At Cleveland’s Great Lakes Science Center, interactive exhibits and rotating exhibitions make technology, math, science and engineering accessible for everyone. Head to outer space at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, experience immersive movies at the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, or explore more than 100 exhibits featuring giant plasma balls, hexagon marbles, and a kid-friendly polymer funhouse.

Home to more than 2,700 species of aquatic life, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium is a great destination for families with kids of all ages. Stroll through the 175-foot underwater seatube for incredible views of sharks, participate in daily activities such as live feedings and animal encounters, and explore eight galleries that highlight a variety of habitats and marine life.

A wonderland for children under eight, Children’s Museum Cleveland uses innovative exhibits to promote learning through sight, touch, and sound. Explore a mini-city at the Adventure City exhibit or get hands-on in the Wonder Lab, the museum’s industrial science laboratory. Other exhibits include Arts & Parts, the toddler-friendly Meadow, the Theater, and Playlist – an immersive musical experience. The museum is currently reservation-only, so be sure to book in advance.

Take a walk on the wild side at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Home to towering giraffes and thundering African elephants, the zoo is a haven for a large variety of wildlife. Visit koalas at the Australian Adventure area, see the park from new heights on the Eagle Zip Adventure or explore The Rainforest, a two-acre habitat featuring over 600 animals from the jungles of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It’s also the home to Merah, a Bornean orangutan.

At The Steamship William G. Mather Museum, guests will travel to the past as they tour a historic Great Lakes freighter. Visitors can wander the steamship’s decks and explore the cargo hold, pilot house, guest quarters, and expansive engine room.

No trip to Cleveland is complete without visiting the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Recently celebrating its 100th anniversary, the museum is home to rotating and permanent exhibits featuring prehistoric predators, the origins of humanity, and space artifacts. In addition to exhibits, guests can explore the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center and Woods Garden, where elevated pathways provide views of coyotes, porcupines, and falcons.

A great experience for the entire family, Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of rock & roll through exhibits, galleries, films, and interactive kiosks. Visit the museum store for souvenirs such as apparel, books and posters, or grab a bite at the café before checking out a live performance on the Klipsch Stage.

Cleveland Botanical Garden is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon with your family. Explore a selection of breathtaking gardens featuring trees, exotic plants, and glasshouses – keep an eye out for butterflies. For the kids, the Hershey Children’s Garden offers activities such as observing a hive of honeybees, learning about vegetable and herb gardens, and searching for turtles in the pond.