Never been to the CLE before? If you're in the downtown area, check this place out for all your…read moresouvenir needs. They have clothing, pens, pins for your jacket, postcards, wall-art, books, stickers. They even have clothing from the Rock Hall museum in case you didn't get anything there on your visit. Centrally located, you're right in the heart of Cleveland with many shops, restaurants, bar, the pavillion arcade mall nearby. You're within walking distance to the Progressive Ball park and the stadium where the Cleveland Cavaliers play. I enjoy my time in CLE. I always say "I'm going to move here." We shall see... See you some more on Yelp 2026

First off I wish that we went to the visitor center as soon as we arrived to Cleveland because the…read morevolunteer we talked to at so much info as to what you see and what to do after speaking to us about what we were interested in. I wish I remembered his name, but I did do the survey at the center after speaking with him. He gave us lots of ideas of where to go what to see most of it right there in the heart of downtown. I highly recommend this stop first thing. Pick up a couple free postcards!

One of the most beautiful visitor centers we've been to. Two stories tall, with a small little shop…read moreon the 1st floor and some interactive and educational bits on top. The real winner was the variety of wildflowers growing outside. Right behind, there is a gorgeous bridge that goes over a stream. The bathrooms were plentiful and decently clean.

This is a really nice visitor center for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There's a large parking lot…read morebut it is shared with a station for the scenic railroad and it was hopping. The visitor center was full of rangers and volunteers, many of which were very friendly and helpful. It is two story and there is a nice exhibit space and kids area upstairs. The first floor has information, maps, and a gift shop. The exhibit was really informative and nice and explained how Cuyahoga Valley was formed out of the desire to make national parks accessible to more people, which it certainly seems to have accomplished!

What a cool park with a scenic railway that comes through the area - waterfalls, woodlands and all…read morethe things you would expect for a national park to have - plus it's close to the city(ites) of Akron and Cleveland! I have driven through several times as I work in the area. It's a beautiful site and so refreshing to drink in the natural beauty and enjoy a fresh relief from work!

Cuyahoga Valley wasn't so much a National Park as it was a collection of overgrown back yards that…read moreyou had to drive between. The layout of the "park" makes it feel like a constellation of loosely connected pockets of nature in an otherwise developed suburb. I visited the major sites, including Brandywine Falls, Beaver Marsh, and the Ledges. They were fine, some decent hikes and views of different natural formations. Did I feel like I was seeing something truly unique, a natural wonder? No. Of the 20+ parks I've been to, Cuyahoga Valley struck me as the most ordinary and least cohesive experience thus far.

One of my favorite places to walk, run and bike. Every time I am in the area, the towpath is a…read moremust. I have been fortunate to see beavers, herons, redwing blackbirds and many other beautiful creatures. Everyone that I pass is always friendly. I always feel safe- especially when I see trail ambassadors.

Don't get fat with your corporate coworkers. Walk down the hill away from the salty restaurants and…read morepeople. You might see a duck or a heron in the canal. Or a Wooly Bear that will tell you how the coming winter will be.

Great trails and activities. Beware of ticks. Even at the…read morepicnic tables by the parking lot, I had ticks crawling on me. I usually do the loop around the grassy area, but there are trails that goes through the woods too.

I love the Metroparks, and this park is a big reason why. It has a little bit of everything- paved…read moretrails, trails through the woods, plenty of pavilion space, multiple parking sites, clean bathrooms, nature center, water fountains, educational programs, festivals...the list goes on and on. Every time I'm in the area, I stop by.

I enjoyed visiting here, but it would appear that setting up an appointment is the preferred method…read moreof getting into a tour of the area. They did accept me and allowed me to be in another group. The tour was nice and informative. I was a bit surprised the tour ended in the middle of the compound and the sisters just walked away without saying goodbye or inviting us back to the visitor center.

Free parking as this national park is imbedded in a ton of private properties right off the side of…read morethe roads. This fall has ample amt of parking at the visitor center area. Follow the signs and the blue paint mark on the trees. The path was clear and easy to do. Not stroller friendly though. It's about a total of 1.25 each way. Absolutely beautiful waterfall and easy to get down to.

Gorgeous waterfall within Cuyahoga Valley Nat.Park, second most photographed (after Brandywine)…read morecan be reached by steep Buckeye Trail from Boston Mill Visitor Center. Pictured in a late summer..

We attended the Full Moon Hike at Wellington Reservation on Monday night, and it was absolutely…read morebeautiful. My daughter and I went together, and it was such a relaxing and refreshing experience. We walked about a mile up to the hill and watched the moon come up, which honestly felt magical. There were lightning bugs all around us, almost like little fairies, and the whole setting felt peaceful and secluded. The group was small, which made it even nicer, and the park ranger leading the hike was so sweet and did a wonderful job. I wish I had gotten her name because she really made the experience feel welcoming and special. I loved the property, and we will definitely be back to hike there again. Such a beautiful park and such a memorable night.

Paddling trip My…read morehusband and I did a glow paddle one night. They need to be booked in advance since spots are limited but all seemed reasonably priced. They helped us get fitted with jackets and kayas. Offering singles and doubles. The lake was great to paddle on and much larger than it looks. We were able to see so many animals - bald eagle, heron, fish, bats, etc. Plus Lexie was a great guide!

Lucky to have access to a great park system. Even in the winter months, the access, paths, and…read morescenery are great. Always wildlife to observe. Clean facilities.

I visited Strawberry Picnic Area at North Chagrin Reservation over the weekend for a picnic. I have…read morebeen to this nature reservation multiple times, and always enjoy my experiences. It's one of my favorite local nature reserves. There are always a lot of groups in this area enjoying picnic tables and pavilion. The picnic area itself is well-kept and welcoming, with plenty of space to relax, enjoy a meal, or simply sit and take in nature. The meadow at the entrance has 2 convenient tables. The pavilion nestled more in the park has many picnic tables, grill, and fire place. It accommodates large parties. I have seen a lot of big groups have different holiday celebrations or just gather on a sunny day. What I enjoy the most is the space between picnic tables and inside the pavilion to offer privacy to various groups and a space to roam. The reservation also has a lot of great trails. They're far enough from the road to offer a serene experience. As I walked along the quiet paths and took in the scenic views around Strawberry Pond, I felt an immediate sense of calm. The sounds of birds calling and leaves rustling in the breeze added to the tranquil atmosphere. The bathrooms are conveniently available at the entrance. They are a little gross but available. The parking lot is pretty spacious. The picnic area is very easy to find, just follow the signage or your GPS. Whether you're walking the nearby trails or just lounging with family or friends, this place feels like a hidden gem. Overall, my time at Strawberry Picnic Area reminded me of the importance of reconnecting with nature and making space for simple, quiet moments. It's a place I'd return to in any season. I'll be back again in a few weeks.