FLEE TO THE CLEVE FOR HUGE SUMMER SAVINGS FOR VACATIONING FAMILIES
With the school year nearly wrapped up, two words permeate every kid's brain--"summer vacation." But due to high gas prices, long distance travel is not in everyone's budget. It's been reported that nine out of 10 summer trips take place in a car between Labor Day and Memorial Day.*
Luckily for you, Cleveland is conveniently located within 500 miles of 43% of the U.S. population making it accessible from practically anywhere. Enjoy all the amenities and attractions compared to any other major city and save as much as 35%.** Don't let the summer rush beat you to the punch so get a head start on summer travel now and see Cleveland Plus for yourself.
DISTINCTLY CLEVELAND PLUS Come see what separates Cleveland Plus from every other family-friendly destination.
NORTH COAST HARBOR Right off the shores of Lake Erie sits North Coast Harbor, home to one-and-only Rock and Roll of Fame and Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Get a chance to bond with the kids in a museum dedicated to music your parents didn't understand. Or dive into more than 400 hands-on science exhibits and watch thrilling life-like movies in a six-story-high IMAX theatre at the Great Lakes Science Center.
Don't forget about the two floating history attractions next door, the Steamship William G. Mather Museum and the USS COD.
Relive the good old days and step on the green grass with your whole team. Enjoy behind-the-scenes action featuring press boxes, locker rooms and luxury suites at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
THE NATURE BUFFS If the family prefers a more scenic and relaxing trip, ride the historic rails of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad along the Cuyahoga River and dip in and out of beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Hop off the train and onto a mountain bike from Century Cycles in Peninsula and ride the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trails.
If you're looking to get away from the city skyscrapers and the hustle and bustles, come see how life slows down at Lake Farmpark. This family-oriented science and cultural center is devoted to agriculture, farming and country life. If you're feeling up to it you can even milk a cow!
THRILLED TO BE HERE If it's thrills you seek then seek no more. USA TODAY hails Cedar Point as the "best amusement park in the world," with more than 16 rollercoasters that will raise the hair of your head. From wet to wild fun, there's something here for every thrill seeker.
Castaway Bay, Cedar Point's indoor waterpark resort features wave pools, water slides and water obstacles that will have the family feeling like they're in a Caribbean environment.
Or head to Kalahari Waterpark Resort, the world's largest indoor waterpark with more than 173,000 square feet of super soaked fun. Kalahari also features their very own Kid's Zone, filled with kid-friendly games and specialty rides.
How about a little spooky adventure to get the whole family on their toes? The "spooktacular" Ghostly Manor is one of the top 10 haunted attractions in the nation.
It's important to get the whole family involved and educated at the same time so make it a day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest. This-must see attraction features more than 3,000 animals located throughout 165 rolling wooded acres and a two-story RainForest full of exotic creatures and striking plant life from across the globe.
For a lesson in Cleveland history, take it from the knowledgeable experts aboard Lolly the Trolley. Kick up your feet, let the wind blow through your hair and enjoy the ride during a variety of guided outings like ethnic market tours to downtown cityscape tours.
Lift off and explore the Cleveland Plus region and discover the multitude of air and space attractions during NASA's 50th anniversary.
Take in the awe-inspiring scenic sights as you and the family explore the Cleveland Metroparks. 20,000 acres of plush green woodlands surround the Cleveland area, known by many as the Emerald Necklace. The 14 parks that make up the Cleveland Metroparks offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, golfing and fishing.
Choose from hundreds of different specialty candies like iconic PEZ dispensers, flavored wax lips and gourmet jellybeans at b. a. Sweetie Candy Company Inc. This amazing store has every delight for every sweet tooth. Rediscover how it feels to be a kid again.
Help! Behind the Scenes of the Beatles' Movie @ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Through 9/1/08 http://www.rockhall.com/ The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum pays homage to the Beatles' impact on our culture with an exhibit that commemorates the group's classic 1965 movie, Help!
Roving Mars and Lego Mindstorms Center @ Great Lakes Science Center Through 10/31/08 http://www.greatscience.com/ Action. Drama. Anticipation. Experience it all when you join Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity for an awe-inspiring journey to the mysterious Red Planet.
Touch! Amazing Rays and Sharks @ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 5/22/08 - 9/28/08 http://www.clemetzoo.com/ TOUCH! allows visitors to reach into an 11,000-gallon saltwater pool and feel the smooth skin of small sharks and stingrays, which have their barbs carefully removed to ensure a safe, fun experience for all ages.
Frogs, Hogs and Dogs @ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 5/22/08 - 9/28/08 http://www.clemetzoo.com/ Highlights include dozens of endangered amphibians, brilliantly colored red river hogs from the bush of Africa and extremely rare New Guinea singing dogs from the forests of Australia.
Einstein @ Great Lakes Science Center 5/24/08 - 9/2/08 http://www.greatscience.com/ The most comprehensive exhibition ever presented on the life and theories of one of the greatest scientists of all time.
Vatican Splendors @ Western Reserve Historical Society 5/31/08 - 9/7/08 http://www.wrhs.org/ http://www.vaticansplendors.com/ This prestigious collection of Vatican artifacts is one of the largest ever seen in North America.
Parade the Circle @ University Circle 6/14/08 www.clevelandart.org/educef/parade/html This free community arts parade is presented annually by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience @ Quicken Loans Arena 6/25/08 - 6/29/08 http://www.dinosaurlive.com/ Dinosaurs return to the earth in Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience!
The Cleveland Orchestra presents “Star-Spangled Spectacular Concert and Festival” @ Public Square 7/2/08 http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/ Celebrate Independence Day at this free concert by the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra.
AST Dew Tour - Right Guard Open @ North Coast Harbor 7/17/08 - 7/20/08 www.ast.com/modules.php?name=Events&EventID=2 The pressure's on and the barometer is rising as the hottest Dew Tour season to date gets underway.
The Ingenuity Festival of Art + Technology @ Playhouse Square 7/25/08 - 7/27/08 http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com/ The Ingenuity Festival returns with a three-day celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age, staged in the center of Downtown Cleveland.
Cleveland National Air Show @ Burke Lakefront Airport 8/30/08- 9/1/08 http://www.clevelandairshow.com/ Three days of aerial thrills featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Sean D. Tucker, Dramatic Russian Dog Fight, Barnstorming, World Aerobatic Champion - Nikolay Timofeev, Silent Wings Jet Sailplane, Parachuting, Shockwave Jet Truck and Military Demonstrations/Flybys.
Taste of Cleveland @ Time Warner Cable Amphitheater 8/29/08 - 9/1/08 www.cleveland.com/tasteofcleveland This is a festival for the entire family, and includes a wide variety of food, entertainment and fun activities.
Zap! Pow! Bam! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938 - 1950 @ Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage 9/16/08 - 1/4/09 http://www.maltzjewishmuseum.org/ Visitors will be immersed in an interactive world of Superheroes with timeless icons such as Superman, Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman.
FAMILY HOTEL PACKAGES
Gas prices getting you down? Save with these family-friendly hotel packages.
Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center 216.696.9200 http://www.clevelandmarriottdowntown.com/ Kids under 12 eat every meal free all weekend long with the "Family Time" package.
Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown 216.658.6400 http://www.clevelanddowntown.stayhgi.com/ Directly across from all the Cleveland Indians baseball action at Progressive Field, HGI provides peanuts and other pregame fun before the big game with their "50 Paces from the Bases" package. Or, spend an adventurous day at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest with the "Zoo" package.
FIRST-RATE VALUE
Want to know how much money you'll save when you visit Cleveland? Take a look at what a family of four would pay in two other cities like, say, Boston and Chicago, over a four-day weekend during the peak summer months.
If you go to all the same type of attractions including the zoo, science center, art museum, natural history museum, amusement park and you stay in a high end hotel, after it's all said and done, you can save more than one third on costs when visiting Cleveland Plus.
TRAVELER'S TIPS
Take advantage of the numerous annual festivals taking place in Cleveland during the summer season. Many of these festivals and street fairs offer one-of-a-kind local art, Cleveland memorabilia, delicious food and live music at affordable prices. Some notable family-friendly festivals include: Coventry Street Arts Fair, Parade the Circle, Taste of Tremont, iNGENUiTY Festival and Feast of the Assumption.
If rain is in the forecast, head over to South Park Mall for some indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf action at Firefly's Mini Golf. Everything glows in this amusement park themed mini golf course. http://www.fireflysminigolf.com/
If the kids are too young to appreciate the Great Lakes Science, take them to the Children's Museum for an educating and entertaining experience that will suit them better. http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org/ Or take the young tots to the retro Memphis Kiddie Park for some fun. http://www.memphiskiddiepark.com/
In need of some ice cream to get you through those hot summer days? Check out some of these local favorites with multiple locations.
Want some deliciously inexpensive pizza? Mama Santas in Little Italy has been a Cleveland tradition for more than 60 years. Very kid-friendly. 216.421.2159
Be sure to check out hotel websites for family-friendly rates and packages.
Some hotels throw in family-friendly meals and tickets to preferred attractions. Search through our member hotels and find out which ones have swimming poolsand other kid-friendly activities.
Want to know where to bring the kids for dinner? We've got you covered. Search through our listing of kid-friendly restaurants that will be enjoyable for all.
NORTH COAST HARBOR 
If the family prefers a more scenic and relaxing trip, ride the historic rails of Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad along the Cuyahoga River and dip in and out of beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Hop off the train and onto a mountain bike from Century Cycles in Peninsula and ride the Ohio and Erie
If it's thrills you seek then seek no more. USA TODAY hails Cedar Point as the "best amusement park in the world," with more than 16 rollercoasters that will raise the hair of your head. From wet to wild fun, there's something here for every thrill seeker. 
Touch! Amazing Rays and Sharks @ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Einstein @ Great Lakes Science Center
Walking with Dinosaurs - The Live Experience @ Quicken Loans Arena
If rain is in the forecast, head over to South Park Mall for 
