If there's one thing Greater Cleveland has an abundance of, it's charm. From grassy landscapes to gingerbread elements on local architecture, this area is filled with enchantment, making it a great adventure destination for first-time visitors and locals alike. For some of the most enchanting spots in Greater Cleveland, you have to look beyond search engines and tour guides. These charming spots in Northeast Ohio can help get you started as you begin building your local hidden gems bucket list:

1. The Sanctuary Museum

Truly heavenly, The Sanctuary Museum is a tiny museum in Lakewood that's like no other. Housed in a former church and displaying religious art from other now-closed churches around the world, this museum has a dedication to preserving art that might otherwise be forgotten. Statues, relics, jewelry, and more line their display cases as choral music fills the space.

2. Worden's Ledges

Once upon a time, the Worden family settled on a plot of land in Hinckley and began carving folk art in the forest behind their home. Now a part of the Cleveland Metroparks' Hinckley Reservation, Worden's Ledges is among the most unique hikes in Cleveland. Bursting with wildflowers and hiding circa a dozen historic carvings, this trail is short, sweet, and an amazing way to take in the local landscape. There's no hike quite like it in the Metroparks!

3. Dittrick Medical History Center

Medical history is at times enlightening, at times... well, a little spooky. The Dittrick Medical History Center isn't a museum for the faint of heart. Here, museum artifacts, archives, and images take visitors through yesteryear's medical practices. From antiseptic surgery to diagnostic tools, the oddities in their collection bring visitors face-to-face with the variety of ways humans have treated disease in the past. At times enchanting, at times chilling, this free museum is well worth a visit.

4. Judith and Maynard H. Murch IV Canopy Walk

Ready to hike among the treetops? The stunning Murch Canopy Walk is hidden in Holden Arboretum, an outdoor museum and laboratory where all sorts of flora is studied and cultivated. A sister site to the Cleveland Botanical Garden, the local arboretum is an absolute wonderland of splendor, and your admission fee includes access to the grounds as well as the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower. Hiking among the canopy is too much fun!

5. Henry Church Rock

In the Cleveland Metroparks' South Chagrin Reservation, something magical is hiding deep in the forest surrounding by the babbling song of the Chagrin River. This work of art is the Henry Church Rock, and it was carved by a local blacksmith that died in 1908. The meaning of the mysterious carving is lost, but Church's legacy remains. Back in the day, he was locally famous, and John D. Rockefeller was said to have owned a piece made by this visionary.

6. Urban Orchid and Plant House CLE

On a brick-lined street in Little Italy, one former church sits surrounded by greenery. Unbeknownst to the everyday passerby, its interior is verdant, too! This lovely spot is Urban Orchid, a super cool local plant shop in a truly one-of-a-kind location. Part florist and part gift boutique, this unique Little Italy shop and its Hingetown sister location delight visitors with their offerings. You truly never know what trinket is going to catch your eye!

7. St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral

Few places in Cleveland are as extravagant as St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral in Tremont. Inside and out, this work of art features beauty that's practically unrivaled in The Land. This structure was built between 1911 and 1912, consecrated in 1913, and has been dazzling visitors for generations. The Neo-Byzantine style architecture combines beautifully with murals designed by a former student at the Sankt Petersburg Academy.

8. Mapleside Farms

Did you know there's an old-fashioned apple orchard in Greater Cleveland? Mapleside Farms in Brunswick has changed dramatically in recent years, but it maintains the same charm it has long been known for. The farm was originally settled by the Tillotson family in the early 1800s (and these early settlers are now eternally resting in Myrtle Hill Cemetery), and it has remained a staple in the city as Brunswick has grown. Here, autumn takes on an especially magical hue as fall festivals infuse the landscape with energy.

9. Strongsville Historical Society

Strongsville is now a bustling suburb with a mall and a plethora of shops, but it was once quaint, elegant, and quiet. The Strongsville Historical Society preserves this era in a historical village hidden off Pearl Road. Here, buildings from around and beyond Strongsville are lovingly preserved and filled with period-accurate antiques. Guided tours and special events allow the public to explore these quaint and enchanting grounds.

These nine destinations are among the most enchanting spots in Greater Cleveland. From quaint and charming to indulgent and heavenly, these local landmarks each have their own flair. Which is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Looking for more worthy landmarks to explore? Check out our list of attractions in Downtown Cleveland to round out your hidden gem bucket list.