3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, OH

There are zoos. And, then there's the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & Rainforest - 183 acres filled with more than 2,000 animals representing 600 species from six continents. Don't miss the Rosebrough Tiger Passage, a totally renovated sanctuary in which you'll come within inches of Amur tigers who'll literally walk above your head (yikes stripes!), as well as the Asian Highlands exhibit with snow leopards, red pandas and takins.

7900 Old Rockside Rd
Independence, OH

Not many destinations can boast a national park just minutes outside of a major city, but Cleveland can. All aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, offering rides on its vintage rails through 33,000 acres of Mother Nature's finest. In warmer months, enjoy biking on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail. Take advantage of the Railroad’s “Bike Aboard” program, allowing you to ride the train in one direction, then bike back to where you started.

3813 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH

Inside this historic mansion along Euclid Avenue is a brand-new children's museum perfect for kiddos up to age 8. While inside this multi-sectioned museum, check out Adventure City, a two-story city-themed playground, featuring a market, construction site, garage and the kind of climbing opportunities kids live for. It's like a game of House...on steroids. The museum is currently reservation only, so check their website to book your visit today.

2000 Sycamore St
Cleveland, OH

Whether they're still in diapers or preparing for prom, kids of all ages (ahem ... adults, too) can get that OMG-look-at-that-shark's-teeth experience inside the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. CLE's historic Powerhouse building is home to more than 5,000 sea creatures and the nation's largest underwater walk-through viewing tube.

601 Erieside Ave
Cleveland, OH

Do you just know in your heart that Junior is the next Einstein? Put him to test at the Great Lakes Science Center, where his hair will stand on end, he'll make shadow photographs, play with pulleys and even help make things explode - all in the name of science.

1 Wade Oval Dr
Cleveland, OH

Amazingly, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History isn't just about all those really cool dinosaur bones. You've got to make a show at the Shafran Planetarium, which will blow your kids' minds with a digitally projected night sky that'll teach them about the universe. Afterward, make way for the totally interactive outdoor wildlife center featuring bald eagles, foxes, bobcats, coyotes and other live animals.

11030 East Blvd
Cleveland, OH

In between exploring the numerous gardens at the CBG, make a stop at the institution's two indoor glasshouses. Kids will go absolutely bonkers inside the rainforest glasshouse, where hundreds of butterflies - many of which land right on your shoulders - flutter freely around the gorgeous interior. Added bonus: Make mudpies, observe honeybees and search the pond for frogs and turtles in The Hershey Children's Garden.

8800 Euclid Chardon Rd
Kirtland, OH

You can legit hand-milk an actual dairy cow at this agriculturally focused science and cultural center. Crazy, right? Other activities perfect for city slicker (or suburb slicker) kids include wagon rides, wheat grinding and the opportunity to meet the farm's pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, chickens and those adorable miniature horses.

4600 Milan Rd
Sandusky, OH

With kids, factoring weather into your travel plans is such a pain. So, don't do it. Head west of Cleveland to Sandusky, Ohio, home to family-friendly indoor waterparks like Great Wolf Lodge. The oh-so-excellent bonus is that they offer an all-in-one experience so that you can swim, play, eat and stay overnight in one location.

Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Cleveland’s got sports fans covered, too. Experience the above-the-rim theatrics and pyrotechnics of a Cleveland Cavaliers game, run the bases and partake in plenty of kids' activities with the Cleveland Guardians or give the Dawg Pound your best "WOOF WOOF WOOF" while cheering on the Cleveland Browns. Whatever the season, you're going to have fun.