4 Spots for your next outdoor adventure in northeast Cleveland

In the midst of a major revitalization, Cleveland has almost everything that outdoor enthusiasts could want in a bustling modern city. Facing the vast Lake Erie and quite close to a number of national parks, the northeast area in particular has a slew of outdoor attractions that you simply can’t miss out on. Here are some of them:

1. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
   8701 Lakeshore Boulevard, Cleveland, OH

   For a quick outdoor exploration without leaving city limits, the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserveis the perfect spot. This beautifully preserved lakefront area boasts scenic views of Lake Erie, verdant woods, and easy-to-access trail paths. Locals love visiting the area for long walks along the 7.2-mile loop and the calm atmosphere. Unfortunately, dogs and other pets aren’t allowed in the area.

2. Headlands Beach State Park
   9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH

   Head out further beyond the city (about 30 minutes away by car) to see the largest natural beach in Ohio. The mile-long Headlands Beach State Park offers a number of activities such as boating, kayaking, hiking, and picnicking. Fishing enthusiasts frequent the area’s wide variety of fish such as largemouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch — but do make sure you have a fishing license on hand.

   While swimming is possible on some days, especially during summer, inexperienced swimmers are highly discouraged from jumping into the water due to a lack of lifeguards and safety personnel.

3. Holden Arboretum
   550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH

   Spanning thousands of acres, the Holden Arboretum has a vast range of activities that visitors can enjoy year-round. Apart from exploring the various gardens that house over 9,000 species of trees, shrubs, and small plants, you can immerse yourself in deep ravine environments like the Stebbins Gulch, which has its very own microclimate and several forest zones. You also have the opportunity to visit the Little Mountain area — once the site of summer resorts frequented by Cleveland’s elite during the 19th century.

4. North Chagrin Reservation
   3037 SOM Ctr Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH

   Not a lot of nature preserves can claim to have a castle onsite, but you can find one in the North Chagrin Reservation. The summer retreat of Standard Oil executive Feargus B. Squire during the 1890s, Squire’s Castle today is open to public visitors. But there’s more to North Chagrin Reservation than this well-preserved 19th century structure. Here, you’ll find a golf course, biking and hiking trails, picnic areas, and vast stretches of woods and wetlands.

Explore Cleveland, OH real estate with Michelle McQuade

Want to learn more about the fantastic communities in and around Cleveland? Reach out to me, Michelle McQuade, the top Realtor in Chagrin Valley, OH. I have helped countless buyers and sellers close real estate transactions with ease, and I will be happy to do the same for you. Get in touch by phone at 440.823.2448 or send an email here.