Who doesn’t love a good freebie? They say the best things in life are free, and we couldn’t agree more! Here in Cleveland, some of the finest local attractions won’t cost you a dime. Whether you’re in the city limits or exploring the greater metropolitan area, there are so many ways to spend the day without breaking the bank. The only thing you’ll have to do is gas up the car! Pack some road trip snacks, because we’re about to embark on the best budget-friendly road trip in Northeast Ohio.

Best Free Attractions in Cleveland

If you find yourself seeking free things to do in Cleveland, you’ll be pleased to know that there are oodles of social activities to attend. From unique destinations to artful performances, there are many incredible free attractions in Cleveland.

1. Attend an event at Crocker Park

• Address: 177 Market St, Westlake, OH 44145 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Westlake | Greater Cleveland
• Website: https://crockerpark.com/play/
• What to Do: Walk about this gorgeous outdoor mall during a fun public event.

Open-air malls aren’t necessarily something you might expect in a place with such diverse weather, but Crocker Park is beloved by locals. One of its coolest features is actually its vibe… you see, its streets are perfect for everything from free outdoor movies in the summer to awesome decoration displays in the winter. It seems as if there’s almost always something going on here! Shop ‘til you drop, grab a bite to eat, and indulge in the festivities of whatever fun event is happening during your visit. You can’t go wrong with a trip to Crocker Park.

5 Minutes Away: Keep the walk-worthy fun going at Bradley Nature Park.

2. Catch a Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show

• Address: 3196 Clark Mill Rd, Norton, OH 44203 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Greater Cleveland
• Website: https://chippewaskiteam.com/
• What to Do: See one of the most unique competitive sports teams in Northeast Ohio.

Think you know all of Northeast Ohio’s most competitive teams? Think again. The Chippewa Ski Team is part athletics, part theatrics, but it’s all local. This awesome team is the only competitive water ski show team in the state! They frequently perform at Emerald Lake (whose address is linked above for your ease), but they’ve been known to appear all over the region. Hour-long shows are free to watch in the summer months, and winter offers the perfect opportunity to join them during indoor practice season. You don’t need any water skiing experience to join… just bring some floatation devices and lots of enthusiasm!

10 Minutes Away: Play with goats and sip wines at The Winery at Wolf Creek.

3. Hike the Towpath Trail

• Address: 1851 Scranton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Greater Cleveland
• Website: https://www.ohioanderiecanalway.com/
• What to Do: Walk through history along a scenic and amazingly long stretch of trail.

The incredible Towpath Trail is unlike any other hike in the entire state. At over 100 miles in length, it’s almost inconceivable to hike the whole thing… and yet many athletic locals have done just that! However, once upon a time, this path was used by mules to pull barges along the Ohio & Erie Canal. While the canal largely ceased operation in 1913 (and dried up in many stretches due to halted maintenance and the forces of nature), many stretches of it can be hiked to this day. In Cleveland, most of it is paved, and each section of the trail almost has its own vibe. Visit the stretch in Scranton Flats, Downtown, or Tremont… each stretch is beautiful and historic.

5 Minutes Away: Refuel after your walk with a trip to the West Side Market and Ohio City.

Honorable Mentions

There are almost too many freebies in Cleveland to include on one list! Here are a few honorable mentions that are also worth checking out:

4. Attend a free Cleveland Public Theater show

The Cleveland Public Theater is a local gem. Since 1981, this collective of local artists has been putting on incredible shows that Clevelanders can’t get enough of. While most of their performances are ticketed events, there are also a handful of annual free shows that belong on your bucket list. Their Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is behind many of the free performances, but their roster of talented actors put on a variety of epic shows. Check their calendar of events to see what’s coming up next! (And keep your eye out for their annual Día de Muertos event!)

5. Check out the architecture of the Terminal Tower

You might know Tower City as a shopping mall, but once upon a time, it was a legendary structure. You see, the Terminal Tower was once the second-tallest building in the world, dwarfed only by the Woolworth Building in New York City. Of course, this title didn’t last long as skyscrapers began to define local skylines across the world. However, the Terminal Tower is still one of the tallest buildings in Cleveland.

Free Museums to Explore in Cleveland

Who doesn’t love a good museum?! These institutes of knowledge house incredible collections and artifacts and, here in Cleveland, many are free to visit. Ready to experience pure awesomeness? Check out these epic local landmarks!

6. Cleveland Museum of Art

• Address: 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: University Circle
• Website: https://clevelandart.org/
• What to Do: Walk through one of the most prestigious institutions in Cleveland and come face-to-face with some of the most iconic works of art anywhere.

The Cleveland Museum of Art and its Fine Arts Garden is always free to visit, and it’s well worth it. This is no dinky local museum… this goliath institution is home to some of the most ancient and most storied works of art in all of Cleveland. From stunning ancient Egyptian art to famous works by Claude Monet, this museum has a stunning array of things to see. While they do charge for special and traveling events, general admission won’t cost you a dime.

10 Minutes Away: Visit the Haserot Angel (or Angel of Death Victorious) in Lake View Cemetery for a dose of outdoor art.

7. International Women’s Air & Space Museum

• Address: 1501 N Marginal Rd Ste. 165, Cleveland, OH 44114 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Downtown Cleveland
• Website: https://iwasm.org/
• What to Do: Explore the contributions of some of the most notable female pilots in history in a unique local museum.

Tucked away in Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport is a museum you almost have to see to believe. The International Women’s Air & Space Museum is one of the best free museums in the area, and it’s almost like a local secret. This little-known museum is free to tour solo, or you can enjoy a guided tour for a small fee. Its collections preserve the contributions of lady leaders in the realms of aviation and aerospace. Some names and faces will be familiar to you, but you’ll walk away with a new knowledge of many aviation mavericks.

5 Minutes Away: Admire the Fountain of Eternal Life in Veterans' Memorial Plaza.

8. Cleveland Police Museum

• Address: 1300 Ontario St, Cleveland, OH 44113 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Downtown Cleveland
• Website: https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/
• What to Do: Come face-to-face with some of Cleveland’s most storied tales of law and order… and mystery.

Many have yet to experience the incredible collections hiding in the Cleveland Police Museum, but it belongs on your bucket list, without a single doubt. This free museum in Cleveland traces the history of local law enforcement from its humble beginnings, and it dives into some of the most famous cases in the area. One of the most famous local cases is the Cleveland Torso Murders, which was investigated by Eliot Ness and remains unsolved to this day… but some of the evidence (and even victim death masks) are on display at the museum so, hey, maybe you can crack the case!

5 Minutes Away: Explore Erie Street Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Cleveland. It’s hiding right across the street from Progressive Field!

Honorable Mention

Keep the fun going! There are even more free museums in Cleveland worth seeing, but we had to add one more to the list.

9. Money Museum

Almost ironically, the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is totally free to visit. While it does close to the public when COVID infections in Cuyahoga County peak, it’s a cool place to visit or add to your bucket list. Walk under the money tree, engage with interactive exhibits, and try your hand at identifying a counterfeit bill.

Free Things to Do at Night in Cleveland

After hours, Cleveland’s landscape changes quite a bit. Moonlight, streetlights, and neon signs add a totally different vibe to the city… but there are still freebies you can indulge in.

10. Watch the sunset at Edgewater Park

• Address: Cleveland, OH 44102 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Edgewater
• Website: https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/
• What to Do: Relax on one of Cleveland’s most memorable beaches as the sun dips below the horizon.

Clevelanders love Edgewater Park. As the westernmost park in the Cleveland Metroparks, it’s a bit removed from the heart of the park district, but it has a totally unique landscape. Admire the Cleveland skyline, wiggle your toes in the sand, and snap a picture with our iconic Cleveland script sign. As the sun stretches to kiss the Lake Erie horizon, it will paint the sky in stunning hues of pink and orange. With the lake fueling local weather, you can expect some interesting clouds in the sky!

10 Minutes Away: Head over to Pier W in Lakewood for more incredible views of the Cleveland skyline… only paired with food!

11. See the lights dance on Lake Erie from Voinovich Bicentennial Park

• Address: 800 E 9th Street Pier, Cleveland, OH 44114 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Downtown
• Website: https://www.northcoastharbor.org/
• What to Do: Admire the vibe of Lake Erie from a cozy little man-made promenade.

Cleveland is full of green park spaces, but Voinovich Bicentennial Park is one-of-a-kind. This terraced space is a blend of concrete and greenery, and it’s full of excitement in the warmer months. Like Edgewater Park, this pretty public park is home to one of several Cleveland script signs, plus incredible views. With such close proximity to Downtown Cleveland, this site is an incredible place to admire nighttime views. The park closes at 9 p.m., but you can swing by at or after dusk to take in the gorgeous lights of the downtown district as they dance over Lake Erie’s energetic waters.

10 Minutes Away: Treat yourself to some classic Cleveland comfort food at Slyman's Restaurant and Deli.

Honorable Mentions

Looking for even more fun after dinnertime? These additional spots are all sorts of fun!

12. Catch a show at Broadview Heights Community Amphitheater

Each summer through September, you can enjoy free concerts in Broadview Heights! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and get comfy, because each show is unique and worth catching. You’ll also enjoy the Nights in the Heights Concert & Cruise In events, which add a fun spin to this cool free event.

13. Listen to the sounds of summer in the Cleveland Metroparks

Who doesn’t love a good evening concert surrounded by the beauty of nature? The epic Sounds of Summer concert series in the Cleveland Metroparks is awesome and unique in that you’ll find yourself at places like Squire’s Castle, surrounded by birdsong and sweet tunes. Bring a picnic and get comfy!

Free Family-Friendly Activities in Greater Cleveland

When you’ve got kids in your household, you know how expensive it can be to find a family-friendly event or place. However, there’s so much to do with kids in Cleveland… and many local attractions won’t cost you a dime!

14. Attend a free event at Pinecrest

• Address: 200 Park Ave, Orange, OH 44122 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Orange | Greater Cleveland
• Website: https://www.discoverpinecrest.com/
• What to Do: Attend a fun event in an energetic outdoor shopping center.

When it comes to the local shopping scene, Clevelanders have come to really love Pinecrest in Orange, Ohio. This neat little commercial district has stores, dining, housing, and entertainment… but their free public events are also a huge draw for many locals. Yoga sessions, markets, music, and more add a degree of interest to the local landscape. It almost feels like there’s always something happening here!

10 Minutes Away: If you’ve got a bit of money to spend (after saving up some cash from checking out these freebies), swing by Thistledown Racino for a unique and lucky evening after the kids are in bed.

15. Explore the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

• Address: 2600 S Park Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Shaker Lakes | Greater Cleveland
• Website: https://shakerlakes.org/
• What to Do: Connect with the great outdoors and dive into nature in a curated and beautiful environment.

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is a treat for visitors of all ages! Inside the nature center, you’ll find all sorts of exhibits and educational displays to teach you all about the local landscape. Outside, you can explore it via two beautiful trails. Walk amidst wildflowers, boardwalks, and more… this beautiful spot is a favorite of many locals, and it’s totally kid friendly.

5 Minutes Away: Enjoy some delicious and nutritious food at Anatolia Cafe.

16. Visit the Northern Ohio Railway Museum

• Address: 5515 Buffham Rd, Seville, OH 44273 | Video Tour
• Neighborhood: Medina County
• Website: https://www.trainweb.org/norm/
• What to Do: Take the kids to see historic trains in a quaint countryside setting.

Trains are fun for kids and adults alike, and the Northern Ohio Railway Museum is one of the best places to explore their local legacy. Here, a team of volunteers and train enthusiasts preserves a piece of transportation history via various beautifully restored train cars. Take a free tour, then unwind with a trolley ride. The museum is only open on Saturdays, but it’s well worth a trek… Seville itself is a charming little community with a unique story.

5 Minutes Away: Hike alongside Chippewa Lake for beautiful views accompanied by birdsong.

Honorable Mentions

Are the kids craving more adventure? Rest assured, there’s still so much to do in the area!

17. Explore the Cultural Gardens

If you’re ready to step into another world, you have to check out the Cleveland Cultural Gardens! Complete with exquisite landscaping, beautiful statues and stonework, and a highly walkable park environment, you’ll fall in love with this pretty stretch of gardens in Cleveland’s Rockefeller Park.

18. Discover magic in Schoepfle Garden

Over in the Lorain County Metro Parks system, you’ll find a pretty park that’s nothing short of magical. Schoepfle Garden is an 80-acre getaway with a variety of themed sections. The Children’s Garden is especially popular, and its carousel is a must-visit attraction.

Cheap Things to Do in Cleveland

With all these freebies, you’ll find yourself saving a pretty penny as you adventure through Greater Cleveland. If you’re looking for fun things to do with your saved cash, these cheap attractions and dining spots might strike your fancy.

19. Dine at Two Bucks

• Address: 16301 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44110 |

• Address: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio |

• Address: 28492-28648 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140 |

• Address: Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 |

• Address: AsiaTown, Cleveland, OH |

• Address: 15609 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107 |