
Museums for Cleveland Families
Northeast Ohio is packed with museums. Think hands-on science hubs, quiet art galleries, and quirky pop-culture stops...
This guide rounds up the major spots within about 25 miles of Downtown Cleveland, with callouts for 🆓 free admission and 🎟️ Museums for All discounts for families receiving SNAP benefits.
Whether it’s a rainy-day adventure, a STEM field trip, or an easy family afternoon, you’ll find plenty of options for every age and budget.
🆓 Free admission
🎟️Museums for All eligible
QUICK LINKS:
🎨 Art & Design
Cleveland Museum of Art 🆓
World-class art collections and rotating exhibitions.
Best For: All ages; especially teens and adults who love art.
Dittrick Museum of Medical History 🆓
Historical medical instruments and stories of medical innovation.
Best For: Teens and adults fascinated by science, medicine, and history.
moCa Cleveland 🆓*
(Museum of Contemporary Art)
Bold, ever-changing exhibits and interactive installations.
Best For: Teens and adults interested in contemporary or experimental art.
🔬 STEM & Discovery
Cleveland Museum of Natural History 🎟️
Dinosaurs, live animals, immersive science exhibits, and planetarium.
Best For: Families; kids (5–18); teens and adults who love science and nature.
📍 1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
🆓 Saturdays and Sundays are free for residents of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, and Warrensville Heights.
Cleveland Botanical Garden 🎟️
Glasshouse and themed outdoor gardens with family programs.
Best For: All ages; nature lovers and photographers.
Children’s Museum of Cleveland 🎟️
Hands-on, play-based STEAM exploration in themed galleries.
Best For: Ages 0–8 and their caregivers.
Great Lakes Science Center 🎟️
Hands-on STEM exhibits, NASA Glenn Visitor Center, and IMAX-style theater.
Best For: Families, school-age kids, and science/tech enthusiasts.
International Women’s Air & Space Museum 🆓
Inspiring exhibits on women pioneers in aviation and space exploration.
Best For: All ages; aviation buffs; anyone curious about women’s history in flight and space.
🎸 Pop Culture & Specialty
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
Rare artifacts and occult history.
Best For: Teens and adults intrigued by folklore, witchcraft, and magical traditions.
House from A Christmas Story
Step inside the famous movie set and museum.
Best For: All ages; fans of the classic holiday movie.
Museum of Illusions Cleveland
Mind-bending visual experiences and photo ops.
Best For: Kids 8+, teens, and anyone who loves interactive optical illusions.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 🎟️
Iconic music history, interactive exhibits, and legendary memorabilia.
Best For: Teens and adults, music lovers, and pop culture enthusiasts.
📍 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114
🆓 Free for residents of Cleveland.
🏛️ History & Heritage
Cleveland History Center 🎟️
Regional history, Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, and historic homes.
Best For: All ages; history buffs; car and aviation enthusiasts.
Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Museum 🆓
Folk art, costumes, and heritage of Hungarian Americans.
Best For: Adults, families, and anyone interested in ethnic and immigrant history.
Dunham Tavern Museum 🆓
Step back to 19th-century Cleveland in the city’s oldest building.
Best For: Teens and adults who enjoy early American history and architecture.
Italian American Museum of Cleveland 🆓
Stories and history of Italian immigrants in Northeast Ohio.
Best For: All ages; especially those interested in Italian heritage.
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage 🎟️
Powerful exhibits on Jewish life, heritage, and human rights.
Best For: Teens and adults interested in Jewish culture and Holocaust education.
Ukrainian Museum-Archives 🆓
Archival materials and cultural artifacts.
Best For: Teens and adults seeking insight into Ukrainian culture and history.
Know of a museum we missed? Share your tip and we’ll add it.