Cleveland is overflowing with spectacular hikes, but let's be honest: not all of us are capable of taking long hikes. Whether it’s due to circumstance or scheduling, it can be rough battling cabin fever at times during each and every season. Fortunately, there are many wonders that you don't have to hike to encounter. Whether you're craving a nature-meets-suburbia vibe or a scene straight out of a fairy tale, there are many gorgeous places around Cleveland that will take you worlds away from the hustle and bustle of life.
1. The High Falls, Chagrin Falls
For early mill workers, the High Falls of the Chagrin River was a lifeline. The Village of Chagrin Falls grew around the waterfall, and today it sits at the heart of a picture-perfect suburb. The Chagrin River falls about twenty feet at this scenic spot, leaving locals and visitors mesmerized. For our full article on this dreamy destination, click here.
2. Lake Erie Sunsets, Greater Cleveland
Lake Erie's shoreline is full of beautifully scenic spots where one can picnic and watch the sun sink into the horizon. Lake Erie sunsets are truly magical, displaying an impressive array of color over a giant natural mirror. You'll think you fell into a watercolor painting!
3. Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, Cleveland
This man-made wonderland houses some of nature's finest creations, and it won't cost you a dime to visit. This lovely little slice of paradise can be found at 750 E 88th St., hidden amid the city's stunning Rockefeller Park Cultural Gardens.
4. Valley Parkway, Greater Cleveland
Are you ready to take the most scenic drive of your life? Let's take a tour along the 25-mile expanse of Valley Parkway. This charming stretch of road begins in the Rocky River Reservation and concludes in the Mill Stream Run Reservation, meaning you'll travel through some of the loveliest gems in the Cleveland Metroparks. For our article on this terrific road trip, click here.
5. Voinovich Bicentennial Park, Cleveland
Voinovich may be a man-made park full of art and music, but it is overflowing with natural splendor, as it is nestled against Lake Erie at the north end of the East Ninth Street Pier. Here you will witness coastal birds and bugs, and on especially clear days you may even spot some movement underwater.
6. Wade Lagoon, University Circle
Cleveland is especially beautiful in the spring, and the city's splendor as the seasons change is best captured at Wade Lagoon. Here, the surrounding gardens (accented with pieces from the Cleveland Museum of Art) and trees paint the landscape in a series of breathtaking colors.
7. Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland
Get ready to get close to some of nature's most delicate creations. At the Cleveland Botanical Garden, 18,000 square feet of tropical splendor is awaiting your visit. For our full article on this awe-inspiring escape, click here.
8. Edgewater Pier, Cleveland
Like Voinovich Park, the fishing pier at Edgewater Beach is a manmade wonder that gets you closer to nature in a breathtaking way. You'll love seeing Lake Erie's shore from the pier, and Downtown Cleveland will serve as your picturesque backdrop. For an especially unforgettable experience, swing by the pier at sunset.
9. Hinckley Lake, Hinckley
Nestled away in the southernmost reaches of the Cleveland Metroparks is a sapphire gem awaiting your discovery. Tucked between East and West Drive in Hinckley is a scenic 87-acre lake. It is just one of many wonders in Hinckley Reservation, but it is the easiest to access and can even be seen from the road. For our full article on this picturesque lake, click here.
There is so much natural splendor in Cleveland that many of it is accessible from even the most urban places. Which of these pretty places is your favorite?
For more local splendor, swing by this lovely state nature preserve.
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