8 Tropical Places You Can Visit Without Ever Leaving Greater Cleveland

Hidden off of one of Downtown's busiest stretches is an enchanting wonderland waiting to be discovered. Here, exotic and native plants cohabitate in a lovely greenhouse that is free to the public. This city-owned greenhouse is open daily, so you'll definitely want to pay it a visit.

The gorgeous Cleveland Botanical Garden glitters and gleams like a gem in University Circle, and the wonders it holds therein are truly stunning. Its greenhouse, or The Glasshouse, as it is known, will take you on a trip through two unique biomes on two different continents. You'll love visiting the desert of Madagascar and the rainforest of Costa Rica. You will come face to face with flora and fauna alike on this incredible adventure. For tickets, click here.

You don't have to travel all the way to Hawaii to find a Polynesian paradise. Tropical eats and pirate-worthy spirits pair perfectly with the nautical and tiki-themed decor. You can find our full article featuring this awesome eatery here.

The world quiets suddenly and you stand transfixed as thunder slices through the silence. You're not worried about needing an umbrella in the impending storm, though—it's just one of the many exhibits in the RainForest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Across this two-acre learning center is an astonishing array of flora and fauna from the more tropical regions of our pretty planet. During your visit, you will encounter more than 10,000 plants and over 600 animals in addition to the incredible man-made tropical storm. For tickets, click here.

Each year, more than 300,000 people come to this magical science center to ignite their imaginations. Not only does it feature a number of fascinating exhibits, but its Dome Theater has the ability to take you a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cleveland streets. Right now, you can embark on a tropical adventure through a rainforest without ever leaving the theater, though shows vary in topic throughout the year.

Nowadays, the Warehouse District is a hoppin' region to swing by if you're looking for unique eats. One restaurant in the area is truly a pirate's paradise, and it will soothe your seafood cravings. The Nauti Mermaid could easily pass for a Key West snack shack, and their Caribbean-inspired menu will have you dreaming of days spent on the beach. You can find our full article on this paradise here.

The region's most exotic inhabitants call the Greater Cleveland Aquarium home, and they're happy to have you visit. Smiling stingrays and sharks will welcome you to the West Bank of the Flats, where they thrive in an incredible 230,000 gallons of water. For our full article on this dreamy destination, click here.

Perched on the cliffs of Lake Erie is a delightful little seafood restaurant that found its start in 1965. As you dine on delectable seafood, you'll look out over the tumultuous waves of Lake Erie. For the full article on this picturesque place, click here.