Hi everyone!
I am trying to plan a summer trip for my family (We have two boys, 12 and 19, who like music, sports, science, history).We would like to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, take in an Indians game, the NFL hall of fame, Glenn Science Center(?), and whatever else is of interest that we can fit in. We can fly into Cleveland or Canton/Akron. I thought Cleveland, taking taxi or transit into the city so we would rent a car to go to Canton. Do we need a car in Cleveland to visit the Science/Nasa center? I have read the hotel reviews on Tripadvisor but I would really appreciate feedback for a clean, convenient to attractions hotel in Cleveland (price range flexible depending on convenience and cleanliness!) Any other things to see around Canton that you enjoyed? I appreciate all recommendations concerning which airport, hotels, attractions.Thank you so much for your help!

ttt Anyone?

Ok, I'm anxious to get your ideas!

I would suggest also visiting the Great Lakes Science Center, which is in the same vicinity as the Rock Hall.

NASA Glenn is over by the airport, I'm not sure about the public transportation options to get you there.

You could also consider visiting some of the attractions in the University Circle area, where there are a number of museums - Art, Natural History, Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, and the Health Museum. www.universitycircle.org for information on that area. It is a very pretty area as well.

Cleveland Zoo is very popular & very well done, if that is of interest to you.

I honestly don't know what to tell you on the car thing; I lived in the Cleveland area for almost 40 years, but I almost never used public transportation, so I don't know how logistically feasible it is or isn't based on your needs. I do know most of the car rental places are out by the airport, and the airport is NOT real close to downtown, so taxis can be pricey. Maybe you can get a cheap weekly price on a rental & just be done with it. But maybe that is also just laziness on my part.

Unfortunately, with all the friends & relatives I still have in the area, I never need a hotel, so I can't help on the hotel situation.

Definitely do the Indians game! Go Tribe! (They are still my team, even though I am now 4,000 miles away!!!)

Oh, final option, if you feel the need to do anything more outdoorsy, you could hit Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Just go to www.nps.gov to check it out. I'm not convinced it deserves the 'national park' moniker, but it is a pretty enough area, and the ride on the train is fun, if you feel like doing something along those lines.

We were at the Football Hall of Fame 2 years ago and I would probably keep a 2-3 hour window to go thru it. They do have a snackbar in the basement with some fun interactive games. If you pick up most tourist brochures in Cleveland you might find a coupon for a couple bucks off the ticket price to get in. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was ok but it just seemed sterile to me. When you walk thru Canton you feel Walter Payton and Jim Brown in the building. When you walk thru the Rock and Roll Musuem I don't get that feeling about the Stones or the Who.

I believe the transit system could take you from the Cleveland airport to downtown. There is a stop at Tower City Center which is a shopping and office complex very close to Jacobs Field. There's a Renaissance Hotel and Ritz in Tower City. Either might have packages that include game tickets or museum tickets.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is worth the stop if interested. It's between Cleveland and Canton.

mma
We have never stayed at a Cleveland hotel because we live 1/2 hr away but I would suggest you check into: The Renaissance at Public Square. It is a historic hotel connected to Tower City. Also, the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade on Superior Ave. It is a fairly new hotel in a historical landmark. It is across the street from The House of Blues. Both hotels are within walking distance to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Science Center, Jacobs Field, the "Q", etc. If your family enjoys music, Severence Hall is not too far away and the Cleveland Orchestra is great. The USS Cod is a submarine you can go thru and right next door is a decent restaurant called "Hornblowers" built on a barge and if nice weather you can eat on the deck overlooking Lake Erie.

I will also recommend Cedar Point since you will have a car (about 65 miles) You and your kids would enjoy the heck out of it!

Also, You could take a ferry to the Islands. I can recommend Put-in-Bay and Kelly's. I think your children would enjoy Put-In_Bay more. You rent golf carts to transport yourself around and it's just a great atmosphere, There's even some history there (Perry's Monument) If you have the time, you can stay overnight at the Islands. Post back if you want any info on hotels. Have a great time!

p.s. Meant to say, Cleveland offers more then Canton, so I would recommend flying into Cleaveland. Canton would be about a 40 mile drive to Football Hall of Fame.

All things being equal, for your trip I would agree to flying into Cleveland - EXCEPT, sometimes you can get really dirt cheap fares flying into Akron-Canton on AirTran. Depends on where you are coming from. I used to have to fly Cleveland-Atlanta quite regularly, and I almost always ended up going through Akron-Canton because it was often like HALF the price....I would run into people who actually lived like 5 minutes from the Cleveland airport who drove down to Canton to fly because of the significant price differences...you're talking 4 airline tickets, so that could really add up.

Thanks so much for all of your information. Cleveland airport it is! I will also check out the islands. I'm open to all suggestions for casual, moderately priced dining, trolley tour(?),etc. Right now I am planning this for the later part of July.

cd mentioned Cedar Point but you may not be familiar with it-it's an amusement park with some of THE BEST roller coasters in the country, according to my kids. And it's right on the lake. If your family likes roller coasters you can't miss this place.

As mentioned, AirTran flies into CAK. Southwest flies into CLE, so it depends on where you're coming from.

Cedar Point IS the best amusement park in the world. You can spend a night there. I'd get a car for the duration even though the Indians, Rock Hall, Great Lakes Science Center are all within walking distance. Other attractions are a bit farther...University Circle area and of course Akron/Canton.

Cedar Point is the best ever! We have taken our kids there since they were tiny. The best place to stay overnight is: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/revi...otel_breakers/
Out the front door is Cedar Point out the back door is Lake Erie and a wide beach.
For Put-In-Bay I would recommend:http://www.putinbayresort.com/

You rent golf carts on Kelley's also, nice beah up by the state park. Less of a frat party atmosphere than Put in Bay.

Thank you all so much for your help.
cd, Mona2, SamH - thanks for the tip on Cedar Point. Unfortunately, my kids are not roller coaster enthusiasts. My speed is Big Thunder at Disneyworld and only one will go on it with me. Oh, well!!!

There is so much to do in the Cleveland area, especially in the summer. I must agree with the recommendation to rent a car. The public transportation in Cleveland is just not as reliable as most major cities. Plus, alot of the attractions you listed are a considerable distance from each other.

Based on you sons' interests, I'll second KMK's suggestions on the University Circle area (TONS of fun museums, but if you decide to visit the art museum check their current renovation schedule first for temporary closings first), the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (especially the rainforest) and the Cuyahoga Valley (including the Towpath Trail and possibly Blossom Music Center).

Also, I'm not sure how much time you'll actually want to spend in downtown Cleveland, based on your list of attractions. You may want to consider spending a night in Canton, a couple nights in downtown Cleveland, a couple nights at the islands, etc.

Thank you Bisco for your reply. Here is my tentative game plan as of now. Fly in and take transit into Tower City center. Spend the weekend in downtown - ballgame, R&R Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center. Then head back out to airport and rent car. Spend two days around Canton area. Drive back to airport and fly home. I know we can't see everything on limited time. Another question - can we see most of the R&R Hall of Fame in one day? Or is it better to get a two-day ticket? Thanks for your help.

I would say one day at the Rock Hall is more than enough! The last time my boyfriend and I went (they offered free admission at a bunch of museums in town on MLK day), we were there for less then two hours. Now we love music, rock art, memorabilia, etc... but that's just how the museum is. Once you get in, you'll see how small it really is. If you take the time to read EVERYTHING on the displays, watch EVERY movie that's running and listen to EVERY music/headphone station, you might spend all day in there. I don't know anyone who has.

Another thought... the Rock Hall and Science Center are right next to each other (along the lake, next to the Browns stadium). I'd consider hitting both museums in one day. You could break up the actual museum parts by catching a movie at the Omnimax theater (part of the science center) in between. I highly recommed it! It's a cool dome shaped screen about five or six stories high. There are a few different shows running now, each about an hour long. I also suggest taking a few minutes to walk along the lake right there. There are restaurants in each of the museums, too. So you could really "make a day of it."

In terms of other restaurants downtown, there are tons of places by Jacob's Field. Before Indians games we usually eat and drink at the Winking Lizard. We avoid the Hard Rock Cafe and also Cooperstown, as the service and food has not impressed us.

You said your sons are into music, maybe check out the concert listings for: the House of Blues, Wilberts, Nautica (i think it's called scene pavilion), or the Odeon (if they're still open then). If you know the days you'll be in town, I can look up other events for you.

Finally, I believe there are some car rental places downtown. So you could avoid that RTA ride back to the airport before heading to the Football Hall of Fame! Personally, I would rent a car at the airport in the first place and drive downtown. In my opinion, it's just easier if you want to go anywhere out of the immediate downtown area, like the zoo, NASA Glenn, University Circle or other neighborhoods. I hope you and your family have a fantastic time in Cleveland!

Thanks Bisco! That sure puts the R&R Hall of Fame in perspective. We are planning to visit the area around July 20-25 give or take a day. I'll rethink the car situation! How is driving in the downtown Cleveland area - especially since we are talking about a weekend? My husband isn't keen on city driving!