Cleveland Ohio has an amazing array of small museums, art festivals, and concerts, all available for free. Learn more about what to do in Cleveland and the surrounding area, without spending a dime.
Westside Market
(Courtesy of the Cleveland CVB)
The spectacular produce and meat products aren't free, but watching the bustling stream of people from all of Cleveland's neighborhoods as well as the piles of shiny fruits and vegetables is FREE. So is admiring the Byzantine architecture of this early 20th century building. If you haven't been to the "market", make a point of visiting soon. It's truly one of Cleveland's treasures.
Great Lakes Brewing Company Brewery Tours
(© 2006 S Mitchell; licensed to About, Inc)
The Great Lakes Brewing Company, in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, is Cleveland's oldest microbrewery. The brewery/restaurant, opened in 1988, produces the popular Dortmunder Gold amber ale as well as Eliot Ness Porter and Burning River Ale, among others. The Brewery offers FREE tours of their beer-making facilities every hour, on the hour, on Fridays from 5pm - 9pm and on Saturdays from 1pm - 9pm.
NASA Glenn Research Center Visitors Center
(public domain)
The Nasa Glenn Research Center is a vital part of the NASA system. Located near the Cleveland Hopkins Airport on Brookpark Road, the visitors' center features 6000 square feet of exhibit space, with interactive exhibits on the center's namesake, John Glenn, as well as on the Apollo Era, space flight, and the space shuttles. The center is FREE and open every day. Admission is limited to US citizens (for security reasons) and all visitors age 16 and older must show a government-issued photo ID.
The Money Museum at the Cleveland Federal Reserve
(© Stu Spivack/cc license)
The new Federal Reserve Bank Museum of Money, opened in January 2005, features 30 exhibits about the history and the power of money. The most striking feature is a 23 foot tall money tree located across from the museum's entrance. This interesting musuem is located in the Fed Building on E. Sixth St. in downtown Cleveland. It's open Monday thru Thursday from 10am to 2pm and is FREE to the public.
Concerts at the Cleveland Institute of Music
(courtesy of University Circle Inc.)
The Cleveland Institute of Music hosts over 500 FREE concerts each year, reflecting virtually all genres of music. Most of the concerts feature students and alumni, but some past guest performers have included YoYo Ma and Isaac Stern -- all for free. The concerts are held at the school in University Circle and at area churches, museums, and country clubs.
International Women's Air and Space Museum
(© 2006 S. Mitchell; licensed to About.com)
The International Women's Air and Space Museum, located inside the lobby and west wing of downtown Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport, celebrates the contribution of women in air and space flight with a rotating schedule of temporary exhibits. The museum is open seven days a week and FREE to the public. Plans are in the works for a permanent exhibit about the aborted Mercury 13 - all women's space program.
Monthly Tremont Art Walks
(© J. Greenburg; Courtesy of Cleveland CVB)
The second Friday of every month, the trendy and historic Tremont neighborhood invites the public into its many diverse art galleries. Art, in a variety of media, is displayed and available for purchase, free refreshments are served, and live music gives the event a festive air. This is one of the best art events in the city, if not the state...and its FREE.
National Polka Hall of Fame
(© Stu Spivack/cc license)
Long before Rock and Roll reigned in Cleveland, Polka was king, introduced to Cleveland culture by the hundreds of Czech, Polish, and Slovenian immigrants. The National Polka Hall of Fame celebrates this music genre. Located on E. 222nd St. in Euclid, the museum has exhibits on inductees, including hometown favorite Frankie Yankovic, as well as instruments, clothing, and other polka memorabilia. The museum is open Tuesday - Friday from noon to 5pm and on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
