ActivitiesforKids, Cleveland

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta is nestled in the heart of Buckhead at Phipps Plaza. With offerings for both children and adults, this is a great place to visit no matter how old you are. Open only to adults with children during regular hours, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta features a 4D Cinema, interactive rides, a Build & Test area for race cars, a Master Builder Academy to build with experts, and more. At the 4D Cinema, they’re back! And they’re still awesome! Emmet, Wyldestyle, Benny, MetalBeard and UniKitty star in The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure. It’s an all-new, totally original, never ever seen before 4D movie and it’s only at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta! Our heroes, along with the audience, go on a trip to a new theme park and wind up in an incredible adventure they never expected. You’ve got to see and feel it to believe it! Rides include Merlin's Apprentice, where you race to become the next Merlin's Apprentice, pedalling as fast as you can. Or, try the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, where you fend off evil beings like ogres and rats to save the kingdom. To further your LEGO building skills, make and race cars at our Build & Test zone, or build alongside a Master Builder to learn tips and tricks for the best designs! Be sure to check out Pirate Adventure Island where children and adults can build their own sandcastle, create their own treasure map, build a pirate ship and navigate it through an aquatic obstacle course, and battle fellow shipbuilders with air cannons. Adults are invited to enjoy LEGOLAND without children at Adult Night on every third Thursday of the month. https://www.atlanta.net/partner/legoland-discovery-center-atlanta/907/

"The Broadway of Christian Entertainment," NarroWay features fun, family-friendly dinner shows in a schedule that runs year-round. See why NarroWay is the premier Christian theater of the South. Take in a delicious dinner and hearty serving of southern hospitality as every audience is greeted and served by the NarroWay cast. Live animals, talented actors, original scripts, inspiring music and a delicious meal themed with the show are all part of the NarroWay experience. Enjoy a variety of original, Broadway-style musicals, spectacular holiday shows for Christmas and Easter, epic Biblical productions, mystery theater shows, children's shows, day trips and more! https://www.narroway.net/

Opened in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is the second-oldest zoo in the nation and a National Historic Landmark that is consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country. http://cincinnatiusa.com/things-to-do/attractions/cincinnati-zoo-botanical-garden

The Memphis Zoo has been named as one of the best zoos in the country according to TripAdvisor, and for good reason! From the time you step inside the grand entrance, you know you’re in a very special place. The main entrance and courtyard pays honor in its design to the ancient city of Memphis, Egypt. The meandering streams, crisp waterfalls, native plants and tranquil gardens alone are a great reason to visit. With 19 unique exhibits and thousands of animal species, you can “travel around the world” within the perimeters of the zoo. Visit Teton Trek which brings the Yellowstone National Park to Midtown. The Great Lodge and replica of Old Faithful are surrounded by grizzly bears and wolves. (And yes, you can play in the geyser.) Catch a playful sea lion performance at Northwest Passage where you can also get nose-to-nose with polar bears, see totem poles (that actually received a Native American blessing), bald eagles, black bears, and the list goes on. Pay a visit to China where you can stand a few feet away from giant pandas, Le Le and Ya Ya. The Memphis Zoo is one of only four zoos in the United States to provide this rare opportunity. http://www.memphistravel.com/article/go-wild-memphis-zoo

Experience the wonders of an aquarium, zoo, science museum, and 3D theatre all in one attraction! See sharks, penguins, otters, stingrays, a fishing cat and other amazing animals from around the world in NEW The Wiseman Aquarium. Get eye-to-eye with tigers, meerkats, monkeys, crocodiles and other unique animals in Animal Discovery Zoo. Roam through Dinosaur Gallery, take a journey through the human body, experience extreme weather, and have fun in Kid’s Alley in the Museum. Watch amazing 3-D shows that pop out of the screen in the OmniSphere Theatre. https://www.visitgreensboronc.com/things-to-do/animal-discovery-zoological-park-at-the-greensboro-science-center/

Located along the scenic riverbanks in White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo is conveniently located near beautiful downtown Indianapolis with easy access to walking and biking trails into the city. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums. Run with cheetahs on the African plains, or swim with dolphins in deep blue oceans. Wherever your adventure may take you, the Indianapolis Zoo will be your guide! https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/

COSI, Columbus’ dynamic Center of Science and Industry, has combined science learning and fun since 1964 with 300-plus hands-on exhibits, Ohio’s largest Planetarium, Giant Screen Theater, live shows and more. And now, through a unique and unprecedented partnership with the renowned American Museum of Natural History, COSI’s offerings are only growing! Located on Columbus’ Scioto Peninsula, COSI is near the downtown core and the Ohio Statehouse. A brand new 6.5-acre park sits directly west of the museum featuring a splash pad, playground, picnic tables, swings and much more. COSI introduced the new Dinosaur Gallery – a permanent exhibit that allows guests to get up close to a full-sized cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, 100 million-year-old fossilized amber, an 8 foot titanosaur femur cast and much more. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/listing/cosi/5658/

The Wexner Center for the Arts is one of the nation’s premiere cultural gems--an internationally known contemporary arts center at The Ohio State University. The Center offers exhibitions, performances, films, artistic residencies and educational programs. The building, a landmark of postmodern architecture, houses galleries, performance spaces, a film video theater, a store and a cafe. From the intimate, cabaret-style concerts in our black box theater to large-scale events in or 2,500 seat Mershon Auditorium, the Wexner Center offers a wide variety of performances – dance, theater, jazz, world music, electronica and more. In the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, you can watch rarely screened movies from near and far, the latest independent features and classics from Hollywood and abroad. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/listing/wexner-center-for-the-arts-the/5555/

Every Zoo goer who passes through the turnstile at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium embarks on an adventure to make memories that will last a lifetime. Here at the Zoo, we are passionate about creating lasting and unforgettable experiences for each and every one of our guests. We welcome you to share with us and the world your magical guest moment to inspire others to visit the Columbus Zoo. https://www.columbuszoo.org/home

At Dudley Farm, a one-of-a-kind authentic 325-acre working “Cracker” farm, you will see the evolution of North Florida farming through the eyes of three generations of the Dudley family; from the pioneer days circa 1850 through the introduction of gasoline-powered equipment circa 1945. Dudley Farm Historic State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some highlights include a visitor center, park staff in period clothing performing chores, production and harvest of heritage crop varieties and sugar cane, raising of heritage livestock varieties including Cracker cows and Barred Rock chickens, family farmhouse with original furnishings, general store and post office, 1880s kitchen outbuilding, cane syrup complex with autumn cane grinding, boiling, bottling, seasonal corn shucking, nature trail and picnic area. https://www.visitgainesville.com/explore/attraction/dudley-farm-historic-state-park/

Florida Museum visitors can enjoy hundreds of live butterflies from around the world in the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit, and explore the state’s unique habitats, as well as its natural and cultural history, in other permanent exhibits. Changing temporary exhibits cover a wide range of topics. Florida’s official natural history museum is located on the University of Florida campus. The Florida Museum of Natural History houses more than 40 million specimens and cultural artefacts, including one of the world’s largest collections of butterflies and moths. The Museum’s mission combines research, preservation and interpretation of both biological diversity and cultural heritage. The main attractions are the permanent exhibitions that explore Florida’s unique habitats and cultural history and the exciting temporary exhibits. https://www.visitgainesville.com/explore/attraction/florida-museum-of-natural-history/

But it’s not the buildings that make history come alive at this attraction; rather, it’s the knowledgeable staff, who explain and demonstrate the significance of each building and show what little slices of life were like around the turn of the last century. Sauder Village is, frankly, the most honest historical collection in our area. History there is not boringly preserved in a jar, locked away never to be seen; but neither is it pandering to the silliness or gags that some historical institutions have introduced to boost ticket sales. It’s not quite a journey back in time, but neither is Sauder Village quite of our time. It is, in some respects, a place where time just doesn’t apply. The institution was founded by Erie Sauder, who was also the entrepreneur behind Sauder Furniture, the nation’s largest manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture ? in fact, chances are probably decent that many will read this on a computer sitting on a Sauder desk. It was a way for Sauder to preserve some of the historic structures of the area, such as his first workshop, an old Lutheran church, a train station, and a working farm. Over the years, the village has grown exponentially. Now, beautiful, larger buildings house some of the most popular crafts, such as blacksmithing, pottery, and glassblowing. A lodge and conference center abuts the village and the popular Barn Restaurant. A hands-on children’s area is new this year. https://www.toledo.com/attractions/sauder-village-attraction-toledo-ohio/

The Akron Zoo offers 35 acres of exhibits & guest amenities. Create lasting memories and ride the train or carousel, and view 8 animal exhibits. How did the jaguar get its spots? How does the Andean condor carry the sun into the sky? Learn the answers to the legends of these animals and more in Legends of the Wild. Travel through South America with the jaguar and capybara, Madagascar with the lemurs and the Himalayan Mountains with the snow leopards and Himalayan tahr. Come on down to the farm! You can pet, feed and get nose-to-nose with domestic farm animals like Boer goats, Oberhasli goats, Nubian goats, and pygmy goats. Make sure to see our sheep, pig and barn owl too. Buy food for these animals at our granary and then hop aboard a solar powered train, the A&K Wilber Express (April-October). If you are not too tired get lost in Ohio Farmland maze. Navigate the seven seas on the pirate playground, have a picnic in the Wild Prairie Pavilion and enjoy a snack from our Grasslands Café. Make sure you stop by the butterfly waystation and learn about the amazing migration of butterflies. http://www.akronzoo.org/about-the-zoo

Cherokee Park Family Campground invites you to spend your next camping vacation on our quiet, scenic grounds in Portage County, near Akron in Northeast Ohio. The Park campground features gorgeous surroundings, quality facilities, excellent campsite amenities and friendly service. Set on 50 acres, just a short drive east of Akron, Ohio, Cherokee Park offers a peaceful setting with wooded and open space surrounding two small tree-lined lakes and an activities area. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the calming effect of a campfire. You might even spot an occasional deer during your stay. Cherokee Park offers 120 campsites with 30 amp electric and water hookups. Choose a sunny, open RV site or one that is shaded by trees. Pull-thru sites are available for today's larger RVs. Pets are welcome so long as they are leashed and attended. Cherokee Park offers a few family tent sites during the summer for a limited stay. http://cherokeeparkcampground.com/

With over 5,300 animals representing over 750 species, The Toledo Zoo is one of the world’s most complete zoos—it’s also the region’s top family destination! Let The Toledo Zoo whisk you away, from the Arctic tundra to the wilds of Africa to the tropical rainforest and all points between—all in one great day. During the 1980s The Toledo Zoo introduced many exciting and significant improvements. Foremost among them, the African Savanna provided a stunning recreation of the plains and jungles of Africa. The now world-famous Hippoquarium - the first of its kind in the zoo world - was developed as part of the Savanna. More recently, the Kingdom of the Apes, exhibits for Siberian tigers, Asian sloth bears and African wild dogs have been added, as well as a renovated Aviary and the Primate Forest. Zoo Visitors are also welcomed by a new parking lot, entry complex, gift shop and a ramped pedestrian bridge over the Anthony Wayne Trail. The popularity of the Zoo has increased dramatically over the last decade. Restored facilities, new exhibits and a concerted effort to address the needs of the visitor have resulted in an average attendance of 875,000 people each year, with over 1,000,000 visitors in 1988, 1994, and 1999. Special promotions such as the Lights Before Christmas capture the charm and character of the Zoo and have become traditions for Toledo families. https://www.toledo.com/area-directory/microsite/microsite-toledo-zoo/

Since the 1870s, Cedar Point amusement park has been a summertime tradition for families across the Midwest. The rich history and modern world wonders have created one of the most successful entertainment attractions in the world. Every year Cedar Point hosts more than three million people from around the world. Its popularity continues to grow due to world-recording-breaking roller coasters and amazing attractions. With 68 rides, including 16 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and more roller coasters than any park in the world. Two of its newest coasters are legends. Built in 2003, Top Thrill Dragster is 420 feet tall and reaches speeds of 120 mph! On the other side of the peninsula, the Millennium Force stands 310 feet in the air and reaches speeds of 93 mph along more than 6,500 feet of track. The Magnum XL-200 steel roller coaster features a huge hill of more than 200 feet while the maXair ride, Cedar Point's newest ride, swings guests 140 feet in the air. Riders sit in outward-facing suspended seats that form a giant circle of 50 passengers as their legs dangle freely in the air. Both attractions reach speeds of 70 mph. https://www.toledo.com/attractions/cedarpointamusementpark/

Located in historic Uptown New Orleans Audubon Zoo offers an exotic mix of animals from around the globe, engaging educational programs, hands-on animal encounters and lush gardens. Unique natural habitat exhibits such as the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle showcase the relationship between people and nature. Don't miss the daily animal presentations, chats and feeds; highly endangered whooping cranes, Amur leopards, and orangutans; a tiger; and a mysterious white alligators. Audubon Zoo is often ranked among the country's best for innovation and entertainment value! https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo

The Zoo is a place where people connect with animals. Over the past forty years, the Zoo has grown to become the #1 year-round family attraction in Baton Rouge. With more than a quarter-million guests each year, the Zoo attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The Zoo is a favourite place for families and groups to discover the animal kingdom. Meet its animals from all around the world! Say hello to Tapir, Spider Monkey, Bongo, Capybara, Cheetah and many more animals! http://www.brzoo.org/

With 25 acres of awe-inspiring landscape, breathtaking architecture and an iconic collection of public art, Millennium Park is Chicago’s premier green space. Millennium Park celebrated its 10th anniversary season in 2014 and continues to present dozens of free events and programs including art installations, outdoor concerts, films screenings, alfresco workouts and more. https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/parks-and-outdoors/millennium-park/

Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the summer, with fireworks displays, live music, theatre, and cruises setting sail daily. Come fall and winter, Navy Pier is still hopping, with special events, sights, and activities that span all ages and interests. Pier Park is the epitome of fun. It’s where you’ll find the amazing Centennial Wheel, the Pepsi Wave Swinger, a 1920s-inspired musical carousel, and other nostalgic fairground rides. Just so you know, the Centennial Wheel soars to nearly 200 feet, with year-round, climate-controlled gondolas for the most spectacular Ferris wheel ride ever. It’s an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and a treasured piece of Chicago history, harkening to the city’s 1893 World’s Fair. You can even book a VIP Centennial Wheel experience in a glass-bottomed, plush-seated gondola. Fireworks perfectly synchronized to music have become a Navy Pier tradition. Biweekly shows are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For an extra-special experience, watch the fireworks from the water on the deck of a cruise boat. https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/attractions-and-tours/navy-pier/

A 103-acre facility dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and tourism. It houses an award-winning, 9500-square-foot building filled with live animal exhibits; photographic presentations of the site's flora and fauna; natural artefact and mineral displays; and a sizeable, vintage waterfowl decoy carving collection. Ecology and art exhibits are featured periodically. Over a mile of gravel paths and boardwalks link varied habitats such as the cypress-tupelo swamp, beech-magnolia and hardwood forests. Wildlife is plentiful at Bluebonnet Swamp, including hundreds of bird species utilizing the site throughout the year. Birders can view seasonal species during peak migrations, as well as year-round residents. While snakes and turtles are commonly seen from the trails, raccoons, rabbits, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, deer and otter are also known to inhabit the site. Nature programs and environmental education are conducted throughout the year including educational group tours, live animal encounters, holiday and summer day camps, toddler activities, birding walks, field trips and special events. https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/listing/brecs-bluebonnet-swamp-nature-center/209/

Explore the natural world around you, discover dinosaur fossils and more at this free gem on the National Mall. The museum contains some of the most famous artifacts in the world. The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals has the supposedly cursed Hope Diamond on display. Meanwhile, Q?rius, the museum’s education center, offers teens and tweens a lab where they can make their own scientific discoveries. Other permanent exhibits include an insect zoo and The Sant Ocean Hall, which features an exact replica of a living North Atlantic right whale. https://naturalhistory.si.edu/

Believe in make-believe! Come experience Disney storytelling like never before as you enjoy the exciting rides, attractions and characters throughout all six lands of the Magic Kingdom. Zoom through the galaxy, brave a ghostly mansion and embark on high-seas adventures during the Golden Age of Piracy! Or party at animated parades, catch spectacular fireworks extravaganzas and snap photos with Disney Characters! Don't forget to celebrate seasonal holidays, join a dastardly pirate crew, tour the park’s steam trains and vanquish Disney Villains! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. One of our world-famous residents is Winter the Dolphin. Winter’s story has inspired millions around the world in the major motion picture, Dolphin Tale, and the sequel, Dolphin Tale 2. https://www.seewinter.com/#

An animal lover's paradise, the Detroit Zoo is situated on 125 acres with many naturalistic habitats. Major exhibits include the Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback Adventure, Great Apes of Harambee, National Amphibian Conservation Center, Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Penguinarium and Butterfly Garden. The Detroit Zoo is home to animals from A to Z, including anteaters and zebras and hundreds of other species in between. More than 2,000 animals representing 230 species of amphibians, mammals, birds and reptiles live in the Zoo’s 125-acres of true-to-life habitats that bring visitors face-to-face with these exotic creatures. https://detroitzoo.org/

A 135-plus acre zoo nestled in Druid Hill Park, the Maryland Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the country. Maryland Zoo is Baltimore's wildest attraction! The zoo is home to 1,500 exotic mammals, encompasses birds, amphibians and reptiles representing nearly 200 species. http://www.marylandzoo.org/

One of the top urban beaches in the nation, Bradford Beach is the hottest place to be on a summer day. It's clean, full of activity, great views, and plenty of space to spread out, sunbathe, and swim. https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/partners/bradford-beach-5422/

More Zoo for you to explore with more than 200 acres of adventure filled with more than 1,700 animals. See penguins like never before at Helzberg Penguin Plaza. Watch king and gentoo penguins torpedo through the water in their 100,000 gallon cool pool and see the Humboldt penguins bask in the sun and get their flippers wet in the 25,000 gallon warm water pool. Dip your hands into a shallow pool and discover the unique texture of stingrays and bamboo sharks at Stingray Bay. Journey to the Polar Bear Passage and marvel at our polar bears' beauty and strength. Swing into the Orangutan Canopy and get nose to nose with these orange apes. Take a walk-about through a mob of kangaroos. Get a birds-eye view of zebras, giraffes and rhinos on the African Sky Safari. Visit animals from the tropical rainforest, the African Savanna, the Australian Outback, the Asian mountainside, the north and south pole and everywhere in between. https://www.visitkc.com/business-detail/kansas-city-zoo?cid=18602#sm.000184edndt4sfcyt9010c9rxvdb6

Visit 26 restored historic buildings on 30 shaded acres where interpreters in period clothing bring the 1800s to life. Enjoy demonstrations of blacksmithing, basket weaving, book binding and more! Farm animals, carriage rides, and family activities from June-September. Special weekend events. Country Store, Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. Education and distance learning programs from October-May. https://www.atlanticcitynj.com/explore/attractions/details.aspx?id=16331

Burlington Heights, where Dundurn Castle and the Hamilton Military Museum now stand, was occupied by the British military from 1813 -1815. Built as a gate house by Sir Allan MacNab in the late 1830s atop a battery from the War of 1812, This building known as Battery Lodge, now houses The Hamilton Military Museum. https://www.hamilton.ca/attractions/hamilton-civic-museums/hamilton-military-museum

Frederick Law Olmsted’s design for Buffalo’s South Park included a conservatory and surrounding formal gardens. In 1894, Professor John F. Cowell was appointed as the first Director of the conservatory. He gathered plants, trees and flowers from every corner of the world and his expertise and guidance allowed for many successful years for the conservatory. While South Park was being constructed, Lord & Burnham Co. was busy designing the South Park Conservatory. The tri-domed Victorian design was modelled after the beautiful Crystal Palace in England and was built by a Buffalo construction company, George P. Wurtz & Son, of wood, glass, iron and steel for a total cost of $130,000. Upon opening in 1900, the conservatory was the third-largest public greenhouse in the United States and was ranked as the ninth-largest in the world. The South Park Conservatory continued to grow throughout the early 1900s and six greenhouses were added in 1907. Over the years, extensive renovations and upgrades have been made, including restoration of many of the gardens, replacement of the outdated heating system, renovation of the main palm dome and greenhouses and more. Today, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens attracts more than 100,000 annually to enjoy the amazing architecture and the indoor and outdoor garden sanctuary. It is a gathering place where visitors can find peace and harmony and enjoy the simple power of the natural world. https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/botanical-gardens-2/

This Buffalo waterfront attraction is the largest inland park of its kind in the nation. All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in the park’s exhibits. Tour the decks and hulls of a guided-missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine. Inspect uniforms and memorabilia in the museum and exhibits aboard the ships. See planes, a tank and more! https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/businesses/buffalo-and-erie-county-naval-military-park-2/

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum welcomes the young at heart! Housed in the National Register-listed Allan Herschell Carrousel Factory building, this attraction has exhibits, demonstrations, two antique carousels, a children’s gallery, gift shop and more. https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/businesses/herschell-carrousel-factory-museum/