gorgeous forest is built up of a variety of old Ohio trees. Some trees in this forest are nearly 400 years old! You can find more information on this fairy tale destination here.
- Clear your mind with a relaxing stroll at the beach.
interactive_al/TripAdvisor Cleveland is overflowing with lovely beaches, and they’re not nearly as populated in the cooler months. Swing by beaches at Edgewater Park (pictured above) or Huntington Reservation for a relaxing bit of “you time.”
- Treat yourself to some ice cream beside a waterfall.
nibianc2/TripAdvisor Yes, such loveliness does truly exist right here in Greater Cleveland. Chagrin Falls is so named for the gorgeous suburban waterfall at the center of town, and right beside it is a charming sweet shop that locals can’t get enough of. It has been serving the area since 1875, and its most iconic flavors will delight your taste buds to this day.
- Curl up with a good book.
LearnedOwl/TripAdvisor Don’t have anything on your bookshelf waiting to be read? No worries, you can find your literary perfect match at The Learned Owl Book Shop in Hudson. This bookstore may appear quaint and petite based on its picture-perfect storefront, but behind this threshold lies three stories of incredible books.
- Get to know some animal ambassadors at Penitentiary Glen Reservation.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation/Facebook If you’ve never been to The Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation, then you are missing out. Here, all sorts of rescue critters work as ambassadors to educate humans about our surrounding world. You can meet these beautiful critters in person, and their stories will humble you. Click here to learn more.
- Have a picnic in Willard Park.
victor raul T/TripAdvisor Throughout the hustle and bustle of Cleveland, one can still uncover pieces of greenery where one can unwind and connect with the elements. Willard Park is just one example of Cleveland greenery, but it’s the only destination where you’ll find a giant stamp.
- Go on a sightseeing road trip.
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons There’s nothing wrong with simply driving around to clear your mind. Northeast Ohio is beautiful, and some of its best architectural attractions are right in Greater Cleveland.
Sometimes, it seems that life would be easier if our days were longer, but sometimes the solution lies in selecting short and sweet activities. Which of these awesome activities are you most excited to try? Sound off in the comments!
Matthew Dillon/Flickr
Hinckley Reservation may be petite compared to other Cleveland Metroparks, but its campus is overflowing with beauty. You could walk around the 87-acre lake, get a workout traversing the expanse of Whipps Ledges, or visit the intriguing Worden’s Ledges (pictured above). Whatever you decide, you can be in and out in a jiffy.
Mary B/TripAdvisor
This Lakewood museum is small compared to the institutions Clevelanders know and love, but its exhibits are nothing short of exquisite. When places of worship close, many passionate artists collect and restore their holy artwork. You can view that collection at this unusual Lakewood museum each Sunday between noon and 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.
World_Traveler_6216/TripAdvisor
Admittedly, this one may take just a tad bit more than an hour, considering that you’ll have to drive, park and wait for the trolley to fill with passengers, but their super speedy one-hour tours of Cleveland can’t be beaten. Tickets for a one-hour tour are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors over 60, and $10 for children under 17. To purchase your tickets in advance, click here.
CWLee/TripAdvisor
Kirtland, as you may know, is located just outside of Cleveland. The quaint city is actually a huge player in the history of the Latter Day Saints. It was here that they built their first temple, a task that lasted from 1833 to 1836. The site is open to the public, and fortunately, general tours are just under an hour. You can find more tour and ticket information here.
ExploringNWO/TripAdvisor
There’s a reason locals love this gorgeous waterfall! It’s located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and its staircase hike is short and pretty simple to traverse. This waterfall cascades down a drop of 65 feet, creating an astonishing veil of water over shale from Ohio’s days as an ancient ocean. Check out our full story for more information.
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
Much of Ohio is developed, but there are also portions of wilderness that appear untouched by the influence of mankind. The A.B. Williams Memorial Woods in North Chagrin Reservation is one such place, and its gorgeous forest is built up of a variety of old Ohio trees. Some trees in this forest are nearly 400 years old! You can find more information on this fairy tale destination here.
interactive_al/TripAdvisor
Cleveland is overflowing with lovely beaches, and they’re not nearly as populated in the cooler months. Swing by beaches at Edgewater Park (pictured above) or Huntington Reservation for a relaxing bit of “you time.”
nibianc2/TripAdvisor
Yes, such loveliness does truly exist right here in Greater Cleveland. Chagrin Falls is so named for the gorgeous suburban waterfall at the center of town, and right beside it is a charming sweet shop that locals can’t get enough of. It has been serving the area since 1875, and its most iconic flavors will delight your taste buds to this day.
LearnedOwl/TripAdvisor
Don’t have anything on your bookshelf waiting to be read? No worries, you can find your literary perfect match at The Learned Owl Book Shop in Hudson. This bookstore may appear quaint and petite based on its picture-perfect storefront, but behind this threshold lies three stories of incredible books.
Penitentiary Glen Reservation/Facebook
If you’ve never been to The Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation, then you are missing out. Here, all sorts of rescue critters work as ambassadors to educate humans about our surrounding world. You can meet these beautiful critters in person, and their stories will humble you. Click here to learn more.
victor raul T/TripAdvisor
Throughout the hustle and bustle of Cleveland, one can still uncover pieces of greenery where one can unwind and connect with the elements. Willard Park is just one example of Cleveland greenery, but it’s the only destination where you’ll find a giant stamp.
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons
There’s nothing wrong with simply driving around to clear your mind. Northeast Ohio is beautiful, and some of its best architectural attractions are right in Greater Cleveland.
If you liked these ideas, you may also enjoy participating in these quirky Cleveland activities.
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