Summer is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors and get closer to nature with children of all ages. Gather your family and check out the following nature centers, parks, zoos and more in the greater Cleveland/Akron area.
Looking for even more summer fun? Check out our complete Summer Fun Directory.
Nature & Science Centers
Akron Fossils and Science Center
2080 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Copley
330-665-3466, akronfossils.com
Brecksville Nature Center
9000 Chippewa Creek Drive, Brecksville
440-526-1012, clevelandmetroparks.com
CanalWay Center
4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights
216-206-1000, clevelandmetroparks.com
COSI (Center of Science & Industry)
333 W. Broad St., Columbus
614-228-2674, cosi.org
Crown Point Ecology Center
3220 Ira Road, Bath
330-668-8992, crownpointecology.org
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
1828 Smith Road, Akron
330-865-8065, summitmetroparks.org
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland
216-694-2000, greatscience.org
Holden Arboretum
9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland
440-946-4400, holdenfg.org
Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village
440-871-2900, lensc.org
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 S. Park Blvd., Cleveland
216-321-5935, shakerlakes.org
North Chagrin Nature Center
401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Mayfield Village
440-473-3370, clevelandmetroparks.com
Oenslager Nature Center
6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Center
330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com
Oh Wow! Children’s Center for Science & Technology
15 Central Square, Youngstown
330-744-5914, ohwowkids.org
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
3774 Orweiler Road, Mansfield
419-884-4295, ohiobirdsanctuary.com
Rocky River Nature Center
24000 Valley Parkway, N. Olmsted
440-734-6660, clevelandmetroparks.com
Susan Hambley Nature Center
1473 Parschen Blvd., Brunswick
330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com
The Wilderness Center
9877 Alabama Ave. S.W., Wilmot
330-359-5235, wildernesscenter.org
Zoos, Aquariums & Farm Parks
African Safari Wildlife Park
267 S. Lightner Road, Port Clinton
419-732-3606, africansafariwildlifepark.com
Akron Zoo
505 Euclid Ave., Akron
330-375-2550, akronzoo.org
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Derthick’s Farm
5182 State Route 82, Mantua
330-569-8661, derthickcornmaze.com
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland
216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
The Farm at Walnut Creek
4147 County Road 114, Sugarcreek
330-893-4200, thefarmatwalnutcreek.com
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland
440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com
Majestic Meadows Alpacas
4195 Abbeyville Road, Medina
330-725-2977, majesticmeadowsalpacas.com
Nickajack Farms
2955 Manchester Ave. NW, N. Lawrence
330-323-9714, nickajackfarms.com
Parks, Gardens & Trails
Beech Creek Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve
11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance
330-829-7050, beechcreekgardens.org
Canton Garden Center
1615 Stadium Park Drive NW, Canton
330-455-6172, cantongardencenter.com
Cleveland Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park
750 E. 88th St., Cleveland
216-220-3075, culturalgardens.org
Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
216-721-1600, holdenfg.org
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland
216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville
440-717-3890, nps.gov/cuva
Geauga Park District
9160 Robinson Road, Chardon
440-286-9516, geaugaparkdistrict.org
Holden Arboretum
9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland
440-946-4400, holdenfg.org
Lake Metroparks
11211 Spear Road, Concord Township
440-358-7275, lakemetroparks.com
Lorain County Metro Parks
12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange
800-LCM-PARK, loraincountymetroparks.com
Medina County Park District
6364 Deerview Lane
330-722-9364, medinacountyparks.com
Ohio & Erie Canalway
Canal Exploration Center, 7104 Canal Road, Valley View
Boston Mill Visitor Center, 6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula
Mustill Store Museum, 57 W. North St., Akron
ohioanderiecanalway.com
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks & Watercraft
Operates 74 state parks throughout Ohio
866-644-6727, parks.ohiodnr.gov
Portage Park District
705 Oakwood St., Ste. G-4, Ravenna
330-297-7728, portageparkdistrict.org
Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground Park
26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood
Secrest Arboretum & Gardens
1680 Madison Ave., Wooster
330-263-3761, secrest.osu.edu
Stark Parks
5712 12th St. NW, Canton
330-477-3552, starkparks.com
Summit County Metro Parks
975 Treaty Line Road, Akron
330-867-5511, summitmetroparks.org
