NORTHEAST OHIO ATTRACTIONS
5/29/2011
Geauga Lake Park in Aurora, Ohio.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Here’s a sampling of popular summertime activities in the northeast portion of Ohio compiled by Columbus Dispatch staff members:
THEME AND WATER PARKS
GEAUGA LAKE’S WILDWATER KINGDOM
Geauga Lake Park in Aurora, Ohio.
Description: The park includes a wet playground with basketball hoops and water sprays, a 100-foot-tall water slide with three enclosed body slides, four inner-tube slides and a 1,100-foot-long lazy river.
Location: 1100 Squires Rd., Aurora (Portage County).
Open: Operating hours vary May 28-30, June 4-5, daily June 10 through Aug. 21, Weekends Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-5.
Admission: $29.99 for those 3 and older, 48 inches or taller in bare feet; or $14.99 for children 3 and older, less than 48 inches tall in bare feet and senior citizens 62 and older; free for children 2 and younger; evening discounts, group and season passes available.
Parking: $5.
Least-busy days: Tuesday through Thursday.
Wheelchair access: see rider-safety guide.
Where to buy tickets: at the park and online.
Information: 330-562-8303, www.wildwaterfun.com.
PIONEER WATERLAND & DRY FUN PARK
Description: The park offers six-story water slides, a lazy inner-tube ride, a swimming pool, paddleboats on a natural lake, a Gorilla Double slide as well as a sportsland fun area with pitching cages, golf-driving range cages, water-cannon war zone, miniature golf course, basketball course, an arcade and a Grand Prix Go-Kart Supertrack.
Location: 10661 Kile Rd., Chardon (Geauga County).
Open: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends June 11 through Aug. 21 and Aug. 27-28. Call to confirm early and late-season schedule.
Admission: $19.95; or free for children less than 40 inches tall; go-cart admission: $13.95, includes four ride tickets for the Grand Prix Go-Karts and unlimited use of all dry attractions; Grand Prix Go-Karts: $4 a ride.
Parking: $3.
Least-busy day: Monday.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: at the park.
Information: 440-285-0909 to confirm operation in the event of inclement weather, www.pioneerwaterland.com.
OUTDOOR MUSIC
BLOSSOM MUSIC CENTER
Description: With a pavilion that seats 5,700 and a large lawn area that can seat 13,500 people, the venue allows visitors to picnic, enjoy tunes and stargaze.
Location: 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls (Summit County).
Performances: June 4 (7:30 p.m.): Phish; June 23 (7:30 p.m.): Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Uncle Kracker; July 8 (7 p.m.): Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans and Justin Moore; July 15 (7:30 p.m.): Toby Keith and Eric Church; July 19 (7 p.m.): Jimmy Buffett; July 20 (noon): Vans Warped Tour; Aug. 2 (7 p.m.): Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger; Aug. 12 (7 p.m.): Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and the Band Perry; Aug. 16 (7 p.m.): Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow; Aug. 24 (7:30 p.m.): Def Leppard and Heart.
Parking: included with ticket (premium spots $15 to $30 in advance).
Tickets: $30 to $276 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or at www.ticketmaster.com.
Information: 330-920-8040, 330-916-6068.
CANTON BLUES FESTIVAL
Description: Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event draws 12,000 to 15,000 people annually to the two-day event.
Location: Downtown Canton (Market Avenue North between 3rd and 4th streets, Stark County).
Performances: June 10: Thornette Davis, Larry McCray, Tinsley Ellis and Michael Burks; June 11 : Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers, Ellie Lee and Blues Fury, the Rusty Wright Band and Ronnie Baker Brooks.
Parking: free.
Tickets: free (one- and two-day VIP passes for $45 to $75).
Information: 1-800-533-4302, www.cantonbluesfest.com
CAIN PARK
Description: The park boasts an intimate outdoor covered theater (Alma) and an outdoor covered amphitheater (Evans).
Location: Between Lee and South Taylor roads (bordered by Superior Road and Hyde Park Avenue), Cleveland Heights (Cuyahoga County).
Performances: (all concerts at Evans Amphiteater unless noted), June 11 (8 p.m.: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones; June 16 (8 p.m.: Janis Ian; June 17 (8 p.m.): Chris Botti; June 18 (8 p.m.): Karan Casey and John Doyle; June 23 (7:30 p.m.): Sisters of Sheynville; July 15 (8 p.m.): the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman; July 16 (8 p.m.): Gaelic Storm; July 23 (8 p.m.): Rockapella; July 29 (8 p.m.): Arlo Guthrie; July 30 (8 p.m.): Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Review; July 31 (4 p.m.): the Singing Angels; Aug. 5 (8 p.m.): Orla Fallon; Aug 6 (7 p.m., Alma Theater): Charlie Mosbrook; Aug. 11 (8 p.m.): Mountain Heart; Aug. 13 (8 p.m.): the Doo Wops.
Parking: area streets and lots.
Tickets: free to $35.
Information: 216-371-3000, www.cainpark.com.
JACOBS PAVILION AT NAUTICA (formerly the Nautica Pavilion)
Description: A 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater along the Cuyahoga River.
Location: 2014 Sycamore St., the Flats, near downtown Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Performances: May 27 (8 p.m.): Seether; May 28 (9:15 p.m.): Collective Soul; May 30 (4 p.m.): Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers; June 5 (8 p.m.): Jefferson Starship with Contemporary Youth Orchestra; June 8 (7 p.m.): Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs and Brandi Carlile; July 16 (8 p.m.): Lucinda Williams and Amos Lee; July 26 (8 p.m.): the Decemberists; July 28 (6:30 p.m.): Flogging Molly; Aug. 5 (7 p.m.): O.A.R.; Aug. 14 (7 p.m.): Selena Gomez.
Parking: various lots.
Tickets: $8 to $104.50 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com.
Information: 440-247-2722 or www.livenation.com.
MUSEUMS
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART
Description: The museum is known for its extensive collections of pre-Columbian, medieval European, Asian and Indian art.
A plaster sculpture titled "The Heroic Head of Pierre de Wiessant, One of the Burghers of Calais" by Auguste Rodin rests in the east wing galleries at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Location: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, closed Monday.
Admission: free.
Parking: in the attached garage. $5 for 30 minutes to 2.5 hours, $1 per 30 minutes thereafter to $10 max, $5 after 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
Special exhibits: “Contemporary Landscape Photography,” featuring two methods of recording the natural landscape — pristine views of the natural landscape and humanity’s presence and intervention. The exhibition contains some 40 images — many new to the collection (through Aug. 14); “The Lure of Painted Poetry: Japanese and Korean Art,” 100 examples from the museum’s permanent collection featuring every art form, including painting, calligraphy and craft, that transformed Chinese lyrical aesthetics in the Korean Joseon period and in the Japanese Muromachi, Momoyama and Edo periods (through Aug. 28); “The Art of Daily Life: Portable Objects from Southeast Africa,” works created by the Zulu, Nguni, Tsonga, Ndebele, Basotho, and Swazi peoples in the 19th and 20th centuries (through Feb. 26); “Indian Kalighat Paintings,” featuring rarely displayed Indian paintings, considered to be the beginning of modernism in Indian art (through Sept 18) “Brian Ulrich,” featuring the artist’s “Copia” series (2001–10), an examination of American consumerism through 50 color photographs (through Jan. 16).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 216-421-7350, 1-888-CMA-0033, www.clevelandart.org.
GREAT LAKES SCIENCE CENTER
Description: The center features hundreds of hands-on exhibits, Big Science Shows and educational programs that show the relationship among science, the environment and technology.
Location: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: $9.95, or $8.95 for senior citizens 65 and older, $7.95 for children 2 to 17; additional cost for the OMNIMAX theater, the Steamship William G. Mather and the traveling exhibition (prices subject to change).
Parking: attached garage, with a validated ticket is $6.
Special exhibits, openings: NASA Glenn Visitor Center featuring more than 50 space-themed exhibits and artifacts, including the Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module; Steamship William G. Mather, lets visitors discover what life was like aboard the 1925-built Mather from bow to stern and see its huge cargo holds, brass and oak pilot house, elegant guest quarters and four-story engine room (through summer); “Facing Mars,” allows visitors to experience the physical, psychological and scientific challenges involved in journeying to the Red Planet (through Sept. 5).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 216-694-2000, www.greatscience.com.
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Description: A museum honoring the players and history of professional football.
Location: 2121 George Halas Dr. N.W., Canton (Stark County).
Open: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: $21, or $17 for senior citizens 62 and older, $15 for children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and younger.
Parking: free.
Special exhibits: Featuring the original meeting minutes from the National Football League’s founding in Canton on Sept. 17, 1920. The two-page document that outlines the organization of the league is among the rarest and most significant documents in the Hall of Fame’s collection. The museum also has on display many new mementos from the 2010 NFL season. This summer, artifacts representing the Class of 2011 will be displayed in the Moments, Memories & Mementos Gallery.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 330-456-8207, www.profootballhof.com
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Description: A 150,000-square-foot museum featuring interactive exhibits, costume displays and artifacts.
Location: 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., corner of E. 9th Street and Erieside Avenue, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, until 9 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: $22, or $18 for Greater Cleveland residents, $17 for senior citizens 65 and older and military with ID, $13 for children 9 to 12, free for children 8 and younger.
Parking: lots, garages and on-street meters.
Special exhibits: “Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power,” highlighting more than 70 artists and feature artifacts, video and listening stations as well as a recording booth where visitors can film a short story or moment of inspiration related to women in rock (through Feb. 26); “Girls on Film: 40 Years of Women in Rock,” featuring images by photographer Anastasia Pantsios, of some of the most influential women in rock ’n’ roll throughout the past four decades (through Feb. 14).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 216-781-ROCK, 1-800-493-ROLL, www.rockhall.com
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Description: An influx of young talent has invigorated a franchise that had fallen hard from its heights of the 1990s.
Fulls stands at Progressive Field are reflected in the batting helmet of Cleveland Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at the Cleveland stadium.
Location: Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Home games: June 2-5 vs. Texas; June 6-8 vs. Minnesota; June 17-19 vs. Pittsburgh; June 20-22 vs. Colorado; July 4-6 vs. N.Y. Yankees; July 7-10 vs. Toronto; July 22-24 vs. Chicago White Sox; July 25-27 vs. L.A. Angels; July 29-31 vs. Kansas City; Aug. 9-11 vs. Detroit; Aug. 12-14 vs. Minnesota; Aug. 22-24 vs. Seattle; Aug. 26-28 vs. Kansas City; Aug. 29-Sept. 1 vs. Oakland; Sept. 5-7 vs. Detroit; Sept. 20-22 vs. Chicago; Sept. 23-25 vs. Minnesota.
Admission: $8 to $85, free for children 3 and younger if sitting on an adult’s lap.
Parking: various lots within a 10-minute walk of the stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: available through Ticketmaster, 1-866-48-TRIBE; team shop locations; at the park; or online.
Information: 216-420-4200, www.indians.mlb.com.
AKRON AEROS
Description: The Cleveland Indians’ Class AA affiliate is a member of the Eastern League, whose title it won in 2009.
Location: Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., Akron (Summit County).
Home games: June 3-5 vs. Binghamton; June 14-16 vs. New Hampshire; June 17-19 vs. Portland; June 24-26 vs. Reading; June 27-29 vs. Bowie; July 8-11 vs. Erie; July 18-20 vs. Altoona; July 25-27 vs. Trenton; July 28-31 vs. Erie; Aug. 5-7 vs. New Britain; Aug. 16-18 vs. Harrisburg; Aug. 25-28 vs. Richmond; Aug. 29-Sept. 1 vs. Reading.
Admission: $5 to $9; or $5 to $8 for senior citizens and children younger than 12; free children 3 and younger.
Parking: various lots near stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 330-253-5153.
Information: 330-253-5151, 1-800-972-3767, www.akronaeros.com.
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS
Description: The minor-league team is a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
Location: Classic Park, 35300 Vine St., Eastlake (Lake County).
Home games: May 31-June 2 vs. Kane County; June 3-5 vs. Clinton; June 14-16 vs. Great Lakes; June 27-29 vs. Fort Wayne; June 30-July 2 vs. South Bend; July 9-11 vs. Lansing; July 20-22 vs. Quad Cities; July 23-25 vs. Cedar Rapids; July 27-29 vs. Bowling Green; Aug. 6-9 vs. Dayton; Aug. 10-12 vs. Great Lakes; Aug. 20-23 vs. Fort Wayne; Aug. 31-Sept. 2 vs. West Michigan; Sept. 3-5 vs. Bowling Green.
Admission: $9, or $8 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger; $8 Monday games, $7 Tuesday games with dog ($5 dog passes).
Parking: $5 gold lots at stadium, private lots off Curtis Boulevard.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 440-954-9467.
Information: 440-975-8085, www.captainsbaseball.com.
LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS
Description: The Crushers are members of the independent Frontier League.
Location: All Pro Freight Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon (Lorain County).
Home games: May 31-June 2 vs. Normal; June 10-12 vs. Southern Illinois; June 13-15 vs. Traverse City; June 19-21 vs. Windy City; June 22-24 vs. Traverse City; June 29-July 1 vs. Gateway; July 2-4 vs. River City; July 18-20 vs. Rockford; July 27-29 vs. Joliet; July 30-Aug. 1 vs. Washington; Aug. 5-7 vs. Evansville; Aug. 9-11 vs. Florence; Aug. 19-21 vs. Windy City; Aug. 26-28 vs. Rockford; Aug. 30-Sept. 1 vs. Washington.
Admission: $6 to $14, $18 club level.
Parking: $3 stadium parking.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 440-934-3636 or at stadium ticket office.
Information: 440-934-3636 or www.lakeeriecrushers.com.
MAHONING VALLEY SCRAPPERS
Description: The Scrappers are a minor-league team affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.
Location: Eastwood Field, 111 Eastwood Mall Blvd., Niles (Trumbull County).
Home games: June 17-19 vs. Jamestown; June 20-22 vs. Batavia; June 26-28 vs. State College; July 2-3 vs. Batavia; July 6-8 vs. Williamsport; July 13-15 vs. Connecticut; July 19-20 vs. State College; July 27-29 vs. Lowell; Aug. 2-4 vs. Staten Island; Aug. 5-6 vs. Auburn; Aug. 12-14 vs. Brooklyn; Aug. 23-25 vs. Auburn; Aug. 26-28 vs. Jamestown; Aug. 31-Sept. 1 vs. Williamsport.
Admission: $5 to $11; $1 to $5 Thursday nights.
Parking: $2.50 on-site.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 1-330-505-0000.
Information: 330-505-0000, www.mvscrappers.com.
GOLF
WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL
Description: The South Course at Firestone provides a meticulously groomed test for the best golfers in the world.
Phil Mickelson hits out of a sand trap on the third hole during the second round of the 2010 Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Location: Firestone Country Club, 452 E. Warner Rd., Akron (Summit County).
Dates: Aug. 3-7.
Admission: $85 to $250 (tournament); $35 to $40 (daily); $20 to $25 (Wednesday practice round); free for youths 18 and younger accompanied by an adult.
Parking: free; shuttle available from Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems & Lockheed Martin, 1204 Massillon Rd.
Tickets: available by calling Ticketmaster (888-401-8000), or online.
Information: 330-644-2299, www.worldgolfchampionships.com.
PRO FOOTBALL
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Description: Since returning to the NFL in 1999, Ohio’s senior NFL member has been in the playoffs only once.
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Preseason home games: Aug. 13 vs. Green Bay; Aug. 19 vs. Detroit.
Admission: starting at $35.
Parking: various lots within walking distance of the stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: call 440-891-5050 or 1-888-891-1999; through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000; or online.
Information: 440-891-5000, www.clevelandbrowns.com.
HARNESS RACING
NORTHFIELD PARK
Description: One of America’s premier tracks, featuring year-round, live harness racing.
Location: 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield (Summit County).
Season: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through June 29; Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (post times 7 p.m.) July 1 through Oct. 31; simulcasting daily.
Admission: $1.75 Fridays and Saturdays; $3 Fridays and Saturdays (clubhouse); free grandstand admission Sundays through Thursdays.
Parking: $1 general parking after 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; free grandstand parking Sundays through Thursdays.
Wheelchair access: partially accessible.
Information: 330-467-4101, www.northfieldpark.com.
HORSE RACING
THISTLEDOWN
Description: Just east of Cleveland, the track offers live thoroughbred racing from April to mid-November as well as simulcast racing.
Location: 21501 Emery Rd., North Randall (Cuyahoga County).
Season: Mondays and Wednesdays (post time 1:50 p.m.); Fridays (post time 3:15 p.m.); and Saturdays (post time 1:50 p.m., with exceptions); simulcasting daily.
Admission: free; classics seating: $8 (includes a $3 deposit refund); box seats with TV, $3.
Parking: free.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 216-662-8600, www.thistledown.com.
ZOOS
AKRON ZOO
Description: Just west of downtown, the accredited world conservation zoo boasts 50 acres and more than 700 animals.
Location: 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron (Summit County).
Big attractions: a penguin chicks exhibit; ; a new farmland petting zoo and feeding area (will open May 28); last year to see an exhibit of 10 aquariums of jellyfish, the most in Ohio; and a hand-carved carousel depicting 33 animals from around the world.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October.
Admission: $10, or $7.50 for senior citizens, $6 for children 2 to 14, free for children younger than 2.
Parking: $2.
Wheelchair access: yes; rental: free, or $25 for electric scooter; single-stroller rental: $6, or $10 for double stroller.
Information: 330-375-2550, www.akronzoo.org.
CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO
Description: The 180-acre zoo, 4 miles south of downtown, has nearly 3,000 animals — many in natural settings.
Location: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County).
Big attractions: New, 5-acre “African Elephant Crossing” exhibit featuring a herd of elephants and other African animals, such as meerkats, a rock python and 10 species of native African birds; “Flutter,” butterfly exhibit in which exotic species fly freely among tropical plants and flowers in the greenhouse (begins May 28); and public giraffe feedings on the Giraffe Deck.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Admission: $11, or $8 for children 2 to 11, free for children younger than 2.
Parking: free.
Wheelchair access: yes; rental: $8, or $25 for electric; single-stroller rental: $7, or $10 for double. Wheelchairs must be reserved by calling 216-661-7603.
Information: 216-661-6500, www.clemetzoo.com.