Photo courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks
This Father's Day, spend a little time outside. Whether you're looking to delve deep into nature on a summer hike or to spend the day wandering around the city on foot — there are plenty of ways to enjoy nature in Cleveland. Cleveland is one of the most bike-friendly cities around, with several bike trails, a community bike share program, and the Bike Rack: a bicycle parking lot located on East 4th Street. One of our favorite trails in the city is the Emerald Necklace Trail, which consists of over 70 miles of asphalt and trail bridges, featuring spectacular views of rich greenery and lush landscaping. For a more adventurous route, take the weekend to explore the famous Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which runs from Lake Erie to New Philadelphia! If biking isn't your dad's jam, Cleveland has so many other outdoor activities to offer, including rock climbing, surfing, fishing, kayaking and so much more!
Head down to the Stan Hywet Gardens in Akron for their 62nd Annual Father's Day Car Show! There you can peruse over 400 classic, antique and collector cars manufactured from 1915-1944. Afterward, stay to explore the stunning mansion, the breathtaking gardens and enjoy some of their other fun festivities like natural crafts, live music and the pedal car racetrack for the youngest of car enthusiasts!
Photo courtesy of Carrs & Co Photography via Architectural Justice
One of the best ways to show your father figure a great time is to treat him to a delicious meal! Whether you're looking to sit down to a relaxing brunch, a casual lunch or a luxurious dinner — Cleveland's highly rated restaurant scene never disappoints. For brunch, we recommend Architectural Justice, a European-style cafe that is stunningly designed and offers sophisticated dishes and to-die-for coffee. Or, pay a visit to Astoria Cafe and Market, where you can peruse the eclectic market before sitting down to eat! If you're looking to spoil your dad with a fancy dinner, why not get dressed up and head to the Blue Point Grille, an upscale seafood restaurant located in the heart of downtown. They offer the freshest seafood around, along with breathtaking views of the skyline. We also highly recommend LockKeepers, a hidden gem in Valley View that has the best overlook of the Cuyahoga River in the city. Or put a personal touch on the day by making a meal yourself! We have complete faith in you. For ingredients, stop by a local farmers' market where you can explore all of the different booths and get tips from the ingredient growers themselves. Top it all off with a bottle of wine from Heinen's and it will be a meal your dad won't ever forget.
Cleveland is full of opportunities to learn, so why not spend the day learning something new with your dad? We're home to some of the best museums in the Midwest, so whether your dad loves science, history, art or Rock and Roll — there's a place where he can geek out about it.
Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an iconic, music-minded museum filled with pop culture memorabilia. Peruse art at the Cleveland Art Museum, where the buildings, which are connected by a stunning atrium, are just as much a part of the experience as the paintings and sculptures. Pop by the A Christmas Story House & Museum, the home where the classic Christmas movie was filmed (you can even stay there for the night if you're looking to get a "Christmas in June" experience). Or stop by the Great Lakes Science Center, a renowned museum and education facility where you can learn all about the environment of the Great Lakes region of the United States.